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Report: WWE have extended Jeff Hardy’s contract for another year

By Kevin Parvizi

Jeff Hardy makes his way to the ring during the WWE World Cup Quarterfinal match as part of as part of the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Crown Jewel pay-per-view at the King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh on November 2, 2018. (Photo by Fayez Nureldine / AFP) (Photo credit should read FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP/Getty Images)
Jeff Hardy makes his way to the ring during the WWE World Cup Quarterfinal match as part of as part of the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Crown Jewel pay-per-view at the King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh on November 2, 2018. (Photo by Fayez Nureldine / AFP) (Photo credit should read FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP/Getty Images) /
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WWE are in the business of keeping as many of their performers as possible with the landscape of professional wrestling becoming increasingly more competitive, and Jeff Hardy is the latest performer to have an additional year tacked onto his deal.

Former WWE Champion Jeff Hardy has been one of the most popular wrestlers in the world for the past two decades. Even as a veteran wrestler, Hardy still receives plenty of interest and boisterous pops when he enters the ring, and he’s won both mid-card and tag team titles relatively recently.

Hardy is currently dealing with the effects of a knee injury that required surgery, so he hasn’t been seen on WWE television. Because of his absence, WWE have a built-in opportunity to extend the Superstar’s contract.

Fightful.com’s Sean Ross Sapp reports that WWE have done just that. Per Sapp, his contract has been extended for “at least” one year, though he was already extended into 2020.

It makes sense for WWE to keep Hardy away from potential free agency for as long as possible, even if it’s long seemed like a retirement with the promotion would be in the cards upon his legendary return at WrestleMania 33 alongside Matt Hardy.

The fact that Jeff Hardy is dealing with a major injury is unfortunate, and we can only hope his recovery is going well. Knee issues are always serious for any athlete, but especially for a 42-year-old professional wrestler who has done it all.

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Hardy is still of high value to the company, given his popularity and the consistently above-average quality of his matches. He can wear many hats as an upper mid-card singles wrestler or an elite tag team wrestler, and wrestling fans miss watching him every week.

At the same time, the legality of WWE extending contracts to independent contractors to account for “missed time” due to injury/illness is worth exploring, though the promotion operates in a grey area where they can do as they please. If Hardy wanted to leave sooner, he wouldn’t have a choice due to this injury. But hopefully, he likes his situation with the company and is picking up a nice payday in the process.

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