Jim Ross explains why Jeff Hardy’s AEW run fell flat: “It might have come down to reliability”

Jim Ross recently got to talk about Jeff Hardy's run in AEW, and why it didn't work out for him with the promotion despite his two-year stint there. This would be Jim Ross.

A week and a half ago, The Charismatic Enigma's contract with the Jacksonville-based promotion expired, and less than 24 hours after, he made his TNA return at Against All Odds to assist his brother who was going through a beatdown.

On a recent edition of the Grilling JR podcast, Jim Ross talked about reasons why Jeff Hardy didn't work out in AEW. He mentioned that a reason could be reliability, as he had some personal issues that could have affected him. He also talked about wanting to send him to rehab.

"It might have come down to reliability. You know, he had so many - I don’t want to say false starts, but he had several chances to get his ball rolling and get back in the game. It might be that. Because some of these experiences that preceded him were not real complimentary. You know, I remember talking to him, and I wanted to send him to rehab. And I told him that."

He continued by saying that there wasn't an obvious reason for him not being utilized.

"I found it better when you’re dealing with talent just to tell them the truth. Tell them the truth and let the cards fall where they may. And I believe that’s how you do business with anybody. Tell them the truth and be upfront, and let the chips fall where they fall. So I think maybe it was that, at least part of it. But there’s no obvious reason that Jeff should not have been used more prominently. So I don’t know the bottom line, but I think history and precedent had something to do with it." [H/T - PWMania]

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Jim Ross reveals he wishes a former AEW World Champion was still with the promotion

On his podcast, Jim Ross also talked about a former AEW star, as he revealed that if it were up to him, he wished he was still with the promotion. This would be CM Punk.

Punk left the company back in September, as he was released following his backstage incident with Jack Perry. Ross spoke about how The Straight Edge Superstar had a huge impact on the promotion's success and how he was a good talent to have.

"I get text messages from him on a somewhat frequent basis because he's just checking on me to see how I'm feeling," Ross said. "He likes me and he respects me, and it's reciprocal... I miss CM Punk. I thought he contributed greatly to the AEW roster when he was with us. To be perfectly candid, I wish he still was. How do you not want a talent the level of CM Punk not still with your company? It, personality-wise, just did not work out, and that's unfortunate." [H/T - Wrestling Inc]

Despite the recent departures, AEW has continued bringing in several major stars, including the likes of Will Ospreay, Kazuchika Okada, and Mercedes Moné who now look to be the future faces of the company.