Jeff Hardy: "That's why I'm going to remain here [TNA]"

[It's Damn Real!]

This all from an interview with 4thandPain.com:

"I'll look at the comments on Instagram and there's all this WWE, TNA talk. I get so tired of hearing that as far as where I should be or whatever. Being here is what's cool to me because we have so much room to grow and get better. And really, I feel needed more here. Like if I did ever go back to WWE, I wouldn't feel as needed. I mean, I would stand out but I would just vanish with the other top guys. Being here is just unique because I'm able to be the complete package of 'The Charismatic Enigma,' like with my music coming out and my artwork. There's just so much potential for me overall being more than just a wrestler here in TNA. And that's why I'm going to remain here."

--

Frankly, I couldn't possibly agree with Jeff more. I'm sure there will be a horde of butt hurt fans upset that yet another superstar spurns going/returning to WWE over staying in TNA, because they refuse to watch TNA, but they can get fucked. This is Jeff's decision, and while I think he made the right one, ultimately, the "right" decision is what he decides anyway. All I know is Jeff Hardy not only looks happier in TNA, but you can tell he's really reveling in the fact that he's got so much control over his character there, as opposed to what he may or may not have up there.

Good on you, Jeff, for picking what you want and sticking with it despite what greedy, selfish fans think is best for you. Taking a page out of the Sting textbook there.

Thoughts?

 

[Zeven_Zion]

A truly passionate performer has always been superior to one who's doing it simply for the money and the outlet. Jeff Hardy is a passionate performer, Sting is a passionate performer, AJ Styles, Christopher Daniels, Austin Aries, Bully Ray, James Storm - passionate performers.

These guys are loyal out of love for the company, not love for the almighty dollar and LORD knows that's what wrestling needs today. WWE's turned it into too much of a money mill. They're trying to monetize anything and everything while TNA is maintaining a fair level of what made wrestling good.

While McMahon is trying to sell another box of Cena T-Shirts, Carter is developing a wrestling company first and everything else second.

Jeff's choice is easy and I'm glad to finally SEE that he feels the same way. Hopefully all the "But he'll never wrestle in the big arenas and make a lot of money" will shut their dick holes at this point and realize that it's not always about the money and the fame.

It's also great to see that TNA has become or is becoming an alternative not only for the fans but also for the wrestlers. The fact that a good load of talented wrestlers CHOOSE to stay there, despite having other options, is nothing but a good thing for THE WHOLE BUSINESS.

Hopefully TNA will continue to grow and improve and become a home for even more wrestlers who can experience what Jeff has.

 

[MisterRob]

Seriously?

No offense, but what a crock. Jeff Hardy didn't leave the WWE because he had a "choice", and he chose to come to TNA. That wasn't the case at all, so that makes this entire thread pointless. If Hardy wasn't as drugged up, burnt out, and screwed up as he was when WWE let him go I guarantee he'd still be in the WWE raking in the money and wrestling in the big arenas.

I don't like Jeff Hardy, nor do I want to see him back in the WWE. But if we're being real he's not choosing to stay in TNA because he's some passionate performer who doesn't care about the money. He's staying in TNA because he's making GOOD money and he can work the schedule he likes and give the effort he wants to give. It suits he and his needs better.

 

[SinCityBlitz]

Like you really had a choice Jeff? If Vince gave him big money and let him work the schedule that he wanted he would be gone from TNA in a minute. Passion? No just he is content. But as we all know in wrestling that can change week to week.

Jeff is still a ticking time bomb. I still don't think(even though I hope he does)he will stay clean over time.

I swear that TNA fan boys are just as bad as WWE ones.

 

[fenderjapan]

I love the reasons people give for going to TNA. Passion, "more needed"...

Here are the four real reasons people go to TNA -

1) Less drug testing
2) Less travel
3) Butthurt about WWE (Applies basically to Sting)
4) Not wanted in WWE

 

[JUSTINMFNBEEMER]

All i got from his interview is him admitting hes a big fish now in a small pond.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

All i got from his interview is him admitting hes a big fish now in a small pond.

