Wacky Wrestling Theory 5.29.08: Jeff Hardy Encourages Drug Use

Posted by Jake Chambers on 05.29.2008

Does the image and reputation of Jeff Hardy support the recreational drug use in a certain segment of the pro-wrestling audience?

When I say that a chair is something you can sit on, in your mind you would have to agree with me that you could physically sit on a chair. When I point to a specific chair, say a steel-folding chair, and I tell you that you can open it and sit on it, again you would very easily believe in this action being possible. Therefore the chair by its inherent being is an object that is recognizable to a human brain as something that can be directly sat upon. Yet, have you ever had a conversation with a chair, or looked at a questionnaire filled out by a chair, or better yet have you ever seen a chair backstage on Monday Night Raw preaching to a worldwide television audience that it in fact wants someone to sit on it? Obviously that is a ridiculous scenario. Given this logic though, you may start to understand exactly how it could be argued that pro-wrestler Jeff Hardy encourages drug use.

In this article I am talking about the idea of Jeff Hardy, not to be confused with the ideas of Jeff Hardy. The image recognizable in our (the wrestling fans') brains that accompanies the words ‘Jeff Hardy,' can actually be independent of the real personality, feelings, intentions and ideas of Jeff Hardy the man. I make no personal judgment about Jeff Hardy and any real drugs he may have used, as this article is only interested in theorizing about the culture of the pro-wrestling audience. That being said, once Jeff Hardy's actual, recent, drug use had been hinted at, although vaguely, on television and in the national news, one must at least accept that drugs are a part of his life. To what extent or purpose can only be speculated on, but this aspect of his public persona may resonate with segments of the audience.

Jeff Hardy (and/or the WWF/E) has created a symbolic image that represents extreme risk, non-conformist behavior and alternative lifestyles. Many people would connect the recreational use of certain drugs to those personality traits of Jeff Hardy, along with the public knowledge of his ‘battles with substance abuse.' Whether he likes it or not is immaterial to the fact that his reputation combined with success in the ring and acceptability as a unique personality has created a subconscious role model for those who enjoy similar lifestyles, especially ones that are enhanced by the use of recreational drugs.

First let's take a look at the example of Hulk Hogan from the eighties. We know for a fact that Hulk was taking some kind of steroids to make his muscles bigger, based on his recorded testimony from the People vs. McMahon drug solicitation trial. Hulk Hogan the character that appeared on television as a role model to millions of children and young people for over a decade before he made this admission, never once literally encouraged the public to go out and do steroids in order to improve their physiques. And it's not like the public at the time didn't want to look like Hogan, the workout craze of the eighties led to countless numbers of people joining gyms to get more toned bodies or bigger muscles. Also the WWF marketed many products for health based around the Hulk Hogan image, such as workout gear, sweatbands, apparatus, and vitamins. Fans of Hulk Hogan wanted to be like the idea of Hulk Hogan yet never once (during this time) did the man Hulk Hogan promote steroids or talk about the positive aspects of the drugs on the physique.

There are many possible negative side effects from steroid use, such as heart problems, genetic abnormalities, or possibly even testicular shrinkage. On the other hand, using steroids to increase muscle mass could be a solution to the depression and anxiety that comes from being bullied, looking unattractive, or not being cool. Regardless of the ‘legality' of these drugs, the choice pertaining to the effects of using them should be left up to the free will of a person. Those people who did use steroids in the eighties and admired Hogan probably used his body size and considerable professional success as motivation and justification for their own risky drug use. Thus once this perception can be considered possible then one can easily accept that the idea of Hulk Hogan on some level encourages drug use.

The Jeff Hardy image presents an entirely different meaning than the one Hulk Hogan personified. Pretty much nothing about Hardy represents a pure athlete. In contrast to his brother Matt, who started out as a lanky, goth-alterno and morphed into more of a bulky, cerebral athlete, Jeff has maintained a normal-ish physique, his quirky personality and seemingly harmless, yet flashy, move set. Most of what has made Jeff Hardy look like a successful professional wrestler has been his daredevil stunts rather than adapting a more methodical in-ring approach. He seems like a crash-and-burn style wrestler who will go for high risk moves at any cost in order to achieve the sensation of the big win, even if those moves put him in danger of injury or possibly make it easy to take advantage of him in the ring. He also has a quiet, yet moody personality, doesn't seem to want to dress or act like the other wrestlers, and although successful, he doesn't appear to be highly motivated to get to the top in his industry and is content with the instant gratification he is given by his lifestyle choice. All of these characteristics could also apply to recreational drug users in the audience. The lethargic demeanor, lack of patience for the process of normal society but yet a strong desire to fulfill personal gratification at the cost of the potential risk to their own health and long term well-being.

