3 possible directions for Jeff Hardy

This past Sunday at the Hell in a Cell pay-per-view, Jeff Hardy took on his arch-foe, Randy Orton, in a gruesome match that lived up to the match's billing, hype and name.

Hardy took some serious punishment, Orton's brute offense was reminiscent of an Attitude Era themed hardcore match.

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Orton pulled Hardy's earlobe with a screw-driver that left fans horrified and terrified. However, Hardy's night wasn't over yet as the high-flyer went face-first through a table after jumping from the top of the cell while swinging in full force.

Hardy was noticeably hurt and was stretchered out of the arena. It was later reported that he was coughing up blood and was experiencing excruciating abdominal pain.

Hardy wasn't seen on SmackDown Live either but did compete in a live event earlier this week. Thus, indicating that the stretcher angle was a work.

That leaves us with the question: What's next for the Charismatic Enigma?

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#3 Continuation of the feud with Randy Orton

Randy Orton has been a thorn on Hardy's side lately

Something tells me that the epic rivalry between Randy Orton and Jeff Hardy is far from over as WWE teased another chapter between the two rivals at this week's SmackDown. In fact, I think that the match inside Hell in a Cell was a catalyst for something greater in the near future.

Although Hardy was absent on SmackDown Live, Orton was involved in a backstage segment where he was re-watching and savoring his punishment on Hardy at Hell in a Cell with a production crew member.

My expectation is that WWE is allowing Hardy some time off to sell his injuries and to support his brother (Matt Hardy) who recently retired and his family.

I expect him to return after two weeks to set up a rubber match with Orton at WWE Super-Show Down in an Iron-man match or a Three Stages of Hell match.

#2 Feud with Andrade ' Cien' Almas

Almas and Vega have made a huge impact

There's word going around the rumor mill which states that Vince McMahon rates Andrade 'Cien' Almas very highly.

Almas made his debut on SmackDown Live this May and has quickly made a name for himself on the main roster by giving main-event caliber stars like Daniel Bryan, Rusev and AJ Styles a tough time.

Given that he has faced off top babyfaces like AJ Styles and Daniel Bryan, it makes complete sense for him to go toe-to-toe with SmackDown Live's third-biggest babyface in Jeff Hardy.

Almas would benefit immensely from feuding with a skilled veteran like Jeff Hardy, who is willing to work with young talent.

Hardy and Almas have incredible wrestling skills that could wow any audience on any given night.

The feud could be amazing if WWE books it well and Almas could get a huge boost by defeating Hardy.

#1 Re-emergence as Brother Nero

Delete!Delete!Delete!

Given that Jeff Hardy has endured so much agony and pain at the hands of Shinsuke Nakamura and Randy Orton in recent months, it's inevitable that he's fed up with all the punishment and torment he has gone through.

Hardy's match with Orton could be a perfect catalyst for the debut of Brother Nero on WWE programming.

Furthermore, Matt Hardy's retirement has signaled the end of the 'Woken' Universe in WWE, which would be a huge let-down.

Moreover, Hardy has done everything in WWE up till this point and it's time for him to re-invent himself in the best possible way.

A run as Brother Nero, alongside Matt Hardy as his manager, would be a sight to behold.