And even if that were the case, there are people like this throughout sports. People like you who think that this is somehow a negative thing because you would do differently are exactly who I am talking about in the OP. No one cares what you would do. You're not Jeff Hardy. If you were, maybe you would go back to WWE because you think the bigger waters are better, but it's quite obvious Hardy doesn't feel the same. Why is that wrong?

 

[It's Damn Real!]

I love the reasons people give for going to TNA. Passion, "more needed"...

Here are the four real reasons people go to TNA -

1) Less drug testing
2) Less travel
3) Butthurt about WWE (Applies basically to Sting)
4) Not wanted in WWE

5. Actually happy in TNA, despite what idiots on the internet say about a company they've never actually worked for.
6. Actually have a sense of loyalty.
7. Feel they are doing the business a service by sticking with the underdog to help raise the profile of pro-wrestling — a sport that's in the shitter.
8. Actually enjoy that they can do something with their lives working for TNA that they may not have been given the same freedoms to do elsewhere.

 

[Dowdsy McDowds]

Seriously?

No offense, but what a crock. Jeff Hardy didn't leave the WWE because he had a "choice", and he chose to come to TNA. That wasn't the case at all, so that makes this entire thread pointless. If Hardy wasn't as drugged up, burnt out, and screwed up as he was when WWE let him go I guarantee he'd still be in the WWE raking in the money and wrestling in the big arenas.

I don't think you read Jeff's comments properly, did you? He isn't speaking about when he left WWE, he's speaking about fans opinions' on a social media site, with the subject being should he be in TNA or WWE. He gave his reasons for why staying in TNA is more agreeable to him and his future as a performer.

He let everyone down at Victory Road, and even before that he wasn't near his best; seriously, I would physically cringe whenever I saw him perform a swanton on someone. If he had pulled that VR shit in WWE, he'd be gone. No question. TNA gave him another chance when people felt he was all out of them. Since coming back it seems that he's been trying hard to make amends for what he's done and improve himself. Will it change him in everyone's eyes? Fuck no it wont. For the fans who still like and believe in him, he's doing what he can to better himself for them.

 

[Con T.]

Couldn't be happier to hear this. I've ragged on Jeff a lot, especially after the awful Victory Road situation. But he's right on the money here, and furthermore, him going back on the road probably means a return to drugs. I am completely for a wrestler getting healthy; TNA has the luxury of far less dates, which frankly all wrestling companies could use. The days of a 300 day touring schedule should come to an end soon; not only is it draining on the product, but it drains the talent. I'm glad to see Jeff understands his limitations, and is willing to do what benefits him

That said;

These guys are loyal out of love for the company, not love for the almighty dollar and LORD knows that's what wrestling needs today. WWE's turned it into too much of a money mill. They're trying to monetize anything and everything while TNA is maintaining a fair level of what made wrestling good.

While McMahon is trying to sell another box of Cena T-Shirts, Carter is developing a wrestling company first and everything else second.

First off, you do realize wrestling is a business, all about making money, right? How is what Dixie and Vince do any different?


Second off, it isn't as though Dixie is particularly the saint of professional wrestling. If you want wrestling for the art, watch Chikara; TNA has the same type of commercialism as WWE, just on a lesser scale, largely because they're a lesser company.

 

[fenderjapan]

5. Actually happy in TNA, despite what idiots on the internet say about a company they've never actually worked for.
6. Actually have a sense of loyalty.
7. Feel they are doing the business a service by sticking with the underdog to help raise the profile of pro-wrestling — a sport that's in the shitter.
8. Actually enjoy that they can do something with their lives working for TNA that they may not have been given the same freedoms to do elsewhere.

5- Never said he wasn't happy.
6- Sense of loyalty? Really? He had the biggest title on the planet with the WWE title and randomly threw up his arms and said "I'm done with this shit" without giving even enough time to get written out of storylines. If a guy like Jeff Hardy wanted to go on a sabbatical he could have, especially in post-Benoit WWE. He wasn't loyal to WWE, the company that made him who he was, why would you think he would be loyal to TNA?
7- Going to the underdog is one thing. Going to a promotion that has no chance to ever compete with WWE is career suicide.
8- He has a little more freedom in TNA given the whole WWE-pg thing.

