I feel pretty stupid today.
 
That's a fairly profound statement to make because as a Phi Beta Kappa college graduate, I hardly think of myself as a stupid person. But as an ardent Jeff Hardy supporter, in light of the news of his latest 60-day suspension for an unspecified Wellness Policy violation, you'd have to be, right? Here is a guy who at one point or another in recent years has exhibited erratic and irresponsible behavior, ranging from tardiness to alleged drug abuse, at times looking uninspired and clumsy in the ring. 
 
After flourishing for years as a tag team, and later singles, competitor, Hardy was released by World Wrestling Entertainment in April 2003 for reportedly refusing to enter rehab for those aforementioned problems. At the time, he stated that he felt "burned out" from the grind of being on the road and wanted to take some time away from the business.

Fair enough. Many WWE performers can likely relate to those feelings. So Jeff stays home for a while to concentrate on his music and motocross. Following a forgetful appearance later that year in Ring of Honor, Hardy signed with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) in 2004, replete with a new nickname, "The Charismatic Enigma." And what an enigma he proved to be, getting himself suspended twice for no-shows during the course of 2005.
 
Thus, it was somewhat surprising to hear of his return to WWE in August of the following year. Hardy looked good in matches against Johnny Nitro and Umaga, even managing to capture the Intercontinental championship on two occasions during that time. However, primed for a big match with Umaga at "Summerslam" in 2007, he was suspended for an unknown Wellness Policy infraction and missed the show. Despite it all, he maintained a level of popularity amongst the fans that rivaled many of the main event stars.

Upon his return, he was given the biggest push of his career. He defeated Triple H at "Armageddon" and went on to challenge Randy Orton for the WWE Title at this year's "Royal Rumble" at Madison Square Garden. Yours truly was in attendance that night. The level of admiration for Hardy was staggering and you could feel the air sucked out of the crowd's lungs when he was pinned clean in the center of the ring.

I was one of the many who lambasted WWE's decision to not put Hardy over that night and give him a run with the title. I figured they could always right the ship by allowing Hardy to go over in the Raw Elimination Chamber Match at "No Way Out,” however unlikely that might have been. I was thinking that if I had the opportunity to book the main event at "WrestleMania" this year, Hardy against Orton for the title would be my choice with a John Cena vs. Triple H singles match underneath.
 
So here we sit, one night removed from Hardy losing his Intercontinental title to Chris Jericho on Raw. Certainly, the reason for such a change is so that Hardy can win "Money in the Bank" at Mania and focus his efforts on a larger championship loot, right? No, you see they had to get the title off Hardy ASAP because he's failed another Wellness test. This being his second offense, he's gone for 60 days, guaranteed to miss the biggest show (and payoff) of his career.

Some folks might argue that we ought not rush to judgment without all the facts. After all, perhaps it was those darn poppy seeds from the bagel he ate last week that set off a positive test for opium! But keep in mind, however minor the offense, failures are treated the same for all across the board (well, unless your last name is Orton, then you're OK), especially at a time when Congress is breathing down Vince McMahon's neck.

And Hardy's checkered past certainly does not bode well for those looking to give him the benefit of the doubt. I was once one of those people. But not anymore. Like the old girlfriend you caught cheating, that you took back because you thought this time things would be different, only to have your heart broken again. Jeff Hardy made you and me and everyone else that supported him look like fools.
 
Listen closely to the lyrics of Jeff's new entrance music and you'll hear talk about "seeing the writing on the wall."  I guess I should have. I feel pretty stupid.

Jason Solomon
Brooklyn, N.Y.

Powell's POV: Many of us felt Hardy should have captured the WWE Title at the Royal Rumble and perhaps now we know why WWE chose to go in a different direction. That being said, I don't believe in giving up on people and I'm rooting for Hardy to get it together now more than ever. He proved a lot of people wrong with the success he's had in WWE during his most recent run and I sincerely hope that he'll work through whatever issues he has and bounce back better than ever in whatever he chooses to do in life—be it wrestling or something else.

***

I had a good chuckle reading your comments about the CD's, and yes, I have bought some of them. One of my hobbies is art, and I like to play the themes while I'm drawing, they just put me in the right frame of mind.
 
For what it’s worth, I do prefer the older 80's/90's themes as opposed to today's generic stuff.  I have quite a few themes downloaded from various sites and made my own CD's.
 
I was really disappointed when they changed Jeff Hardy's theme, as it ( the old theme ) was instantly recognizable and generated a huge pop with live audiences. That pop translates to viewers at home that said wrestler is over and someone you should be watching. That's what seems to be missing from a lot of themes today, especially in TNA and with mid-card WWE talent. You sometimes don't know who's coming out until they hit the entrance.
 
Dan Orgill
Brampton, Ontario

***

Hello Jason, my name's Tim, and I own a copy of every WWE entrance music CD they've put out, including the 3-disc Anthology a few years ago. Why, you ask? I actually like to listen to most of the WWE themes, and even the silly ones are fun when they pop up on my iPod now and then.

Also, my friend and I have been collecting themes (including all the ones never available on CD) since the early 90s. The songs over the years remind us of bad gimmicks, dumb songs, fun lyrics and all other great stuff associated with pro wrestling. I guess it's both the nostalgia-lover in me, plus the collector.

In fact, CDs like this upcoming one can also be frustrating because they tend to be the "full-length" songs and not the actual "cuts" that the wrestlers enter to. Sure, the full songs are usually good too, but it's not those opening notes you associate with the songs. Still, I'll have my copy whenever it comes out.

My iPod contains over 500 WWE songs (yes there have been that many) and they are fun to have. Of course, I'm probably the extreme, so take what for what you will.

Tim

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