Matt Hardy has reiterated that he would like to team up with his brother Jeff one more time, commenting that he “can’t think of a better place” for it to happen than in AEW.
Ever since Jeff Hardy was released by WWE on December 9th, speculation has been running wild suggesting that his next stop will be in AEW, to once again team with his brother Matt. Despite Jeff reportedly being subject to a 90-day non-compete clause, Matt Hardy has already teased a potential reunion on more than one occasion.
Speaking during a recent appearance on The Drive with Josh Graham, Matt Hardy outlined his desire for the brothers to team up for one more run before they retire, before again suggesting that it could happen in AEW.
Since signing with AEW in March 2020, Matt has taken a keen role in helping nurture and develop the company’s young talent. The multiple-time Tag Team Champion explained that the grounding he received from his parents, as well those within the wrestling industry, showed him that it’s now important that he passes on his experience.
“I think that was kind of bred in myself and my brother, that humility, the act of being humble, from our mother,” Hardy said. “We lost her at a very young age. She died of cancer when we were both very young. But we always remained humble, we stayed true to our core values and beliefs I think because of her. And our dad was a great dude.
He was an old-school southern man who’d get up at sunrise and work until sundown. He was a provider, he made sure that we had everything that we needed. My brother and I were able to attain contracts and achieve our dream of ‘being a professional wrestler’ and turn that into a career.
Now I’ve been doing this, this is 29 years I’ve been doing this as a professional, and I’ve been doing it as a career for 25 years. Just the fact that I was a huge fan who loved this and was passionate about it and wanted to achieve this level of superstardom in pro wrestling, and was able to, I feel like the best thing I can do is keep my feet on the ground, stayed grounded and also help others, much like people helped me on the way up.
I would say that was the biggest influence, the guys who did help me, who were willing to help me. Michael P.S. Hayes, even like Stone Cold. He was great with myself and my brother. And there were several other guys who were willing to take time and help us. And I feel like, for me, it’s important to always give that back and help the next generation.”
Commenting on the future of Jeff, Matt said that one final tag team run in AEW would be an amazing way for the pair to cap their respective careers.
“That would be fabulous,” Hardy said. “I know both of us have stated on quite a few occasions that we both want to end our careers the way we began our careers. And that is as a tag team. That was our dream, as two kids growing up, we wanted to be the tag team champions of the world, at least one time. Obviously we have very fortunately exceeded that many times over. But I think us teaming together and having one last run as a tag team would be amazing. And I couldn’t think of a better place to do it than All Elite Wrestling.”
Matt Hardy also heaped praise on AEW President Tony Khan, highlighting how he has used numerous wrestling legends since the company came into existence back in 2019.
“One thing I have to say about Tony Khan, I can’t put him over enough for this, he is so good and so great at treating legends like legends. And he has such a smart utilization of talent. I cannot commend him enough on it. That’s why AEW has been so successful, because Tony Khan has been the guy in the driver’s seat. He has really been putting out a smart product, where he rewards all the wrestling fans in 2021 that are willing to invest a lot of time to watch a product and watch a storyline, watch a rivalry. He always gives them a payoff that’s going to reward them.”
Jeff Hardy was released by WWE after turning down their offer of rehab following what was described as a “rough night” at a recent live event. This naturally led to huge concern from fans and colleagues alike about the former World Champion’s health. However, Hardy has since been pictured looking healthy and feeling “very happy” at a recent meet and greet event.
H/t to Wrestling Inc for the transcription.