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Sting: Jeff Hardy has a lot to prove

Posted: Oct 9th 2011 By: mikeiles

WRESTLING icon Sting has welcomed Jeff Hardy back to the business ? but insists it will take time for the former addict to regain the trust of his colleagues.

Hardy was booted out of TNA Wrestling after getting wasted before the main event of the Victory Road PPV in March.

The state the former world champion was in left the Stinger with little choice but to end their headline bout after just 90 seconds.

Hardy was sent home in disgrace and ordered to get help or forget about ever setting foot inside a TNA ring again.

Having vowed that he had cleaned up his act, the fallen idol was allowed to return to the company last month.

And Sting believes a clean and fully focused Hardy can only be good for the wrestling business.

The multiple-time title-holder told Fighting Spirit Magazine: "I knew there was trouble a couple of hours before the match and it seemed to get worse as the night progressed.

"I had high hopes that by some miracle it would pan out ? and we would be able to actually have a match ? because we had something pretty good worked out.

"It didn't happen that way. It just deteriorated, it got to the point that what happened, had to happen.

"I knew going into it that if it had to happen like that, then you've got people who are buying the pay-per-view who would be disgruntled.

"You'd have a live audience that's p***ed off and confused, as well as the wrestlers in the back. The ripple effect is gigantic ? it affects a lot of people."

Hardy began a 10-day jail sentence yesterday after pleading guilty to drugs charges in the US ? stemming from before he joined TNA.

After his release, he must attend a drug-counselling programme and will be on probation, while also attempting to build bridges with his wrestling peers.

Sting added: "My heart goes out to Jeff and I'm glad that he's on the trail back.

"He seems to be great. I've talked to him a couple of times, he seems really, really good and he is remorseful.

"But he understands that his words mean nothing at this point ? time is going to be the only thing.

"He's going to have to build the bridge of trust back one brick at a time ? and he knows it.

"He's an incredible, unbelievably talented wrestler. He's creative, innovative and he's got so much going for him.

"If he can keep his head on straight, I know there's a lot of good years in front of him and he'll be a benefit to this company."

The full interview, including Sting's candid thoughts on TNA, WCW and WWE, is available in Issue 72 of Fighting Spirit Magazine. For subscriptions details visit http://www.fightingspiritmagazine.co.uk/subscribe.asp.