Apparently in response to online reports noting concern over his condition backstage at last week’s TNA Genesis pay-per-view, TNA World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Hardy issued the following statement this evening on Twitter:
Bill Behrens, who coordinates independent bookings for several TNA stars including friends of Hardy’s such as Shannon Moore, offered additional insight into the reports on his weekly podcast by stating that organization officials have allowed Hardy to wrestle while impaired. He also said that it’s considered an “open secret” within the company that Hardy still uses drugs.
Jeff isn’t the only Hardy brother upset with the “dirtsheets” as Matt noted the following on Twitter this afternoon regarding his appearance last night on Monday Night Mayhem:
“BTW, The Scumsheets always cover MNM, the show I was on last night. They didn’t today.. Why u ask? Cuz I call them out on their bullsh*t.. The reason why they don’t give me publicity.. Cuz they don’t want my voice 2 be heard-So RT this-“THE DIRTSHEETS FEAR MATT F’N HARDY!” :) RT”
– Matt Hardy, Gregory Helms and a few of their friends filmed an episode of NBC’s Marrige Ref show this weekend. The filmiing took place inside a wrestling ring on Matt Hardy’s property in North Carolina. The show will air on NBC in December. Hardy wrote the following on Twitter about the taping:
“Had a blast being a part of NBC’s “Marriage Ref” shoot today featuring Kimo in my BCR Dome.. Me, Helms, Shatter & Aden worked Kimo hard.”
– MVP and Chris Jericho went back and forth a bit on Twitter, with both men poking fun at the way MVP has been booked in recent months. Jericho asked MVP, “are you still with the company?” MVP replied, “Barely it would seem. Just barely.”
A fan later asked why does MVP always get “screwed over” on SmackDown, to which he replied, “If you find out let me know please! Lol.”
— Kevin Nash continues to deny reports that he has re-signed with TNA Wrestling. There is talk, however, that a deal is in place.
One company official not aware of whether Nash had re-signed, assumed it was only a matter of time if he had not.
“They are talking,” said the official. “He’s got somebody’s ear. And by somebody, I mean Dixie Carter.”
— In a battle of former tag team partners, Sarita squares off against Taylor Wilde on this week’s episode of TNA Xplosion. To view the match, click here.
— TNA Knockout Cookie is advertised to appear alongside former WWE Superstar Matt Hardy at Poitin Still Irish Restaurant and Pub (located on 774 Main St. Hackensack, New Jersey) on Saturday, Dec. 11 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Matt Hardy implied during an interview with AOL Fanhouse that WWE may have altered their Wellness Policy because of him.
The former WWE Superstar admits to using muscle relaxant, but says he did not take anymore than his physician prescribed. He believes the company amended their drug testing policy due to the situation.
He also noted that he was released two weeks before it was publicly announced by the company.
Matt Hardy is back with another YouTube video .. The former WWE superstar has begun a new series where he’ll give his candid thoughts on the state of the wrestling industry. Here’s what he posted on YouTube:
This is Part 1 of “My Take On The State Of The Business.”
I discuss what I think is good and bad in the pro wrestling business, what the wrestling business could do to become hot again, as well as why it’s in its current state. Please comment and give me your opinions and feedback.. I look forward to reading your comments! Thanks, and I hope you enjoy my thoughts.
Eric Bischoff appeared on Monday Night Mayhem last night and confirmed that TNA ReACTION was renewed for an additional 10 episodes by Spike.
While discussing Jeff Hardy, he said that the reigning TNA World Heavyweight Champion was not originally tapped for “They”. Though he wouldn’t say whose place Hardy took, he said that Hardy got the spot because it made for a better story.
When asked about Matt Hardy joining TNA Wrestling, he gave a non-committal answer, saying they are taking a wait-and-see approach.
Regarding Hulk Hogan’s pseudo shoot promo on Twitter in which he said things are going to get “full blown evil” in TNA, he said anyone trying to decipher it is wasting a lot of mental energy.
Former WWE star Matt Hardy is back with another YouTube video. In Episode 109, Hardy responds to a recent reference by Randy Orton about his fondness of … grapes.
Hardy talks about Randy Orton’s comment and his relationship with Randy Orton, gives an explanation of his “Matt” & “Matthew” personas, rants about the Internet wrestling community and more.
Here’s the video:
E#109 My Thoughts On Randy Orton
“Several people have asked me what I think about Randy Orton after Randy answered a question from one of his Twitter followers.. Well, here’s my thoughts. Enjoy.”
