Former WWE and AEW star Matt Hardy recently delved into the topic of WWE’s draft, shedding light on both its benefits and drawbacks, while reminiscing about his own surprising experience with the draft.
During an episode of his podcast, The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy, Hardy shared insights into the draft process, recalling the shock he experienced when he was drafted to the ECW brand while still holding the US Championship. He expressed:
People would freak out about that. So I remember that whenever I got drafted to ECW as the US champion that was a total surprise to me, I wasn’t aware of that at all. And it was probably a legitimate look of shock or whatever, I didn’t know that was happening.
Hardy acknowledged the secrecy surrounding the draft, appreciating the element of surprise and the effort to elicit genuine reactions from the wrestlers. He noted that while this approach adds an intriguing aspect to the draft, it can significantly impact the schedule of the wrestlers, especially those with families. He emphasised the importance of wrestlers being informed and comfortable with potential schedule changes that may arise from the draft.
The only thing that is possibly a drawback is that it could change their schedule, especially if someone has a family and kids, if people can kind of be smartened up on that and be okay with it, I’m alright with it.
Reflecting on his own career, Hardy highlighted the all-encompassing nature of professional wrestling, particularly during his tenure with WWE. He discussed the demanding schedule and the sacrifices he made, emphasising the single-minded focus and dedication required in the industry.
I say this all the time, I didn’t watch TV I didn’t do anything those years when I worked with WWE from you know 98 through 2010. Dude, it was just go go go. I missed so much great TV and it’s great I get to go back and watch it later and whatnot, but my life was just wrestling.
Furthermore, Hardy recognised that the draft, despite its secrecy and potential impact on schedules, has been a long-standing tradition in WWE, contributing to the element of surprise and unpredictability in the wrestling business.
What Did Matt Hardy Say About A Potential Return To WWE Following His Exit From AEW?
Matt Hardy spoke about his recent post promoting The New Day and said that he has been speaking to WWE and various other promotions since his AEW contract expired. Hardy elaborated that as a free agent, it is his job to generate hype about himself so that he can promote his own brand.
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