Jeff Hardy has had a career packed full of highlights, becoming one of the most popular performers in the world, and a legendary household name in professional wrestling, most notably for his time spent in WWE. Wrestling is a tough industry, one which has seen many wrestlers struggle with personal demons, whether that be due to real-life issues, travel schedule, or trying to cope with the bodily harm they go through. Hardy is one of those names that has unfortunately fallen into these troubles throughout his career.
UPDATE: 2024/12/3 17:00 EST BY ANDREW KELLY
The latest chapter of Jeff Hardy’s long, fascinating story in professional wrestling has seen him return to TNA Wrestling for the third time in his career, with the promotion often serving as the place for him to fall back to following controversies, personal problems, and more. This time around, Hardy is coming to TNA with a more open mind, and one dedicated to fighting to be free of any substance abuse issues. In this latest look at Hardy’s troublesome life, we will assess his AEW exit and his most recent comeback to TNA Wrestling, and whether or not his issues have continued to plague him.
UPDATE: 2025/03/07 17:00 EST BY ANDREW KELLY
The story of Jeff Hardy has certainly been one full of plenty ups and downs, and his various substance abuse issues have been a big part of it. Hardy’s various spells with WWE have in one way or another ended with controversy, which has made the latest chapter in his tale so important and notable. Despite being a member of the TNA roster, 2025 has seen Jeff Hardy make a return to WWE for the first time since his latest controversial exit from the company. Hardy is on a constant battle for redemption, and he is seeking to once again succeed and find peace with WWE.
Life On The Road In WWE Led To Jeff Hardy’s Struggles
Many Wrestlers Have Struggled With Life Away From Home
- Working on the road can lead to less recovery time.
- Wrestlers experience a lot of constant and nagging pain due to taking bumps.
- Resorting to other methods of pain relief has been a go-to for many wrestlers.
In becoming one of the most universally loved superstars, Hardy has always put the fans first rather than his own safety. Whether it be jumping from ladders or diving off stages, he puts his body on the line in the hope of creating a moment and entertaining the audience. After doing it for so long, his body is banged up through decades worth of huge bumps, and this, along with other difficulties surrounding wrestling, and likely at the heart of why he has had issues. Hardy has said himself that it was during his time on the road that he fell into the habits of substance abuse.
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After cementing himself as one-half of one of the most popular tag teams of all time alongside his brother, Matt, he was on the verge of a singles run, which included one of the most memorable Raw main events in history – his WWE Undisputed Championship Ladder Match against the Undertaker. He was ready to be propelled upwards after this match, but shortly after, he was fired from WWE after failing a drugs test and refusing to enter rehab. On an episode of the Broken Skull Sessions, Hardy admitted his regret on this decision, being in denial about his problems at the time.
Jeff Hardy Experienced Hardships, Suspensions, And Arrests
Jeff Hardy Earned A Reputation For Mishaps
- Jeff Hardy’s career took a nosedive after leaving WWE.
- Hardy was a problem to deal with for TNA.
- He was suspended from both TNA and WWE.
Hardy went on to join TNA, but much of the issues he had in WWE – no-showing events, poor performances, among other things, led to a suspension. Following the expiration of his contract, Hardy got himself clean without rehab, leading to a contract offer from WWE. His return would mark some success, but in 2007, he would violate WWE’s Wellness Policy, being suspended for thirty days, and proceed to violate it a second time a year later, this time with a sixty-day suspension.
He would then embark on one of the most successful stints of his career, becoming a three-time world champion as one of the top singles stars in the company, with noteworthy feuds against Edge and CM Punk. When it came to Hardy’s rivalries during that period, his real life was brought into storylines, with a tragic fire which burnt down his home being made a key plot point in his feud against Matt Hardy, with Punk bringing up his own Straight-Edge lifestyle as opposed to Hardy’s opposite lifestyle during their rivalry. Regardless of the story, Hardy was on top of the world, but would leave the company in 2009 when his contract ran out after losing a “Loser Leaves WWE” match against CM Punk.
