Thoughts From The Top Rope 10.22.08: The Fool-Hardy Dilemma

From the last edition of Thoughts From The Top Rope;

I normally try to dig you out Wilcox, but this is the best thing you’ve written in my mind.

Posted By: RedCoat (Guest) on October 08, 2008 at 10:01 AM

Much thanks, my friend. I’d like to thing my writing has improved in recent months now that I’m less gimmicky, so it’s great to hear that kind of thing. Hopefully you’ll continue to enjoy my work in the future.

World Wrestling Entertainment is a business, and as such its prime aim is to make profit. While WWE has expanded over the years to the extent that their TV product is just one of many ways through which they make that money, that TV product is still key, not least because if people are watching Raw, SmackDown and ECW on a regular basis, people are more likely to give WWE money in other areas. And one of the key factors in determining how many people watch their shows is name recognition – big stars. As awesome as Santino Marella or Haas Hogan are, the vast majority of WWE fans don’t tune in to see them. They tune in to see John Cena, Undertaker, Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Batista and the like.

These are the guys who make people tune in; these are the guys who’s merchandise moves the most; these are the people who get the film roles, the book deals and rap albums. These guys make the money. Not every performer who enters the world of professional wrestling has what it takes to get to the level these guys are at, and if they did, many of them don’t have the desire to get there. So when someone comes along whom the fans latch onto, the chances are they’re going to get pushed to the moon – it’s positive exploitation. They’re simply exploiting people’s interests in order to get them to part with more of their cash. Now, when that particular individual happens to be a former(?) drug addict who’s about as reliable as the US economy, there’s something of a dilemma created – some might say a foolhardy dilemma.

Now on the one hand, Jeff Hardy is a potential cash cow. Even in the position he’s in, the verge of the main event, he shifts more merchandise than the rest of the active roster and is one of SmackDown’s biggest draws. There are times when he’s been on the same card as the Takers, Cenas and Hunters of the world and out-popped them all. So imagine if WWE put a world title on the guy – his stock goes through the roof and more and more people pay to see him, buy his T-shirts and wristbands and put his posters up on the wall. I think most would agree that if it weren’t for his most recent Wellness Policy violation, Hardy would figuratively and literally be Money in the Bank.

But on the other hand – the guy is a ticking time bomb sitting right in the lamp of Mr. McMahon. Two Wellness Policy violations, one drunken incident on a plane, and most recently turning up late for TV tapings; hardly the idle employee, is it? Then again, he’s still sitting pretty near the top of the card and still a potential future world champion. Hardy’s personality and lifestyle are like his in-ring style – unpredictable, rash, exciting… and potentially career-ending.

So Vince McMahon and the other powers that be have some thinking to do when it comes to young master Hardy. They can continue to push him, give him the world title and watch the money role in… and pray that the Hardy train stays on the tracks this time. Or, they can do what they’re currently doing – keep him in a strong position but don’t give him too much in case he does make that vital third mistake. Either decision is foolhardy – they’re either risking another Van Dam-like scenario or throwing away money. But this is a business, and you don’t get anywhere in business if you don’t take risks.

I feel bad for Hardy in a lot of ways. It’s easy to say “fuck him, he’s an addict. He’s had chances and he’s thrown them away,” but that’s a really naïve view. Addiction isn’t that easy to overcome. I wouldn’t like to take a look at Jeff’s psyche either; maybe he’s afraid of making that third mistake and has no self-believe and is thus condemning himself to reoffend. On the other hand, maybe he really doesn’t care that much. I’d like to think the latter is much less likely, but in the end it’s not a place for you nor me to be judging. What I do know is that Jeff Hardy has been through a hell of a lot in the last year, and I wouldn’t blame him one bit if he failed to “overcome his demons”. Let’s not forget that the guy lost his home and what amounts a member of his close family this year. I can’t imagine the kind of pressure he must feel under on a day-to-day basis, like walking a tightrope and knowing he could fall off at any moment (and knowing that there are those who will tear him to shreds if he does).

I know something else as well; Hardy has been one of the most consistent in-ring performers of the last couple of years. Ever since he has returned to the WWE, I don’t think there have been many as entertaining to watch as Jeff Hardy. I loved his series of matches with Johnny Nitro, and then the tag team feud with Cade and Murdoch, and then the singles feud with Umaga. And now he’s a borderline main eventer, he’s only gotten better. His matches with Triple H, Shawn Michaels, John Cena, Randy Orton, Chris Jericho et al have been exceptional.

WWE could be shooting themselves in the foot if they continue to push Hardy, but they could be biting their nose off to spite their face if they don’t. In my opinion, the risk is worth the reward. It’s not like the pro wrestling universe came to an end when RVD fucked up. We moved on, and we’d do the same if Jeff Hardy fucked up again. Of course, Jeff Hardy may not move on, but if you ask Vince McMahon, this is a business, and its prime aim is to make profit. I can only hope that if Jeff is given a break and one day finds himself atop that mountain, he embraces it and strives to stay straight. It’s not everyday that people are given a chance to turn their lives around and should Hardy be given that chance, he must grab it with both hands.

I think this situation goes beyond telling Jeff to “prove himself,” because he has already proved his unreliable. Now, Jeff Hardy’s fate lies in the hands not of Jeff Hardy, but of Vince McMahon. And it’s nothing but a matter of faith. Vince has shown faith in guys in the past (the name Shawn Michaels comes to mind immediately) because he truly believed that they were capable of great things. So the question is, exactly what is Jeff Hardy capable of?

***Stuff you need to check out;

My Review of AC’DC’s new Black Ice album.

Sticking with the music zone, a special mention Crank It Up To Eleven, by the legendary Sandeep Murali.

Back to wrestling now and Geoff Eubanks has the latest Five Star Conversation, Livingston brings us his take and Csonka has the 4 R’s of Impact and SmackDown.

Finally, I have ventured into reviewing DVDs – you can check out my review of Summerslam 2002 here.

That concludes another enthralling edition of Thoughts From The Top Rope. Be sure to check out The Fink’s Payload tomorrow and be back here next week.