– According to a reliable source, there is some frustration in WWE that Vince McMahon’s top priority these days is the “Stand Up For WWE” campaign – and the television product is suffering as a result. WWE employees and superstars have been voluntarily “standing up for WWE” and recording video testimonials about how great the company is, but the overall feeling is that Vince’s time would be much better spent developing better storylines and feuds. People are optimistic that things will get better after Linda McMahon’s Senate campaign ends next week (Election Day is 11/2).
– Earlier in the week, a fan asked Orton if he was going to open a YouTube page. Orton took a shot at Hardy and replied, “And do what? Eat grapes?” .. This is a reference to Matt Hardy, who was eating (and raving about) grapes in one of his recent YouTube videos. Hardy, who is still operating two seperate Twitter accounts (one as “Matt” and one as “Matthew”), wrote the following (As Matthrew) in response to Orton’s remark:
“Make sure to check out the Matt Hardy brand youtube channel because their is going to be an entry on there, a can’t miss entry which is going to be about a current WWE champion, and actually one who might think about eating grapes for breakfast.”
— Former WWE Intercontinental Champion Drew McIntyre revealed in an interview with WWE Magazine that his dream opponent is The Undertaker as he would put his cherished hair on the line for a chance to break his undefeated streak at WrestleMania.
“Undertaker and The Streak—a Hair vs. Streak Match. I would absolutely risk my hair for a chance to break ‘Taker’s record,” he replied in response to a question asking who he would put his hair on the line against and what type of match. “Even if I lost, I’d still have main-evented ‘Mania against ‘Taker. Either way it goes, I’m a winner. Maybe a bald winner, but it’d be worth it.”
Earlier in the interview, McIntyre jokingly said he plans on being buried with his hairbrush.
— World Wrestling Entertainment has signed Heritage Championship Wrestling Champion “The Future” Donovan Ruddick to a developmental contract. The St. Louis based wrestler, who’s real name is Brian McGhee, was on hand for Bragging Rights and this week’s television tapings.
— Matt Hardy, who was released from his contract with World Wrestling Entertainment on Oct. 15, has been added to the company website’s Alumni section.
There is said to be much frustration amongst the veteran WWE wrestlers not currently being pushed. Many feel they are being pushed aside due to the organization’s youth movement initiative. Matt Hardy garnered a lot of sympathy with his former peers as they felt that he was among the wrestlers company officials didn’t have long-term plans for.
Meanwhile, MVP developed heat backstage for moaning about the company’s younger performers being promoted ahead of him.
Former WWE star Gregory “Hurricane” Helms appeared on the Right After Wrestling radio show last night to discuss Matt Hardy’s departure from World Wrestling Entertainment, among other topics.
“Me and Matt (Hardy) talk on a daily basis,” said Helms. “He’s doing really good and he’s in a good spot in his life.
“He was just ready to go, like myself when I left (WWE), I was just ready to go. I didn’t realize how ready I was to leave until about a month after my release. Back to Matt, he’s in a happier place, he’s got a ton of projects on the shelf, me and him will be doing a ton of stuff together as well.”
ALSO DISCUSSED
– His thoughts on TNA’s direction
– Should the WWE bring back the Cruiserweight division
– Will Twitter change the wrestling industry?
– Hurricane suggesting to Zack Ryder that he tweet live in the ring during a match
— During an interview with the Daily Star, TNA World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Hardy railed World Wrestling Entertainment for their treatment of his brother Matt.
“I’m not going to give WWE their props for the way they’ve dealt with Matt. He is such a giving talent, ready to do anything for them, and he’s been given the run-around. They’ve treated him like sh*t.
“I think if he came here, you would see the happiest, most dangerous and exciting Matt Hardy you’ve ever seen. I hope that they let him leave and he shows up here any day now.”
— The official WWE website has removed both Mick Foley and Mickie James from its Alumni site. Foley was recently added back to the section while James debuted last week for TNA Wrestling. It is company protocol to remove former WWE performers who appear for the rival promotion.
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has commented on the situation, writing on Twitter:
“WWE has come to terms on the release of Matt Hardy. Know no details just that fact. Good luck to Matt. Probably best 4 all involved.”
Over the past several weeks, Hardy had been documenting his interest in a WWE release in YouTube videos.
Hardy is expected to join his brother Jeff in TNA Wrestling. Assuming the termination of his contract comes with the standard 90-day no-compete clause, he would be free to show up in TNA in January.
– Shawn Michaels said on Twitter that he will be letting fans in on some news next week. For what it’s worth, Shawn said he is “getting back into work some.”
