(Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)
Reports have surfaced that the Charismatic Enigma Jeff Hardy has told WWE he doesn't want to renew his contract when it expires this summer.
He's apparently telling people he's burnt out of wrestling and wants to focus on other parts of his life.
But the truth of the matter is that he will need to continue to collect a paycheck.
TNA can offer Hardy a more relaxed schedule, a boatload of money, and an almost guaranteed push, since he's one of the most popular entertainers in all of wrestling.
Don't be surprised to see Hardy making his return to TNA soon, but also recognize the company should have reservations about bringing him back.
What Hardy brings to TNA
Many critics will say TNA's efforts to re-sign Hardy just fit the company mold of taking stars from other companies and pushing them rather than homegrown talent.
The main difference here is Hardy's age and star power.
People criticize TNA for pushing stars like Mick Foley, Sting, Kevin Nash, and Scott Steiner because they are undoubtedly past their primes. But Hardy is something different.
At age 31, Hardy is on top of his world in wrestling right now. He finally captured his first major championship, despite holding it for a short period of time, and the fans continue to swoon for him.
Bringing Jeff Hardy back to TNA would likely bring many of his fans with him, hopefully providing TNA's continuously increasing ratings with a nice bump.
In his first run in TNA, Hardy feuded with the likes of A.J. Styles, Jeff Jarrett, and Abyss. All of these men have developed much more in the time since then and could recreate some amazing work with Hardy.
TNA's reservations
While Hardy brings with him star power and potential, he also brings quite a bit of baggage.
Hardy has been known to have problems with drugs and alcohol. He's been suspended twice by the WWE for violating its wellness policy and was removed from an airplane for being too intoxicated.
If he gets caught again in his final three months or so with the WWE, he will be getting a pink slip and a boot out the door, which would make critics of TNA attack the fact they signed a person with known drug problems.
The other issue arising from Hardy's last stint in TNA is that he was suspended twice for no-showing at pay-per-views.
He missed Hard Justice and Turning Point in 2005, citing travel difficulties.
Hardy's fans will argue that he's changed his life and that both of these problems shouldn't be issues any more. This may be true, or it may not be. Time will tell.
In closing
Hardy's TNA return could create quite a buzz in the wrestling world and may help many loyal WWE fans at least check out TNA.
The move would be a good one for both the company and for Hardy, but only if he can prove he's more responsible.
Hardy shouldn't necessarily hold gold early in his return, but it should be something considered down the line.
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