JEFF HARDY’S PAINFUL TRUTHS AND SOBERING

Jeff, come clean what’s the real deal behind your WWE departure in 2003?

I didn’t need rehab. I got an assessment from professionals, and they basically classified me as a drug addict. But I wasn’t addicted. I was burned out. Life on the road got to me. It motivates the hell out of me to know that some people thought I would be dead without rehabilitation. What I needed, though, more than anything, wasn’t rehab—it was to be at home. I needed to be in my element, and to be near my dad. It wasn’t about drugs or pain pills, or anything like that. Dorothy was right—there’s no place like home.

When did you know it was falling apart?

One of the highlights of my career should have been my Ladder match against Undertaker. I watched it again recently, and I remembered how, at the time, I just wasn’t into it at all. I basically phoned it in. I thought, “Here I am with Undertaker, a guy I grew up watching, and I really don’t even care.” I remember looking at the WWE logos on the turnbuckles, and feeling like I was at work, rather than living a dream. That match was good, and I still enjoy watching it, but I’ll always wonder what would’ve happened if I had given it my all.

What’s the point of re-watching it then?

It’s a slap in the face, a wake-up call. I’m 28 [side note: he’s 29 now], and I still have potential. It’s a reminder that I shouldn’t let my life, and wrestling career, pass me by.

Truthfully, were you surprised to learn about Lita and Edge’s scandalous relationship? Or did you know trouble was brewing?

I had no idea that Matt and Lita were having problems. Matt came by my place one day, almost in tears, and he told me that he’d just kicked her out of the house. Then he played some voicemails of Edge calling Lita, asking her where she was planning on staying that weekend—stuff like that. I was blown away. I called them both and went off. I told Edge I hated him. Calling Lita was weird because she’s been like a sister to me. I kept it brief, but I told her I couldn’t believe what had happened. I did it for Matt; I saw how bad he was hurting. It really blew my mind.

Given your history with Lita, it must have been strange staring down Edge during your first night back on Raw.

It’s always going to be weird doing anything with Edge from now on. It was really hard for me to tell Matt that I’d be wrestling Edge in my first match back.

Can you put your differences with the Rated-R Superstar aside?

Listen, he’s one of the big dogs on Raw now; it’s definitely a good thing for me to be thrown right into the mix with him.

Is Matt jealous of your instant main even status?

There might be a little jealousy, but I think Matt is completely confident in himself. He said he was proud of my performance that night. More than anything, I think he looks forward to the Hardy Boyz reuniting. I know I do.

Was watching your brother wrestle a big influence in your decision to return?

I got antsy when I’d watch him on SmackDown. I actually found it hard to watch Wrestlemania 22, when Matt was in the Money in the Bank Ladder match, it was so good, and I felt so removed from it all. And they had all the banners of the Superstars’ faces surrounding the arena. What I missed most of all was wresting in front of WWE fans. I don’t know if I’ll ever have the desire I had when I was 20 years old, but my chemistry with the fans, and their reaction when I came back, has definitely lit a fire in my soul.