Jeff Hardy has opened up about how his personal challenges, including legal troubles, negatively impacted his time in AEW. He believes these issues, along with his brother Matt Hardy’s situation, affected their wrestling tenure in the company. Matt Hardy, who left WWE in 2020 before joining AEW, noted that their wrestling style might not have aligned perfectly with AEW owner Tony Khan’s preferences. Jeff remained with WWE for about 18 months after Matt’s departure but was released in late 2021. The Hardy brothers reunited in AEW in March 2022, but Jeff’s arrest in June 2022 cut their run short. By June 2023, Jeff left AEW after his contract expired, and the brothers later appeared in WWE NXT following a return to TNA. In a recent discussion on the Ariel Helwani show, Jeff expressed regret, acknowledging that his problems with the law prevented him from earning a fair chance and trust at AEW. Matt added that while Tony Khan is a good person who pays well, the Hardys’ wrestling style might not have aligned with AEW’s vision.
Fan Take: This revelation gives AEW fans a deeper understanding of the challenges the Hardy brothers faced beyond the ring, highlighting how personal issues can profoundly impact a wrestler’s career. It also signals that AEW continues to prioritize a specific wrestling style, which could shape the future direction of the promotion and the types of talent it seeks to develop.
