WWE has used Jeff Hardy's past legal issues as part of a storyline with promos but the company went a step further on the most recent episode of SmackDown. To open Friday's show, Jeff was involved in a hit-and-run where he allegedly struck Elias with his car while drunk.
The angle was a turn off for most fans who were upset that WWE would use Hardy's DUI past as part of a storyline.
On Tuesday's WWE Backstage, Renee Young stated that Hardy had signed off on the angle and was okay with it, prompting the rest of the panel to weigh in.
"I'm speaking from experience because I worked extensively with Jeff," said CM Punk, who famously feuded with Hardy in 2009. "He, at that point, was not at a great place mentally and physically. My thing with this story is that somebody's sobriety is very fragile and important. We talk about how Jeff is okay with it and he greenlit. To me, it is the responsibility to get in front of that, whether it be the company or a writer, and be like 'no, we 're not doing that.' Cleaning your life up and getting sober, we can champion that in many ways. You don't put him in front of a moving car."
Christian noted that if Jeff is okay with it, it's one thing and said that the angle is portrayed to have Jeff set-up, but admitted there are perhaps better ways to go about it.
Booker T said, "I saw a lot of guys with substance abuse problems. A lot of them are my friends and aren't here today. When I saw it go down, I'm like, 'I don't know.'"
Punk added that whenever wrestling tries to play off real-life substance issues, it never works, pointing to WCW and Scott Hall as an example. Booker agreed with Punk's take.
Punk previously stated that the segment deserved a Slammy, but didn't give the category. He did note that it managed to entertain him, which was something. You can find his previous comments by clicking here.
If you use any of the quotes above, please give a h/t and link back to Fightful for the transcription.
