Exclusive Interview with JEFF HARDY!

[Styles 0]

A TNAWRESTLING.COM EXCLUSIVE - JEFF HARDY'S FIRST INTERVIEW SINCE RETURNING TO WRESTLING!

 

In the past year, Jeff Hardy has been one of the talked about names in wrestling - from his departure from the WWE, his time away from the ring to his long-awaited return as a free-agent acquisition to TNA. In this TNAwrestling.com exclusive, website contributor and referee Andrew Thomas sat down on Wednesday before the Pay-Per-View to talk to Jeff Hardy about his return to wrestling, the WWE, his brother, is music and so much more!

 

AT: Jeff Hardy…nice to see you and welcome to TNA

 

HARDY: Thanks, it’s great to be here

 

AT: How has your experience with TNA been thus far?

 

HARDY: It’s been exciting. I came here with a new future, and that’s the vibe I bring to the ring. When I first saw the six sided ring, I knew it was the future of wrestling. As we speak, I’m rediscovering my drive and desire for wrestling. I feel excited for the first time – in a long time – to be wrestling again. That’s what I needed from all this – to be excited. I’ve found it here. I’ve found the passion again.

 

AT: Tell us what you were up to during your time away from wrestling

 

HARDY: The major project that I worked on was a motocross track at my house. It’s something I always wanted to do, but I never had the time…especially traveling with WWE. It took me a year to do, but I finally completed it. It’s in my front yard now…a two-acre track. It’s beautiful. To me it’s like a big piece of artwork. It throws me on my BUTT every now and then (laughs). But I’ve spent less time with it lately because my focus is back on wrestling.

 

AT: I hear you’ve also been working hard on your music interests

 

HARDY: Very busy. First off, as far as mainstream music goes, I’m not concerned with my music going mainstream. It’s a release and a getaway for me. To this day if I feel upset or aggravated, I can always write a song and put a beat to it. I’ve recorded a lot of songs. Probably in the last two months I’ve done about twenty solo songs.

 

AT: Do you play any instruments?

 

HARDY: I mainly sing. I’m decent on a guitar – no, I take that back. I really suck on the guitar (laughs). But, my band is out of Cincinnati and they’re awesome musicians.

 

AT: What’s the name of the band?

 

HARDY: The band is called “Peroxwhygen”. As far as my solo stuff, I really don’t have a name for it or anything. It’s just kind of my funky vibe. But I feel most confident with my music when I’m with the band. But it’s hard for all of us to get together with me in North Carolina and the rest of the band in Cincinnati.

 

AT: What have been some of your musical influences?

 

HARDY: Definitely Pearl Jam. But, I like a little bit of everything. I feel that music is intertwined these days. You can turn on CMT and see Kid Rock and then turn on MTV and see Kid Rock. But to answer your question my main influence is Pearl Jam. I also like rap and hip hop, like Outkast.

 

AT: Your first match here in TNA was against AJ Styles. How did it feel to walk out and see the crowd react so loudly to you?

 

HARDY: It was great to hear them and to be back out there. There wasn’t a week that went by that my brother Matt didn’t stop by my house to talk to me about wrestling. I kept putting it off, but finally I picked up the phone and called TNA. The night before the show we spoke to iron out the details, and when I first heard AJ’s name as the opponent I thought to myself “Man, I don’t know if I can hang with AJ this quickly after being out so long.” To be honest, I didn’t feel confident in myself. But I told myself I wanted to do it and I could do it. It went well and I was fairly surprised with myself in the match.

 

AT: So you felt some ring rust?

 

HARDY: Yes, I felt a little. But it comes back to you quickly. I’m already feeling better in the ring with the few matches I’ve had.

 

AT: So how was it to wrestle AJ?

 

HARDY: Great. It was years ago, but I remember Matt telling me about this guy AJ Styles he saw wrestle at an independent show. Matt said he wrestled like me and looked up to me and wrestled like crazy. To see what he’s accomplished here and how TNA has made him such a big star, it really is phenomenal. I don’t think there’s anyone better I could have wrestled for my first match back.

