What's the story?
Jeff Hardy was recently put under arrest for allegedly driving while impaired, though he was released shortly after. According to recent rumours, Hardy had been cleared by his doctors to return to the ring and compete. He had been injured the previous year and had to go through rotator cuff surgery. With the Ultimate Deletion being filmed last week, it was expected that Jeff would be a part of the 'Woken' world of Matt Hardy, and would return as Brother Nero.
According to reports by Pro Wrestling Sheet, Jeff Hardy made a cameo appearance in the tapings.
In case you didn't know...
Jeff Hardy has a history with not being sober, sad to say. He is infamous for being drunk during a match with Sting in Impact Wrestling, then known as TNA. Sting and the referee had to make a call and end the bout early as Jeff was in no condition to compete.
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He was arrested after he ran off the road and struck the guardrail with his car and then blew three times the legal limit in a breath test.
WWE issued a statement stating that Jeff was responsible for his own actions and that they would investigate the matter and talk with the law enforcement officials.
“Jeff Hardy is responsible for his own personal actions. We are investigating the matter and awaiting information from local law enforcement officials.”
As this is not a major infraction of WWE's policy, he is unlikely to be suspended, and will likely face fines instead.
The heart of the matter
According to Pro Wrestling Sheet, Jeff Hardy made a small on-camera appearance during the filming of the Ultimate Deletion, which took place on the Hardy Compound.
It was announced during the broadcast of this week's show, that the Ultimate Deletion segment is set to air on next week's airing of Monday Night Raw.
If the rumours are true, then fans may see Jeff Hardy, as Brother Nero during the broadcast of the Ultimate Deletion. With the arrest, however, WWE may decide to edit him out of the tapes for the time being and incorporate him later into the storyline.
What's next?
Jeff Hardy was expected to appear on Raw before Wrestlemania, and become involved in the Bray Wyatt and Matt Hardy feud. In light of recent events, his return may be delayed by the company.
Author's take
Hardy has always suffered from personal demons and took drugs and alcohol recreationally. In recent times he was thought to have brought himself under better control, but with this arrest, it appears this might not be so. Hopefully, he will not be punished too severely by WWE, and fans will get to see him make his return.
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