It was a long time coming. Everyone felt it was long overdue. But all things in time, my friends. Yes, The Hobbit films finally received their green light, securing jobs for thousands of New Zealanders and keeping our film industry alive. Also, Matt Hardy was wished well in his future endeavours. That was important as well, although arguably mostly to him. He claimed it was harder to get fired than hired. No kidding, Matt - you kept us updated every 45 seconds along the way. And what a YouTube journey it has been. I don't know what Version of Matt Hardy we are up to...but it's not the Matt Hardy I cheered for so long ago. There are ashes alright and they are of the legacy of a man I once considered one of my favourite performers.

Count yourself lucky if you haven't seen what will surely be compiled on the Self Destruction of Matt Hardy DVD set one day after Vince buys TNA. Although if you haven't seen his rants then much of what I say from this point won't make much sense. It's a tough call as to which situation is worse but I'm fine with coming across like I'm not making any sense if it's for the greater good. Perhaps then you'll be spared the utter distaste in my mouth for the Black Cloud/Angelic Diablo/Guy Who Won't Die.

Well you can't trust anybody if you can't trust number one

On the contrary, I'm thinking Matt should have re-evaluated his system of who he considers a wise person to listen to. Sure, running to the internet got him rehired the first time around, so it is a powerful tool. But we forget it was also what got him fired before that. Perhaps that's why he chose this path in 2010. There are times I think Paul London is right and Matt plays the internet like a fiddle. Only two weeks ago he encouraged all the insults and negativity fired his way by viewers, calling it a motivator. And now yesterday he stated he wouldn't respond or dignify anything other than positive comments and that people look desperate by saying such things to him. This version of Matt needs further testing. In retrospect, I think all versions did.

Well the man tells me my future and it's not so far away

This is the guy that told Adam Copeland/Edge that taking Amy Dumas/Lita away from him meant that he had ruined his chances of ever having a family. Ever. Unless Lita has legal possession of Matt's Hardy, we should have known that his hinges weren't properly oiled. We got caught up in choosing sides in the drama and cheered him on. Now he is a product of all this hype and we are partially to blame.

You'll never find your pleasure if you worry about your pain

Matt has always come across a little preachy in this area but it was coated in inspirational positivity. And he had a lot to feel good about: he helped define the modern day ladder and TLC matches in WWE, became the United States and ECW Champion and was involved in some of the consistently best matches on WWE for several years. But his time was up and it became apparent to everyone - except one - that his place was to guide the newer generation and build new stars. Not everybody gets to be World Champion. But he still wants it. And the positivity was revealed as a mask for an overindulgent sense of entitlement. Tired of his role on TV he asked for his release, to no avail. He then tried an untold tactic in Europe in a bid to get released that way. It still didn't take. WWE still wanted him, whether to prevent TNA from reuniting the Hardyz or because they had put so much effort into his character over the years... we don't know.

And your precious little details are stretchin' out my brain

Matt Hardy tried everything to get fired. You'd think it wouldn't be that hard, considering what others have been let go for doing. But I think there are a few things he didn't take into consideration. For one, his "Plan B" (which, if you're keeping score, was actually his third plan) was to fake mental illness.

...

As someone that's been close and personal with people with mental illness, the thought of someone using that in an attempt to lose their job is reprehensible to me. And not even that, it's not very smart. Did he really think Vince was the type of businessman who would risk a lawsuit by firing someone for exhibiting signs of mental illness? While his wife is in the middle of her political campaign? And then, after creating "Matthew" the worst double identity since Kane was haunted by Masked Kane, Matt admitted the ruse. Again, I'm not certain on the legality of telling the world via YouTube that you're faking multiple personalities to get out of your current work environment, but it told me one thing over everything else; it told me what kind of man Matt is. And in one fell swoop, burned away the fondness I had of his accomplishments to date.

I can slap a tornado

Smart men don't slap tornados. That is a silly thing to do. You did a silly thing, Matt. And the WWE is almost certainly a visible condensation funnel, whose narrow end touches the earth and is often encircled by a cloud of debris and dust, sucking in all that approach it. And he totally slapped it - the persuasive rumour is Matt briefly posted a video online of Rey Mysterio sans mask and that's what finally ended this awkward saga. There is no word yet whether it was footage from the four whole years Rey wrestled in WCW with his visage out there for the world to see, but it is definitely a no-no in current WWE to ruin the superhero illusion for the kids.

I ain't buyin' no future when the past is so far away

I don't even understand what this means.

But the past is disappearing rather quickly for Mr Hardy. A lot of the goodwill his earlier exploits have fostered is waning and all that is left is the visual of a man ranting on his blog about not eating red meat, gloating about how much money he makes from people watching his videos and tasty, tasty grapes.

Just like a diamond bullet where it's crystal, crystal clear

I'm left with the visual of a child - a child who dreamed of being part of WWE and then achieved his vision. Even returned to the company that let him go the first time, all because he loved what he did and wanted to be back. When his brother left and joined TNA for the second time Matt said that he was doing it for a holiday and would return to WWE when he was rested. But then the loyal child was replaced by bitterness and decided it wanted to be elsewhere too. Yes, dreams may alter and circumstances change. But he could have sat out the contract he had willingly signed. Instead he deceived his employers and spent all his time searching for childish ways to escape a situation of his own making. All the while gloating about dropping his excess weight so quickly, indicating he really could have done this earlier and perhaps then management would have given him more of a prominent role on TV. WWE has to be feeling slighted that they held on to him for so long, despite how if anyone gestures in Matt's direction he always ran to the internet to post a nine minute video about it. Despite one ‘thank you' video, everything he has done probably feels like a slap to the face of the Higher Powers at WWE. And slaps can hurt, even if you are a tornado.

When audiences are often most concerned with what celebrities have done for them lately, Matt has been on a path that will leave his old life in a pile of ashes. Will we buy his future? Time will tell. I suspect we've got about 89 days until he crosses the line. But he crossed it for me a while ago now, replacing a man I used to mark out for like few others with a child no different to thousands of other backyard wrestlers. Yeah, the cuffs are off, buddy. I just don't think you're the free man you perceive you are, Icarus. I'm sorry, too many metaphors? Try making it through an entire Matt Hardy video. He speaks in metaphor as much as he compliments the food he just ate (it's a lot).

I guess we should simply be glad Edge prevented Matt from ever having a family. For I grimly await him texting Shannon Moore that "the dogs are in the enclosed pool area and the garage side door is open". Also, "grapes are tasty".

Get ready for tomorrow; I gotta waste my whole today.