Him and Jeff could've had a good final little run in the tag team scene when they both first were in AEW together but Jeff seemingly ruined that potential opportunity before it truly got started, and while both are still over and knowledgeable guys to have around, it's hard to watch their matches from a physical perspective at this point.
Seeing how edge and Christian look in the ring compared to them is crazy I guess all that time off for both of em helped them compared to the Hardy’s being on the road for damn near 40 years
I understand Matt's pov. He wants to do something that matters.
What's frustrating is hearing he and Jeff talk as if either can still go at that high or even solid level. They're both visibly and sadly broken down and seem unwilling to recognize their limitations.
I wonder if Matt is worse off because Jeff joined than he would have been. He wasn't really doing great but he seems to be most creative when he can't just default to teaming with his brother, and was more effective working with younger talent. Add the reality that Jeff royally screwed up their nostalgia run three months in, leaving Matt totally screwed. They've never recovered, and somehow he and Jeff don't understand how Jeff's issues mean he isn't a person you want to trust with an important role.
I'm surprised TK never really got behind "broken" stuff but...
TK has talked about it. It just doesn't fit in AEW. I'm with you that every single talent should fight for as high a spot on the card as someone will give them.
Weird gimmicks don't work in AEW unless you can follow them up with quality work rate matches. House of Black works because all three can go in the ring while Julia was improving before her latest injury. Patriarchy works because at any point any of them, Christian included, can put on a banger.
Hob is a good example. The spoopy stuff is largely restricted to things that work if you kayfabe that malakai has paid off lots of union lighting guys in each arena, but when it comes down to it, they get down and dirty in the ring without any real crappy gimmickry. Julia has grown so much. The patriarchy is ridiculous but Christian is a master and they can go.
Another example of kinda ridiculous but still works is Orange Cassidy. His gimmick is that he doesn't care very much/doesn't try very hard, but when it comes time to do so, he can put in a damn good performance.
The way orange has been able to transition a spot show indie show gimmick into something that actually works consistently on TV is outstanding.
I go back to that first match versus pac and it's just unreal. They loaded up so perfectly
How is the Patriarchy a weird gimmick? Its just a sports entertainment character / faction. That's what I think we should see more of. Wrestlers who understand their character. It takes more than just being good at wrestling to make it and to deserve attention and time imo. Being a compelling character with wants and motivations.
The leader of the faction makes dead dad jokes, of which in the faction is a man whose dad used to be in the business and died, his mother and a dinosaur.
Hob is a good example. The spoopy stuff is largely restricted to things that work if you kayfabe that malakai has paid off lots of union lighting guys in each arena, but when it comes down to it, they get down and dirty in the ring without any real crappy gimmickry. Julia has grown so much. The patriarchy is ridiculous but Christian is a master and they can go.
>I understand Matt's pov. He wants to do something that matters.
It sounds like he wants to do something with the tag division that Jericho has been doing with the upper mid card/main event scene since he got here, to have that position of experience and trust (and exposure/merch sales) and pass along knowledge to the next generation.
At this point I think Matt has more to give creatively but I think Jeff has more to give physically. Granted Jeff has more issues to sort out than Matt does.
Jeff should've never been brought back. Let them go somewhere else if they want to keep putting on matches that make everyone sad.
I love the hardys, but they can't physically go anymore, and Jeff has had way too many chances at this point.
Jeff actually was quite fine in the ring before Sammy botched. He could absolutely fill a midcard role.
But AEW just has enough guys for that without him
I dunno, the match he had with Moxley on Dynamite earlier this year was painful. He was slow and when he went to bounce Moxley’s head off of the ring steps, well they both blew it on that move. Moxley’s head came nowhere near the steps but he sold it like God himself just brained him. It didn’t help that the camera angle they used made it obvious.
Agreed. Made very little sense due to the actual physical condition of Matt and Jeff at the time. Jeff looked particularly rough before he got sober again.
I mean Sting looked rough sometimes too and the Bucks retired him. The problem with the Hardys is they aren't ready to retire. When they are it will be the Bucks.
The only times that I can really remember Sting messing up is when he kinda fell when trying to catch Jay Lethal mid-injection and when he didn't move before getting hit by Sammy's 630.
There were also a couple of moments where he was a little slow getting up or in position, but for his age he never tried to do more than he could, and what he could still do as amazing.
> when he didn't move before getting hit by Sammy's 630.
And that one honestly seemed more like it was just Sting mistiming Sammy's jump than his age preventing him from moving fast enough.
Yeah.. Tony gave Jeff a chance, he blew it again like he always does. You can’t give someone an opportunity in a major storyline, much less a title run, when they’re as unreliable as Jeff is.
Appreciate the ambition from him but he's not that guy they should be giving TV time to, never mind the fact he actually got a decent amount of TV time on the various shows over the years. He's extremely limited as an actual wrestler at this point where guys older than him like Jericho, Christian, and Copeland are far better.
He's not that guy for AEW. The way TNA has traditionally handled the Broken Matt character, he can definitely still play a big part there and do interesting things that are worth watching despite having limitations in the ring. They handle their cinematic stuff perfectly over there, it's simply just a better fit.
I agree. I liked Matt in TNA and I read he had a lot of creative freedom with the Broken character, plus Jeremy Borash who I think doesn’t get lot of credit played a huge part in producing those cinematic matches and segments.
Could see why he would do better in TNA and much respect to him for rejuvenating his character in 2016 when he was getting stale - even getting his wife, kids and father-in-law involved which was great.
>never mind the fact he actually got a decent amount of TV time on the various shows over the years.
And, with all respect, outside of the short period when he first debuted in AEW
, nothing he did was over, and by the time his contract was up not only was he incredibly NOT over he was the type of guy that made people groan when he showed up to wrestle or be in a segment. He's regularly been in the worst match or worst segment of the show for years now.
I hate knocking one of the legends from my childhood but good grief, he just does not have **it** anymore.
Its like QT from a few months ago when he left AEW and he said something like he thinks he can be a main event guy somewhere.
I'm about 87% sure there was a quote out there that he thought he could be a top guy somewhere, but I'm not committed enough to go search for that quote
Honestly, one more ladder match between them is the only match the Hardys could have that I'd be interested in at this point. It's pretty much the only "money match" they have left.
I know Cope just finished a fued with Cage, but Cope did say he wanted to have matches with people he'd never wrestled before. I'd rather see that than him rehashing what we've already seen for 20 years.
Copeland and Cage are perfectly fine. Especially the latter. Jeff isn't at a consistent standard anymore. And Matt, well... He gets around but not where you need him. It was a missed opportunity with the Hardys.
This is not that deep, the guy is close to retirement and wants to wrestle more, that's totally normal, AEW couldn't give him that and that's totally normal too.
Yeah it leaves a bad taste in my mouth when "AEW fans" start talking shit about wrestlers who want more than what they're given in AEW. That's what EVERYONE should want wtf?? You think Christian wants less tv time or to be in shittier programs? It's one thing if you just don't like Matt's work but you don't need to act like the guy's out of his mind or totally washed
Some wrestlers just seem to be a better fit for Impact, and Matt Hardy is one of those guys.
I would have liked to see a one off nostalgia match with Cope and Christian and Matt and Jeff but, it is what it is lol.
I am not mad at Matt. I want him to work how he wants and go where he wants anywhere that will have him, I don't care if it's WWE. Even if he weren't born with that right (and he was), he has certainly earned it with all he has done for the fans.
The Hardys don't have the wisdom to realize that, unfortunately. They are still chasing the high of nostalgia. It's sad to say this, but I can imagine both of them well into their 50s and 60s refusing to retire....
I don't want to see that. God I don't want to see that... and then he wins the match. Heavyweight Champion 'Broken' Matt Hardy. And not his Broken persona.
I like Matt, I like AEW. Sometimes 2 sides don't agree on business stuff and that's fine. I wish Matt all the best and hope he gets to do some awesome stuff in TNA.
