 Hardy in 2024 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | Matthew Moore Hardy (1974-09-23)September 23, 1974 (age 51) Cameron, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University of North Carolina at Charlotte Sandhills Community College |
Spouse | |
| Children | 4 |
| Relative | Jeff Hardy (brother) |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Broken Matt[1] Damascus[2] High Voltage[3] Ingus Jinx[4] Ishan Hardy[5] Matt Hardy Rahway Reaper[6] Surge |
| Billed height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)[7][8] |
| Billed weight | 236 lb (107 kg)[7] |
| Billed from | Cameron, North Carolina[7][8] The Hardy Compound in Cameron, North Carolina[9] |
| Trained by | Dory Funk Jr.[10] |
| Debut | October 15, 1992[10] |
| YouTube information | |
| Channel | |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Genre | Entertainment |
| Subscribers | 349 thousand |
| Views | 46 million |
| Last updated: October 13, 2025 | |
| Signature | |
 | |
Matthew Moore Hardy (born September 23, 1974) is an Americanprofessional wrestler and actor. He is signed toTotal Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), where he is one-half of theTNA World Tag Team Champions in hisfourth reign. He also appears in partner promotionWWE on itsNXT brand, where he is a former one-timeNXT Tag Team Champion. He is also known for his tenure inAll Elite Wrestling (AEW). He is also one-half of the HOG Tag Team Champions.
Hardy gained prominence in the late 1990s and early 2000s as one-half ofThe Hardy Boyz alongside his brotherJeff Hardy. The duo became one of the most successful and influential tag teams in professional wrestling history. They played a pivotal role in popularizingTables, Ladders, and Chairs (TLC) matches during theAttitude Era, and were key figures in the resurgence of WWE’s tag team division. Together, they have held a combined 15 world tag team championships.
In addition to his tag team accomplishments, Hardy has enjoyed a successful singles career. In the early 2000s, he debuted the "Version 1" character, which received critical acclaim and was namedBest Gimmick by theWrestling Observer Newsletter in 2003. In 2016, Hardy introduced the "Broken" character during his time in TNA Impact Wrestling, which was similarly praised for its originality and was also awarded Best Gimmick. The character became a cultural phenomenon in wrestling and was later renamed to "Woken" Matt Hardy upon his return to WWE.
Throughout his singles career, Hardy has held theECW Championship, twoTNA World Heavyweight Championships, theUnited States Championship,Hardcore Championship,European Championship, andCruiserweight Championship. Across major wrestling organisations, Matt Hardy is a three-time world champion.
Hardy has remained a prominent figure in the wrestling industry across four decades, noted for his adaptability, character work, and creative contributions both in and out of the ring. His ability to stay relevant across multiple eras and promotions has established him as one of the most enduring and innovative performers in professional wrestling.
Hardy was born inCameron, North Carolina,[11] the son of Gilbert and Ruby Moore Hardy. He is the older brother ofJeff Hardy.[12][13] Their mother died of brain cancer in 1987.[13][14] Hardy playedbaseball as a child and throughout high school, but had stopped by his senior year.[15] He also playedfootball, either as alinebacker or adefensive end.[16] Hardy was a good student atUnion Pines High School in North Carolina, and was a nominee for theMorehead Scholarship, a scholarship to any university inNorth Carolina.[17] Hardy attendedUniversity of North Carolina at Charlotte, where he majored in engineering;[18] after a year, however, he dropped out due to his father being ill. He then attendedSandhills Community College inPinehurst to gain his associate degree.[19]
Hardy, along with his brotherJeff and friends, started their own federation, the Trampoline Wrestling Federation (TWF) and mimicked the moves they saw on television.[12] Shortly after Hardy sent in a tape for theWorld Championship Wrestling (WCW) Amateur Challenge using the ring name High Voltage, a tag team namedHigh Voltage began competing in WCW, causing Hardy to change his name to Surge.[20][21] A few years later, it was revealed to him byChris Kanyon that the tape had been kept in theWCW Power Plant, watched multiple times, and that the name High Voltage was blatantly stolen from it.[20][21] Beginning in 1994, The Hardys wrestled for several North Carolina–basedindependent circuit promotions and adapted a number of alter-egos. As The Wolverine, Hardy captured the New England Wrestling Alliance (NEWA) Championship in May 1994. As High Voltage, he teamed withVenom to claim the New Frontier Wrestling Association (NFWA) Tag Team Championship in March 1995.[20] A month later, High Voltage defeated theWillow for the NFWA Championship.[20]
In 1997, Matt and Jeff created their own wrestlingpromotion,The Organization of Modern Extreme Grappling Arts (frequently abbreviated to OMEGA Championship Wrestling, or simply OMEGA), in which Matt competed under the name High Voltage.[20] Both Matt and Jeff took apart the ring and put it back together at every event they had, while Matt sewed all the costumes worn in OMEGA. The promotion folded in October 1999,[22] after both Matt and Jeff signed with theWorld Wrestling Federation.
