Matt Hardy recently reflected on his unique WWE tag team experience with the late Bray Wyatt, who was once his on-screen rival. The two only came to understand their connection as different facets of the same supernatural entity after a dramatic encounter in the Lake of Reincarnation. During an episode of “The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy,” a fan inquired whether Hardy would have handled their faction, the Deleters of the World, differently if given full creative control in 2017-2018. Hardy, currently holding the TNA World Tag Team Championship, acknowledged that while some elements were perfect as they were, others could have been approached in a new way.
Hardy explained that he would have kept the playful laughter exchange at the start of their segments, as it was a defining trait for both characters. He shared that WWE Chairman Vince McMahon loved this detail and wanted it included regularly because it was so entertaining. However, Hardy also noted a desire to keep the content fresh by constantly introducing new phrases and ideas across both his “Broken” Matt persona and Bray Wyatt’s character.
Regarding their brief match on WWE Raw 25, where Wyatt secured a quick victory in under five minutes, Hardy revealed he would have preferred a more complex and intense contest with additional stipulations. He wanted the match to feel more serious and possibly include greater physicality.
Reflecting on their collaboration, Hardy described their bond as that of kindred spirits who gave everything to their craft, though he refrained from sharing further details. Together, they held the WWE Raw Tag Team Championships for 79 days after the titles were vacated by Braun Strowman and his partner Nicholas. Bray Wyatt, famously called the “New Face of Fear,” left a lasting legacy before his untimely passing on August 24, 2023, at just 36 years old.
If using quotes from this article, please credit “The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy” by Wrestling Inc. with ah/t for transcription.
Fan Take: This insight into Hardy and Wyatt’s creative process is meaningful because it highlights the behind-the-scenes challenges in developing truly groundbreaking WWE storylines. For fans, it underscores the potential that remained untapped in their partnership, reminding us how talented performers continually reshape the future of professional wrestling.