If you look at the timeline of Jeff's bailing on WWE, drug arrests, debut in TNA its pretty clear...Jeff doesn't want to lay off the dope so TNA is the place.

 

[The Dragon Saga]

Seriously?

No offense, but what a crock. Jeff Hardy didn't leave the WWE because he had a "choice", and he chose to come to TNA. That wasn't the case at all, so that makes this entire thread pointless. If Hardy wasn't as drugged up, burnt out, and screwed up as he was when WWE let him go I guarantee he'd still be in the WWE raking in the money and wrestling in the big arenas.

And if it wasn't for WWE's hectic schedule he wouldn't have been "drugged up, burnt out and screwed up," funny how that works?

Fair play to Jeff for making the decision off what he knows is best for him. He's more suited to TNA anyway. I'm sure Matt Hardy will be disappointed because he's always letting out feelers in interviews and on Twitter about how a Hardy Boyz reunion in WWE could happen, but to be honest who really wants to see it? We got a Hardy Boyz reunion in the past and it wasn't all that great.

The schedule is better for him because he won't get burnt out, he has more time to heal injuries and such, which will keep him away from painkillers and other issues he might have had in the past. Plus, he's right, if he does go back to WWE they'll probably use him in a couple top feuds against guys such as CM Punk but then he'd drop back into the midcard.

In TNA he's guaranteed to be the top guy on the marquee and if he needed any more proof, there is a reason he's the current TNA World Heavyweight Champion.

 

[MisterRob]

And if it wasn't for WWE's hectic schedule he wouldn't have been "drugged up, burnt out and screwed up," funny how that works?

Bullshit. Is every single WWE wrestler drugged up? Nope. Is every WWE wrestler burnt out? While the schedule can certainly be taxing and I don't even agree with the amount of days people work, not everyone's a burnt out mess like Jeff Hardy was. Is every single WWE wrestler screwed up? Nope.

To put the blame for those things on WWE, when they have countless talents who aren't at all suffering the same things as Jeff Hardy did, is both ignorant and silly. Jeff Hardy is a drug addict, and him being a screwed up mess falls on no one but himself. You can only help a drug addict when they accept they have a problem and want the help.

Your blanket blame is ridiculous.

And you seem to forget that a drugged up Jeff Hardy made a fool of himself and TNA on PPV, long after he was gone from WWE. I guess that's WWE's fault too, right? TNA has no blame there, right?

Fair play to Jeff for making the decision off what he knows is best for him. He's more suited to TNA anyway. I'm sure Matt Hardy will be disappointed because he's always letting out feelers in interviews and on Twitter about how a Hardy Boyz reunion in WWE could happen, but to be honest who really wants to see it? We got a Hardy Boyz reunion in the past and it wasn't all that great.

The schedule is better for him because he won't get burnt out, he has more time to heal injuries and such, which will keep him away from painkillers and other issues he might have had in the past. Plus, he's right, if he does go back to WWE they'll probably use him in a couple top feuds against guys such as CM Punk but then he'd drop back into the midcard.

In TNA he's guaranteed to be the top guy on the marquee and if he needed any more proof, there is a reason he's the current TNA World Heavyweight Champion.

There's no doubt that TNA is a better fit for Jeff Hardy, but let's at least admit why that is and not pretend it's for reasons like "loyalty" and "passion". He doesn't have to work the schedule he did before. He doesn't have to give as much effort as he would have to in WWE to stay on top and be a top star. He can enjoy things in his personal life and have less limitations and restrictions in TNA then he can in WWE. There's no drug testing in TNA. He's guaranteed good money and a place in the main event because he's got name recognition and wrestling history from the WWE, where others have to fight and struggle to prove themselves and reach the main event, let alone stay there.