Hardy worked as ajobber for theWorld Wrestling Federation (WWF) from 1994 up until he signed a full-time contract in 1998. His first WWF match was againstNikolai Volkoff on the May 23, 1994, episode ofMonday Night Raw, which he lost bysubmission.[23] A night later at a taping ofWWF Wrestling Challenge, he lost a match againstOwen Hart. He continued to wrestle sporadically in the WWF throughout 1994 and 1995, losing matches againstCrush,Irwin R. Schyster,Razor Ramon,Hakushi,Owen Hart,the imposter Undertaker,Hunter Hearst Helmsley and"The Ringmaster" Steve Austin.[24]
Hardy teamed with Jeff for the first time in the WWF in 1996, losing to teams such asThe Smoking Gunns andThe Grimm Twins on WWF television. Matt and Jeff had matches withThe Headbangers (Thrasher andMosh) twice, andKurrgan twice in 1997. It was during this time that Matt and Jeff experimented with different ring names, at one stage being called Ingus (Matt) and Wildo Jinx (Jeff). In Matt's final singles match for the promotion before signing a full-time contract he lost toVal Venis on a taping ofShotgun in May 1998.
It was not until 1998, however, (at the height ofThe Attitude Era) that the Hardy brothers were given full-time WWF contracts and sent to train with former wrestlerDory Funk Jr.[20][25]The Hardy Boyz used acruiserweight, fast-paced high flying style in their matches, often leaping from great heights to do damage to their opponents (and themselves in the process). In 1999, while feuding withEdge and Christian, the duo briefly picked upMichael Hayes as amanager.[26]
AtKing of the Ring on June 27, The Hardyz defeated Edge and Christian to earn the #1 contendership for theWWF Tag Team Championship. On the July 5 episode ofRaw is War, they defeatedThe Acolytes to win their first Tag Team Championship.[27] They soon dumped Hayes and briefly picked upGangrel as a manager, after Gangrel turned on Edge and Christian. AtNo Mercy on October 17, The Hardyz defeated Edge and Christian in the first ever tag teamladder match.[28] At theRoyal Rumble on January 23, 2000, The Hardyz defeatedThe Dudley Boyz in the first ever tag teamtables match.[29] They competed against The Dudley Boyz and Edge and Christian for the WWF Tag Team Championship atWrestleMania 2000 on April 2 in the first everTriangleLadder match, but were unsuccessful.
Hardy won theHardcore Championship on the April 24 episode ofRaw Is War, by defeatingCrash Holly, but lost it back to Holly three days later onSmackDown!, when Holly applied the "24/7 rule" during Hardy's title defense against Jeff.[30] The Hardy Boyz then found a new manager in Matt's real-life girlfriendLita.[31] Together, the three became known as "Team Xtreme".[32]
AtSummerSlam on August 27, The Hardy Boyz competed in the first everTables, Ladders, and Chairs match, for the WWF Tag Team Championship against The Dudley Boyz and Edge and Christian, but were unsuccessful.[33] AtUnforgiven on September 24, The Hardy Boyz defeated Edge and Christian in a steel cage match to win the tag team championship, and retained it the following night onRaw Is War against Edge and Christian in a ladder match.
In April 2001, The Hardy Boyz began feuding withStone Cold Steve Austin andTriple H (known asThe Power Trip), which also led to a singles push for both Matt and Jeff. Hardy helped Jeff defeat Triple H for theIntercontinental Championship on the April 12 episode ofSmackDown!,[34] and shortly after Hardy defeatedEddie Guerrero to win theEuropean Championship on the April 19 episode ofSmackDown!.[35][36] AtBacklash on April 29 Hardy retained the title against Guerrero and Christian in a triple threat, and against Edge the following night onRaw is War.
Throughout the year, the Hardy Boyz continued to win as a tag team, winning the WWF Tag Team Titles two more times,[37][38] and the WCW Tag Team Championship duringthe Invasion.[7] By the end of the year, the Hardy Boyz began a storyline where they were having trouble co-existing. This culminated in a match between the two, with Lita as theguest referee, atVengeance on December 9, which Jeff won.[39] Hardy defeated Jeff and Lita the following night onRaw in a two-on-one handicap match.
