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Jeff was asked if he could provide any update on Matt Hardy and whether he had been in contact with his brother, who is currently in rehab through December. Hardy said Matt is doing good and is in good spirits. They speak every few weeks and Matt seems to be doing really well. Everything is really positive.
Hardy was asked about the current storyline where his Turning Point incident was incorporated into the storyline return and whether any messages hit home more than others. Hardy said there were some real feelings involved and he knows what he's done but he's at a point in life where he doesn't care what other people think. He said just getting back in the ring is good. Bringing up things from the past don't bother him because he's in a good place and you have to be open and honest in order to deal and move forward.
Hardy was asked his inspirations for getting into the business and who has been his most positive influence. Hardy said Jushin Liger was a huge inspiration as someone he watched and was inspired by. He named Shawn Michaels and Rey Mysterio as the perfect wrestling personalities. He said that he's lucky and blessed to be there with Sting and Hulk Hogan in TNA right now. He said that when you go way back, it's Hogan and to hang and deal with him is pretty cool.
I asked Hardy how TNA has changed from his previous run with TNA and his most recent return under the current regime. Hardy said that the biggest change is that they get to go out of Orlando every now and then and see the fans in places like Macon and Fayetteville that have featured some awesome tapings. He said that's been a big improvement.
I asked Hardy about the company using the storyline that meshes his personal and legal issues with his return to the company and the Jeff Jarrett match at Turning Point and whether he was ever concerned about TNA going that route. Hardy said that he honestly didn't mind. "I messed up." He said that from all mistakes, he's probably the only person that's ever talked about his suspensions in promos in the past and this now is part of his rehabilitation. He said there was a lot that people didn't really know about his personal or legal situation and now that it's all coming to a rest, his life is really positive and this is way to get out there. He always felt he deserved the chance he is getting and he's happy to have it right now/
I asked Hardy about all the media attention on his and Matt Hardy's personal and legal cases, online and locally in North Carolina and how he felt about that attention and whether the media was fair to them. Hardy said the coverage was horrible. He said the local newspapers had him on the front page with the same old story and charges. He said he wouldn't ever forget his father coming to him telling him he was back on the front page again. He understood they were local stars but because of the way they were treated, he will never give any of them an interview. He said he didn't like it and doesn't hate it but had to deal with it.
I asked Jeff about Matt Hardy's future and whether he thought we'd ever see Matt working back on a national level for TNA or WWE again after he resolves his personal issues. Hardy said, "Maybe so." He said Hardy has always wanted to open his wrestling school but is beat up. He said Matt would make a great agent and has a great mind for pro wrestling. He said Matt loves wrestling a lot more than Jeff does and would be involved somewhere here or there, but most likely in a pro wrestling school.
I am working on the remainder of the recap. Stay tuned for Page 3!
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