Jeff has it easy in TNA. I agree.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

5- Never said he wasn't happy.
6- Sense of loyalty? Really? He had the biggest title on the planet with the WWE title and randomly threw up his arms and said "I'm done with this shit" without giving even enough time to get written out of storylines. If a guy like Jeff Hardy wanted to go on a sabbatical he could have, especially in post-Benoit WWE. He wasn't loyal to WWE, the company that made him who he was, why would you think he would be loyal to TNA?
7- Going to the underdog is one thing. Going to a promotion that has no chance to ever compete with WWE is career suicide.
8- He has a little more freedom in TNA given the whole WWE-pg thing.

If you look at the timeline of Jeff's bailing on WWE, drug arrests, debut in TNA its pretty clear...Jeff doesn't want to lay off the dope so TNA is the place.

The point is, he came out explaining exactly why he is apparently choosing TNA over WWE, and you are telling everyone he is lying, and that the only reason he is doing so is because of X, Y and Z. Who's word do you really expect me to take here — Jeff Hardy, the performer himself, or you, some internet fan who has an obvious complex?

And hey, there you go again with that complex talking about how TNA has "no chance to ever compete with WWE" so signing there is "career suicide". You are aware he still has a career, is still seen by millions of wrestling fans all over the world and makes money doing so, yes? Then how is this suicide? If you make it to the NHL and make millions playing for the Florida Panthers, you are still an NHL player, regardless of whether you sign an $80M deal with a more popular team.

When will people like you learn that the world does not live and die by the WWE?

 

[ヒュー　G.　レックション]

If you look at the timeline of Jeff's bailing on WWE, drug arrests, debut in TNA its pretty clear...Jeff doesn't want to lay off the dope so TNA is the place.

Some still seem to think Jeff is still on the drugs. Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't Jeff have to be drug tested regularly as part of his probation from the charges? If so then we can assume he is legit.

Also, according to a radio interview Dixie did some months back, TNA does have a welness policy (though the real question is, is anyone punished for breaking it? lol)

 

[The Dragon Saga]

Bullshit. Is every single WWE wrestler drugged up? Nope. Is every WWE wrestler burnt out? While the schedule can certainly be taxing and I don't even agree with the amount of days people work, not everyone's a burnt out mess like Jeff Hardy was. Is every single WWE wrestler screwed up? Nope.

To put the blame for those things on WWE, when they have countless talents who aren't at all suffering the same things as Jeff Hardy did, is both ignorant and silly. Jeff Hardy is a drug addict, and him being a screwed up mess falls on no one but himself. You can only help a drug addict when they accept they have a problem and want the help.

Your blanket blame is ridiculous.

And you seem to forget that a drugged up Jeff Hardy made a fool of himself and TNA on PPV, long after he was gone from WWE. I guess that's WWE's fault too, right? TNA has no blame there, right?

What are you, a fucking saint?

Jeff Hardy had issues brought on by the schedule he worked for WWE, he couldn't handle it and he got hurt, he turned to drugs such as painkillers to ease the pain so that he could work to provide for himself and his family and to continue doing what he loved but to his credit, eventually admitted that he couldn't work anymore, that he needed a less rigorous schedule hence why he left WWE.

And you want to talk about the countless talents who aren't suffering? Lets talk about the countless talents who are dead! And ******, get your definitions correct, Jeff is a recovered drug addict. As part of his probation he has to submit a urine sample once a month to show he isn't under the influence of a narcotic and until you see a report scroll across the top of this website saying, "Jeff Hardy arrested on drug charges" he'll remain a recovered drug addict.

Jeff Hardy went out on TNA pay-per-view inebriated, we all know it. Whose fault is it? Jeff Hardy's. Whose admitted to that? Jeff Hardy. Who cleaned himself up, has gone back to make money and is the current TNA World Heavyweight Champion? Jeff Hardy.

There's no doubt that TNA is a better fit for Jeff Hardy, but let's at least admit why that is and not pretend it's for reasons like "loyalty" and "passion". He doesn't have to work the schedule he did before. He doesn't have to give as much effort as he would have to in WWE to stay on top and be a top star. He can enjoy things in his personal life and have less limitations and restrictions in TNA then he can in WWE. There's no drug testing in TNA. He's guaranteed good money and a place in the main event because he's got name recognition and wrestling history from the WWE, where others have to fight and struggle to prove themselves and reach the main event, let alone stay there.