At the beginning of 2002, it seemed Team Xtreme had patched things up. After the brand extension (where the Hardy Boyz were drafted to theRaw brand), however, Matt was relegated toHeat while Jeff wrestled on the main show,Raw. On the August 12 episode ofRaw, Hardy turned heel by attacking Jeff during Jeff's match againstRob Van Dam, because Hardy was frustrated at not receiving a match against Van Dam for the number one contendership for the Intercontinental Championship.[40] A short time later, Hardy joined theSmackDown! brand,[41] and began dubbing himself "Matt Hardy: Version 1", complete with a "version 1" hand signal. Hardy defeatedThe Undertaker on the September 12 and October 3 episodes ofSmackDown!, due to interference fromBrock Lesnar.[42][43]
Along with his Mattitude FollowerShannon Moore in his corner, 2003 began with Hardy frantically trying to lose weight to get under the 215 lb (98 kg) weight limit to compete for theCruiserweight Championship.[44][45] After just barely making weight, Hardy defeatedBilly Kidman atNo Way Out on February 23 to win the Cruiserweight Championship.[46][47] AtWrestleMania XIX on March 30, he successfully defended it againstRey Mysterio.[48] Hardy lost the Cruiserweight Championship to Mysterio in the main event of the June 5 episode ofSmackDown! - the first and only time a Cruiserweight Championship match main evented a show.[49]
After losing the Cruiserweight Championship, Hardy set his sights on the newly reinstatedUnited States Championship, competing in the inaugural tournament for it. He defeatedRikishi in the first round of the tournament but lost toChris Benoit in the semifinals. He then feuded withEddie Guerrero who won the championship, but was defeated on the October 2 edition ofSmackDown!. The Mattitude faction then expanded to includeCrash Holly as Moore's "Moore-on" (apprentice).[50] Hardy and Moore would also challenge Eddie andChavo Guerrero for theWWE Tag Team Championship, but were unsuccessful. He later disbanded the Mattitude Followers group in November and returned to the Raw brand in order to be able to travel and work with his then girlfriend Lita, who just returned from an injury.[51] On his first night back, he turned on Lita in storyline after teasing a proposal to her.[51] He defeatedChristian, who was vying for Lita's affections, on the December 1 episode ofRaw.[52]
On the April 19, 2004 episode ofRaw, Hardy saved Lita from getting attacked byKane, turning face in the process.[53][54] Hardy defeated Kane in a no disqualification match atVengeance on July 11, but lost a "Till Death To Us Part" match against Kane atSummerSlam on August 15, resulting in Lita being forced to marry Kane. On the August 23 episode ofRaw, Hardy waschokeslamed off the stage by Kane during the wedding.[55] Hardy then spent almost a year off from wrestling due to a severe knee injury.[56]
Along with his friendRhyno, Hardy was released by WWE on April 11, 2005.[11] Hardy's release was largely due to unprofessional conduct on social media after discovering that Lita was having a real-life affair with his best friend Edge. The public knowledge of the affair and Hardy's release led to Edge and Lita receiving jeers from the crowds at WWE events, often resulting in chants of "You screwed Matt!", and, "We want Matt!", which meantkayfabe storylines were being affected, considering that Lita was married toKane at the time in kayfabe.[57] Edge and Lita used the affair and fan backlash to become a hated on-screen couple, which led to Lita turningheel.[58]
Fans began a petition on the internet, wanting WWE to re-sign Hardy, and amassed over 15,000 signatures.[57] Hardy released two character promotional vignettes, that he was planning to use before he was offered a new contract.[57] He called himself The Angelic Diablo with the tagline "the scar will become a symbol" in reference to the way in which he had been treated by Amy and Adam.[57][59] On the June 20 episode ofRaw, during the storyline wedding of Edge and Lita, Hardy's entrance music and video were played when the priest asked if anyone had a reason why Edge and Lita should not be wed.[60]
Following his WWE release, Matt returned to the independent circuit and wrestled several matches for the Allied Powers Wrestling Federation (APWF), International Wrestling Cartel (IWC) and Big Time Wrestling (BTW).[61]
Hardy appeared at a scheduledRing of Honor (ROH) event on July 16, 2005, inWoodbridge, Connecticut, where he defeatedChristopher Daniels via submission.[62] Hardy also cut a brief worked shoot promo where he criticized WWE andJohn Laurinaitis. Following his official return to WWE, Hardy was met with backlash following a match withHomicide from the fans at a subsequent ROH event, which Hardy won.[63] The next day at his final ROH appearance, he lost toRoderick Strong.[64]