 

AT: Are you looking forward to a rematch?

 

HARDY: Without a doubt…and I’m sure the fans are looking forward to it too.

 

AT: You spoke a little before about the six sided ring. How was it for you to make the transition from the four sided ring to the six sided?

 

HARDY: It’s a little strange….the corners have been the hardest thing for me to get used to. Other than that I love it…the whole look of it is awesome. I’d probably go crazy if I had to go back to a four sided ring now (laughs).

 

AT: As a superstar who helped introduce the TLC Match, what did you think of the Ultimate X Match?

 

HARDY: Man, I was really impressed with that match. I would love to take part in that match in the future. It’s a definite breakthrough in wrestling and probably the most creative match since the Ladder Match was introduced.

 

AT: How have your family and friends – and perhaps former co-workers – reacted to your return with TNA?

 

HARDY: It’s been cool. You’d be amazed how many people watch it. Most of the people in WWE are fans as well as wrestlers. They check it out and they like it. People will call and say “Hey I saw it, good match.” It’s good that they’re watching. I read where Jim Ross said that “TNA is not the enemy” and to me, that’s all good. Everyone has been supportive.

 

AT: Last question – do you have anything to say to the fans?

 

HARDY: I love my fans more than anything. The past few weeks I’ve been here, I’ve had to rush all over the place and take shuttles everywhere…always on the go. But this week, I rented a car and I’m going to stick around and see some of my Team Extreme fans from the internet. The fans on the internet really increased my popularity and backed me during my career, so I’m going to stay out until 3AM if I have to just driving around to see them. When I come to the arena and see fans with posters and action figures of me, you’ve got to give back to them.

 

AT: Thanks for your time, Jeff!

 

HARDY: No problem, it’s been a pleasure.

[Twisted Intestine 0]

HARDY: I love my fans more than anything. The past few weeks I’ve been here, I’ve had to rush all over the place and take shuttles everywhere…always on the go. But this week, I rented a car and I’m going to stick around and see some of my Team Extreme fans from the internet. The fans on the internet really increased my popularity and backed me during my career, so I’m going to stay out until 3AM if I have to just driving around to see them. When I come to the arena and see fans with posters and action figures of me, you’ve got to give back to them.

Won't he be suprised when he goes to talk to his internet fans and they shit all over him.. From what I've seen most internet fans think he's a talentless jobber.. I'm one of the few who actually likes him..

[Astro101 0]

He SOUNDS like he's trying to find that drive back in wrestling. Needs to stop going through the motions though.

[Da Maintenance Man 0]

Jeff can really go when he's motivated. I wish him the best and hope that he can shake off all the haters.

[Steviekick 0]

HARDY: I love my fans more than anything. The past few weeks I’ve been here, I’ve had to rush all over the place and take shuttles everywhere…always on the go. But this week, I rented a car and I’m going to stick around and see some of my Team Extreme fans from the internet. The fans on the internet really increased my popularity and backed me during my career, so I’m going to stay out until 3AM if I have to just driving around to see them. When I come to the arena and see fans with posters and action figures of me, you’ve got to give back to them.

Won't he be suprised when he goes to talk to his internet fans and they shit all over him.. From what I've seen most internet fans think he's a talentless jobber.. I'm one of the few who actually likes him..

But their are lots of fans that have put up "JEFF IS GODDD!!!!" pages.

[Jobber of the Week 0]

Won't he be suprised when he goes to talk to his internet fans and they shit all over him.. From what I've seen most internet fans think he's a talentless jobber.. I'm one of the few who actually likes him..

I think he means the drooling girls, not the smart marks.

 

You have to remember that "the internet" consists of a lot more than just us. So much of the civilized world is online that if everyone online followed the same groupthink this board does about wrestling, the WWE would be dead and buried by now.