Pro wrestling legend and TNA star Jeff Hardy recently appeared on The Ariel Helwani Show, where he discussed a variety of topics, including facing WWE Hall of Famer Scott Hall at the age of 16.
Hardy said, “I was terrified. [Italian] Stallion said, ‘Hey brother, put your birthday back a few more years. You need to be 18.’ I was so nervous. I think I had to go out there first. Matt was on the live Monday Night RAW. I was so nervous. I didn’t really know what was going on.That ring was so hard. I was 16. What an awful experience, but not really. After it was over….the next night I wrestled X-Pac (1-2-3 Kid) and that kind of refilled my soul to want to remain in the pro wrestling world. After that match with Ramon, I was like, ‘I don’t know if I’m cut out for this.’”
On why he felt that way:
“It was just rough. He was real rough. Out there, I was going, ‘Oh my God.’ That ring was so hard.”
On The Kliq nicknaming him “Vanilla Ice”:
“It’s where I got my nickname, ‘Hey, this guy. You look like Vanilla Ice.’ I had me a little nickname with the Kliq. I was good to go.”
You can check out the complete podcast in the video below.
(H/T to Fightful for transcribing the above quotes)