Jeff has it easy in TNA. I agree.

That's what I said, isn't it? The same reason Kurt Angle is with TNA, because he can't work the WWE schedule and he knows it. Jeff fought and struggled to reach the main event, he fought for almost fifteen years to be exact before finally becoming the WWE Champion. He earned his main event spot. If earned his popularity. Same way he earned the TNA World Heavyweight title.

 

[Papa Pillman]

He let everyone down at Victory Road, and even before that he wasn't near his best; seriously, I would physically cringe whenever I saw him perform a swanton on someone. If he had pulled that VR shit in WWE, he'd be gone. No question. TNA gave him another chance when people felt he was all out of them. Since coming back it seems that he's been trying hard to make amends for what he's done and improve himself. Will it change him in everyone's eyes? Fuck no it wont. For the fans who still like and believe in him, he's doing what he can to better himself for them.

To speak even further to this point in particular...

Okay, bare with me:

As we all know who watch TNA on a regular basis, every main event gets the full scale prematch in-ring announcement treatment from JB. During those announcements JB always lists a weight that the performer weighed in at on that particular morning. Now I know as wrestling fans we are conditioned to take these numbers with a grain of salt, but their is strong reason to believe that the weights given during these main event intros are legitimate recently recorded weight numbers. This can be evidenced by the fact that the numbers for a wrestler often change by a couple of pounds in one direction or the other, sometimes even in consecutive weeks. A good example to further the legitimacy of these announcements is to look at Angle during the time he cutting mass in preparation for last year's olympic trials. It was clear that Kurt was thinning rapidly, and his announced weight each week reflected the visual proof. Another way I would say this is backed-up is by the way that at PPVs it used to be common practice for TNA to use an on-screen graphic attached to their tale-of-the-tape set-up that would display the wrestler's listed height and weight, and those would show the more generic numbers we are accustomed to, but during the actual match intros JB would give a number that seemed to more accurately reflect the performer's current shape, sometimes largely contradicting the aformentioned graphic that had just been shown minutes before.

Now I say all that to say this- Around the end of Hardy's last run with the company prior to the VR incident when he was the out-of-shape antichrist, and JB would announce his weight, it was very high for Jeff. I remember hearing it as high as 238 lbs. and it's possible there were times it was announced as higher that I don't remeber. Since his return Jeff has been moving progressively better, his visual appearance from a physique perspective has been steadily improving, and the weight number announced prior to his main events has been steadily decreasing.

Then came last night, I was shocked to hear JB proclaim Hardy's weight all the way down to 217 lbs. Physically he looks and moves so much more like a young Jeff Hardy than I ever thought would be possible at this stage.

It really is more tangible proof that emphasizes Jeff's commitment to get back to the performer that he should be.

 

[fenderjapan]

The point is, he came out explaining exactly why he is apparently choosing TNA over WWE, and you are telling everyone he is lying, and that the only reason he is doing so is because of X, Y and Z. Who's word do you really expect me to take here — Jeff Hardy, the performer himself, or you, some internet fan who has an obvious complex?

And hey, there you go again with that complex talking about how TNA has "no chance to ever compete with WWE" so signing there is "career suicide". You are aware he still has a career, is still seen by millions of wrestling fans all over the world and makes money doing so, yes? Then how is this suicide? If you make it to the NHL and make millions playing for the Florida Panthers, you are still an NHL player, regardless of whether you sign an $80M deal with a more popular team.

When will people like you learn that the world does not live and die by the WWE?

You don't have to believe me, you are just being a little bit naive if you think Jeff went to TNA because he loves the business.

I don't have any problems with TNA and I do believe competition is good for the business. I watch TNA from time to time just like I watch WWE from time to time.

There are lots of GOOD reasons for talent to go to TNA. Lighter schedule, central location...big fish in a small pond...but Jeff was at the top of WWE when he left. He was a big fish in a big pond. His lifestyle and the WWE's need to save face didn't work.