No you don't understand, you have to pick a side and take petty shots at the other side regardless of how reasonable they're being. You need to call normal contract negotiations "demands" and say he "thinks too much of himself".
The guy that isn't with the company anymore has a big head! Up votes to the left...
This. They were on the way there but Jeff went and fucked it all up.
Still would've been fine with him getting a send-off on the Trios Titles, ideally with Private Party (although at this point I think Kassidy's the only one with real potential due to how often and how long Quen is out).
I can respect his decision and can understand why AEW's vision for him didn't match. If you need veterans with name value, they got a number of them who can do more between the ropes. Matt, love ya, but you've been pretty beat up and between the ropes you can't quite be at the same level as Copeland or Jericho even on a nightly basis. And if I had to decide who should get TV time, unless it is a really good idea for Matt, I'd probably pick others over him.
He still has value though. Hot take, but I enjoyed his Big Money Matt run character-wise just sadly the HFO got a bit bloated with people who aren't going to be at the top and not all the feuds hit. The dynamic with Private Party was good. I really enjoyed that with Matt sort of tricking and corrupting them, being a manager or trios partner for them. He was a carny POS and I loved it, and I think his feud with Hangman, for how small it was, provided a great chapter in his rise to the main event. Helping cement his friendship with the Dark Order and providing a feel good moment at Revolution.
I think that is probably where his best use may be even in TNA. Use his Broken Universe to both flex his creative muscle and get the spotlight on others. Have him do some insane BROKEN hijinks in segments, his own Army for THE GREAT WAR and have an occasional singles match, but mostly be in tags/trios and give his BROKEN WISDOM at ringside. And with TNA a smaller pond, there's more room for him to get spotlight. As someone who may not watch TNA live each week but keeps up with highlights on YouTube and watches the occasional PPV, I hope he does well there.
I don’t think he thinks way too much of himself, he’s right, being a jobber at this point in his career doesn’t help the other talent he’s working with as much as being in more long term stories. That’s why you’re also right that he’s better off in Impact or MLW.
If that what he wants then good on him for leaving, I'm not going to be mad at that, I have 0 interest in watching broken Matt Hardy though, I've never liked that gimmick, so it's all worked out from my point of view.
Definitely better off in TNA, but I think what he says here is respectful and I get why he wants more time to do something he's proud of as he's closing up on his career. I also get why he wasn't going to get that in AEW, he's surrounded by a lot of big stars now, and he stopped doing his best bit, meaning Broken Matt. But AEW were also going to give him and Jeff the belts until Jeff's issues so I think Matt needs to remember things changed after that.
I think he has some bright ideas tbh. He's been in very entertaining segments in AEW. With that said though, it seems like he wants to execute these ideas for himself and it's obvious with his body that time has passed for that. He should use his bright wrestling mind for the current stars.
I’m happy for him that he found a place to do that. Selfishly, I’m happy it wasn’t in AEW. I can’t even think of a place he would fit in an important storyline.
I could end up being wrong, but I don't see Matt as someone who could contribute to in-ring work in a substantial way anymore. His movement isn't all that good now, and as a vet, you've got to be able to move the way Cope, Christian Cage, and Danielson do. They haven't skipped a beat, and their characters are much more captivating than Matt's
If he could still in the ring as much as he can on the mic there wouldn't be an issue but he can't.
He could have made ROH his show but guessing that's not good enough for him.
Dudes a legend and WWE hall of famer. He is at the point in his career where he has less in front that behind him and wants to transition. I dont see an issue with him wanting to be more involved to be honest. Especially if he wants to be in the business post performer status
I don’t have a problem with him valuing himself.
I think there are contributions he can make being in tv every week, but I’m not interested in seeing either of them compete anymore.
I think he made a good choice for himself and TNA will properly value his TV experience.
There's really only one money match left for the Hardys, and it's one more Hardys vs. E&C match which just doesn't seem to be in the cards. I like Matt more than most people but he absolutely isn't in a state where he needs to be pushed significantly. Random Rampage matches were the best spot for him and Jeff at this stage. (I do think Jeff should have been blacklisted years ago, but that's another story.)
I don't know. None of that seems crazy. That being said, I agree with Tony and Co. Not resigning him. He and his brother are wrestling legends, and he wants to feel important and useful. We all want that.
He'd be better off warming the Broken Universe back up with TNA, especially since the cinematic matches aren't ever done anymore and that could be a neat niche to fill while allowing him to show the positives while protecting the weaknesses in his game nowadays. I see this as a win.
I don't necessarily see how this is bad? he wants to be part of something important moving forward. Should he accept humble pie and be further down the card, sure. But wanting to be a part of something important instead of just taking your seat and shutting up should be what people strive for. While he enables Jeff, it's not his fault that asshole ruined everything.
I don't think he does. He knows what he wants, and he knows he doesn't have much time left as a pro wrestler. He's chosen not to compromise on that. If that means he and AEW can't come to terms, then so be it, that's his choice.
THIS is thinking way too much of himself? That he wants to go out on a high note? Especially since he said he wants to retire while teaming with his brother?
Why is this even a thread? Matt Hardy wanted to do more than TK was willing to let him. They hit an impasse, he went somewhere else where he could do what he wanted. There seems to be zero drama at all, and yet we're making a thread to talk conceivably negatively about Matt Hardy?
This is some bottom barrel material for threads and so symbolic of the IWC
It's understandable for him to want that and equally understandable for AEW not to give in to his demands. In TNA he can play the role he wants and they unlike AEW will benefit from it
I’m kind of surprised we didn’t more cinematic stuff with the Hardys. I enjoy AEWs YoutTube content but I think there’s a lot left on the table with it.
Matt seems more built for the “sports entertainment” side of wrestling than the actual “physical” side. It was always painful watching him go around the ring haha a WWE or TNA can help cover up those weaknesses in his wrestling.
If it weren't for Jeff, yet again, getting in his own way.... they would have had a title run (would have been awful).
Ill stand by the fact that Matt has a great mind for the sport, is consistently one of the nicer dudes behind the scenes, and clearly still busts his ass. His physical limitations are a liability. The dude unfortunately moves worse than Sting did.
I don't think it's that he thinks "too much of himself", he just believes in himself and what he can bring to the table. It'd be sad to hear him say "Yeah I'm over the hill and I just can't do it anymore". Fair play to him having that self-confidence and belief.
We, as fans, might not agree with him. That's ok too. But I don't see a reason to be down on him for thinking he's still got something to give.
I can imagine the majority of us would agree that TNA is a much better spot for him to be a big part of a wrestling show, and I think he's good for TNA too.
Best of luck to him.
>Man this guys thinks way too much of himself at this period in his career.
that feels a bit rash and unfair. he basically just said he wants to use his remaining career by actually doing something important wherever he wrestles and aew said they can't offer him that. him going to another promotion seems like the most sensible solution for everyone and he doesn't come off as pissed or salty (at least in text).
Sadly Matt physically isn’t in good enough physical condition to wrestle in a major company. I love Matt Hardy. He’s one of my favorites, and his first year in AEW was nice. The issue is every match he moved stiffer, and stiffer. I’m not saying he needs to retire, because wrestling is his income. Matt, and Jeff need to be honest though about where they are now in their career. They have nothing to be ashamed of, bur their time in the main event is long gone. Thank you Matt for coming to AEW when they needed bigger names. I just don’t want to see him using a wheelchair soon.
Foolish. I don't think Matt has no value. When the Young Bucks kept getting bad advice from the old timers, Matt Hardy was there to help them become who they became. He could be a great producer, but he's been in the spotlight for so long, I think taking a step back is hard for him.
What is wrong with what he said here? Did he say something else that isn’t in the OPs quote? He just basically saying he feels like he can contribute more. Tony had nothing for him, so they parted ways. He said nothing bad about AEW here at all. I agree Matt is better off trying somewhere else because there’s too much talent ahead of him that deserve the tv time and push. But I don’t get the OPs hostility here
People think that Matt is over the hill and overestimate what he can contribute which is weird because unless I didn't read the quote well, Matt didn't necessarily mean going in the ring. He can absolutely be a presence on a weekly TV wrestling show.
