The internet has been rife with rumors over Jeff Hardy’s status with World Wrestling Entertainment and his future plans regarding the company. Internet wrestling news sites have reported both stories regarding time off and leaving the company all together. Originally news sites reported that Hardy was to make his exit earlier this summer, but was later reported to have signed a short term extension on his expiring contract just before the termination date.
Jeff Hardy's Push
Hardy is the top babyface for the Smackdown brand, and clearly has management currently behind him. The past few months have seen Hardy win the Smackdown brand’s top prize, the World Heavyweight Championship, on three separate occations, even if his second win would go down as one of the shortest in WWE history after CM Punk cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase. He has also had feuds with some the company’s top performers, including Edge and Triple H. The latter the company set to work with Hardy closely in order to help shape him to be a mainevent contender for the company.
Hardy has had troubles with substances banned by the WWE’s wellness policy over the years, which has lead to two suspensions. However, Hardy has come back with all the more vigor as a performer with the company and impressed enough to become the face of Smackdown as its World Champion. It is also not hard to see the popularity that Hardy possesses with the fans, both through the reactions of the crowds when he appears in front of them and through the money he makes the company through merchandise sales.
Hardy is one of the most popular faces the WWE currently possess, and with the Undertaker, Batista and Edge out with injury, and Shawn Michaels on hiatus until Summerslam, it would be disastrous for the company to lose Hardy now. Smackdown severely lacks top level talent, especially on the babyface side with CM Punk’s recent heel turn against Hardy, which leaves only Rey Mysterio to fill that spot, along with up and coming faces, such as John Morrison.
Jeff Hardy Has Plans Outside of Wrestling?
Prowrestlingscoops has been recently reporting on the possibility that Hardy might step out of the limelight come Summerslam, allowing for the other big names to return first. There have also been reports regarding Hardy’s interest in creating a reality TV show on MTV, a televised version of The Hardy Show, which was shown on internet previously. According to reports, the WWE are interested in helping with this venture but those close to Hardy have stated Hardy’s disapproval of this idea. Hardy’s last hiatus saw him engaging in various musical projects before his return in 2006.
Will Jeff Stay?
In regards to reports regarding storylines for the current World’s Champion, it has been recently reported by PWInsider that creative were told to have plans ready for Hardy past Summerslam and into September, while the company is still planned to run advertisements featuring him into October. However, with how storylines are reputed to change at the last minute, this cannot be seen as definitive evidence.
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