When Jeff Hardy Became The Antichrist of Pro Wrestling

[@NuMetalfan1996]

Jeff Hardy from 2007 to 2009 in WWE was outselling John Cena in merch sales. Jeff was far more popular with the kids than Cena was during those 2 years. A big part of the reason why Jeff got such a huge push starting in 2007 was because of Freddie Prinze Jr. Freddie Prinze Jr was writing for WWE from 2007 to 2009. FPJ was a big fan of Jeff Hardy and wanted him to be pushed as one of the main babyfaces, Micheal Hayes who was apart of the creative team at the time was happy with that because he was a long friend and admirer of Jeff. So Vince agreed to push Jeff and wanted Jeff to be moved to SmackDown in 2008. So the plan was for Raw’s top babyface to be Cena and SmackDown’s top babyface to be Jeff. Then in late 2009 Jeff started his bad habits of substance abuse again, I think he got a DUI charge, and WWE fired him for the second time in late 2009. I think if Jeff hadn't slipped back to his bad habits, I think Jeff would’ve surpassed Cena as WWE’s top babyface, in Vince’s eyes.

[@KrimsonDragoon]

Jeff was an organic baby face that the fans were behind so it only made sense As for 09 I thought they wanted him to get help and he denied it so he requested his release?

[@ChristopherJohn4389]

So he fucked it all up. Cena didn't. That's the difference.

[@markw110]

Jeff Hardy was a pretty common Halloween costume for kids in my neck of the woods around that time.

[@nicholasflanders9814]

His contract expired in August/September 2009. Then 4 or 5 days later he got busted and arrested. WWE actually dodged a huge bullet there.

[@bpolovich9398]

You present a good, well thought-out argument, here! Although some parts admittedly sound crazy, particularly in retrospect - It's certainly possible that this would've been the case. 👍 - Hope you're doing well

[@NuMetalfan1996]

Basically for those that didn’t see Jeff Hardy’s heel in TNA. His Heel persona was like a cross between ECW era Raven and Heath Ledgers Joker.

[@LifeAfterDeathTube]

Heath Ledger's Joker seems like a stretch, but that was a fun run regardless.

[@NuMetalfan1996]

@@LifeAfterDeathTube I do see Heath Ledger Joker vibes in Jeff’s heel persona though.

[@chozahfearless7524]

Yeah that was more sting to me! ​@@LifeAfterDeathTube

[@chihollywood9379]

Jeff heel run was good but he fucked it up

[@wingedhussar1453]

​@@chihollywood9379yea sucks because the heel hardy was so good

[@calebmaybin6896]

TNA at least deserves credit for making Jeff apologize and gave him a chance to clean himself and earn his redemption whereas other places tried to immediately rid themselves of him to avoid issues. His soberness seemed to last pretty long too until his last WWE run. My only issue with Jeff is after the Victory Road incident he supposedly made a promise to his daughter that if he ever fell off again he'd retire, and whilst his last WWE run was unconfirmed his AEW run did start off with a DUI ... he's seemingly broken that promise.

[@NuMetalfan1996]

Imo that heel Jeff Hardy run in TNA is so underrated, he was great in that role. And then Jeff had to ruin it all at Victory Road 2011. If Jeff didn’t do what he did, I think people would’ve looked fondly back at his heel run. Jeff has only ever been heel twice in his whole career and both times it was cut short. Jeff turned heel in 2003 in WWE, but It didn’t last long as WWE fired Jeff in 2003 for his substance abuse issues. WWE has fired Jeff 3 times for his substance abuse issues, in 2003, in 2009, and in 2021. Jeff then turned heel in TNA in October 2010, and was great but it unfortunately didn’t last long as Victory Road 2011 happened.

[@desprezolorde]

Jeff is also a singer, for those who don't know. Not a Johnny Cash, but not horrible either. In my first contact with Pro Wrestling, there he was, flying in a splendid fashion... This man suffered a lot for our entertainment, and that's really commendable. I do truly hope he'll slay his demons.

[@FookMi69]

I personally like his discography. I hope he focuses on his music than wrestling these days

[@desprezolorde]

@@FookMi69 I agree. Time is our bitterest enemy (at least for most of us) and aging is its ultimate weapon. Even Orton is considering retiring. If he can sing, why not? Would love to have Jeff singing the next Wrestlemania theme, it would be awesome.

[@WhiteIkiryo-yt2it]

He is a talented singer and his song for when he turned heel in TNA was great.

