I'm probably not alone as I type this, but as I got word from Con (my Sky+ has been on the blink, and I've missed a fortnight of wrestling) that Jeff Hardy was facing his second WWE-related suspension through violation of the Wellness Policy, my initial thought was "well Jeff, you've dug your own grave this time". I posted on my Bebo page that Hardy was a 'tool', because, personally I felt a little hard done-by that one of my favourite all time wrestlers (who has dwelled within the upper mid-card for years, and never really got the break he deserved) was a matter of months away from shattering that elusive glass ceiling, and had apparently felt content to throw it all away. It's not the first time he's acted thus either. Hardy's (not-helpful-in-his-chosen-career-path) occasional interest in recreational substances has been well documented in the past, and in terms of his contract with WWE, well, three strikes and you're out. Jeff's just hit strike two.
I realise now that my initial comments were insensitive, and it is a gross generalisation to make assumptions based on the little knowledge that the public have at present. Furthermore, it is unrealistic to expect someone not to have be human, and make mistakes, just because he or she appears on television. It has long been a downfall of man that we place those we look up to on a pedestal, and when they hit a rough patch or do something we disapprove of, it becomes all the more shocking. It is frankly unfair.
As if the man's life couldn't get any worse, a few days after Jeff was suspended and stripped of his IC title, it was reported to almost every industry news website online that his home in Cameron, North Carolina had burned to the ground, destroying everything that Jeff owned, including his beloved pet dog Jack. It's the kind of heartbreak that you could only find in a Kayfabe storyline, but the sobering reality is that this time, it's real. Worth mentioning, however, is the overwhelming support that Matt has poured onto his brother, only reinforcing the long-known fact that he is a stellar human being, both inside the ring and out. Matt has posted a blog on his official MySpace (you can read it on Gerweck.net) about the whole event, and if it doesn't sadden you just a little, I don't know what will.
Why this blog then? I just wanted to offer my two cents on the situation, and I guess I wanted to publicly show support for Jeff as he tries to rebuild what he has left of his life. This event could perhaps be the straw that breaks the camels back. This weeks poll on Gerweck asked if readers thought Hardy would ever get the main event push that he was in line for again, and a narrow 53% won with NO. I'd like to inject a little counter-optimism into proceedings though. The state of mind that he finds himself in right now just might light a fire under him and fuel a determination that he has not felt before. No-one would want to feel the way Jeff is feeling right now, and I only hope he can channel those feelings into something positive. Who are we to judge another man's downfalls? When an event like the house fire is set in contrast with his suspension, it only serves to show us what's important in life, and hopefully remind us that we ourselves have downfalls. Downfalls that, at one time or another during our life, we're bound to pay the price for. We'd like to think that our family, friends, well-wishers or otherwise would rally around us and see us back to 100%, I don't see why it should be any different for someone who gives so much to so many...
...one thing is certainly clear, the fans will still be there upon his return, to chant his name, and suspend disbelief for the high-flying rainbow haired warrior one more time.
Good luck Jeff.
1 comment:
It is real sad when those we put on pedestals fall and when at the same time their whole world seems to cave in as has happened with Jeff.
Whilst your piece does exhibit some sense of grace, the world in which we live does not.
I think the great sadness about this whole situation is that Jeff Hardy is throwing away his talent and his life. he is so gifted and had begun to climb the ladder (no pun intended) to the top of the WWE. He was at last making an impact and now it's all down the pan.
The WWE are of course right to have a policy regarding drugs but they actually need to be a bit more open about who has abused them. The rest of the wrestling world seems to know but the WWE rarely come out and say what's going on. It's a bit too secretive and you get the impression that they don't want people knowing because it is bad for the image of the company. I think they would be respected more if they came out and spoke about the issues.
Nice piece of writing Joel. Respect dude.
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