AEW Name Claims Jeff Hardy Was In ‘Total Denial’ About Substance Abuse

All Elite Wrestling (AEW) lead commentator Jim Ross has opened up about his memories of Jeff Hardy within WWE, noting that the former WWE Champion was in “total denial” about his substance abuse problems.

Jim Ross said on his Grilling JR podcast that he spoke with Jeff Hardy backstage at WWE show and told him to go to rehab and get help. Here’s the full quote, courtesy of Ringside News.

“Total denial. Jeff was in total denial. Like a lot of substance abusers, he just didn’t perceive that he had a big problem. It’s nothing I can’t handle. And so, you know, I remember sitting down and talking with him at a TV after the drug test and so forth, and him appearing to be affected, not in the right frame of mind, you know, on whatever pills he was taking.”

“And I said, you know, ‘We have this theory here, we either solve problems, or we eliminate them. The way we are going to solve your problem, if you agree, is that we are going to send you to rehab and help you with your (problem). Why are you doing this? Why are you purposely valuing getting high over your career? You are not going to make any money getting high. You can make a lot of money as Jeff Hardy the Superstar.”

“And he was getting a singles opportunity coming up; he had great charisma, as we all know. Phenomenal performer. He said, ‘I’m not going to rehab.’ I said, ‘Is that your final answer? Do you want to think about this? Get back to me later today because we have got to decide today.’ ‘No, I’m not going.’ Alright then. Basically, what you’re telling us is that you’re done because we can’t continue this way. It’s not an option. We just can’t do it. So, you know, he was wrecking corvettes, and he was missing death—multiple times.”

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• jim ross
• Jeff Hardy
• AEW
• wwe

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