[@CanaleAV]

Kudos to Bischoff and Sting for thinking and acting quickly on that occasion. Only God knows what could have otherwise happened.

[@WhiteIkiryo-yt2it]

Bischoff deserves credit for stepping up so quickly as he did. At first, I thought it was a weird story angle but when I watched the match again the next day, I saw just how bad of a state he was in. If only TNA hired Bischoff and not Hogan.

[@elleni-41]

I hope Jeff hardy got his stuff together..he was one of my favorite tag teams back in the day..love ur channel..👌👍💙💙

[@vanyadolly]

Yeah, I always worry about these guys not being able to afford their medical care and pain management down the line. But Jeff is legendary enough to be paid just as a legacy if he cleaned up his act.

[@elleni-41]

@@vanyadolly . Exactly...i had the same problem..but I cleaned up my Act..11 years now almost ..

[@Veladus]

Yeah, I'm sure his 4095275th chance will be the time he really gets clean /s

[@elleni-41]

@@Veladus ..🤣🤣🤣

[@bryguytyguy]

“TNA was more lax on testing for drugs” *shows clip of Perc Angle*

[@LordDeBahs]

perk angle , the best angle

[@Veladus]

SHOTS FIRED! But Angle was doing drug because of pain from his injuries. Jeff's just a lowlife druggie.

[@christianrodney7124]

Jeff Hardy in 07-09 was my favorite childhood wrestler he was the first wrestler i connected too and made me a bigger fan of wrestling. I was so sad when left WWE.

[@darylheath6524]

I’m glad you have made a video on this as I was thinking about Jeff’s heel turn the other day for me it’s one of the best turns in wrestling history I really enjoyed it . I was watching TNA religiously back then

[@AdrianM865]

This run has some positives and negatives. Positives were that his presentation was great and his promos were hitting. Negatives were his match quality dipped, the creative was all over the place, and he lowkey played a hand in screwing up TNA and New Japan’s relationship when he pooped the bed with Tetsuya Naito. I know he was going through it…but this run should have been better and ended better.

[@Travybear1989]

Both of the hardy bros are wrestling gold. Jeff is the wild son of a bitch and matt is the grounded and the better talker. Sad that they only have a few years left before they retire but man.... was it an awesome ride or what?

[@venomousnate7263]

Looking back AntiChrist Jeff Hardy was a very unique take, and was actually good, it was really watered down because of the whole Immortal saga going on. That was a whole thing. But yeah Jeff Hardy, for all his faults, is one of those universally beloved babyfaces in wrestling.

[@KadeemG61]

I’m predicting that Jeff might be retiring before he turns 50. If Jeff request his release from AEW, I think the Hardy’s (alongside Jeff’s brother, Matt) could come back to WWE and induct them into the WWE Hall of Fame. Jeff’s WWE title reign was very underrated in 2008.

[@nicholasflanders9814]

I would classify his title reigns as lost potential, not underrated. He never had a single successful title defense.

[@Black-Circle]

pain pill addiction is no joke.

[@chozahfearless7524]

Neither is coke I had a brief experience nose started bleeding and left it alone!

[@WhiteIkiryo-yt2it]

Those who have never had a true addiction cannot understand how strong the possession is. It really is like being possessed by a demon and can turn you into things you would never be otherwise. I have been there myself and now I am clean (3 years) but the shame, self loathing and horror at what I became will never leave me. If anyone out there is struggling, I am not going to say get help but just know that you are worth the help. Don't burn your bridges like i did and don't let that demon win.

[@vanyadolly]

Even worse because you know these guys are in pain for life for what they put their bodies through.

[@Veladus]

@@WhiteIkiryo-yt2it Having struggled with it because of chronic pain, I have no sympathy for Jeff Hardy. Not one single fucking atom of sympathy. He's not getting high on cocaine because of pain from his career, he's getting high on cocaine because he's a lowlife druggie. Nobody says "I'm in pain, give me some meth!" Frankly, he should in prison with the rest of the human garbage that committed DUI.

[@MrHastygamer]

I bet wrestling didn’t help, more adoration for doing riskier moves, more pain, more painkillers, repeat.

[@unfixingbowl5454]

The idea of this and the heel turn itself was phenomenal. The execution of the storyline left a lot to be desired, and Jeff’s problems didn’t allow it to be what it could be.