Just an uneducated wrestling fan's opinion.

To speak even further to this point in particular...

Okay, bare with me:

As we all know who watch TNA on a regular basis, every main event gets the full scale prematch in-ring announcement treatment from JB. During those announcements JB always lists a weight that the performer weighed in at on that particular morning. Now I know as wrestling fans we are conditioned to take these numbers with a grain of salt, but their is strong reason to believe that the weights given during these main event intros are legitimate recently recorded weight numbers. This can be evidenced by the fact that the numbers for a wrestler often change by a couple of pounds in one direction or the other, sometimes even in consecutive weeks. A good example to further the legitimacy of these announcements is to look at Angle during the time he cutting mass in preparation for last year's olympic trials. It was clear that Kurt was thinning rapidly, and his announced weight each week reflected the visual proof. Another way I would say this is backed-up is by the way that at PPVs it used to be common practice for TNA to use an on-screen graphic attached to their tale-of-the-tape set-up that would display the wrestler's listed height and weight, and those would show the more generic numbers we are accustomed to, but during the actual match intros JB would give a number that seemed to more accurately reflect the performer's current shape, sometimes largely contradicting the aformentioned graphic that had just been shown minutes before.

Now I say all that to say this- Around the end of Hardy's last run with the company prior to the VR incident when he was the out-of-shape antichrist, and JB would announce his weight, it was very high for Jeff. I remember hearing it as high as 238 lbs. and it's possible there were times it was announced as higher that I don't remeber. Since his return Jeff has been moving progressively better, his visual appearance from a physique perspective has been steadily improving, and the weight number announced prior to his main events has been steadily decreasing.

Then came last night, I was shocked to hear JB proclaim Hardy's weight all the way down to 217 lbs. Physically he looks and moves so much more like a young Jeff Hardy than I ever thought would be possible at this stage.

It really is more tangible proof that emphasizes Jeff's commitment to get back to the performer that he should be.

Billed height and weight is a promotional tactic and nothing else.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

You don't have to believe me, you are just being a little bit naive if you think Jeff went to TNA because he loves the business.

I don't have any problems with TNA and I do believe competition is good for the business. I watch TNA from time to time just like I watch WWE from time to time.

There are lots of GOOD reasons for talent to go to TNA. Lighter schedule, central location...big fish in a small pond...but Jeff was at the top of WWE when he left. He was a big fish in a big pond. His lifestyle and the WWE's need to save face didn't work.

Just an uneducated wrestling fan's opinion.

I don't think Jeff went to TNA because he loves the business. I think Jeff went for ALL THE REASONS he listed.

"Being here is what's cool to me because we have so much room to grow and get better. And really, I feel needed more here. Like if I did ever go back to WWE, I wouldn't feel as needed. I mean, I would stand out but I would just vanish with the other top guys. Being here is just unique because I'm able to be the complete package of 'The Charismatic Enigma,' like with my music coming out and my artwork. There's just so much potential for me overall being more than just a wrestler here in TNA. And that's why I'm going to remain here."

Again, you don't want to believe it, and think you get a better definition between the lines? By all means. Maybe that makes me naïve – your'e right, or maybe it just makes you paranoid. At the end of the day, I go with the most credible source, and there is no more credible source to how Jeff Hardy feels than Jeff Hardy himself.

 

[Papa Pillman]

Billed height and weight is a promotional tactic and nothing else.

I don't disagree with you. I even aknowlegded as much in my post. But in the case of these particular instances there is reason to believe that what is being said is accurate.

Hell, this is slightly different, but last year even WWE started making a move toward more realism in their weight listings. Prior to the mandate that was sent down they were comically listing some performers. Christian, for example, was being announced as weighing circa-220 pounds which was laughably obsurd; but after the decision was made to list the performers in a more realistic light, that number lowered to 198 lbs. overnight. Eighty percent of WWE's talent did not lose 15+ pounds instantly, they just got weighed and had their weights listed more accurately.

