Jeff Hardy was sent home from a WWE tour in Edinburg, Texas.
Legendary WWE Superstar Jeff Hardy was reportedly sent home from Saturday’s live event in Edinburg, Texas as controversy has once again befallen the embattled talent. Hardy missed WWE’s live event the following night in Corpus Christi, Texas where approximately 3,100 tickets were distributed in the 5,000-seat American Bank Center Arena.
As of this writing, it is unknown why Hardy was sent home, however footage has surfaced of Hardy, Drew McIntyre and King Woods competing in a six-man tag team match against The Bloodline. The footage, which includes Hardy collapsing following a shove from Jey Uso, supports fan reports of Hardy appearing “sluggish” in a bizarre and awkward exchange. Hardy was later rushed through the crowd by security during the match and did not return to the ring.
WWE did not respond to a request for comment. This article will be updated if and when they do.
Until proven otherwise, the elephant in the room will raise questions about Jeff Hardy’s lengthy track record with substance abuse, which will always be inextricably linked to his complicated legacy.
Actor and former WWE writer Freddie Prinze Jr. recently told Ariel Helwani (h/t Wrestling Inc) how Hardy’s past substance abuse issues played a role in his rift with Triple H.
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“The Jeff Hardy storyline was the end of any relationship I had with Hunter,” admitted Prinze.
“I’m open about that, but it wasn’t a secret. [Triple H] was very against it, he didn’t think we could count on Jeff. Hunter is a company man and I felt, creatively, it was worth the risk. He didn’t, and in hindsight, he was right. Jeff was released from the company I think a year later because he got in more trouble. I never blamed him for it. But at the time, I’m sure he doesn’t care now. At the time when I worked there, he wasn’t having me.”
Hardy himself, who continues to receive some of the biggest reactions of any WWE Superstar, spoke candidly about his issues during a recent appearance on Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Sessions (h/t Wrestling Inc). Hardy specifically mentioned his infamously bizarre match from TNA Victory Road in 2011, where a pay-per-view main event against Sting had to be cut short as Hardy was in no condition to perform.
“To screw up like I did that night, it was just insane,” Hardy said.
“But one positive asset that I have by looking back at that footage is just – so embarrassing. So—oh my God—just shameful, you know? Out there with my hero in the main event. All these people are watching. But then to do that?”
Hardy also discussed a 2009 SWAT team raid on his house for an illegal order of pills shortly after his WWE release, saying “I thought my life was over. I went to jail that weekend [and] it was just a mind-blowing experience.”
Hardy’s most recent substance-abuse related arrest came in October of 2019, when he was arrested and charged with driving while impaired. WWE subsequently booked a polarizing 2020 storyline against Sheamus based on the very demons that have haunted Hardy for much of his career, with Sheamus repeatedly calling Hardy a “junkie.”
The hope is that Hardy’s latest in-ring controversy was much ado about nothing, and the beloved star remains healthy and on a continued path toward sobriety. But given his long history of struggles, the future WWE Hall of Famer has unfortunately lost the benefit of the doubt following a peculiar match filled with red flags.