[@tigerprince8712]

James damn good choice in this one man your on fire..I didn't know any of these brothers was having such a hard time man. It hits home. When u care. Plz keep it going.

[@Austin-l1j]

Bro ruined his own career man. So terrible could’ve been a main eventer

[@yungaply9480]

He was a main eventer

[@ODBPSKW]

He was a main eventer

[@FALLENMarine]

He was offered wwe hof dude didnt ruin his career

[@Austin-l1j]

@@FALLENMarine ruined it in comparison to what he could have achieved. He could’ve been one of the faces in WWE or pretty close to the face of the company.

[@FALLENMarine]

@@Austin-l1j i see what your sayin but if it wasnt for him there wouldnt have been a tlc match if the hardys and dudleys and E&C werent who they were i mean dude was damn near a champ everywhere he went i do think his biggest fuck up was in tna destoried any chance to wrestle sting

[@Ravenz91]

Always loved Jeff Hardy. His theme song during this time is still one of my absolute favorite theme songs.

[@1megaalakazam100]

Nice video my friend. I dont see many people talking about this character, and its really interesting. Im a fan of Jeff and for me was really cool to see him as heel, cutting dark and abstract promos. With a deeper meaning, depressing. It was sad that this character had a short life and was in a bad moment in Jeff's life. It was really interesting. The theme song with double meaning (Another Me), the reasons, the look. I was a fan.

[@Super209skater]

Jeff really made that intercontinental championship belt look good

[@Cloud121D]

As a lifelong WCW guy, seeing the lower mid-card guys like Jeff and Christian for example during when WCW was alive hold the WCW Title years later in WWE is still just so weird to see for me.

[@Dragonstar-p5c]

yeah no.... I have zero respect for people who consistently drive while drunk. None whatsoever. They clearly have no respect for the rest of us.

[@blaccjesus8473]

I do it all the time it's no problem

[@VeryStupid4547]

Fun Fact: Vince Russo dubbed himself "the antichrist of pro wrestling" 8 years prior to bestowing the moniker on Jeff Hardy. He essentially recycled it in 2010.

[@royasturias1784]

Vince "The Xenophobe" Russo, archnem of Jim Cornette

[@Veladus]

Chris Benoit: Hold my noose

[@BoondockBrony]

His use of the title is actually weirdly more fitting. If you read the passages of the bible about *the* Antichrist and not just antichrist, it's clear that The Antichrist holds some level of power and authority. Which is more fitting of Russo than Hardy.

[@levijackson767]

Antichrist of profesional wrestling? I thought that was Vince Russo?

[@SuperNovaDwarf]

When I was younger, He was my favorite wrestler. As I got older and realized just how many times he messed up due to drugs or some other issues ; I slowly began to like him less and less. His career is incredible, and I respect him for putting his body on the line for our entertainment, but I just can't look at him the same.

[@abhijithis9424]

Many wants Jeff to quit so he doesn't hurt himself further but wrestling may have been the only thing that has kept him going do far. According to Matt in latest interview Jeff is doing absolutely amazing. He works out at 5 am, no substance usage and is taking good care of himself. Hope he can get his demons at bay and given the lime light he deserves before giving up taking so many risks

[@symesalexander5294]

He was 🔥 One of my Favorite's Really wished things went different

[@jairo.s97]

Jeff Hardy was the sole reason i had a huge crush on white skater boys with long hair😭

[@Slacker_on_yt]

Hey I’m a big fan of the channel and I was wondering if you have any plans to make videos about the rise and fall of TNA wrestling

[@StunnedByWrestling]

Yes I'm looking to do more TNA stuff, stay tuned!

[@Slacker_on_yt]

@@StunnedByWrestling thank you for letting me know 👍👍

[@BigmanDogs]

I personally liked this heel run and the belt redesign made people online super upset.

[@sic6664]

Jeff was my favourite back in the day and I hope he can overcome his addictions.

[@mathewmorrison4907]

You should do a most hated man in wrestling on John Laurinaitis

[@corysmith564]

Needs to bring this back and team up with Christian. Most importantly, he takes less risks in the ring when doing this gimmick since the point is him no longer wanting hurt himself for our amusement but hurting whoever he's in the ring with.

[@My19812011]

I’m sure I remember Jeff Hardy as a heel in 2002-2003 in WWE ? It was brief as it was just before he was let go by the company.

[@JaceyMitchell]

Man that early 2010s TNA roster was stacked.