– Matt Hardy noted on Twitter last night that he was watching TNA iMPACT. Hardy wrote:
“I also really dig seeing my buds like Tommy Dreamer & Mickie James on Impact-they seem happy, less stressed.”
– NXT Diva Maxine noted on Twitter that her neck is “messed up” after being dropped on her head in the match with Aksana on this week’s NXT.
– Former WWE superstar Batista is be attending the “Strikeforce: Noons vs. Diaz” event this weekend.
– A new WWE’s Legends Roundtable episode featuring “Wrestling Families” will debut this Friday on WWE On Demand.
– WWE Bragging Rights takes place in under three weeks and the card is already starting to take shape.
WWE Champion Randy Orton will defend against Wade Barrett, who earned the title shot after winning a 20-Man Battle Royal on Raw.
A commercial for Bragging Rights aired during RAW Minnesota, advertising Kane vs. The Undertaker in a Buried Alive Match for the World Heavyweight Title. After checking with a WWE source, that match looks to be set and we should see it announced this week or next.
— A Raw live event is scheduled to take place at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Sunday, December 26, 2010.
– Matt Hardy announced yesterday on Twitter that he is taking a break from the social networking site for the next few days. He wrote:
“You guys & gals, take care of yourselves. I’m about to head out for a few well earned days of vacation. Talk to you all in a couple days!”
— Former Ring of Honor World Champion Tyler Black made his WWE developmental debut at Thursday’s Florida Championship Wrestling live event, losing to NXT season two finalist Michael McGillicutty. He was introduced as Seth Rollins.
— Matt Hardy vowed Wednesday on his Twitter account that he plans to reinvent himself in the coming weeks. Hardy wrote on Twitter:
“You will all understand the motives behind Matt & MATTHEW, The Hardy Show is about to go to never before seen heights, OMEGA is coming back, and in the next few weeks I am gonna totally reinvent myself, all the way from my body, to my hair, to my wrestling “look” & persona. ”
“Even the people that are my critics & doubters will take notice and appreciate all the changes. I am prepared to work harder than I ever have.”
— The official website of Florida Championship Wrestling updated its roster page with three new performers — Calvin Raines (a/k/a Patrick Brink), Conor O’Brian (a/k/a Ryan O’Reilly), and Damien Sandow (a/k/a Idol Stevens). All three are previously released developmental wrestlers signed over the summer.
— Regarding Matt Hardy’s present status with World Wrestling Entertainment, both sides remain at a strong stalemate.
Company officials want Hardy to address his issues, but he doesn’t want to. Furthermore, they are unwilling to release him at this time because they don’t want him joining rival promotion TNA Wrestling.
One company source indicated that the touring schedule has been hectic as of late and when things settle down following Sunday’s Hell in a Cell pay-per-view, Hardy’s situation will likely be addressed. (Source: f4wonline.com)
— WWE has signed “The Bashing Bulgarian” Miroslav to a developmental contract. Miroslav is from Bulgaria and was trained by Gangrel and Rikishi, among others, at the Knokx Pro Wrestling Academy in Burbank, California.
Miroslav would be WWE’s second acquisition from Knokx Pro, following Alberto Del Rio’s personal ring announcer Ricardo Rodriguez. He too is a trained professional wrestler. (Source: pwinsider.com)
— Regarding Michael Cole plugging Mick Foley’s new book over commentary during last night’s Raw, it was said to be a decision made by Vince McMahon out of respect for all Foley did for World Wrestling Entertainment during his time with the organization.
— A video Matt Hardy posted over the weekend on YouTube where he offered to give away $500 cash to a random fan commenting on his entries was deleted by the video sharing website for “Terms of Service” violations.
— The Bella Twins and Kelly Kelly will be appearing at the Lucky Star Casino (located at 7777 North Highway 81 Concho, Oklahoma) this Thursday from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. For more information, call 405-262-761.
– Most of the WWE locker room thinks that all of Matt Hardy’s recent behavior is a work, according to a WWE source. Hardy’s latest cry for attention came this weekend, when he announced he suffers from “Dissociative Identity Disorder,†a condition similar to Multiple Personality Disorder.
– Speaking of Matt Hardy, he’s been removed from the opening video of WWE SmackDown and has been replaced with footage of Alberto Del Rio.
– NXT is expected to move to the WWE website beginning next week as the NXT deal with SyFy expires this week and SmackDown comes to the network on Friday nights. The show will remain on television in Canada the UK and other countries. WWE officials are not ready to pull the plug on NXT just yet and are still trying to land a TV deal here in the United States.
