By Richard Gardner, Torch specialist

And like that he was gone. After months of speculation, months of conjecture, Jeff Hardy made his final appearance in the WWE for at least a few months. Since returning from his exile from WWE, he has become the most popular wrestler in the company; the poster boy for fans who are marginalized by John Cena's overbearing persona. His departure is a massive blow to WWE at a time when they are struggling to make new stars.

A wrestler willing to walk away from WWE is rare considering that there are so few options to make a decent living through pro wrestling in America. So Jeff Hardy joins Rob Van Dam in the category of wrestler who could add to the company, but chooses to follow a life outside of wrestling. It's apparent that those who do not eat sleep and breathe wrestling fall out of love with it in the end.

While Hardy had decided to stop wrestling for the time being, no one can question the work ethic he has shown on his way out of the company. Engaging in an outstanding feud with C.M. Punk which culminated in a TLC match at Summerslam and cage match on his last appearance at this week's edition of Smackdown, Hardy put in a series of stellar performances both in the ring and on the mic.

Just as Hardy is the antithesis of the typical WWE babyface, C.M. Punk is far from the typical WWE heel. Yet together they have a unique chemistry that has been exploited over the course of their feud. It could be argued that Hardy is the only wrestler in the company who could turn the popular Punk heel. The turn has been superbly executed.

Their feud has been the backbone of an excellent series of Smackdown shows. Their opening exchange this week was infinitely superior to DX and Vince McMahon's stupidity that opened Raw on Monday night. Not only was Jeff the most popular wrestler in the company, his departure from the Smackdown brand will surely have a negative impact on the quality of the show.

The cage match that Hardy and Punk had on Tuesday night was a fitting end, an excellent match to conclude an excellent feud. The matches between the two have increased in quality as their rivalry has progressed, and that it followed so soon after their excellent TLC match at the Summerslam Pay-Per-View underlines the talent of the two competitors. Punk attacked Hardy at the end of the show, reinforcing his heel persona and leaving the door open for a storyline if he decides to return.

Jeff Hardy is a unique package. While lacking in natural ability on the mic, his charisma is enough to carry his interviews and get him over with the fans. Despite the return of The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels there is a shortage of top level babyfaces that has been further exacerbated by the untimely suspension of Rey Mysterio for a Wellness Policy violation.

Jeff Hardy's departure is a massive blow to the WWE. They cannot simply create another star with his appeal overnight as his rise to main event status was a product of fan reactions. The roster is thin, leading to a lack of fresh matches. Massive loss is an understatement.

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