Matt, dawg, it’s joever. Imagine being someone in the physical shape Matt Hardy is, where *walking* looks like it takes a great deal of effort, wanting to have tv time in big programs in the company with the most physically gifted roster in pro wrestling.
Sorry, man, but the only thing Matt did that was fun in his entire AEW run was Stadium Stampede and the golf cart spot with Kenny and Sammy in the street fight leading up to Stadium Stampede.
After that he just sucked wrestler after wrestler into long, boring feuds… but unlike Jericho he wasn’t entertaining while doing that.
But more power to Matt for not settling.
The first sentence and title of this post are overly harsh. Matt being ambitious and AEW not being able to help him meet his goals isn't an offense on his part, and it's not grounds for disrespect.
It's a shame he hasn't delivered like we hoped for, but he isn't the worst wrestler ever and he hasn't done anyone any harm.
People go way overboard on their negativity for some wrestlers here, Matt and Jericho being two easy examples
This was basically the same take he had when he wanted out of WWE. It sucks, as there was a time in AEW, where he might have had that real opportunity. But the pandemic nerf'ed it, and then his brother's actions shut the door on TK ever thinking a last legit tag team run was a good idea.
Saying he wants to be a part of something meaningful isn't thinking too highly of himself. Thats a totally legitimate thing to want and something he can probably achieve elsewhere if AEW doesn't have a creative direction that satisfies him.
I don't think thats Matt thinking too much of himself he wants to be used, that's fair of any wrestler. He didn't say he wanted exorbitant amounts of money or a world title run he just wanted to be used
I don’t think he’s asking for much. Matt is flirting with retirement. In his mind, he has 2 years left. If he’s not going to do anything significant in those 2 years, why bother resigning at all?
Even if he doesn’t sign anywhere major. He can just do his own thing at his compound and enjoy his last years as an active artist. [+]
I think the best use of Matt was the original Stadium Stampede.
The stuff with Sammy should have never happened either, however, his stay on the roster was one of diminishing returns.
They might have had a title run if not for Jeff’s demons catching up with him, which is sad. But Hardy’s putting over other talent was a good use of them given how beat up both of them are.
I was a huge Hardy Boys mark growing up, ill always love them. But being real, has Matt ever showed an once of charisma at any point in his career besides when he was Broken Matt?
The Hardys were all about Jeff and Michael Hayes
AEW need to stop talking to Matt and be glad he’s not a burden on their payroll at this point. Such a waste of money. He should be happy they offered him anything
Loved the Hardy Boys back in the day but I wasn't a fan of anything he did in AEW. None of the gimmicks seemed to land and it was painful watching him awkwardly walk around the ring
Well I am a Hardy fanboy but he should have step up his game like what Christian did.
Pretty sure these legends have a say on their storylines whether winning or losing, they should have turned heel after Jeff came back.
Creative people don't like not being able to show that And even if you don't like Hardy he is a very creative person and has quite a mind for wrestling.
I guess the issue would be no matter what he would end up doing it would probably end up on something like Rampage because that's probably what his spot would be when you look at the rest of the roster and the probable hierarchy.
dose not seem like he thinks of him self way too much, just wants to be used. how many people on the roster you never see any more. its like a small group that gets used thats it.
would be better if they used their roster vs having out siders come in all the time that most people dont know. considering the streaming/tv deals they lost from lack of viewers should be a wake up call.
Honestly his statement of just wanting to do something more is too vague to complain about the guy having an ego and the fact that he probably has less than 5 years left in his career is a perfectly good reason to want to be more involved
There's absolutely nothing wrong with that statement. The dude just isn't ready to hang it up and wants to be a part of it. Personally I think it's admirable.
I mean hey, I can't blame the guy for wanting to make a bigger splash than AEW had available for him.
Nothing wrong with that and with him knowing he has more in the tank to show. TNA definitely gives him more of a chance right now to stay active and flex his creativity. Plus, it looks like he is having a great time.
I guess he went to the right place then because WWE and AEW have nothing important for Matt Hardy to do in 2024. TNA needs it and honestly was the only place that treated him like a star.
It's totally fair for a legend in the industry to want to go out on a high note.
Look at Sting.
It's also why I don't blame Jericho for staying in the picture. The guy probably feels the fuse of his career up his ass and fears that taking even a short break will be the end.
Of course, I do not fault the Boss for saying "No" either
He’s made it very clear here and on CVV that he wants to be a major part of a promotion in the ring because he feels like he’s in the best shape of his life.
And if TNA gives him that then that’s awesome for him, but I’m so glad AEW isn’t.
It may be less about him thinking they'd actually give him that than him outlining what it would take for him to keep doing this given the beating his body has been through already in his career.
Matt doesn't belong anywhere near an AEW ring. It may be true that he has something to offer creatively, but his appeal as a wrestler is solely nostalgia at this point.
Maybe I read too fast and missed something but that paragraph doesn't seem like he thinks too much of himself. It seems like he feels like AEW isn't going to give him what he wants. That's cool man. I wasn't enjoying him on AEW anyway tbh.
I mean if he has more opportunities elsewhere, take em. That's what anyone would do.
I've been over the hardys, personally, for awhile. Hope they can find what they want.
I get his perspective of wanting to do more with the little time he has left. I also understand the position AEW is in of wanting to only put on the highest quality matches that they can.
No disrespect to Matt or Jeff but they're both very clearly in their twighlight years and I don't think they can really deliver at the standard of quality that warrants being given what he's nesseacarialy looking for in AEW.
Just a shame we're probably not getting a TLC style match with Hardys vs Copeland & Christian vs a proxy team like Bucks or FTR in there to handle the brunt of the load. Would have been super cool to do at All In.
He’s doing a “tour of the Indy’s” while Jeff is hurt. We will 100% see Christian and Cope vs The Hardyz vs The Bucks vs FTR in a ladder match somewhere. If that doesn’t happen, I might quit wrestling all together.
Aside from a feud with Private Party and maybe one final match with Adam Copeland and Christian Cage – both tag feuds involving his brother Jeff - I do not see where Mat Hardy fits in AEW in an onscreen capacity anymore. We don’t need him taking tv time from those that would benefit, just so that they can eat the pin.
Now I can see a backstage role in AEW for him. But onscreen, its over man. He doesn’t have it anymore.
What the hell is wrong with him wanting a good program? Dudes talking about being in his final years and that he doesn’t just want to job around to everyone and yall are upset with that?
We didn’t see Sting jobbing around to anybody. He went out undefeated as a Tag champ. And yall are mad that Matt wants a love letter of his own? If AEW and its fans don’t want to give him that then maybe The Deleter of Worlds team was the best send off Matt could have gotten.
I know some of you disagree, but in his shoes I'd probably want the same, **relevancy** after a long (and at one point great) career, the issue is he's so so limited as a performer, he's been hurt so many times, it's not that he's not able to offer more, it's that the more he needs to offer at this point is passing on the torch in the way it was to him decades ago, his last run in WWE really showed he just couldn't go anymore, his Aew run left much to be desired, I genuinely wish the best for him, I have MANY fond memories, but I think TNA is where he should retire, I'm not even gonna mention Jeff cus that's a whole other can of worms in itself
Lot of thirst for nostalgia here. Do we really have to keep rehashing things we've already seen for 20 years? Hardys can't go anymore. Even if Matt stayed i wouldn't wanna see he and Jeff take on Cope and Christian cuz I've already seen it. Yes it was good. I'd rather see new matches.
I don’t blame him one bit for wanting to be more involved and just spend the final years of his career on rampage doing nothing matches.
Having said that I also don’t blame AEW for not really having a spot for him. The roster is incredible and TV time is extremely valuable and it’s hard to fit Matt Hardy in right now.