– With several former WWE superstars making the jump to mixed martial arts, one prominent fighter has his sights set on the world of Sports Entertainment. Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion King Mo says he “absolutely” plans to be a pro wrestler when his fighting days are over and wants to work for WWE. Mo, who is known for his flashy style, was recruited by WWE a few years back and started with OVW before leaving and pursuing a fight career. Mo has an extensive amateur wrestling background and is a long-time pro wrestling fan.
– WWE’s United States Champion Daniel Bryan will on Friday’s live SmackDown, as he’ll be finishing up the last of his independent bookings. Several RAW stars are booked for the big SyFy debut on Friday.
– Wade Barrett and David Otunga were the only members of Nexus overseas with the RAW brand this past week. Michael Tarver, Heath Slater and Justin Gabriel stayed in the States and will work with the SmackDown crew.
— We wrote here a few days ago that we heard Randy Orton was unhappy with his character’s current babyface role .. Orton responded to a fan on Twitter saying that report isn’t accurate. Orton wrote:
“Whatever u read saying I’m unhappy as a face is bs. Haven’t felt that way since I turned.”
We reported what we heard, but take that for what it is.
— Matt Hardy has launched a second Twitter account via twitter.com/THEMATTHEWBRAND. He tweets back and forth between both personalities.
Regarding the second account, Matt explained, “Like I promised you all earlier, no more character stuff on my personal Twitter or YT pages, can’t say the same for @THEMATTHEWBRAND sites..”
Matthew Hardy is a ‘cold-blooded’ version of himself. Matthew’s bio reads: “The Cold-Blooded version of MMH, MATTHEW M HARDY.. Doing whatever I choose to, however I choose to, while speaking the Cold-Blooded Gospel!”
— Thursday’s episode of WWE Superstars on WGN America drew a 0.69 cable rating, with 652,000 viewers. The show’s replay, which now airs at 1:00 a.m., scored a 0.1 cable rating, with 85,000 viewers. (source: PWInsider.com)
— WWE Diva Eve Torres wrote last night on Twitter that she was attacked by a giant squid. She enclosed a gruesome photo of her back, which is littered with red marks.
While the marks are legit, she said today that she was merely joking about being attacked by a giant squid. She said the marks are from a Chinese healing procedure called Cupping.
— Matt Hardy was removed from the opening SmackDown montage on Friday’s show. He remains listed on the company website’s SmackDown roster page.
— Putting a rumor to rest, TNA star Jay Lethal wrote on his Twitter account that he is not dating NXT Rookie Diva AJ Lee — after being asked. He did, however, note that they were a couple at one point.
— Randy Orton is not a big fan of his current babyface character, according to a WWE source. The reigning WWE Champion feels he’s a natural heel and would prefer to play that role, despite the WWE Universe really getting behind him in recent months.
— The cover for Chris Jericho’s much anticipated follow-up book to the New York Times bestselling A Lion’s Tale, Undisputed: How to Become the World Champion in 1,372 Easy Steps, has been released.
Matt Hardy is back with another YouTube video .. After coming across as relatively sane in his previous video (where he said WWE is not the place for him right now – view here), Matt goes off the deep end this time.
Hardy talks about his WWE status, asks fans to decide if his recent behavior is legit or a work and expresses his deep love of …. grapes.
— TNA star Ken Anderson has signed a new long term contract with the organization. TNA President Dixie Carter posted a message on Twitter stating that Anderson actually sent her a video of himself signing the contract. She wrote, “Leave it to MISTER ANDERSON, ANDERSON to do things in dramatic fashion.”
— To update the news of Scott Hall being under full-time psychiatric care, we can report that Hall was released last week to attend to some personal affairs, but is expected to return this week. In accordance with WWE’s Wellness Policy, WWE is paying for Hall’s care, as they offer to pay for any current or past WWE performers rehab programs if they ask.
— WWE star Matt Hardy, who stated in a YouTube video this week that he’s on his way out of the company, has been hitting the gym hard as of late. Hardy’s less-than-perfect physique has been the subject of discussion by various wrestling websites and he recently wrote on Twitter that he dropped a lot of weight by cutting red meat out of his diet.
Hardy wrote on Twitter that he’s been hitting the gym hard lately trying to get in the best shape of his life and posted a picture of himself in the gym looking totally shredded. Hardy has been out of action for a few weeks now and it’s obvious he’s been spending that time in the gym.
