Incorporating a performer's personal demons into a story line is tacky even by pro-wrestling standards -- and World Wrestling Entertainment now has even more egg on its face by doing so.
Jeff Hardy was arrested on multiple drug charges last Friday after a raid on his home in Cameron, N.C. Police claim to have found anabolic steroids, a large amount of painkillers and cocaine residue on drug paraphernalia. One of the charges is opium trafficking, which carries a mandatory minimum prison sentence of three years if Hardy is convicted.
The arrest came shortly after Hardy took a leave of absence from WWE to pursue launching his own reality show. He had recently enjoyed a run as WWE champion and was embroiled in a headline feud with CM Punk, who would reference Hardy's lengthy drug history during his interviews. Hardy's out-of-the-ring issues led to his WWE firing in 2003 and two subsequent suspensions upon his return for failed drug tests. But as one of the industry's most popular performers, Hardy continued to receive a strong WWE push.
Hardy, 32, sent a message on his Twitter account proclaiming his innocence. WWE has yet to make a public comment about Hardy and whether he will be welcome to return if exonerated.
The Hardy arrest is the latest in a long line of drug-related embarrassments for WWE, which heavily markets its product toward children. The company has tried cleaning up its act through a "wellness policy" (Rey Mysterio is the latest performer suspended 30 days for a violation). But the Hardy situation raises more questions about the program's legitimacy and makes WWE scriptwriters look even dumber for trivializing his real-life troubles by introducing them into a fantasy world.
Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan have struggled adjusting to life after wrestling. So it shouldn't be surprising that the two archrivals are planning to come out of semi-retirement together.
Flair and Hogan appear set to clash in a new promotion being formed by the Hulkster and former World Championship Wrestling chief Eric Bischoff. The bout would take place in November as part of the "Hulkamania" tour slated for Australia.
Flair, 60, hasn't wrestled since being given an elaborate WWE sendoff in March 2008. After spending a year doing appearances and autograph signings on the independent circuit, Flair returned to WWE this summer in hopes of re-entering the ring. WWE, though, never put Flair in an official match and hasn't featured him on television in months.
Hogan, 56, hasn't wrestled a major match since defeating Randy Orton in August 2006, on "Summer Slam." In that time, Hogan (real name Terry Bollea) has taken major financial hits because of a messy divorce and other family problems.
A Hogan-Flair nostalgia tour could eventually have some U.S. appeal. Ed "Brutus Beefcake" Leslie, Brian "Nasty Boy" Knobbs and Diamond Dallas Page are three of the other former stars being linked with the project.
Bobby Lashley's attempt at becoming a "two-sport" star begins in earnest Sunday night on TNA Wrestling's "No Surrender" pay-per-view show.
Lashley will wrestle Terry "Rhino" Gerin in the co-main event. This confrontation is taking place just 13 days before Lashley is set to face Ron Waterman in a mixed-martial-arts bout in Denver.
Lashley plans to pursue a dual pro-wrestling/MMA career, which may be a tough juggling act to keep long-term because of training demands. Lashley also may be limited in his match with Rhino so he doesn't risk injury heading into a legitimate bout with a more experienced fighter like Waterman.
Sting vs. A.J. Styles vs. Matt Morgan vs. Kurt Angle is the "No Surrender" main event. Angle was cleared of harassment and drug charges earlier this week. He was arrested in August following a domestic incident with ex-girlfriend Trenesha Biggers, who worked in TNA as Rhaka Khan.
(Alex Marvez writes a syndicated pro-wrestling column for Scripps Howard News Service. Contact him at alex1marv(at)aol.com or follow him via Twitter at http://twitter.com/alexmarvez.)
(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com)
Jeff Hardy
Why does WWE not help Jeff to come clear of Drugs if there's any involvement? He is one of the world (especially children's)biggest heroes and then use the opportunity to show the world that they are not turning their back on one of their biggest ever superstars. This kind of campaign will have much more impact than the one CM Punk is promoting. CM Punk is a demon himself, he does not need drugs to be one, I don't know how the world and especially children can look up to such a monster, promoting his none drug use, but acts like the devil himself.
Jeff Hardy should be presented the opportunity to give his body enough rest, no more drugs and no more fighting while his body has not been given the opportunity to recover from brutal and unfair attacs of especially CM Punk.
I do not know how WWE can allow him to do all the mean acts he is doing to Jeff, especially out of the ring? Is this a way for WWE to show to Jeff they do not care for their superstar?
jeff hardy
so thats why he retired from wrestling. OH, thats dissapointing because I'm a massive wwe and jeff hardy fan! Poor Jeff. WHY?!
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