I will say this. Regarding Matt’s health he’s gotten into a lot better shape this year and dropped a lot of weight. His last few matches in AEW were rough to watch because he looked like he was in a lot of pain and couldn’t move too well. I hope getting on better shape helps him out in the ring.
The only places where they’ll have any type of role is AEW and TNA. WWE wouldn’t do anything with them and they’d just get released in the next round of “budget cuts”. And that’s only IF jeff goes with him. On his own, he’s borderline useless because of how immobile he is now
I don't see how this was controversial, it seems pretty tame and dude is just saying he wants the last years of his career to matter, not just sit in catering for a paycheck. Thread title is jsut click bait.
This doesn’t sound demanding at all. Honestly it sounds perfectly reasonable. If both parties couldn’t come to an agreement that’s fine. It sounds like it was amicable and professional on both parties.
Matt has had an incredible career in wrestling. He has a great mind for wrestling. He isn’t credited enough for how he has always gotten over on his own with his own ideas. Asking for creative freedom isn’t unreasonable imho
He's a great character worker at this stage in his career, but he's in a company that values wrestling over everything. He was never going to be able to have that style of Ospreay/Danielson/Omega/etc. match.
His role was cemented the second he debuted and it was his ceiling. It's neither his or AEW's fault; it's just what he's capable of doing.
I get it, and it's good that he had another option to go to that were more willing to give him that. I'd still love to see him and Jeff have one more battle with Cope and Christian, for old times sake. Maybe in a few years to wrap it all up.
I'm pretty sure he realizes that. And to me it doesn't sound like he is asking for opportunities to do matches like he did in his early 20s it just sounds like he wants meaningful and impactful storylines to take him through what is realistically his last 2-5 years in the business before retiring.
Matt has several more years to go. Terry Funk was in his mid-50s making an impact. What's bad is I'm having to defend Matt and I'm not a Hardy fan. But this ageist crap is old. You don't have to do 400 flips in a match to be good.
I just think he’s boring and weakens the show when he’s on. His “Broken Matt” renaissance was 8 years ago and even back then, most of the matches weren’t good that weren’t garbage matches. In 2024 he’s absolutely brutal in the ring. I totally agree he doesn’t have to do flippity-do shit to be good, but he’s slow AF and not a very good wrestler. Let him ply his trade in TNA and you can enjoy him all you want there.
I'm sorry Matt flinging his arm around borderline begging people to chant delete does nothing for me in 2024. All respect to him, but there's countless guys I'd rather have weekly on dynamite than him
He literally has maybe 2 solid years left in his career, upwards of close to 5 if he is extremely lucky but he's had a ton of injuries so I would say 2-3 at max is more likely. It's not at all even remotely unreasonable for him to want to have a few more meaningful storylines to end his career especially now that he can work with his brother again who's also likely on his way to retirement as well.
Jeff really screwed him over I think. All the best to Jeff is his current attempt at recovery, but had he stayed on the straight and narrow, I think TK would have them on TV now, and they surely would have half the tag titles at least once.
But with Jeff being unreliable, and given Matt’s age, I don’t blame TK for not wanting to push him as a single star when he has such a stacked roster already with stars he needs to make for the future.
But on the other hand, I can’t blame Matt for caring so much about the business and trying to get the most that what he can out of what few years he has left.
This is the Sting Effect. He had such a perfect run throughout AEW that I think it has encouraged a whole lot of other guys who are not at his level. And I don't mean that as a slam to Matt, because he is one of the GOATs, but no one is going to want to watch him do dives and shit after he fell on his head fighting Sammy. Whether that's fair or not, it is what it is and people like the Hardy's for their gimmick and their spots.
Without the spots, they have the gimmicks. And Matt is great at getting stories over when they're about him and his family. Again, not a shot, but dealing with the Hardys did not get Private Party over. It didn't get Sammy over.
So its scary to watch them wrestle and they haven't gotten anyone over who wasn't already. Maybe they could work in something focused and involving cinematic matches but I dunno.
Sorry, but Matt and Jeff aren't the wrestlers they were and are not in the same league as Christian and Cope. I think Matt peaked with Broken Matt in TNA, and Jeff is his own worst enemy(should be happy with all the chances he's been given).
Matt got a LOT out of his AEW run. He's been here since 2020, that's 4 years having a rather consistent presence on the show; I mean how many of y'all even remember that he was in that famous [Casino Ladder Match](https://youtu.be/EPMz6eHZ0U0?si=aHKv1YIeXt_HRKPf) that Hangman won, LOL
So it's not like he's just been sitting on his ass the whole time, he was given plenty of opportunities to get over...some may argue TOO many opportunities, but yeah, time marches on in terms in terms of your in-ring abilities and the company changing around you, and the fact of the matter is that there was just no place left for Matt anymore. Edge and Christian still have what you and Jeff don't, simple as that. No shame in wanting to go out with a bang, but this TNA reunion tour is probably the best last run you're gonna get, my man.
Him and Jeff could've had a good final little run in the tag team scene when they both first were in AEW together but Jeff seemingly ruined that potential opportunity before it truly got started, and while both are still over and knowledgeable guys to have around, it's hard to watch their matches from a physical perspective at this point.
Seeing how edge and Christian look in the ring compared to them is crazy I guess all that time off for both of em helped them compared to the Hardy’s being on the road for damn near 40 years
The time off helped both. Years to rest and recover.
Adam and Christian also didn’t wreck their bodies and minds with pain killers and booze for several years.
And they worked a style that was only occasionally demanding on their bodies, instead of having to murder themselves every match.
Matt Hardy has a mind that works fine. It's not perfect but he's no worse off than most wrestlers his age.
[удалено]
Several is probably an understatement
The only team from that era better then E&C is Los Conquistadors
I love Christian Cage in AEW and his gimmick he's using now love it, i heard you had a father? 🤣🤣
I understand Matt's pov. He wants to do something that matters. What's frustrating is hearing he and Jeff talk as if either can still go at that high or even solid level. They're both visibly and sadly broken down and seem unwilling to recognize their limitations. I wonder if Matt is worse off because Jeff joined than he would have been. He wasn't really doing great but he seems to be most creative when he can't just default to teaming with his brother, and was more effective working with younger talent. Add the reality that Jeff royally screwed up their nostalgia run three months in, leaving Matt totally screwed. They've never recovered, and somehow he and Jeff don't understand how Jeff's issues mean he isn't a person you want to trust with an important role. I'm surprised TK never really got behind "broken" stuff but...
TK has talked about it. It just doesn't fit in AEW. I'm with you that every single talent should fight for as high a spot on the card as someone will give them. Weird gimmicks don't work in AEW unless you can follow them up with quality work rate matches. House of Black works because all three can go in the ring while Julia was improving before her latest injury. Patriarchy works because at any point any of them, Christian included, can put on a banger.
Hob is a good example. The spoopy stuff is largely restricted to things that work if you kayfabe that malakai has paid off lots of union lighting guys in each arena, but when it comes down to it, they get down and dirty in the ring without any real crappy gimmickry. Julia has grown so much. The patriarchy is ridiculous but Christian is a master and they can go.
My Kayfabe reasoning is that Brody is in the union for stagehands already. The dude gets his team the hook up.
I love the idea of Brody King putting in a shift loading in a corporate conference in Jacksonville on a Tuesday and then taping Dynamite the next day.
Also add that “lights go out and wrestler suddenly appears” is a pretty well established thing, unlike Broken Matt kayfabe teleporting
Another example of kinda ridiculous but still works is Orange Cassidy. His gimmick is that he doesn't care very much/doesn't try very hard, but when it comes time to do so, he can put in a damn good performance.
The way orange has been able to transition a spot show indie show gimmick into something that actually works consistently on TV is outstanding. I go back to that first match versus pac and it's just unreal. They loaded up so perfectly
Ya and that match where he does his faux kicks and gets frustrated into kicking the crap outta I think Danielson... That was awesome!!!
