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No Victory Road for Hardy, TNA

Posted: Mar 20th 2011 By: mikeiles

The losers were numerous in last Sunday night?s TNA Victory Road pay-per-view.

And I?m not just talking about those on the TNA roster who failed to win their respective matches.

I?m referring to fans who shelled out 35 bucks to watch a main event that lasted less than a minute and a half.

The debacle of a match saw Sting retain his TNA world title by pinning Jeff Hardy after two punches and a Scorpion Death Drop in a time of 88 seconds.

The TNA faithful had been promised an exciting bout between two of its biggest stars, but what they got was something far from it.

It was apparent from the git-go that Hardy, who has battled drug problems in the past, was in no shape to be in a wrestling ring, much less competing in a pay-per-view headliner.

Eric Bischoff could be seen whispering to both performers before the start of the match, most likely calling for the quick finish, but it should have never gotten to that point. Even the 52-year-old Sting, who by now is probably questioning his decision to forego a final big run in WWE, appeared perturbed, vocally agreeing with angry ringside fans who voiced their displeasure.

The fault here lies with a TNA management team that allowed Hardy, who embarrassed himself and his company, to walk through the curtain. While the match was cut short, it should have never happened in the first place.

Hardy has enjoyed a reputation over the years of being one of the most exciting wrestlers in the business. He unfortunately also has a history of showing up late for matches, failing drug tests and being unpredictable.

The 33-year-old rose to superstardom and achieved world title status in WWE. He left that company in August 2009 and was promptly busted a couple weeks later on drug trafficking charges when police discovered a significant quantity of illegal substances in his Cameron, N.C., home.

WWE officials could only breathe a collective sigh of relief that the incident didn?t happen on their watch. A third violation of the company?s wellness program would have resulted in an indefinite suspension.

As it turned out, though, Hardy?s next stop was TNA.

He was nearly pulled from a TNA pay-per-view in December when he reportedly showed up for the show in questionable shape. Hardy, however, claimed ?exhaustion? and was allowed to go on with his title match. TNA had considered stripping him of the title due to legitimate concerns about his health.

In light of last Sunday?s incident, those concerns should rightfully translate into a forceful stand, for the sake of both parties.

In an attempt to make amends with fans who purchased the show, TNA has offered six months of free access to the company?s video library, publicly acknowledging the company?s disappointing show.

The cost for Victory Road, which lasted approximately 2 hours and 44 minutes, was $35. Access to TNAondemand.com is $3.95 per month.

?TNA Wrestling strives to give fans who purchase our pay-per-views as close to a full three-hour event as possible. This past Sunday?s ?TNA Victory Road? fell short of that standard. Your support of TNA is never taken for granted,? the company posted on its website.

TNA may have a loyal, and forgiving, fan base. But even the staunchest of supporters have a right to be frustrated with what transpired Sunday.

This latest incident is a long-overdue wake up call for Hardy and TNA.

TNA can do better ? and must ? to survive in today?s highly competitive wrestling world.

And Hardy, again, will need to rebuild his credibility. But it should come with a cost.

Kurt Angle, who has fought his share of demons in the past, reached out to his TNA colleague in a Twitter post.

?I love Jeff Hardy as a wrestler and a man. He is talented and works harder than anyone. I hope he can turn it around and overcome obstacles. Jeff, you are in my thoughts and prayers. You always have a friend you can go to. God bless.?

Meanwhile, the 18-month-old drug case against Hardy was continued yet again Wednesday in Moore County, North Carolina, Superior Court. Both sides are still awaiting the results of lab tests from the State Bureau of Investigation on some of the evidence that was seized from Hardy?s home in September 2009.

The cases against Hardy have been continued a number of times, including twice before during this year. Hardy has remained free on bail pending his day in court. A plea deal is being sought. The next hearing is set for April 20.

Hardy, not surprisingly, wasn?t used at TNA?s tapings last week, but no specific punishment has yet been handed down.

Perhaps Bret Hart said it best shortly after the pay-per-view: ?TNA fans deserve better than what they got last night.?

It hasn?t exactly been a stellar week for TNA.

