THE CAGE
Part Eight – Jeff's Transcripts
*Disclaimer – this story is completely fictional. All characters are owned by the WWF or are creations of the author. No infringement intended. Any likeness to characters or incidents described is purely coincidental. No animals were harmed in the making of this production.
EXAMINATION FOR DISCOVERY
Of Jeff Hardy
Held September 3, 2001
MR. RONALD A. WHITMORE,
WHITMORE SMITH & ROSS
Appearing for the Plaintiff
MR. HOWARD J. MCGARVEY,
TITAN GROUP LLP
Appearing for the Defendant
MS. CORRINE SLATNEY,
EXECUTIVE REPORTING
Court Reporter
EXAMINED BY MR. RONALD A. WHITMORE:
Jeff Hardy, duly sworn in at 9:30 a.m.
Q: Sir, could you please state your name for the record?
A: Jeff Hardy.
Q: And could you please state your age?
A: 25.
Q: And you understand why you're here?
A: Uh, yes.
Q: Mr. Hardy, how long have you been a professional wrestler?
A: Over seven years now.
Q: Were you professionally trained?
A: I started wrestling with my brother when we were kids. When we got serious about it, we went to camps and schools.
Q: Does the WWF ever train its wrestlers?
A: Not really. You're expected to know how to wrestle before you get there.
Q: Okay. Do they ever suggest more training, or who to go to?
A: Yeah. If there's a problem, like you're not giving enough effort, or you need to work on some moves, they'll put you on hold until you can get it back to together.
Q: So after an injury, they would do that?
A: Yes.
Q: How much time did you get off after your injury?
A: Over a month.
Q: Is that a long time for the WWF?
A: Not really. It's average.
Q: It was a pretty serious injury though, wasn't it?
A: Yeah, it was pretty serious.
Q: What was your injury?
A: I fractured my skull.
Q: And do you remember fracturing your skull?
A: No.
Q: So you had a nasty head injury with amnesia, right?
A: Yes.
Q: How long were you in a coma for?
A: About three days.
Q: Did you remember anything after waking up?
A: No.
Q: What was the last thing you could remember?
A: Eating breakfast the day of the match.
Q: The Cage Match?
A: Yes.
Q: And you can't remember anything after that?
A: No.
Q: After you left the hospital, where did you go?
A: I flew back to Cameron.
Q: Where?
A: Cameron, North Carolina.
Q: That's where you live?
A: That's where my dad lives.
Q: Oh. So you stayed with your dad?
A: Yes.
Q: How long did you stay with your dad?
A: A week.
Q: And then you started to train again?
A: No. I just went back to my own house.
Q: Oh. Why did you stay with your dad?
A: I was still having dizzy spells. And the doctor's said I had to have someone there. Just in case.
Q: Just in case what?
A: Well, if I fainted, or fell back into a coma. Stuff like that.
Q: Oh wow. That sounds pretty serious.
A: Yeah, I guess.
Q: So how long was it before you started training?
A: Training?
Q: Yes.
A: Um. Probably two weeks after the accident.
Q: And you started wrestling again after a month?
A: Yes.
Q: Whose decision was that? Yours or the WWF's?
A: Um, kind of both.
Q: But you consented?
A: Yes.
Q: So the WWF didn't try to hold you back at all?
A: No. I told them I wanted to get back into the ring.
Q: Did anything happen when you went back?
A: What do you mean?
Q: Like accidents, dizzy spells as you called it?
A: Yeah, I was a little dizzy every now and then.
Q: But they weren't serious?
A: Well, no. I fainted once.
Q: In the ring?
A: No, just after a match. Backstage.
Q: Did you go to the hospital?
A: No, I got checked out by a trainer on site.
Q: And he said you were okay?
A: He told me to get some rest.
Q: And that's it?
MR. MCGARVEY: Is there a point to this questioning?
MR. WHITMORE: Yes.
MR. MCGARVEY: Well, maybe you want to state it for the record, because I'm having trouble following it at this point.
MR. WHITMORE: I'll get to those questions a little later on.
Q: Mr. Hardy, did you know if Mr. Jacobs was a drug abuser?
A: No, I wasn't aware.
Q: Do you know if anyone else was aware?
A: No, I think it took everybody by surprise.
Q: Have wrestlers ever abused drugs?
A: Well, just like in any other sport, yeah.
Q: Do you, Mr. Hardy?
A: No.
Q: Is there a current program in the WWF that assists wrestlers with drug issues?
A: It's basically zero tolerance. They won't let you wrestle if you're on drugs.
Q: Oh. So they fire you?
A: No, they'll put you on suspension and make you solve your problems. And if you can, they'll let you back in.
Q: But if you can't, you're pretty much out of a job then, right?
A: Pretty much.
Q: But they won't assist you in beating a drug problem?
A: No. It's up to you.
Q: Is it tough to be a wrestler in the WWF?
A: Well, physically yeah.
Q: Do you feel you have job security?
A: As long as I don't do anything stupid, yeah. It's just like any other job.
MR. MCGARVEY: Could we please get to the point of this questioning?
MR. WHITMORE: All in good time.
Q: So, Mr. Hardy, you don't remember a thing from the night of the incident, yes?
A: No, I don't remember much.
Q: Okay, how's about we go over this video of the match, to see if anything jogs your memory. Play the video, if you will.
ASSISTANT COMPLIES
Q: Mr. Hardy, this is the video footage, the same that was broadcast around the world the night you were injured. Please stop me if you remember anything, alright?
A: Okay.
JEFF HARDY: Wait, could you, could you stop that for a second?
Q: Are you remembering something?
A: I don't think so. Could you rewind it, a couple of seconds?
ASSISTANT COMPLIES
JEFF HARDY: There. Right there. Could you play it again?
ASSISTANT COMPLIES
Q: Sir?
A: Um. I don't know. Could we take a break for a few minutes?
Q: Okay. Lets take a break. Meet back here in five minutes?
MR. MCGARVEY: Mr. Whitmore, I have to inform you that my client has taken ill. I don't feel it's wise for him to continue with this questioning today.
MR. WHITMORE: Oh. Is it something serious?
MR. MCGARVEY: I believe it might just be the stomach flu, or perhaps something he ate. In any event, I'll have my assistant contact you as soon as we can continue with these proceedings.
MR. WHITMORE: Okay.
MR. MCGARVEY: I thank you for your understanding.
WHICH WAS ALL THE EVIDENCE GIVEN ON THIS DATE.