Jeff Hardy also has a flamboyant and specific kind of appearance. His multi-colored hair, ripped and layered shirts, the glow in the dark body paint, his non-traditional ring attire of full-length baggy jeans, are all synonymous with the rave culture that was once popular in the nineties. Ecstasy, marijuana, and speed, were among some of the more common drugs used to enhance the experience of the all night, electronic music parties perused by a majority of youth of that era. Most of these teenagers enjoyed the atmosphere and music mixed with the euphoric sensations brought about by the drugs. This was not a way to ‘enhance performance' in some kind of contest or skill, but was purely a way to have a specific kind of fun. The idea of Jeff Hardy is indicative of this attitude and most likely relatable to the many WWE fans who grew up in and around this culture. Any aware audience member would easily connect his specific appearance with the drug use of the rave scene. Although somewhat out of fashion today, this iconic visual is as connected to recreational drug use, as a muscular guy would be connected to steroids and weight lighting, a hippy would be to peace and LSD, or a bell-bottomed leisure suit would be connected to disco, promiscuous sex and cocaine. Although not as overt as other wrestlers from his generation, such as The Godfather and the Road Dogg who would literally name drop weed references in their promos or Rob Van Dam who has an open persona as a pot smoker, the Jeff Hardy image appeals to a segment of fans who enjoy recreational drugs, and could arguably be a form of positive reinforcement for those who choose this alternative lifestyle.

The WWE must appreciate this capability of the Jeff Hardy idea. Why else would the WWE continue to highly promote a character so uniquely different from their freakishly athletic visual archetype and yet one who has also violated their Wellness Policy that was put into place to paradoxically stop those from gaining the bodies they traditional covet? The WWE must understand how a subsection of their audience enjoys the use of recreational drugs, or at least tolerates it in society, and this explains the popularity of Jeff Hardy who may then come across as more of an everyman than his more athletic brother Matt, super heroic John Cena or perfectionist Triple H. On the other hand, many parents who bring their children to WWE events may not want to expose their kids to an idea that they do not approve and this would possibly affect attendance and merchandising sales for the business side of the company. Therefore the WWE's Wellness Policy is put into place to create the façade of encouraging healthy living in young people and also using caplitalist ideology to restrict the lifestyle choice of adults? Thus Jeff Hardy's vague punishment and apologies for failing the drug tests can appease both the reluctant parents and impassion the adults who relate to his appetites and repression. Certainly the Wellness Policy cannot be attempting to create a ‘level playing field' in pro-wrestling, a genre of entertainment that requires subjective appearance and politicking to succeed more than competition anyway?

The popularity of Jeff Hardy is impressive since he balances between being unique from the other wrestlers and yet does not overtly espouse any kind of controversial opinion. Hardy's character, although dull and lethargic in vocal tone, does not verbally support recreational drug use. Thus it is only in the audience making connections with Hardy's appearance and other aspects of society, that actual encouragement of any drug use could possibly take place. Therefore, the current overwhelming acceptance of Jeff Hardy indicates that the audience has no problem with his potentially controversial image. Those in the audience who enjoy doing drugs are thus justified in their behavior because of the mainstream approval of the idea of Jeff Hardy.

While not directly encouraging drug use, Hardy's popularity helps to normalize behavior associated with the image he projects. Is this wrong? To some people maybe, if they are judgmental enough to want to tell other people how to live their lives. Those who partake in drugs associated with rave or club culture, such as ecstasy, marijuana, or heroin, may not want to champion Jeff Hardy as a role model, but they indirectly gain from him some form of confidence to continue a risky lifestyle. To those who watch wrestling only for the culture of pro-wrestling and do not care what other people do in their personal lives outside of wrestling, and don't particularly use drugs, then they probably don't care about any of this at all and probably wish they hadn't wasted their time reading this far. The truth for you is, you are probably addicted to something else, something I can provide you, and I will most definitely encourage you to come back again next week for more wacky theory.