I recognize size exageration has always been a prominent means of highlighting the "larger-than-life" illusion(not just in wrestling, as it has happened often in football and basketball as well especially on the college level), and I admitted as much in my point. But I also gave plenty of back-up to support the post I made, and why the numbers shouldn't be blindly discarded. So unless you have more than blanket lines about old industry standards and how they apply to a changing landscape, perhaps you shouldn't be so dismissive.

 

[fenderjapan]

I don't disagree with you. I even aknowlegded as much in my post. But in the case of these particular instances there is reason to believe that what is being said is accurate.

Hell, this is slightly different, but last year even WWE started making a move toward more realism in their weight listings. Prior to the mandate that was sent down they were comically listing some performers. Christian, for example, was being announced as weighing circa-220 pounds which was laughably obsurd; but after the decision was made to list the performers in a more realistic light, that number lowered to 198 lbs. overnight. Eighty percent of WWE's talent did not lose 15+ pounds instantly, they just got weighed and had their weights listed more accurately.

I recognize size exageration has always been a prominent means of highlighting the "larger-than-life" illusion(not just in wrestling, as it has happened often in football and basketball as well especially on the college level), and I admitted as much in my point. But I also gave plenty of back-up to support the post I made, and why the numbers shouldn't be blindly discarded. So unless you have more than blanket lines about old industry standards and how they apply to a changing landscape, perhaps you shouldn't be so dismissive.

My only point is that the decrease in Jeff's billed weight correlating to his overall health is a bit of a leap.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

Generally speaking, I buy into most of what Hardy is saying here. When you look back over Hardy's career, it clicks with certain aspects of his life that've been a frequent topic of discussion.

Hardy's statement about WWE not actually needing him and that he's able to stand out more in TNA is something that rings true to me. There are several stars on the WWE roster right now as big and popular, some more so, than Hardy was. Hardy is someone that's a significant draw for TNA by TNA standards. He's by far TNA's biggest merchandise seller as well. The fact that he makes significant money for TNA in memorabilia and is a bigger star than 99% of the roster makes him a valuable commodity.

TNA wants to keep Hardy happy, so they've been going all out in order to do that for the past several months especially. He works a much lighter schedule in TNA, TNA is putting out his first CD in the near future, they let him design his own championship belt, no matter how ugly it is, etc. As much as this will upset some people, comparatively speaking, Jeff Hardy is a big fish & TNA is a little pond and Jeff Hardy knows & realizes it. He's no doubt used that leverage to his advantage to get the most of what he can in order to stay with TNA.

As far as all this talk some have brought up about WWE being a money pit and all that, so what? Do you honestly think that Dixie Carter, Bob Carter and Jeff Jarrett wouldn't want for TNA to be as financially successful as WWE???? TNA wants to grow to become that successful, even more so if possible. Why else would they spend so much money bringing in so many former wrestlers that were established as stars in WWE or WCW? First & foremost, wrestling is about making money like any other business. Anybody that says differently is a fool that knows nothing whatsoever about wrestling, business or the real world for that matter. Loyalty is a wonderful thing but, at the end of the day, loyalty doesn't put food on the table, clothes on your kids' backs or a roof over their heads. If WWE came knocking with a huge money offer, it's not at all unreasonable to expect a good many from TNA would be asking to be released from their contracts.

If Hardy is happy in TNA and is passionate about being there, that's wonderful for him. At the same time, however, you have to remember that Hardy is someone that's not got to worry about money. It's easy to worry about wrestling simply for the "love" of it or for the "art" of it when you're someone that's set for life financially. If Styles left TNA for WWE for a big money contract, it doesn't mean that Styles hadn't been loyal to TNA. Nobody has championed TNA like Styles but, at the end of the day, he's someone that has to do what he thinks is best for himself and his family. Wrestling fans that can't understand such a simple, basic line of thinking need to push away from the keyboard, climb up out of their parents' basement and take a stroll through the real world. Even if Styles would be "happier" in TNA, sometimes you have to take a job somewhere you might not exactly like in order to get the most you can out of the profession you've chosen.

