Welcome to another edition of Triple Threat from Smark Out Moment, where three of us get together to discuss three questions based on one big topic going down in the week of professional wrestling.
This week, Dallas Allsopp, Greg Coleman and Matt Morgan discuss the self destruction of the once revered Jeff Hardy.
This week marked the return of Jeff Hardy's legal issues, with yet another DUI. Just what is happening to The Charismatic Enigma?
Question 1: Following his latest DUI, does it suggest that WWE were right to release him following a suspected episode under the influence? Should AEW have signed him to a contract knowing his spotty past and battles with addictions?
ALLSOPP: For me, it is six of one, and half a dozen of another. WWE may have jumped the gun, but they had every right to be suspicious. Saying that, the more strict WWE environment may have been keeping him somewhat in check, but if Jeff Hardy feels rehab is not for him, they cannot force him. AEW were going to sign him regardless of the facts, but they should have reconsidered. It’s easy to say that in hindsight, but it’s true.
COLEMAN: Given Jeff Hardy’s history with substance abuse, I could see how the WWE could think that Hardy walking out on that match was just another incident where he chose to work whilst under the influence. However, I still believe it was wrong of WWE to fire him based on suspicion of being under the influence, because they could’ve just confirmed it by having Hardy take some form of toxicology screening to see if he was truly working under the influence. Just because a person has a criminal record, it doesn’t mean they did every crime in their neighborhood. Due process is important for that reason.
I do believe AEW should’ve signed Hardy if he was clean, healthy, and they did their due diligence about what happened with the incident of him walking out on the match. I could definitely see Tony Khan feeling as if Hardy having his big brother Matt with him would help to keep him in between the lines so to speak. Sadly, it didn’t happen that way.
MORGAN: I think WWE was right to be suspicious of Jeff Hardy's actions based on his troubled past. However, what felt shady to me is that WWE let Hardy go before he got tested. No matter how odd his actions were, I do think Hardy should have been given the right to a test before his WWE contact was terminated. I also don’t think AEW was in the wrong to have signed him since it seemed as if he was not struggling at the time the signing occurred.
Question 2: Ultimately, who is to blame for Jeff Hardy’s demons? Is there any event that sticks out in your mind as a contributor to his downfall?
COLEMAN: Ultimately Jeff Hardy is to blame for his action and demons. Now, I do believe that addiction is a disease that seems to affect certain people, and Hardy seems to be one of the unlucky ones that can’t seem to control it or deal with it. However, he can control whether he feels it’s a big enough problem for his life and his family’s life to go and get the help he needs to exorcise the demons.
I said it then, and I’ll say it now - the amount of respect I have for Jon Moxley is through the roof because he sat down with himself and was honest about his issues, and prioritized the health of himself and the well-being of his family over his career and his pride. The amount of humility and introspection it must have taken for Moxley to say 'I’m not right, and my wife and new daughter deserve better than what I’m giving them' should be celebrated. Hardy has yet to make this decision for himself and his family during his struggles, and until he does, unfortunately things like this will continue to have a high likelihood of happening. There is absolutely no excuse for Hardy’s poor decision making to continue to operate vehicles whilst under the influence and to not get the help that it’s clear he needs.
MORGAN: I agree with a lot of what Greg has said above. Whilst I hope that there is some empathy that can be shown for Jeff Hardy due to the terrible nature of addicition, I also believe there needs to be a higher level of accountability on his end. Especially for this most recent situation where he could have seriously hurt (or killed) not only himself, but other passengers on the road.
ALLSOPP: Jeff Hardy screwed Jeff Hardy. I’ve seen people state online that Matt Hardy and Reby Hardy are to blame for enabling him, but ultimately, the buck stops with him alone. His litany of high spots, including his recent match with Darby Allin, are evidence of the risks that cause extreme pain, leading to his perceived need to numb his pain with addiction. But in the end, eliminating these risky behaviours in the ring would have diluted the need for self medication, even if his in ring craft suffered as a result.
Question 3: Is Jeff Hardy past the point of no return in the wrestling industry? Should he retire, or is there a better option he could consider?
MORGAN: I don’t think Jeff Hardy will ever be past the point of no return, just like Scott Hall (may he rest in peace). Hardy is a huge star and beloved by fans, so I think he always have the option to appear somewhere. I think it would be healthiest for Hardy to retire considering his issues and the amount of bumps he has taken over the last couple of decades. However, if he was to come back to wrestling, I would hope its in more of a guest or coach role - something part time where he isn’t always on the road.
ALLSOPP: I think this is the straw that has broken the camel’s back. He has burned the wrestling industry too many times to be a trusted in ring competitor, although, he could go some way towards redeeming himself with a producer role. Once he’s 100% clean, that is.
COLEMAN: I don’t believe Jeff Hardy is at the point of no return in the wrestling business. If his match with Sting in TNA didn’t end his career, then I don’t believe this will end it either. I think he should continue to wrestle if that’s what he wants to do and he’s able to still do it. I will say that if Hardy continues to wrestle, any long-term contract he signs should feature 3 requirements:
1: He must attend an inpatient substance abuse rehab facility, and once released, attend support meetings regularly.
2: He will be subject to random drug and alcohol screenings, with zero tolerance for a failed test.
3: He must employ and pay for out of his own money, a full-time driver. There is no reason why a man who’s made as much money as he has continues to put not just his own life, but the lives of other people at risk due to his poor decision making.
Those are our thoughts on the issue, but where do you stand?
Let us know your answers to these questions in the comments below!
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