In case you missed the news yesterday, Jeff Hardy was released by the WWE. The news broke yesterday with Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful and led to many speculating as to what reasons there might have been to let Jeff go. As many will be aware, Jeff was sent home from a holiday tour just this week and is believed to have subsequently refused to attend rehab. Regardless of the reasons for Jeff’s release, as it is not anyone’s right to speculate why someone lost their job, we would like to take some time to address why WWE’s booking of Jeff Hardy over the past couple of years has been a colossal waste of an actively competing, certified legend’s star power. So, no more words; let’s jump right in.
Background
Jeff Hardy is one of the most universally beloved competitors in recent pro wrestling history. For fans growing up during the height of the Attitude Era, Jeff was the “crazier” one-half of the alternative raver styled brother duo, The Hardy Boyz. He would jump off of ladders; fall through tables and be involved in some of the most ludicrously painful spots on a near weekly basis. Fans adored this character and he would go on to become one of the most popular wrestlers of the 21st century.
He reinvented himself during the early phase of the Ruthless Aggression Era when he and brother, Matt Hardy, went their separate ways; Jeff would have arguably his most memorable match with The Undertaker and gain newfound respect both from the WWE audience and from “Big Evil”, himself. Once more, during the tail-end of the Ruthless Aggression Era and the beginnings of the “PG Era”, following a highly successful stint in what was then TNA Wrestling (now IMPACT Wrestling), Jeff would reach his absolute zenith; now christened as the “Charismatic Enigma”, he would reach never seen before heights – capturing world titles; defeating the likes of Randy Orton, Triple H and CM Punk to become, next to John Cena, the biggest name in pro wrestling at the time. When Jeff returned for his final run in the WWE next to Matt at WrestleMania 33, many believed we would eventually see the return of main event Jeff Hardy. Instead, what we got was a strange, almost outlandish booking of a certified WWE legend.
Second WWE Return: WrestleMania 33 (April 2, 2017)
At WrestleMania 33, the Hardy Boyz returned to a raucous reception in Orlando, Florida. It remains, to this day, one of the loudest pops of the century so far. Their return was off to an instant success; with the duo overcoming The Good Brothers (Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson), The Bar (Sheamus & Cesaro) and Big Cass & Enzo Amore. Despite having made their names as big match players at WrestleMania, this was actually the first ever WrestleMania win for the Hardy Boyz. However, despite the feel-good moment and rousing reception from the crowd, many felt both were better off as solo competitors. Let’s not forget, this was fresh off the heels of a very successful solo run for Matt Hardy as “BROKEN” Matt Hardy in IMPACT Wrestling. General consensus was that Matt would be better off as “BROKEN” Matt and Jeff would be best continuing where he left off as the Charismatic Enigma. No one was going to complain about a Hardy Boyz reunion, either, so fans were more than content with this return, despite the perhaps missed opportunity of striking when the iron was hot on “BROKEN” Matt in the WWE.
Soon after the return, however, things would become hazier. Injuries, dropping titles and eventual break-ups with the Hardy Boyz eventually led to Jeff teaming with Finn Bálor – both lovable competitors but rather an odd couple mismatch as a team. Singles glory would come in the form of the United States Championship, but feuds with the likes of Jinder Mahal, Elias and The Miz just never took off the way they should have. Losing the title to Shinsuke Nakamura under suspicious circumstances (a “low blow”) would lead to a series of questionable booking which would eventually lead to a downward spiral culminating in Jeff losing to Jinder Mahal on Main Event – a show which, need it be said, should not be a losing ground for WWE legends. The run was a waste of an oven-ready opportunity to book a respected, beloved competitor in meaningful feuds which benefit not only Jeff as a seasoned competitor, but younger stars desperately in need of working with someone with such star power. Instead, Jeff’s booking only served to diminish his star power to the point where his feuds were, quite tragically, meaningless.
Jeff Hardy in 2021
2021 was, without a doubt, a strange year for Jeff. Who can forget the image of former WWE Champion Jeff Hardy chasing the 24/7 Championship like every other lower mid-card guy just a few short months ago? Or when, most bizarrely, Jeff would end Karrion Kross‘ undefeated streak in mere minutes, only for it to amount to absolutely nothing? It benefited neither Kross nor Hardy and now, ironically, both are gone from the company. Yes, things began to improve with Jeff’s move to SmackDown in the most recent draft but, by then, plenty of damage had already been done. It was beginning to look as though Jeff would be a future opponent for Roman Reigns but now it is a feud we will likely never see – yet another wasted opportunity in a WWE run brimming with them.
Jeff Hardy’s most recent WWE run will most likely be remembered for how it began: being so overwhelmingly positively received, alongside Matt Hardy, by the “WWE Universe” at WrestleMania 33. That return will, no doubt, stand the test of time. It is with great shame, however, that almost everything which came after will be so forgotten; it is a waste of a legend’s twilight years as a performer that so much of his booking was so outlandish, underwhelming and, quite frankly, insulting to his legacy. Regardless, Jeff Hardy remains a legend in the industry and will, no doubt, be remembered as one of the defining performers of his generation. Greener pastures exist outside of the WWE and there is no doubt Jeff Hardy will find them.
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