 

[fenderjapan]

I don't think Jeff went to TNA because he loves the business. I think Jeff went for ALL THE REASONS he listed.

"Being here is what's cool to me because we have so much room to grow and get better. And really, I feel needed more here. Like if I did ever go back to WWE, I wouldn't feel as needed. I mean, I would stand out but I would just vanish with the other top guys. Being here is just unique because I'm able to be the complete package of 'The Charismatic Enigma,' like with my music coming out and my artwork. There's just so much potential for me overall being more than just a wrestler here in TNA. And that's why I'm going to remain here."

Again, you don't want to believe it, and think you get a better definition between the lines? By all means. Maybe that makes me naïve – your'e right, or maybe it just makes you paranoid. At the end of the day, I go with the most credible source, and there is no more credible source to how Jeff Hardy feels than Jeff Hardy himself.

Not sure what's "between the lines" about it...

Sept 09 - Quits WWE randomly from the Main Event Scene
August 09 - Gets arrested posessing an astronomical amount of drugs
Jan 10 - Gets hired by TNA despite facing charges for said astronomical amount of drugs
March 11 - Gets sent home after ruining a PPV main event wrestling on drugs
August 11 - Returns to TNA despite having blown said PPV and still facing repercussions from said astronomical amount of drugs

Jeff can do what he wants and get away with it. There's nothing between the lines about it. It IS the lines.

 

[Papa Pillman]

If Styles left TNA for WWE for a big money contract, it doesn't mean that Styles hadn't been loyal to TNA. Nobody has championed TNA like Styles but, at the end of the day, he's someone that has to do what he thinks is best for himself and his family.

That part there is a great point Jack-Hammer. Family dictates so much in this business, sometimes even beyond the money. AJ is a great example to use. Consider...

When WCW got bought out by Vince McMahon, AJ was left jobless. He went back to the indy scene for a year and then got a developmental offer from WWE. He turned down that offer because the relocation to Ohio to work for WWE's developmental orginization at the time(HWA) wasn't practical for his family as his wife was starting college in Georgia. The "wrestler" in AJ surely knew that a WWE deal was a smart move, but the "husband" in him made the best decision for his family.

Tyler Reks also walked away from a dream job so that he could spend more time raising his daughter.

Bringing it back to Jeff Hardy- he has stated in the past that the number one thing that motivated him to fix his life was his daughter. He made it clear that now the most desirable thing about the lighter TNA schedule is the time it gives him to spend with his family. More time, opportunity, and freedom to be the man you want to be are very real factors for these guys to weigh.

It's easy to forget that at the end of the day, these guys aren't just entertainers. Many of them are grown men, with wives and children. And what's best for the people they care about vastly outweighs what some faction of their fanbase may want from them, as it should be. Wrestling after all doesn't offer an "offseason" like is enjoyed by team sport athletes or downtime between films like exists for hollywood actors. Its a year round job, and if not juggled correctly its a lifestyle that destroys not only the performers but their families as well. Good for Jeff for knowing what's best for himself and for seeming to finally have his priorities straight.

 

[sTyLnK]

If he really was passionate about the business, he'd want to keep getting better to stand out above the rest. He doesn't have to do that in TNA, he can lay low and do whatever he wants outside of the ring, he can spend more time with his family (which is always a good thing) and it's easier on his body. That's why he's there IMO. The WWE is too strict for his liking, the travel is too hard on him and whether you agree or not, he doesn't want to push himself to be better. He's just fine wrestling his lighter schedule, then going home and doing other stuff. He's content where he's at in his life and that's perfectly fine quite honestly. Because at the end of the day it's what makes you happy.

I just wish he wouldn't say he'd "vanish" with the other top guys in the WWE. If he really wanted to be the best, he'd push himself to be. In TNA, he can just get by on his name and he'll always be a top guy. In the WWE, that might be possible now, but as we saw in the past, if he slacked or did stupid things, Vince would see it and throw him down the ladder to do mid card stuff.

Agree or disagree, it's my opinion and no one will change it.