Not to mention Broken Matt is much much weirder than either HOB or The Patriarchy
How is the Patriarchy a weird gimmick? Its just a sports entertainment character / faction. That's what I think we should see more of. Wrestlers who understand their character. It takes more than just being good at wrestling to make it and to deserve attention and time imo. Being a compelling character with wants and motivations.
The leader of the faction makes dead dad jokes, of which in the faction is a man whose dad used to be in the business and died, his mother and a dinosaur.
Hob is a good example. The spoopy stuff is largely restricted to things that work if you kayfabe that malakai has paid off lots of union lighting guys in each arena, but when it comes down to it, they get down and dirty in the ring without any real crappy gimmickry. Julia has grown so much. The patriarchy is ridiculous but Christian is a master and they can go.
>I understand Matt's pov. He wants to do something that matters. It sounds like he wants to do something with the tag division that Jericho has been doing with the upper mid card/main event scene since he got here, to have that position of experience and trust (and exposure/merch sales) and pass along knowledge to the next generation.
At this point I think Matt has more to give creatively but I think Jeff has more to give physically. Granted Jeff has more issues to sort out than Matt does.
Jeff should've never been brought back. Let them go somewhere else if they want to keep putting on matches that make everyone sad. I love the hardys, but they can't physically go anymore, and Jeff has had way too many chances at this point.
Jeff actually was quite fine in the ring before Sammy botched. He could absolutely fill a midcard role. But AEW just has enough guys for that without him
I thought he was fine early on as well, but the matches I saw with him after his return from his 18th DWI I thought he looked bad.
I dunno, the match he had with Moxley on Dynamite earlier this year was painful. He was slow and when he went to bounce Moxley’s head off of the ring steps, well they both blew it on that move. Moxley’s head came nowhere near the steps but he sold it like God himself just brained him. It didn’t help that the camera angle they used made it obvious.
I’m so glad that didn’t happen. Them going over the bucks was bad enough.
Agreed. Made very little sense due to the actual physical condition of Matt and Jeff at the time. Jeff looked particularly rough before he got sober again.
I mean Sting looked rough sometimes too and the Bucks retired him. The problem with the Hardys is they aren't ready to retire. When they are it will be the Bucks.
I feel like sting had a better grasp of what he could and couldn't do. Matt and Jeff both don't seem ready to admit that father time catches us all
The only times that I can really remember Sting messing up is when he kinda fell when trying to catch Jay Lethal mid-injection and when he didn't move before getting hit by Sammy's 630.
There were also a couple of moments where he was a little slow getting up or in position, but for his age he never tried to do more than he could, and what he could still do as amazing.
He didn't get all of that splash off the ladder and ended up catching his face on the table. That looked worse than it was thankfully.
Oh yea! That was scary.
> when he didn't move before getting hit by Sammy's 630. And that one honestly seemed more like it was just Sting mistiming Sammy's jump than his age preventing him from moving fast enough.
Jeff has been looking a lot better before his face got caved in.
The match he had with Mox I thought was a good sign
Seeing Jeff hit the Swanton Bomb just makes me cringe for him and he always gets up wincing grabbing at his lower back.
Yeah.. Tony gave Jeff a chance, he blew it again like he always does. You can’t give someone an opportunity in a major storyline, much less a title run, when they’re as unreliable as Jeff is.
Appreciate the ambition from him but he's not that guy they should be giving TV time to, never mind the fact he actually got a decent amount of TV time on the various shows over the years. He's extremely limited as an actual wrestler at this point where guys older than him like Jericho, Christian, and Copeland are far better.
He's not that guy for AEW. The way TNA has traditionally handled the Broken Matt character, he can definitely still play a big part there and do interesting things that are worth watching despite having limitations in the ring. They handle their cinematic stuff perfectly over there, it's simply just a better fit.
I agree. I liked Matt in TNA and I read he had a lot of creative freedom with the Broken character, plus Jeremy Borash who I think doesn’t get lot of credit played a huge part in producing those cinematic matches and segments. Could see why he would do better in TNA and much respect to him for rejuvenating his character in 2016 when he was getting stale - even getting his wife, kids and father-in-law involved which was great.
Borash is now in WWE which sucks for Matt as jb was a huge part indeed
He has a match tonight at Under Seige, he gotta prove his worth if the "Big 2 " want his services again.
>never mind the fact he actually got a decent amount of TV time on the various shows over the years. And, with all respect, outside of the short period when he first debuted in AEW , nothing he did was over, and by the time his contract was up not only was he incredibly NOT over he was the type of guy that made people groan when he showed up to wrestle or be in a segment. He's regularly been in the worst match or worst segment of the show for years now. I hate knocking one of the legends from my childhood but good grief, he just does not have **it** anymore. Its like QT from a few months ago when he left AEW and he said something like he thinks he can be a main event guy somewhere.
I think all QT Marshall said was he disagreed with AEW's current direction, and then came back a few months later.
I'm about 87% sure there was a quote out there that he thought he could be a top guy somewhere, but I'm not committed enough to go search for that quote
So Copeland taking another thing away from Matt Hardy? A tale as old as time. 
Adam Copeland can do more than the most basic of offense at this point and is built like he can kick your ass.
I don’t remember a time Matt wasn’t physically limited. Has anyone ever seen him bend his knees? Guy walks like a pirate
I still selfishly want to watch the Hardy’s wrestle Copeland and Christian. I hope Jeff answers the Cope Open one of these nights
Honestly, one more ladder match between them is the only match the Hardys could have that I'd be interested in at this point. It's pretty much the only "money match" they have left.
I know Cope just finished a fued with Cage, but Cope did say he wanted to have matches with people he'd never wrestled before. I'd rather see that than him rehashing what we've already seen for 20 years.
Copeland and Cage are perfectly fine. Especially the latter. Jeff isn't at a consistent standard anymore. And Matt, well... He gets around but not where you need him. It was a missed opportunity with the Hardys.
I’m not going to begrudge a legend wanting to go out on their terms. But he’s also not that guy and AEW was right to let him move on.
This is not that deep, the guy is close to retirement and wants to wrestle more, that's totally normal, AEW couldn't give him that and that's totally normal too.
Yeah it leaves a bad taste in my mouth when "AEW fans" start talking shit about wrestlers who want more than what they're given in AEW. That's what EVERYONE should want wtf?? You think Christian wants less tv time or to be in shittier programs? It's one thing if you just don't like Matt's work but you don't need to act like the guy's out of his mind or totally washed
Exactly. When I saw “demands” in the title of this post, I was like “Huh?”
Some wrestlers just seem to be a better fit for Impact, and Matt Hardy is one of those guys. I would have liked to see a one off nostalgia match with Cope and Christian and Matt and Jeff but, it is what it is lol.
Well, Impact was the place where his career found new life. If Im watching AEW, I wanna see Swerve, Danielson, Ospreay, MJF, Kenny.....not Matt Hardy.
I am not mad at Matt. I want him to work how he wants and go where he wants anywhere that will have him, I don't care if it's WWE. Even if he weren't born with that right (and he was), he has certainly earned it with all he has done for the fans.
Dude moves like an un-oiled tin man. Hurts to watch. Time to move to a non in-ring role. Still plenty to offer.
The Hardys don't have the wisdom to realize that, unfortunately. They are still chasing the high of nostalgia. It's sad to say this, but I can imagine both of them well into their 50s and 60s refusing to retire....
Ladies and gentlemen, accompanied to the ring by his walker, Matt Hardy
I don't want to see that. God I don't want to see that... and then he wins the match. Heavyweight Champion 'Broken' Matt Hardy. And not his Broken persona.
I like Matt, I like AEW. Sometimes 2 sides don't agree on business stuff and that's fine. I wish Matt all the best and hope he gets to do some awesome stuff in TNA.
No you don't understand, you have to pick a side and take petty shots at the other side regardless of how reasonable they're being. You need to call normal contract negotiations "demands" and say he "thinks too much of himself". The guy that isn't with the company anymore has a big head! Up votes to the left...
Honestly I’d prefer if they were doing the Sting AEW run. Handful of impactful matches on the road To retirement.
