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What’s the story?
On a recent edition of the Wrestling Observer Radio, it was revealed that the WWE could have Jeff Hardy undergo rehab before he’s allowed to make his in-ring return.
While Hardy underwent considerable physical rehabilitation for a shoulder injury that’s kept him out since late-2017, the WWE now plan on having him undergo substance abuse-related rehab owing to the DWI charges he’s facing.
In case you didn’t know…
As we’d previously reported, Jeff Hardy was reportedly involved in a car accident on Saturday, on Concord Parkway in Concord, North Carolina.
Hardy was charged with a DWI (Driving While Intoxicated), with an estimated $8,000 damages to his car and $5,000 damages to the guardrail which is owned by the NC Department of Transportation.
The heart of the matter
Addressing Jeff Hardy’s aforementioned accident and subsequent arrest, veteran professional wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer explained the situation.
According to him, although Jey Uso was arrested for a DUI earlier this year and didn’t receive a harsh punishment either from the law or in WWE, Hardy’s incident is much more serious. This is because there was a car crash coupled with the fact that Hardy has a long history of run-ins with the law including felonies regarding substance abuse.
Meltzer asserted that it would be best for Jeff, his co-performers as well as the WWE as a whole if Jeff completes his rehab for his alleged alcohol abuse; especially considering the fact that he failed a breathalyzer test—with his results popping at 0.25 (three times the legal Blood Alcohol Limit).
Furthermore, Meltzer added that Jeff has a great reputation backstage, is loved by most, and generally not viewed as a danger to others, which in turn could help him get past his current ordeal relatively easy. However, putting him back in the ring after the accident and arrest, and having him get back on the road may not be the best idea.
Meltzer alluded that while most performers claim to be clean, they often engage in substance abuse in some form or the other. Meltzer continued that Matt Hardy’s social media response to Jeff’s arrest was indeed surprising, and the WWE likely need to, and will, enrol Jeff in a rehab facility before bringing him back.
Besides, Meltzer noted that the Ultimate Deletion Match between Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt, which was shot at the Hardy Family Compound last week—before Jeff’s accident—also featured Jeff in a cameo. Regardless, the WWE could indeed edit Jeff out of the segment when the match is aired on RAW.
What’s next?
The Ultimate Deletion Match between Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt airs on next week’s edition of RAW, which takes place at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas on 19 March.
Experts believed that Jeff Hardy’s aforementioned cameo in the match could’ve seen his “Brother Nero” character introduced to the WWE Universe, however, his cameo may now be edited out of the segment.
Author’s take
Honestly speaking, the WWE could indeed go forward with featuring Jeff Hardy in the Ultimate Deletion Match.
What Jeff does in his personal life is his responsibility, and the show must go on in the WWE Universe. Here’s hoping Jeff makes a safe and speedy recovery, with or without a rehab stint.
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