Jeff Hardy should have one final run as a top champion before retirement

Jeff Hardy is a legend of the professional wrestling ring. From his start in the business way back in 1994 to the turmoil and troubles he has overcome, he is one of the top performers to ever step foot in the squared circle.

We’ve decided to look at just why this titan of the sport deserves another run with a major WWE title before hanging up the boots for good. Then again, perhaps going to another company to finish off with his storied and epic career on his very own terms is also a possibility.

He and his brother, Matt, achieved tag team glory in their early days, and although they were separated to pursue singles glory on their own, their bond has stayed strong over the years, with Jeff probably doing a tad better in the early going in WWE particularly.

Regardless, Jeff has gone on to demolish expectations, he has wrestled in ROH, NWA, and in TNA/Impact as well, he dominated on those rosters during his stints with those companies. Matt as well found success on other rosters, quite evidently.

And also of some important note: both these men battled demons…demons that threatened the very fabric of their professional wrestling careers and their private lives as well.

They defeated these demons—slew them actually—and their careers and their lives are all the better for it. But respectfully, enough about Matt for now; we’ll get back to him in just a wee bit.

Jeff has been TNA World Heavyweight Champion a total of 3 times; WWE World Heavyweight Champion a total of 2 times, and WWE Champion a single time. Now that’s not counting all the other titles he’s held in a plethora of promotions, including multiple tag title reigns with his brother Matt. That’s certainly a lot of gold.

And perhaps that’s precisely why I’ve decided to take on this topic. For someone who has worn all of that gold; overcome the things he’s overcome, and accomplished all he has in this business and for as long as he has, I’d say that the way he’s being portrayed as of late on Raw isn’t enough for the likes of a legend like him.

I definitely believe that he should be given the chance on Raw to go after the WWE title and win it eventually (and hopefully sooner rather than later), although I must admit that I don’t see that happening per se.

I know…I can hear the crickets too. I’ve foiled the whole point of the piece, right? And I know what you’re asking right about now: What’s the point, then?

Well…it’s simple, really. I don’t think he should win a major championship in WWE at all, but rather have his final run in AEW instead.

It just seems to me that he can have the perfect end to a storybook career there alongside his brother; perhaps even facing his brother in his retirement match. Now talk about storybook.

And yeah, it’s all sorts of cliché, but it would make sense. And I know that not all wrestlers can end up in AEW. I just feel that for Jeff and a few others like him, perhaps finishing their respective careers in a company that is thinking about the future, and not the wrestlers that got them to their current status, isn’t the best place for them after all.

Just take a look at the recent career of Christian Cage. When he saw that he wasn’t going to get to end his career on his terms, he went to greener pastures, and boy has they given him the opportunities he never would have gotten over at WWE (their loss).

I see the same for Jeff, and hopefully, it can come to fruition. The exact length of his contract came up in an article at cultaholic.com over the summer (based on reports at Fightful Select), it specifying that Jeff’s contract with WWE will be up by the end of 2022 or the latest, early 2023.

So my AEW dream is a few years off, but contracts have a way of ending earlier than originally expected as of late in WWE. Just ask Kevin Owens. It has been reported by various sources that although Owens stated a few years back that he was to stay with the company for a while still, it looks like his contract now ends as of the end of January.

But if Jeff is to stay with WWE, I hope they eventually see the light and give him that run with a major title that he so richly deserves. If not, I kind of see Tony Khan waiting at the end of a dark tunnel, sort of bathed in light, waiting with a contract held in a leather folder and fountain pen, Matt Hardy at his side, nodding, perhaps laughing maniacally, and motioning Jeff forward.

We can dream dear friends, can’t we? Dreams never hurt anyone…unless of course, we’re talking about a dream inhabited by one Freddy Kruger.

Till the next one, folks.