-- Hulk Hogan, who referred to himself as ?the tsunami of wrestling,? quickly issued an apology after cutting an ill-conceived promo at TNA tapings last week in Orlando.

The Hulkster, realizing the error of his ways, assured fans on Twitter the following morning that the line had been cut from the Impact episode airing three nights later.

?The tsunami of wrestling wasn?t cool, it will never air, it?s already cut out, but when your cutting promos old school and not following a script like the other robots will no skills, sometimes you make mistakes,? Hogan explained.

?I?m sorry, I was on a roll and made a mistake,? he added. ?Nothing but love and total respect for Japan, but you guys already know that. I totally apologize.?

-- Chris Jericho and Sean Waltman both posted in separate tweets that former WWE performer Jinsei Shinzaki (Habuchi) is living in his car after his home and restaurant were destroyed by the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan.

-- CMLL performer Fabian El Gitano (Emilio Fabian Fernandez de Leon) was found dead in his home in Mexico last week. Authorities say his death was caused by blunt trauma to the head.

The 39-year-old wrestler was shot in the head during an abduction attempt in Mexico City seven years ago.

-- WWE finally found someone shorter that Rey Mysterio.

Reality TV star Nicole ?Snooki? Polizzi is 4-10 ? a good four inches shorter than the Mexican superstar.

The diminutive ?Jersey Shore? party animal, who appeared last week on Raw, is booked for a six-person match with Trish Stratus and John Morrison against Lay-Cool and Dolph Ziggler at Wrestlemania 27.

Former ?Jersey Shore? cast member Angelina, who reportedly is seeking to become a full-time member of the TNA roster, criticized Snooki for her involvement with WWE.

The TMZ website reported that Angelina called Snooki ?a fat troll who should never wear those shorts ... or be in a wrestling ring.?

-- Former TNA Knockout Daffney (Shannon Spruill) posted on Twitter last week that she plans to file a worker?s comp suit against TNA for injuries she sustained in the ring.

Daffney?s contract with the company expired last week.

-- Christina Crawford, younger sister of WWE diva Alicia Fox (Victoria Crawford), will be among the contestants on the upcoming season of Tough Enough.

Crawford, 22, was signed to a WWE developmental contract last year.

Michelle Deighton, 25, another participant, is a former America?s Next Top Model contestant and the wife of reality television star and longtime wrestling fan Jonny Fairplay.

-- Pro wrestling great Road Warrior Animal (Joe Laurinaitis) will serve as the guest host of the May 27 Raw in Winnipeg, Canada.

His brother, John Laurinaitis, works as senior vice president of talent relations in WWE.

-- Bob Barker reportedly will induct comedian, actor and game show host Drew Carey into the WWE Hall of Fame. Carey took over the hosting duties of the ?Price is Right? from Barker several years ago.

Carey will be a part of WWE?s celebrity wing of the Hall of Fame, which currently includes such luminaries as Bob Uecker, Pete Rose and William ?The Refrigerator? Perry.

His induction stems from his appearance in the 2001 Royal Rumble match.

-- Steve Austin, who will serve as guest referee for the Jerry Lawler-Michael Cole match at Wrestlemania, says his gig as host of Tough Enough is as close to being part of WWE as he wants to be. Austin said his Attitude Era character doesn?t fit the company?s current PG-TV model.

Tough Enough premieres on April 4 and will move to its regular time slot on Mondays at 8 p.m. on April 11.

-- WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross reported that he suffered stretched ligaments in his ankle and knee as a result of Monday night?s angle on Raw.

-- The Rock is scheduled to make an appearance at the March 28 edition of Raw in Chicago. He?ll also appear on Raw the night after Wrestlemania.

Entertainment Weekly reported last week that The Rock also will appear on an episode of Tough Enough.

-- WWE Superstars reportedly will end its two-year run on WGN following the April 7 episode.

-- The UWO (Underground Wrestling Organization) will hold its ?Rise to Glory? show 2-4 p.m. April 3 at Palmetto Bar & Grill, 113 Santee Lane, Walterboro.

Admission is $5; kids 12 and under free.

Tags: TNA, Sting, WWE, Jerry Lawler, Jim Ross