10 Mind-Blowing Real-Life Wrestling Reinventions
9. Matt Hardy
It's been a long road back to WWE for Matt Hardy following his departure from the organisation in 2010.
Sent home from a European Tour for undisclosed reasons in September, he was officially gone from the company the following month after a series of unsettling YouTube interviews in which he appeared to be mentally unravelling in a drug and alcohol-fuelled haze.
Moving to TNA at the conclusion of his WWE non-compete clause, he appeared tired and disinterested in his run as 'Cold Blood' Matt Hardy, with his brief run ending in further turmoil after crashing his car into a tree whilst driving under the influence.
Entering WWE-sponsored rehabilitation in the aftermath was largely unsuccessful, with a host of incidents over a short span that left the tag team icon looking further dominated by his demons.
Arrested multiple times for drug-related charges, Hardy was kicked out of the programme for failing to remain clean, then later forced future wife Reby Sky to call police due to being 'strung out on pills and needing help'.
Miraculously, this appeared to represent rock bottom for the older brother.
A 2013 run with the S.C.U.M stable in Ring of Honour triggered a creative renaissance that ultimately lead him back to TNA and eventually the #BROKEN persona that would become one of 2016's biggest industry success stories.
Now a father and polished WWE veteran, his return to relevance has been truly remarkable.