Matt Hardy's arrest today in North Carolina has had immediate repercussions -- he's been DROPPED from TNA.
A rep for TNA tells TMZ, "TNA today released Impact Wrestling star Matt Hardy from its roster. Hardy was already under suspension from the company."
Lisa Wright, program director of the national non-profit organization Council for Unity, has issued a retraction and an apology regarding her criticism of the Be a STAR Alliance’s anti-bullying campaign with WWE.
Wright wrote a letter earlier this week criticizing their campaign after receiving an e-mail concerning the numerous “fat jokes” being directed towards performer Vickie Guerrero on television. She asked how the organization’s partnership with WWE fits their mission to show tolerance and respect since professional wrestling consists of name calling and threats culminating in violence. She concluded her letter by requesting the removal of the Council for Unity from the Be a STAR Alliance website’s list of organization affiliates. Wright, however, has since rescinded her request and issued an apology to WWE and the Be a STAR Alliance.
In a letter sent to Diva-Dirt.com, WWE and the Be a STAR Alliance, Wright says she changed her tune on the matter after further research and receiving intelligent feedback from some of the wrestling organization’s loyal fans.
Wright wrote, “After careful consideration and research on my part, plus some intelligent feedback from some of the loyal fans of WWE, I realize that perhaps I reacted too harshly and without enough information. I have been reminded that the important issue is the prevention of bullying and the protection and support of those that have been victimized by it. Ultimately, my own actions, intended or no, have had a negative impact.
She continues, “I hereby offer an apology to the Be a STAR foundation and the WWE. I also wish to rescind my request that my organization be removed from the Be a STAR Alliance website. There are often many ways to reach a goal; the important thing is that we support each other on our journey.”
The entire letter can be read here. She adds that her initial letter was never intended to be made public and that it was never her intention to disparage the Be a STAR Alliance, WWE, their wrestlers and many fans.
According to Pwinsider.com, the original plan for Matt and Jeff Hardy to return to TNA storylines around Bound for Glory this October. Jeff Hardy is still with the company, and TNA will be releasing a DVD on his career this Fall and have also licensed him out for several new products, including children's Halloween costumes. Matt Hardy had been home on suspension from the company. The suspension was said to be due to excessive lateness to events, but some think that it was a cover story due to the video that featured Matt and Jeff Hardy, along with Matt's girlfriend Reby Sky. In the video, they held and tazed Sky.
"Recently released WWE talent Harry Smith (a/k/a David Hart Smith), who rarely speaks ill of anyone, is very upset with his former employer. The son of the late "British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith stated on his Facebook account on Saturday that after much pleading, WWE did not return all of the Hart family possessions he had lent for their memorabilia display at WrestleMania Axxess. This includes his father's ring gear and ring gear of the late Owen Hart, among other priceless possessions. WWE did, however, send him a framed picture of Mae Young as a goodwill gesture. He is further agitated that WWE would call him two weeks after his dismissal from the organization asking for the items he received back.
"Well I'm not one to bury any companies or people but I'm afraid I have no choice here. The WWE after great difficulty of my begging, finally sent me back "some" but not all of my familie's possessions from the Hall of Fame/Fan axxess. This includes, my dad's ring gear, my ring gear, owen hart's blue blazer masks, and singlet and lots of priceless family possessions. They sent a framed picture of my dad smashed, half the other stuff missing but they threw in a Mae Young framed picture," Smith wrote."
“Until they make radical surgical changes in creative, and unless they get some people who comprehend the wrestling business, they are doomed to be the financial drain on Panda (majority owner Panda Energy) that they are now and have been since inception,” said TNA co-founder Jerry Jarrett. “The core of their problems is the creative development of their product. They have to cut the cancer out.”
Jarrett says he remains puzzled as to how Russo has maintained power in TNA.
“He obviously has qualities that I don’t recognize or understand,” said Jarrett. “How can a person who has a 15-year history of failure still keep a job?”
No matter what the creative makeup might be, Jarrett says, the organization is in desperate need of change.
“Whoever is doing it, their product is unwatchable. My own grandchildren can’t watch it anymore.”
When the side windows glass smashed into my face, arms, & neck, some of the blood that did felt almost angelic. I went from being afraid to die to feeling like I was almost being reborn with some sort of an ABSOLUTE PURE LIFE-FORCE. It was the most amazing thing I've every experience, I felt like I'd just received the blood of an angel flowing inside me-I know this sounds crazy! Due to these, I only have urges to help people. And miraculously, all my vices are gone.
Amen Friends,
MATTHEW
I took a breathalyzer immediately on the spot and it read clean, zero, nothing. Think about peeps! There's more to this story than meets the eye.
MATTHEW
MATTHARDYBRAND 3 hours ago
@WTWOfficial You are exactly right my lovely. It;s time for the original Matt Hardy to appear once again! (regarding a return to the WWE)
MATTHARDYBRAND 3 hours ago