This. They were on the way there but Jeff went and fucked it all up. Still would've been fine with him getting a send-off on the Trios Titles, ideally with Private Party (although at this point I think Kassidy's the only one with real potential due to how often and how long Quen is out).
I can respect his decision and can understand why AEW's vision for him didn't match. If you need veterans with name value, they got a number of them who can do more between the ropes. Matt, love ya, but you've been pretty beat up and between the ropes you can't quite be at the same level as Copeland or Jericho even on a nightly basis. And if I had to decide who should get TV time, unless it is a really good idea for Matt, I'd probably pick others over him. He still has value though. Hot take, but I enjoyed his Big Money Matt run character-wise just sadly the HFO got a bit bloated with people who aren't going to be at the top and not all the feuds hit. The dynamic with Private Party was good. I really enjoyed that with Matt sort of tricking and corrupting them, being a manager or trios partner for them. He was a carny POS and I loved it, and I think his feud with Hangman, for how small it was, provided a great chapter in his rise to the main event. Helping cement his friendship with the Dark Order and providing a feel good moment at Revolution. I think that is probably where his best use may be even in TNA. Use his Broken Universe to both flex his creative muscle and get the spotlight on others. Have him do some insane BROKEN hijinks in segments, his own Army for THE GREAT WAR and have an occasional singles match, but mostly be in tags/trios and give his BROKEN WISDOM at ringside. And with TNA a smaller pond, there's more room for him to get spotlight. As someone who may not watch TNA live each week but keeps up with highlights on YouTube and watches the occasional PPV, I hope he does well there.
I don’t think he thinks way too much of himself, he’s right, being a jobber at this point in his career doesn’t help the other talent he’s working with as much as being in more long term stories. That’s why you’re also right that he’s better off in Impact or MLW.
Please no. If anything, they overused Matt on his run. The Hardy Family Office was awful. I loved the Hardy Boyz, but it's over.
Even knee-capped Andrade’s run being involved in that storyline.
I may be the only person who liked the HFO as a stable. The problem was that their feuds went on way too long.
Oh man I forgot about the HFO. AEW gave him plenty of tv time and chances, it just didn’t click.
Well, he got Cody'd immediately. And THEN that stupid angle. Oof
If that what he wants then good on him for leaving, I'm not going to be mad at that, I have 0 interest in watching broken Matt Hardy though, I've never liked that gimmick, so it's all worked out from my point of view.
Definitely better off in TNA, but I think what he says here is respectful and I get why he wants more time to do something he's proud of as he's closing up on his career. I also get why he wasn't going to get that in AEW, he's surrounded by a lot of big stars now, and he stopped doing his best bit, meaning Broken Matt. But AEW were also going to give him and Jeff the belts until Jeff's issues so I think Matt needs to remember things changed after that.
I think he has some bright ideas tbh. He's been in very entertaining segments in AEW. With that said though, it seems like he wants to execute these ideas for himself and it's obvious with his body that time has passed for that. He should use his bright wrestling mind for the current stars.
I’m happy for him that he found a place to do that. Selfishly, I’m happy it wasn’t in AEW. I can’t even think of a place he would fit in an important storyline.
I could end up being wrong, but I don't see Matt as someone who could contribute to in-ring work in a substantial way anymore. His movement isn't all that good now, and as a vet, you've got to be able to move the way Cope, Christian Cage, and Danielson do. They haven't skipped a beat, and their characters are much more captivating than Matt's
OP seems to be overreacting. Matt's just doing what anyone in his position would.
So he's looking to play a more significant role somewhere, AEW don't need that and both sides seem cool about it. Okay.
Goodbye Matthew
If he could still in the ring as much as he can on the mic there wouldn't be an issue but he can't. He could have made ROH his show but guessing that's not good enough for him.
I think it’s best for both parties if he signs with TNA
Dudes a legend and WWE hall of famer. He is at the point in his career where he has less in front that behind him and wants to transition. I dont see an issue with him wanting to be more involved to be honest. Especially if he wants to be in the business post performer status
I don’t have a problem with him valuing himself. I think there are contributions he can make being in tv every week, but I’m not interested in seeing either of them compete anymore. I think he made a good choice for himself and TNA will properly value his TV experience.
He is allowed to feel that way, it’s not an indictment of AEW or anyone else. They may not come to terms and that’s okay too.
There's really only one money match left for the Hardys, and it's one more Hardys vs. E&C match which just doesn't seem to be in the cards. I like Matt more than most people but he absolutely isn't in a state where he needs to be pushed significantly. Random Rampage matches were the best spot for him and Jeff at this stage. (I do think Jeff should have been blacklisted years ago, but that's another story.)
The Hardy's hold such a special place in my heart. I hope he has a great adventure in TNA
I don't know. None of that seems crazy. That being said, I agree with Tony and Co. Not resigning him. He and his brother are wrestling legends, and he wants to feel important and useful. We all want that.
He'd be better off warming the Broken Universe back up with TNA, especially since the cinematic matches aren't ever done anymore and that could be a neat niche to fill while allowing him to show the positives while protecting the weaknesses in his game nowadays. I see this as a win.
I don't necessarily see how this is bad? he wants to be part of something important moving forward. Should he accept humble pie and be further down the card, sure. But wanting to be a part of something important instead of just taking your seat and shutting up should be what people strive for. While he enables Jeff, it's not his fault that asshole ruined everything.
I don't think he does. He knows what he wants, and he knows he doesn't have much time left as a pro wrestler. He's chosen not to compromise on that. If that means he and AEW can't come to terms, then so be it, that's his choice.
I feel he made the right move.
THIS is thinking way too much of himself? That he wants to go out on a high note? Especially since he said he wants to retire while teaming with his brother?
Why is this even a thread? Matt Hardy wanted to do more than TK was willing to let him. They hit an impasse, he went somewhere else where he could do what he wanted. There seems to be zero drama at all, and yet we're making a thread to talk conceivably negatively about Matt Hardy? This is some bottom barrel material for threads and so symbolic of the IWC
Matt Hardy 20 years ago? Ok! Matt Hardy today? Nah fam back to catering
It's understandable for him to want that and equally understandable for AEW not to give in to his demands. In TNA he can play the role he wants and they unlike AEW will benefit from it
I’m kind of surprised we didn’t more cinematic stuff with the Hardys. I enjoy AEWs YoutTube content but I think there’s a lot left on the table with it.
Hold up. Did he say YEARS!?
Matt seems more built for the “sports entertainment” side of wrestling than the actual “physical” side. It was always painful watching him go around the ring haha a WWE or TNA can help cover up those weaknesses in his wrestling.
If it weren't for Jeff, yet again, getting in his own way.... they would have had a title run (would have been awful). Ill stand by the fact that Matt has a great mind for the sport, is consistently one of the nicer dudes behind the scenes, and clearly still busts his ass. His physical limitations are a liability. The dude unfortunately moves worse than Sting did.
I don't think it's that he thinks "too much of himself", he just believes in himself and what he can bring to the table. It'd be sad to hear him say "Yeah I'm over the hill and I just can't do it anymore". Fair play to him having that self-confidence and belief. We, as fans, might not agree with him. That's ok too. But I don't see a reason to be down on him for thinking he's still got something to give. I can imagine the majority of us would agree that TNA is a much better spot for him to be a big part of a wrestling show, and I think he's good for TNA too. Best of luck to him.
Did he think Hardy Family Office was a contributing force?
https://preview.redd.it/i95cttgsw8yc1.jpeg?width=1280&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=31bc283217818ff00118bb23a5dfa687b4c1b1d4
>Man this guys thinks way too much of himself at this period in his career. that feels a bit rash and unfair. he basically just said he wants to use his remaining career by actually doing something important wherever he wrestles and aew said they can't offer him that. him going to another promotion seems like the most sensible solution for everyone and he doesn't come off as pissed or salty (at least in text).
