Jeff Hardy has revealed what he wants his legacy in wrestling to be.
The TNA star has had more ups and downs in wrestling than most. From winning the WWE Championship and TNA World Championship to DUIs and being arrested, his time in the business has been eclectic.
However, as 47-year-old Jeff Hardy winds down his career, he explores how he wants to be remembered when it is all said and done.
Jeff Hardy spoke with The Wrestle Spot and was asked about his legacy in wrestling. He said that he wants to be remembered as ” one of the most original, authentic humans” in wrestling. He also thanked Sting and Ultimate Warrior, for inspiring him to put on his face paint in the ring.
The former WWE Champion also mentioned what Mike Tyson recently said about legacy, saying that “When I’m gone, I’m gone.”
Jeff Hardy On His Legacy In Wrestling
“First of all, if nothing else, man, I think I have the coolest autograph in the wrestling world. I feel really good about that.” Jeff Hardy said.
“I just want to be remembered. I kind of dig what Mike Tyson said recently about how, ‘Once I’m gone, I’m gone. I’ve done what I’ve done, and I am who I am. But it doesn’t matter—when I’m gone, I’m gone.’ I kind of feel like that. “
“But if anything, I’d like to be remembered as one of the most original, authentic human beings to ever step foot in a pro wrestling ring. I feel like I’ve accomplished that. I’m so grateful for guys like The Ultimate Warrior and Sting. If they hadn’t been painting their faces back in the day, I might not be painting my face now. Even at this point in my life, I still get so much joy out of it.”
“One of my goals in TNA is to actually perform my first TNA theme, Modest. That’s the song I wrote when I first started writing music. We’re going to re-record a new version of it, and I want to sing it on my way to the ring—kind of like R-Truth does with What’s Up. I want to do that in a singles match, maybe against Moose, in another Full Metal Mayhem match.”
Mike Tyson’s views on legacy resonated with Ethan Page
NXT’s Ethan Page is also someone who felt inspired by Mike Tyson’s position on legacy. Page spoke with WrestleZone Managing Editor Bill Pritchard, who asked if there was anything from his career that he wished fans talked about more. “All Ego” highlighted the interview with Mike Tyson to put things in perspective. Tyson recently appeared on the Jazzy’s World podcast and said he doesn’t really believe in the idea of legacy.
“It means absolutely nothing to me. I’m just passing through,” Tyson told Jazzy. “I’m going to die and then it’s going to be over. Who cares about legacy after that?”
Ethan Page agrees that his legacy is out of his hands
“Mike Tyson kind of touched on this in a weird way when he got interviewed by that little girl. When he started talking about death,” Ethan Page explained. “It absolutely is the wildest thing but also it’s the realest thing, especially when it comes to wrestling. Because you are talking about a guy who has a legacy and he will be talked about for the rest of his, for the rest of probably existence. In one way or the other, good or bad, it doesn’t matter. He will be spoken of in some fashion. People talk about, ‘Oh my legacy this, my legacy that…’ Who gives a crap? When he’s talking about that like it means nothing, that… That is the truth.
“There’s so many things out of my control. My career is in the hands of a million people and none of those hands are mine. So, at the end of the day, this, ‘Oh I hope people remember me for this, I hope…’ I couldn’t give less of a crap. I don’t know if it’s because I’ve been in this for 18 years now. I’m just like, I cannot focus on keeping this thing. This is not a real thing. It is an intangible thing. It’s made up. And it’s made up here in my own head. When I’m dead I’m gone. So who cares? I just want my kids to love me, my wife to love me. I’m good with that.”
Page gave the topic some additional thought and said if his peers remember him for anything, he hopes it’s for being a positive and entertaining part of the pro wrestling business.