Shortly after his contract expired, Hardy’s home was raided, with him being arrested for possession and trafficking of controlled prescription tablets, in addition to possession of cocaine. It would take two years to settle the case, but he eventually served ten days in jail, with probation and multiple fines on top of that.
The Victory Road Incident Was One Of The Worst Moments Of Jeff Hardy’s Career
This TNA Match With Sting Is Hard To Watch
- Jeff Hardy was set to face Sting in a TNA singles match.
- Jeff Hardy showed up to the event clearly intoxicated.
- The Victory Road match was thrown out due to Jeff Hardy’s condition.
During this troublesome period, Hardy re-signed with TNA. Despite his legal issues, Hardy was still pushed as a top star, winning the world title, and taking part in main event feuds. On March 13, 2011, came perhaps the most infamous moment in which Hardy’s addictions affected his wrestling career.
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At the Victory Road PPV for TNA, Hardy showed up under the influence, lethargic and not himself, in a zombie-like state. His match with Sting was cut short on the fly, with Hardy in no fit state to compete. He would then be suspended. Upon his return, and the subsequent half a decade in both Impact and on the independent wrestling scene, Hardy would have a stretch of prolonged success and stability.
Jeff Hardy’s Return To WWE Brought Up Recurring Issues
Jeff Hardy’s Reputation Has Followed Him Even When Clean
- WWE has used Jeff Hardy’s substance abuse issues in storylines.
- Jeff Hardy’s history of DUI was brought to light in WWE with Sheamus.
- Many fans believed this WWE storyline to be done in bad taste.
His great run outside WWE would lead to Jeff and Matt returning to the company in 2017. Whether it be due to returning to the heavy and hectic WWE schedule, or dealing with injuries, he fell back into bad habits. He would be arrested twice under charges of DUI, in addition to being arrested for public intoxication. Despite the publicity surrounding these events, Hardy’s issues were used in a feud which saw him be framed for a car crash, and his addictions made light of on television.
Hardy appeared to react positively to this. However, after a couple more years of his issues drying up, he would walk out on a match during a live event in December 2021.
Jeff Hardy’s Issues Followed Him To AEW
Jeff Hardy’s Fresh Start Saw Him Fall Into The Same Traps
- Jeff Hardy signed with AEW in 2022.
- A few months into his AEW run, Jeff Hardy was arrested for a DUI.
- Jeff Hardy spent many months away due to suspension and rehab.
Following Hardy’s walkout from WWE, he was issued with a drug test, but prior to the results, he was released by WWE for refusing rehab. Despite results apparently coming back clean, his ties were cut with WWE as he decided that he wanted to join his brother Matt Hardy in AEW. With him being a big-name free agent, on paper it felt like a no-brainer from Tony Khan to sign him, but in reality, he should have perhaps been more wary of bringing Hardy in.
Hardy had a notable debut, bringing in the classic Hardy Boyz music, and wrestled some fun matches against the likes of The Young Bucks, Private Party, Darby Allin, and Adam Cole. However, after just a couple of months, the issues with Hardy once again cropped up. Hardy was arrested and charged with DUI, which led to his suspension from AEW.
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He entered rehab, though he missed several months of in ring action. He has stayed clean thankfully, as it would be a shame to see his career come to a close like this, though walking away from wrestling could perhaps be exactly what he needed in order to heal.
Jeff Hardy Returned To AEW Following Sentencing
Jeff Hardy Broke His Nose During An AEW Match
- Jeff Hardy’s recent suspension saw him remain away from any substance abuse or legal trouble.
- Booking in AEW didn’t see Jeff Hardy do much of note.
- Jeff Hardy left AEW due to getting few opportunities.