[@andrewvelasquez4964]

People always talk about the victory road incident & stuff when it comes to his heel run but no one ever talks about where his heel run could’ve went after that or what his match with sting could’ve been like,I did hear on the stone cold pod cast that a spot with the scorpion death drop was supposed to happen with a chair around his neck which igs means he was gonna lose but still tho like I wanna see a video where what would’ve happened if his run continued

[@Nevxh]

Man i remember it all, i was tuning in every week just to watch jeffs heel character lol i really hope we can see it again. In wwe rn would be amazing and also since hes much older it would make sense for him to slow down

[@VeryStupid4547]

To the creator of this channel: I can't wait for the 2010 Monday Night War video.

[@MichaelSpikes-pv6kl]

Excellent video

[@alin81-82]

I think the antichrist Jeff & immortal could've worked, but it wasn't planned to well, especially as it went on. The build up to it was great, though.

[@mr_hardy5329]

The Antichrist of Pro Wrestling was epic. My fav Jeff.

[@TheWheelOfTyne]

Jeff hardy is basically Shane McMahon with face paint

[@royasturias1784]

If Brother Nero was as business-savvy and sober as Shane O'Mac

[@jonnystorm3127]

To me I think outside the drug influence, the biggest flaw that happened with the "Anti-Christ" was that Jeff was still cool to the fans. It was hard to actually get fans to hate him because his natural charisma bled through the character. Instead of wanting to boo him, it just made fans cheer him more, plus "Another Me" was a fire theme. I feel for a Heel character, Jeff, he would've had to go full 180 Triple H levels of asshole to make it work.

[@szczesciejestkoloruczarneg749]

great work

[@ifeanyikennedy1047]

Jeff Hardy is very talented that is why he will always have opportunities.

[@WhiteIkiryo-yt2it]

Jeff would have been perfect for what Raven was hoping for with Serotonin.

[@jamesgeschwender1024]

Jeff is a hack. He's got a couple of moves and paints his face for the teenage girls but he can't talk on the mic. He's got no game at all

[@ODBPSKW]

Disagree. His heel promos were good. And Jeff had a fanbase with all demographics.

[@hugheswhiteman1674]

Raven was fuckin genius. WWE n TNA dropped the ball on him

[@My19812011]

People are still dropping the ball with him now as he’s always been known as one of the most creative minds in the history of the business yet isn’t involved in the business anymore.

[@Phenom24uk]

I thought Vince Russo was the Anti Christ of Pro Wrestling

[@Adityasingha9]

Favourite High 🍁Flyer

[@aldouscoroza]

I honestly didn't Like a Heel Jeff Hardy in TNA but he did Make the Run Work

[@Oddballbecool2015]

As bad as Jeff was, Tyrus was horrible ....I mean I wish i could forget his NWA years...

[@neileaves9004]

Two words, victory road

[@f.4301]

So what’s your claiming is that Jeff Hardy is against Jesus? Because what you’re saying means that exactly. So…

[@emeraldcitypictures6274]

no, in all fairness the video didn’t really clarify, it was just a nickname he used for his wrestling character in TNA when he was playing an evil heel. It was all just part of a storyline.

[@cjthehaasman9954]

3:28 CM punk is more Notable than Edge or Triple H?!!!

[@noneedtoknow-yv2tu]

He's more of a draw and better feud in the similar way rock Vs Austin and hbk Vs bret Hart. It's the ☯️ opposites attract feud it's always gonna be most notable.

[@cjthehaasman9954]

@@noneedtoknow-yv2tu The feud was good but to say that Punk is more of a Draw than Triple H, Edge or even Hardy is Fucking Laughable

[@noneedtoknow-yv2tu]

​​@@cjthehaasman9954not at all look at 2024. Reign of terror drove millions of people away from wrestling, Edge did nothing to draw in aew and Hardy is in a high school gym in 2024 TNA drawing no one the only one to move the needle since his aew debut to WWE return is Cm Punk. Punk 24 hours back in WWE moved the needle across the board and he was featured on mania 40, drawing on the raw after Mania and dynamite in the same week. No edge, hardy or trips return ever did that big business wise and none have proven to be draws outside of WWE.

[@wingedhussar1453]

This was a awesome gimmick sucks how it ended

[@Mike-zx6sl]

9:16 uh... that's like, 75% of the rationalization for every heel turn in history though.

