What’s the Story?
As per multiple internet reports, Jeff Hardy’s wellness policy violations from his previous run in the WWE will carry over to his current run despite his 8-year absence from the company.
According to the WWE Wellness Policy, wrestlers who violate the wellness policy and leave the WWE will maintain their violation count even if they return to the company after a long time.
In Case You Didn’t Know
Jeff and Matt Hardy began wrestling in the WWE back during the Attitude Era, but Jeff would end up leaving the company in 2002 due to his problems with substance abuse. After wrestling in ROH and TNA, Jeff re-signed with the WWE in 2006 and would stay with the company until his release in 2009.
Hardy’s second wellness policy violation came in 2008 which cost him from winning the Money in the Bank Briefcase at WrestleMania 24 as a result of a 60-Day suspension.
The Heart of the Matter
The following is the official statement regarding wrestlers returning to the company after violating the company’s wellness policy; from section 15 of the wellness policy web page under “Penalties.”
“Any WWE Talent, who leaves the WWE for any reason with a first or second violation on his/her record, will maintain said violation count on his/her record from the time he/she departs WWE until the time he/she returns, if ever, to the WWE.
Despite Jeff’s violations still being on the record, the wellness policy forgiveness program could erase his strikes should he chose to pursue it.
The following is the official statement for wrestlers attempting to enact the wellness policy forgiveness program.
“Upon successful completion of the Redemption Program, the WWE Talent shall request the PA, with the approval of the Medical Director, to delete one (1) of the two (2) violations of record for such WWE Talent. In the event the PA determines in favor of the request, the violation record for such WWE Talent will then be amended to reflect the reduction of a violation leaving the WWE Talent with only one (1) violation under the Policy.”
What’s Next?
Jeff ’s problems with substance abuse were at their worst back in TNA around 2011 which lead to a variety of videos with Jeff Hardy under the influence as well as the infamous Victory Road match between himself and Sting.
Since that time, Jeff has had no reports of drug abuse problems and could attempt the redemption program in the future.
Author’s Take
As per WWE’s wellness policy, all it would take is one more strike to force the company to release Jeff and ban him from re-signing for a year.
Jeff has had no reported substance abuse problems in recent years and hopefully, that streak continues throughout his run with the WWE and throughout his life.
