WWE News: TNA Star Jeff Hardy Telling People He’s Coming Back To WWE In 2017

TNA Wrestling has been a bit crazy lately with Matt and Jeff Hardy doing an angle that has been, well, special to say the least. Both men have at least drawn interest in TNA for the first time in about a year. With the mass exodus of just about all of the TNA Originals, something had to happen for TNA. Thankfully crazy Matt and Brother Nero have managed to help the brand a bit. However, this may not end well for TNA at the end of the day.

WWE has had interest in bringing Jeff Hardy back in the past and wanted to earlier this year. Sadly Hardy had a dirt bike wreck, causing a leg injury. By the time his TNA deal expired, he knew he couldn’t go anywhere else as he couldn’t really work. That led Hardy to re-sign with TNA for another year along with Matt. Both have been a huge part of the program since then and Jeff even worked hurt a lot.

Hardy is now back and healthier than ever, which is good for TNA but also for WWE. According to Ringside News, Hardy has been telling people that his deal with TNA expires in February of 2017. This had been widely assumed, but with Jeff confirming with people, we now know for certain. On top of this, Jeff has been telling the same people that he plans to return to the WWE when the deal is up.

It is uncertain if Hardy’s deal has a no compete clause regardless of expiration. Most have them for talent being released, but there are some who still have them when a deal expires. WWE normally releases someone when they inform them that they don’t plan to re-sign. They don’t just do it when they find out, but when they’re a few months out from the deal being up.

This allows the worker a few different things. First, the talent has already planned to be with WWE for the number of months left in their deal. This will often allow them to see their no compete clause expire around that time. On top of this, a wrestler can draw unemployment among other things where they could not do so if they simply left. They’re also allowed to work the indie scene, which is why most don’t take the unemployment thing on.

The no compete is up usually in three to six months and then the worker can sign with another televised company in the United States. This means if Jeff Hardy has a no compete clause added at any point, he can return to the WWE sometime in May. This does mean he would miss WrestleMania 33, however there would be a good shot he performs at WrestleMania 34. It is also uncertain what brand he would join at this point.

With WWE treating both brand as equals (sort of) and with the fact that both are live, Jeff Hardy could easily come in and join either one. WWE SmackDown would make the most sense due to the fact that he has been known for his work on the brand when he was with WWE years ago. On top of this, SmackDown does have less big name talent. Seeing Jeff Hardy return to the blue brand would make far more sense than having him return to the red brand.

The one thing of worry for Hardy is his substance abuse history. While it has been said that Jeff has put that behind him the last number of years, it is unknown if he’ll stay clean. WWE would restart Jeff Hardy on a one strike rule most likely. This means that the moment he is caught failing a drug test, unlike others, he won’t get three strikes. He will be released most likely for good. Some have had success in returning after they failed the drug tests three times, such as Chris Masters.

However, WWE won’t take the heat for Hardy numerous times again. His stardom means that the moment he fails a test, WWE will get cited all over the internet for allowing a known drug abuser to work with them for the dollar. WWE Chairman Vince McMahon has always liked Hardy, but always had issues using him more because of his drug abuse history. Despite this, Jeff Hardy is a three time World Champion with WWE and has a clear WWE Hall of Fame career right now.

It’ll be interesting to see if Triple H and the WWE allow Jeff Hardy to make his return to the WWE sometime next year. Clearly the ratings would jump having him back and the fans would certainly love to see him return. He is known for getting rock-star ovations from the WWE fans of all ages and genders. That said, it’ll be an easy television spike when he comes back.

[Image via WWE]