[@jusjay3834]

When Jeff Hardy became Raven

[@JonathonSears-k4i]

Wreckless is how U describe Jeff Hardy i 1 word

[@brianmeek9597]

If I remember correctly he was heel when he created willow wasn't he and brother broken matt hardy.

[@WomensWrestling.]

I love heel Hard.

[@SheriffOutlaw]

Hold on Jeff was a 5 time Intercontinental Champion

[@Forcedtowipe]

His singing is so cringe it hurts

[@royasturias1784]

The Charismatic Enabler was no Road Dogg (actual singer of With My Baby Tonight song)

[@showbizgwoponese8855]

Tna shoulda aired Tuesday night

[@jaybarnes8034]

Always hated druggy Jeff Hardy.

[@CARL_093]

he should had retire bec i had seen him performed in tna and aew not cool even sting is pist off he ruined a great MAIN EVENT in aew he cannot do his moves that accurate and good like recently but its sammy gevarras fault he made it bigger the injury

[@Hardy-zh4vu]

We love jeff hardy❤❤

[@punisher_764]

The guy has won every wwf/wwe title up until the newer program of the 2020s . Especially the defunct titles from the attitude era light-hw European hardcore I hated in 2002 when they unified most of their title belts which was stupid . Now they are trying to recreate a bunch of titles now they should left well enough alone .

[@sethgaston8347]

I chalk his popularity being from just how unapologetic and different he was, while also being decent looking. Matt Hardy actually emphasized everything cool about Jeff because he had none of it. Matt was kinda bland and slow and not nearly as attractive. Ofc Matt wasn’t a drunk so yeah there’s that.

[@ricksanchez2425]

Hope he goes back to tna

[@svenlechtenberg8119]

He should just stay drug free in his personal life

[@tripleh327]

he was never a heel for the entirety of his wrestling career ehm no he was an heel in tna during his run as world champ

[@P2D_x]

I thought that was Raven lol

[@johnrambo4245]

You keep calling him a wwe main eventer, when was Jeff Hardy ever the main event?

[@acceptable1609]

He main evented Armageddon 2008, Extreme Rules 2009, and Night of Champions 2009. All were world title matches as well. There’s probably more I’m forgetting but he’s main evented 3 ppvs.

[@prodbxrii]

He won the title and was the most popular babyface at 1 point

[@johnrambo4245]

@acceptable1609 Those were ppv's? Shit I thought royal rumble wrestlemania, summerslam, and Survivor series were the only ppv"s They were in the uk

[@StunnedByWrestling]

We've always had all the WWE pay per views in the UK

[@johnrambo4245]

@StunnedByWrestling Yeah I'm probably going back to the 90s there😆 I can't believe people would pay money to watch those watered-down Monthly ppv's

[@7ctony]

You need to look up the definition of anarchistic

[@StunnedByWrestling]

Not my label, it's his

[@ganglabesh]

talk a little faster

[@sjtv1000]

If people were more compassionate towards addicts and all other forms of suffering, there would be way less addicts in this world. People should also remember everyone has their vices, and literally anyone can become addicted to anything. No one’s above anyone in this life but being a judgmental asshole actually puts you below whoever you choose to pass judgment on. Just be compassionate.

[@boredbitch666]

jeff been using that sympathy for years now. 21 year actually since 03. if you're refusing rehab you're doing this to yourself no one else to blame. you need consequences.

[@L_Train]

Im in the minority but I've always disliked Jeff Hardy. If you think hes been any good in the past few years then youre fooling yourself and probably making excuses.

[@bpolovich9398]

Yeah that's definitely the minority. I'm sure he has lost a step, especially considering his daredevil style of wrestling. Nevertheless, he's an icon of the wrestling business although in a league under the Hogans Austins etc.

[@bpolovich9398]

Also, now that I read your comment once more, I am interested to know why you disliked Jeff Hardy, particularly during the early years - seemingly everyone loved him primarily due to his risk-taking style. Curious to know if you were watching during the late 90's and the early 00's Just curious 👍 Lol

[@jasonybarra3423]

I never liked him at all.Sorry I just don't

[@bandilenkala8380]

I disliked Jeff Hardy as a kid, which was the mid 2000s up to when he left Then I saw his TNA 2012 run and that made me a fan. But now and then, it does make sense to me about why I disliked him at times

[@glennross85]

I was a pre teen in the attitude era and Jeff was legit my favourite wrestler, fast forward to now and I want this sad old man locked up before he kills someone like Sunny did. Probably not even in my top 50 now.