10 Most Controversial Wrestling People Of 2018
5. Jeff Hardy
WWE's variable code of conduct is well established. It's no secret that rules bend to the whims of the company's convenience, with some favoured nations in particular receiving a lighter lash of the whip for their misdemeanours than others. But it's widely believed that some transgressions carry a zero tolerance policy - regardless of whether you're Randy Orton.
And they do. Except when suddenly they don't.
In March, Jeff Hardy was collared by police in North Carolina after broadsiding a guard rail with his Cadillac. He tested over three times the legal limit, and was subsequently arrested for driving whilst impaired.
WWE released a boilerplate statement noting they were "investigating the matter". This internal investigation concluded that there was nothing untoward about Hardy's behaviour.
Company policy states arrested talent are in material breach of their contract and subject to immediate dismissal, but there's a strong emphasis on the 'subjected'. Though Hardy isn't the first performer to escape serious censure, there are usually repercussions for such transgressions; in 2013, Jack Swagger was seriously de-pushed after being found in possession of marijuana. Hardy on the other hand, was rewarded with a US Title run just a month later - if that can be considered a reward, anyway.