Wrestling with Demons – Jeff Hardy
The news article below updates us on a current arrest involving superstar Jeff Hardy.
First, I encourage everyone to offer support for Jeff and the other superstars of WWE who will no doubt get scarred with the negative media attention this arrest will bring. We should also not forget the reality of being innocent until proven guilty that still exists here in the US.
The issue of drugs in wrestling and the tragedies that they have led to is far too common for my comfort. I count over 40 deaths in the last decade attributable to drugs in wrestling.
I don’t blame the WWE, but I wish they would implement a comprehensive benefits package for those superstars past and present that work for them over an extended period of time. I believe this as a fan and a shareholder of WWE.
To take drugs to perform, deal with pain, or feel better is a personal decision that is made by the individual superstar. You cannot legislate good decisions or common sense, it is up to us as individuals to be accountable for those decisions. It should also not be missed that many superstars make bad choices in an effort to provide themselves an advantage in earning potential.
Our colleagues in professional wrestling wrestle 275+ days a year which is in and of itself a unbelievable toll on their bodies. The concept of the show must go on is true and real in todays television cycle. A superstar that sits out for a few weeks with injuries needs to contemplate the effect it will have on their longevity with the company and current storyline. It is their decision and we should not forget that.
The WWE, TNA and others should ensure that they are reasonable with their demands and have incentives in place for medical illness and addictions issues. I have heard from many that the WWE does indeed help present and past superstars with addiction issues. I am unclear if there are medical benefit plans in place, but there should be.
One solution to the benefits issue could be to have our WWE entertainers be covered under the SAG, (Screen Actors Guild) and receive benefits through them.
I also believe we fans or marks have a responsibility as well. I am not sure how we can participate in helping these entertainers who work very hard to entertain us, but I think we need to give it some real thought.
These thoughts are from Paul Jones a fan/mark, wrestling historian and collector. Paul is a business executive outside of the wrestling circle.
_______________________________________________________________
WWE’s Jeff Hardy Arrested, Jailed on Drug Charges
Posted Sep 11, 2009 5:30PM By Ryan Wilson (RSS feed)
Filed Under: PEDs, Pro Wrestling, Twitter
WWE’s Jeff Hardy was arrested and jailed in North Carolina on Friday after authorities searched his home and found enough drugs to start a small pharmacy. Via ProWrestling.net, police “discovered 262 Vicodin pills, 180 Soma pills, 555 milliliters of anabolic steroids, and a residual amount of powder cocaine and items of drug paraphernalia.”
Apparently, you just can’t just stockpile this stuff in your industrial-sized medicine cabinet with the intent to start your own business. Even if you own one of those white lab coats.
The WWE star is facing “two counts of felony possession with intent to sell or deliver a schedule three controlled substance, felony maintaining a dwelling to keep a controlled substance, felony possession of cocaine, and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.”
Hardy’s brother posted his bail — allegedly $125,000 — which, as PWTorch.com’s James Caldwell writes, “… doesn’t seem like a very smart investment” for “an estimated $2,500 worth of drugs.” No, no it doesn’t.
For his part, Hardy tweets that the news of his arrest has been blown out of proportion. “A lot of exaggerations are out there today, don’t believe everything you read 4 it is not true, I am at home and fine-thanks for your concern.”