Jeff Hardy was finally sentenced in 2023 for his arrest the previous year, and was served a 38-day jail sentence, a suspended license, probation, community service, and more. Much of the talk online from fans was considering the possibility of never seeing him compete again for his own mental well-being. However, he did make a comeback, with Matt Hardy saying of Jeff on his “Extreme Life Of Matt Hardy” podcast:
“This is the most work I’ve ever seen him do on himself. He had ten months. He seems different. I don’t want to sit here and vouch for him, I don’t want you to take my word for it or take anyone else’s word for it. Watch him and follow his actions. He’ll make you a believer. I am confident that his actions, conduct, and behavior will make people a believer. He’s made me a believer. I’ve seen a lot of him and gotten to follow his journey and I know the work he’s put in and how dedicated he’s been to legitimately changing and trying to get his s**t together once and for all. I’m so extraordinarily proud of him. He’s done great.” (H/T Fightful)
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On the April 12 episode of AEW Dynamite, Jeff Hardy returned to wrestling after over a year away, saving his brother along with Isiah Kassidy and Hook from a beatdown by The Firm faction. He looked in better shape and appeared healthier than he did when first arriving in AEW, but time will tell whether he has finally put his demons of substance abuse behind him. Hardy certainly has some of the most passionate fans of any performer in wrestling history, but their patience with him will be put to the ultimate test here. For now, Hardy has remained out of trouble, but his time in AEW didn’t really treated him too well from even a booking perspective. On the February 14 episode of AEW Rampage, Jeff Hardy broke his nose in a spot gone wrong during a match with Sammy Guevara. This led to Sammy being suspended and Jeff not being seen on TV, eventually parting ways with the promotion.
Jeff Hardy Has Remained Out Of Trouble Following Signing With TNA
Jeff Hardy Seems To Be On A Good Path In Recent Months
- Jeff Hardy joined his brother Matt in TNA.
- Hardy has been singing in addition to other ventures.
- Jeff Hardy is once more in a better place.
As is ever the case with Jeff Hardy over the years, he has overcome his substance abuse issues and is in a state of being more controlled and better off. Fans can hope that Jeff Hardy is once and for all in a better place, staying away from substances and avoiding any more issues with the law. Moving to TNA and undergoing a schedule that is less on the road looks to be more ideal, giving him time to focus on his other ventures, which has included a singing career, gardening, artwork, and more. Speaking on Busted Open Radio, Jeff Hardy reflected on his time in AEW, offering deep shame for his personal problems.
“Basically because I have so much guilt and shame within me still, just from AEW giving me an opportunity – and even Matt – to me breaking trust with my personal issues in real life. And so, I just want to make that up to Matt. And I can say right here that I will not break TNA’s trust. That is in my past, and it feels good to have somewhat of a clean slate with all that stuff and kind of start fresh instead of having that guilt and shame about what I did in a certain world of pro wrestling.” (H/T Cultaholic)
Jeff Hardy looks to be committed to doing things right during his most recent return to TNA, and he has thus far remained free of controversy.
Jeff Hardy Has Briefly Returned To WWE
WWE Have Given Jeff Hardy Another Chance
- WWE and TNA have developed a partnership .
- This has led to Jeff Hardy returning to WWE with his brother, Matt.
- Despite previous issues, Jeff Hardy has been welcomed back to WWE once again.
Jeff Hardy has been enjoying his time back in TNA after re-signing with the promotion alongside brother Matt Hardy, leading to another victory of the TNA World Tag Team Championships, adding yet another big accomplishment to their long list of title reigns. In the meantime, the working relationship between WWE and TNA has developed into something official and stronger, which has led to plenty of crossover between the two sides. This has included The Hardys, who made their initial return via a video promo, before arriving in the NXT brand to take on No Quarter Catch Crew. WWE welcoming back Jeff Hardy despite his explosive exit last time is yet another step towards Hardy distancing himself from his variety of substance abuse issues.
The Hardys are not currently reported to be in discussions for a main roster run in WWE, per Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, but it seems as though they are set to be cameo members of the NXT brand, defending their TNA World Tag Team Titles against NXT Tag Team Champions Fraxiom at the Roadblock event. It remains to be seen if Jeff Hardy ever makes a full blow WWE return, or if he remains clean and steady in TNA.