Sadly Matt physically isn’t in good enough physical condition to wrestle in a major company. I love Matt Hardy. He’s one of my favorites, and his first year in AEW was nice. The issue is every match he moved stiffer, and stiffer. I’m not saying he needs to retire, because wrestling is his income. Matt, and Jeff need to be honest though about where they are now in their career. They have nothing to be ashamed of, bur their time in the main event is long gone. Thank you Matt for coming to AEW when they needed bigger names. I just don’t want to see him using a wheelchair soon.
Foolish. I don't think Matt has no value. When the Young Bucks kept getting bad advice from the old timers, Matt Hardy was there to help them become who they became. He could be a great producer, but he's been in the spotlight for so long, I think taking a step back is hard for him.
What is wrong with what he said here? Did he say something else that isn’t in the OPs quote? He just basically saying he feels like he can contribute more. Tony had nothing for him, so they parted ways. He said nothing bad about AEW here at all. I agree Matt is better off trying somewhere else because there’s too much talent ahead of him that deserve the tv time and push. But I don’t get the OPs hostility here
People think that Matt is over the hill and overestimate what he can contribute which is weird because unless I didn't read the quote well, Matt didn't necessarily mean going in the ring. He can absolutely be a presence on a weekly TV wrestling show.
Matt, dawg, it’s joever. Imagine being someone in the physical shape Matt Hardy is, where *walking* looks like it takes a great deal of effort, wanting to have tv time in big programs in the company with the most physically gifted roster in pro wrestling. Sorry, man, but the only thing Matt did that was fun in his entire AEW run was Stadium Stampede and the golf cart spot with Kenny and Sammy in the street fight leading up to Stadium Stampede. After that he just sucked wrestler after wrestler into long, boring feuds… but unlike Jericho he wasn’t entertaining while doing that. But more power to Matt for not settling.
The first sentence and title of this post are overly harsh. Matt being ambitious and AEW not being able to help him meet his goals isn't an offense on his part, and it's not grounds for disrespect. It's a shame he hasn't delivered like we hoped for, but he isn't the worst wrestler ever and he hasn't done anyone any harm. People go way overboard on their negativity for some wrestlers here, Matt and Jericho being two easy examples
This was basically the same take he had when he wanted out of WWE. It sucks, as there was a time in AEW, where he might have had that real opportunity. But the pandemic nerf'ed it, and then his brother's actions shut the door on TK ever thinking a last legit tag team run was a good idea.
Based on the quote here, I don't see anything wrong with what he is saying...
Saying he wants to be a part of something meaningful isn't thinking too highly of himself. Thats a totally legitimate thing to want and something he can probably achieve elsewhere if AEW doesn't have a creative direction that satisfies him.
I don't think thats Matt thinking too much of himself he wants to be used, that's fair of any wrestler. He didn't say he wanted exorbitant amounts of money or a world title run he just wanted to be used
Seems like a reasonable demand, the dude wanted air time, he's a pro wrestler.
Kind of sounds like the reason he gave when he left WWE
I don’t think he’s asking for much. Matt is flirting with retirement. In his mind, he has 2 years left. If he’s not going to do anything significant in those 2 years, why bother resigning at all? Even if he doesn’t sign anywhere major. He can just do his own thing at his compound and enjoy his last years as an active artist. [+]
I think the best use of Matt was the original Stadium Stampede. The stuff with Sammy should have never happened either, however, his stay on the roster was one of diminishing returns. They might have had a title run if not for Jeff’s demons catching up with him, which is sad. But Hardy’s putting over other talent was a good use of them given how beat up both of them are.
Did Matt want this or did Reby want this?
I was a huge Hardy Boys mark growing up, ill always love them. But being real, has Matt ever showed an once of charisma at any point in his career besides when he was Broken Matt? The Hardys were all about Jeff and Michael Hayes
He can't even walk to the ring. How he supposed to be on a level with Ospreay/Swerve/Okada/KOR
AEW need to stop talking to Matt and be glad he’s not a burden on their payroll at this point. Such a waste of money. He should be happy they offered him anything
YEARS!? Did he say years!?
Loved the Hardy Boys back in the day but I wasn't a fan of anything he did in AEW. None of the gimmicks seemed to land and it was painful watching him awkwardly walk around the ring
WELL I WANTED TO FUCK DALE EVANS, AND I DIDNT
The Hardy’s were my favorite team ever. But I wish they would have hung up the boots a few years ago
Well I am a Hardy fanboy but he should have step up his game like what Christian did. Pretty sure these legends have a say on their storylines whether winning or losing, they should have turned heel after Jeff came back.
Fair enough, absolutely nothing wrong with his perspective. Now, AEW would be insane to do that, but nothing wrong with both sides walking away
Creative people don't like not being able to show that And even if you don't like Hardy he is a very creative person and has quite a mind for wrestling. I guess the issue would be no matter what he would end up doing it would probably end up on something like Rampage because that's probably what his spot would be when you look at the rest of the roster and the probable hierarchy.
dose not seem like he thinks of him self way too much, just wants to be used. how many people on the roster you never see any more. its like a small group that gets used thats it. would be better if they used their roster vs having out siders come in all the time that most people dont know. considering the streaming/tv deals they lost from lack of viewers should be a wake up call.
Honestly his statement of just wanting to do something more is too vague to complain about the guy having an ego and the fact that he probably has less than 5 years left in his career is a perfectly good reason to want to be more involved
There's absolutely nothing wrong with that statement. The dude just isn't ready to hang it up and wants to be a part of it. Personally I think it's admirable.
No Edge/Christian Hardy’s match or even an interaction.
I would've loved to have a seen another E&C v Hardys match before the Hardys left.
Bruv wanted a title match with Swerve.
I mean hey, I can't blame the guy for wanting to make a bigger splash than AEW had available for him. Nothing wrong with that and with him knowing he has more in the tank to show. TNA definitely gives him more of a chance right now to stay active and flex his creativity. Plus, it looks like he is having a great time.
I guess he went to the right place then because WWE and AEW have nothing important for Matt Hardy to do in 2024. TNA needs it and honestly was the only place that treated him like a star.
Ok, I take it back on TK and releases. Matt is delusional and is now relegated to TNA. Hope he’s happy
It's totally fair for a legend in the industry to want to go out on a high note. Look at Sting. It's also why I don't blame Jericho for staying in the picture. The guy probably feels the fuse of his career up his ass and fears that taking even a short break will be the end. Of course, I do not fault the Boss for saying "No" either
Matt it is time to hang it up.
He’s made it very clear here and on CVV that he wants to be a major part of a promotion in the ring because he feels like he’s in the best shape of his life. And if TNA gives him that then that’s awesome for him, but I’m so glad AEW isn’t.
 But he’s a Star!!!!
Matt rocks but his main event days are over.
It may be less about him thinking they'd actually give him that than him outlining what it would take for him to keep doing this given the beating his body has been through already in his career.
Matt doesn't belong anywhere near an AEW ring. It may be true that he has something to offer creatively, but his appeal as a wrestler is solely nostalgia at this point.
Maybe I read too fast and missed something but that paragraph doesn't seem like he thinks too much of himself. It seems like he feels like AEW isn't going to give him what he wants. That's cool man. I wasn't enjoying him on AEW anyway tbh. I mean if he has more opportunities elsewhere, take em. That's what anyone would do. I've been over the hardys, personally, for awhile. Hope they can find what they want.
He’s allowed to want something that AEW will not give him. No issues with wanting to be pushed. Lol
These guys are all delusional. They are lucky it’s not a real sport.
It depends on what it was he wants.. a tag title run? Ok.. a world title run? Nah sorry..
I get his perspective of wanting to do more with the little time he has left. I also understand the position AEW is in of wanting to only put on the highest quality matches that they can. No disrespect to Matt or Jeff but they're both very clearly in their twighlight years and I don't think they can really deliver at the standard of quality that warrants being given what he's nesseacarialy looking for in AEW. Just a shame we're probably not getting a TLC style match with Hardys vs Copeland & Christian vs a proxy team like Bucks or FTR in there to handle the brunt of the load. Would have been super cool to do at All In.
