Jeff Hardy Talks Austin Aries, Favorite Wrestlers, Face Paint, Creative Freedom & More
Recently, TNA superstar Jeff Hardy was interviewed by DC101's Mike Jones and discussed a number of topics. Topics included; Austin Aries, his favorite wrestlers to work with, painting his face, creative freedom, his music and more. Here are some of the highlights:
On how he feels Austin Aries has done as world Heavyweight champion: "I've really been impressed with Austin Aries, he's been tearing it up every night. He's really making this company look great. It's new, fresh and alternative and it's never been seen before. He's carrying himself very well."
On the in-ring direction of TNA and his ability to be himself in TNA: "Yeah, if you watch our product, the ring product is awesome. Sting being here and still seeing Hogan out here doing his thing, I mean, it's just really cool to be a part of this organization. To pretty much be free and to be the enigma I am, tops it off for me. I'm able to go out there and just really be myself."
On learning from guys like Sting and Hulk Hogan: "It's real easy to learn from [guys like Sting and Hogan] when you watch them perform, especially on the mic. There so natural and they both have their own identities. I think that's probably the area I learn from, just seeing how comfortable they are in their own character.
"As far as other things, I'm pretty comfortable in where I am now. I really do believe that I'm the best I've ever been as far as being in good shape, taking care of myself and working smart. But, yeah, anytime you watch those guys — especially Sting. His fire and charisma is just like no other."
On whether or not he is helped with his face paint: "It's entirely on my own, man. You can tell I've evolved and gotten better during the period of time I've been doing it because some of the first times, you could see a lot of cross-eyed action going on. [Laughs.] But, yeah, it's like a little mini-spectacle every night.
"I feel like when I close my eyes, I become my canvas. It's like the paintings I do, my face is my canvas each and every night we do these live events and these shows. It's something different every time. I close them eyes and people are getting to see the true enigma."
On his favorite wrestlers to work with in the ring: "RVD, always. Kurt Angle, always. AJ Styles, he is phenomonal. I had the honor of wrestling Shawn Michaels, he's like the ultimate influence in my career. Pound-for-pound, I think he's the best wrestler ever to step foot in the ring. And Rey Mysterio, I always loved that guy. But here, I would say RVD and Kurt Angle are up there. Ken Anderson as well."
On what advice he would give to someone looking to make it in the business: "I would just say that if you're really commited to making that a reality, just stay true to yourself and believe in yourself. Never quit. If it takes a life time, you can look back and say you tried. But, if you love it that much, like we did back then and were basically obsessed with it, we weren't going to take no for an answer.
"I'm kind of going through that with my music right now. I'm so excited about it, but I'm still not confident but I'm kind of learning where I can and can't go with it. But, I believe in it so much, I'm no going to say, 'No, I can't do this.' I believe in myself and I believe in the future that it will be heard and achieved."
You can check out the entire interview below.