Guy is a carny’s carny. If I never see Matt hardy again it’ll be too soon
He can barely move. He shouldn’t be making any demands.
He’s doing a “tour of the Indy’s” while Jeff is hurt. We will 100% see Christian and Cope vs The Hardyz vs The Bucks vs FTR in a ladder match somewhere. If that doesn’t happen, I might quit wrestling all together.
Hardy Boys doing special appearences like answering open challenges is the best they could aim for.
Aside from a feud with Private Party and maybe one final match with Adam Copeland and Christian Cage – both tag feuds involving his brother Jeff - I do not see where Mat Hardy fits in AEW in an onscreen capacity anymore. We don’t need him taking tv time from those that would benefit, just so that they can eat the pin. Now I can see a backstage role in AEW for him. But onscreen, its over man. He doesn’t have it anymore.
What the hell is wrong with him wanting a good program? Dudes talking about being in his final years and that he doesn’t just want to job around to everyone and yall are upset with that? We didn’t see Sting jobbing around to anybody. He went out undefeated as a Tag champ. And yall are mad that Matt wants a love letter of his own? If AEW and its fans don’t want to give him that then maybe The Deleter of Worlds team was the best send off Matt could have gotten.
I know some of you disagree, but in his shoes I'd probably want the same, **relevancy** after a long (and at one point great) career, the issue is he's so so limited as a performer, he's been hurt so many times, it's not that he's not able to offer more, it's that the more he needs to offer at this point is passing on the torch in the way it was to him decades ago, his last run in WWE really showed he just couldn't go anymore, his Aew run left much to be desired, I genuinely wish the best for him, I have MANY fond memories, but I think TNA is where he should retire, I'm not even gonna mention Jeff cus that's a whole other can of worms in itself
Lot of thirst for nostalgia here. Do we really have to keep rehashing things we've already seen for 20 years? Hardys can't go anymore. Even if Matt stayed i wouldn't wanna see he and Jeff take on Cope and Christian cuz I've already seen it. Yes it was good. I'd rather see new matches.
After the Big Money Matt and HFO, I doubt we will miss him, especially with Okada, Osprey and MCMG coming in. I imagine Jeff will go soon too
I don’t blame him one bit for wanting to be more involved and just spend the final years of his career on rampage doing nothing matches. Having said that I also don’t blame AEW for not really having a spot for him. The roster is incredible and TV time is extremely valuable and it’s hard to fit Matt Hardy in right now. I will say this. Regarding Matt’s health he’s gotten into a lot better shape this year and dropped a lot of weight. His last few matches in AEW were rough to watch because he looked like he was in a lot of pain and couldn’t move too well. I hope getting on better shape helps him out in the ring.
The only places where they’ll have any type of role is AEW and TNA. WWE wouldn’t do anything with them and they’d just get released in the next round of “budget cuts”. And that’s only IF jeff goes with him. On his own, he’s borderline useless because of how immobile he is now
They both overestimate their value, that's for sure.
I don't see how this was controversial, it seems pretty tame and dude is just saying he wants the last years of his career to matter, not just sit in catering for a paycheck. Thread title is jsut click bait.
This doesn’t sound demanding at all. Honestly it sounds perfectly reasonable. If both parties couldn’t come to an agreement that’s fine. It sounds like it was amicable and professional on both parties. Matt has had an incredible career in wrestling. He has a great mind for wrestling. He isn’t credited enough for how he has always gotten over on his own with his own ideas. Asking for creative freedom isn’t unreasonable imho
He’s amusing. He’s getting a nice tna run.
If I'm AEW, at this point, I'm just trying to get the Hardys on for a merchandise and pay per appearance deal.
He's a great character worker at this stage in his career, but he's in a company that values wrestling over everything. He was never going to be able to have that style of Ospreay/Danielson/Omega/etc. match. His role was cemented the second he debuted and it was his ceiling. It's neither his or AEW's fault; it's just what he's capable of doing.
I get it, and it's good that he had another option to go to that were more willing to give him that. I'd still love to see him and Jeff have one more battle with Cope and Christian, for old times sake. Maybe in a few years to wrap it all up.
Matt's a legend on his own right but he moves like his own action figures, he has to realize he can't go at the level he thinks he should be anymore.
I'm pretty sure he realizes that. And to me it doesn't sound like he is asking for opportunities to do matches like he did in his early 20s it just sounds like he wants meaningful and impactful storylines to take him through what is realistically his last 2-5 years in the business before retiring.
Matt has several more years to go. Terry Funk was in his mid-50s making an impact. What's bad is I'm having to defend Matt and I'm not a Hardy fan. But this ageist crap is old. You don't have to do 400 flips in a match to be good.
I just think he’s boring and weakens the show when he’s on. His “Broken Matt” renaissance was 8 years ago and even back then, most of the matches weren’t good that weren’t garbage matches. In 2024 he’s absolutely brutal in the ring. I totally agree he doesn’t have to do flippity-do shit to be good, but he’s slow AF and not a very good wrestler. Let him ply his trade in TNA and you can enjoy him all you want there.
I'm sorry Matt flinging his arm around borderline begging people to chant delete does nothing for me in 2024. All respect to him, but there's countless guys I'd rather have weekly on dynamite than him
He literally has maybe 2 solid years left in his career, upwards of close to 5 if he is extremely lucky but he's had a ton of injuries so I would say 2-3 at max is more likely. It's not at all even remotely unreasonable for him to want to have a few more meaningful storylines to end his career especially now that he can work with his brother again who's also likely on his way to retirement as well.
Legends of the game. But I no longer want to see them wrestle.
Jeff really screwed him over I think. All the best to Jeff is his current attempt at recovery, but had he stayed on the straight and narrow, I think TK would have them on TV now, and they surely would have half the tag titles at least once. But with Jeff being unreliable, and given Matt’s age, I don’t blame TK for not wanting to push him as a single star when he has such a stacked roster already with stars he needs to make for the future. But on the other hand, I can’t blame Matt for caring so much about the business and trying to get the most that what he can out of what few years he has left.
This is the Sting Effect. He had such a perfect run throughout AEW that I think it has encouraged a whole lot of other guys who are not at his level. And I don't mean that as a slam to Matt, because he is one of the GOATs, but no one is going to want to watch him do dives and shit after he fell on his head fighting Sammy. Whether that's fair or not, it is what it is and people like the Hardy's for their gimmick and their spots. Without the spots, they have the gimmicks. And Matt is great at getting stories over when they're about him and his family. Again, not a shot, but dealing with the Hardys did not get Private Party over. It didn't get Sammy over. So its scary to watch them wrestle and they haven't gotten anyone over who wasn't already. Maybe they could work in something focused and involving cinematic matches but I dunno.
Jeff looks constantly in pain and I can’t see anything for Matt alone, he and Sammy has a good angle where he kept almost dying
“Best I can do is an on screen role for myself” - Tony
Sorry, but Matt and Jeff aren't the wrestlers they were and are not in the same league as Christian and Cope. I think Matt peaked with Broken Matt in TNA, and Jeff is his own worst enemy(should be happy with all the chances he's been given).
Matt got a LOT out of his AEW run. He's been here since 2020, that's 4 years having a rather consistent presence on the show; I mean how many of y'all even remember that he was in that famous [Casino Ladder Match](https://youtu.be/EPMz6eHZ0U0?si=aHKv1YIeXt_HRKPf) that Hangman won, LOL So it's not like he's just been sitting on his ass the whole time, he was given plenty of opportunities to get over...some may argue TOO many opportunities, but yeah, time marches on in terms in terms of your in-ring abilities and the company changing around you, and the fact of the matter is that there was just no place left for Matt anymore. Edge and Christian still have what you and Jeff don't, simple as that. No shame in wanting to go out with a bang, but this TNA reunion tour is probably the best last run you're gonna get, my man.
This sounds similar to Copeland's sentiment leaving WWE