On July 11, 2005, onRaw, Hardy attacked Edge backstage and again later during Edge's match with Kane.[65] Before being escorted out of the building by security, Hardy stated that Edge (calling him by his real name of "Adam") and Lita would pay for their actions and told fans that they could see him at Ring of Honor while security officials and event staff were trying to restrain him.[65] Hardy also called out "Johnny Ace" as security had him inhandcuffs taking him out of the arena. This caused an uproar amongst fans, who were confused and wondered if the altercation was awork or ashoot. Similar occurrences repeated during the following two weeks.[66][67]
On the August 1 episode ofRaw,Vince McMahon officially announced Hardy's return to WWE, adding that Hardy would face Edge atSummerSlam on August 21.[68] Hardy made his in-ring return, defeatingSnitsky on the August 8Raw.[69] Seconds after the victory, Hardy was attacked by Edge, and as he was being carried backstage, Matt counterattacked Edge in the locker room. At SummerSlam, their match came to a premature end when Edge dropped Hardy onto the top of a ring post, causing him to bleed heavily. The referee ended the match on the grounds that Hardy could not continue, and Edge was declared the winner.[70] After SummerSlam, the two continued their feud, including aStreet Fight on the August 29 episode ofRaw that resulted in Hardy performing a Side Effect on Edge off the entrance stage and into electrical equipment below; the match ended in a no contest.[71] AtUnforgiven on September 18, Edge faced Hardy in asteel cage match. Hardy caught an interfering Lita with the Twist of Fate and won the match with a leg drop off the top of the cage.[72] Hardy and Edge faced each other on October 3 atWWE Raw Homecoming in a Loser LeavesRaw ladder match. Edge's briefcase holding his Money in the Bank contract for his WWE Championship opportunity was suspended above the ring. The winner of the match received the contract and the loser was forced to leaveRaw. Edge tied Hardy's arms in the ropes, and Lita trapped Hardy in acrucifix hold, leaving Hardy only able to watch Edge win.[73]
With his defeat at the hands of Edge, Hardy was moved to theSmackDown! brand where he re-debuted with a win overSimon Dean on the October 21 episode ofSmackDown! inReno, Nevada.[74] One week later, Hardy won the fan vote to represent Team SmackDown! (alongsideRey Mysterio) to challenge Team Raw (Edge andChris Masters) atTaboo Tuesday on November 1. Edge, however, refused to wrestle and sent Snitsky in place of him in the match, which Hardy and Mysterio won.[75]
Back onSmackDown! in 2006, Hardy started anangle withMNM (Johnny Nitro andJoey Mercury) and theirmanagerMelina when Melina approached Hardy, seemingly wanting Hardy to join with her team. Hardy refused the offer, which led to him facing the tag team on several occasions with a variety of partners. On July 25, after theSmackDown! taping, Hardy was taken out of action after doctors found the remnants of thestaph infection that had plagued him the previous year. He was sidelined until August 25 while he healed.
Upon his return to action, Hardy feuded against childhood friend and reigningCruiserweight ChampionGregory Helms. AtNo Mercy on October 8, in their home state, Hardy beat Helms in a non-title match. The two met again atSurvivor Series on November 26, where Hardy's team won in a clean sweep.[76] They wrestled one final match, a one time appearance inBooker T'sPro Wrestling Alliance (PWA) promotion, where Hardy defeated Helms in a North Carolina Street Fight.[77]
On the November 21 episode ofECW on Sci Fi, Hardy and Jeff competed in a match together, defeatingThe Full Blooded Italians. AtDecember to Dismember on December 3, the Hardy Boyz issued an open challenge to any tag team who wanted to face them.[78] MNM answered their challenge by reuniting at December to Dismember, a match won by the Hardy Boyz.[79] AtArmageddon on December 17, Hardy and Jeff competed againstPaul London and Brian Kendrick, MNM, andDave Taylor and William Regal in aLadder match for theWWE Tag Team Championship but lost. Subsequently, he and Jeff feuded with MNM after thelegitimate incident where they injured Mercury's face at Armageddon.[80] This led to a long term rivalry, and at theRoyal Rumble on January 28, 2007, Hardy and Jeff defeated MNM.[81] Mercury and Hardy continued to feud onSmackDown! until Mercury was released from WWE on March 26.[82]
On the April 2 episode ofRaw, the Hardys competed in a 10-team battle royal for theWorld Tag Team Championship. They won the titles for the sixth time from then WWE ChampionJohn Cena and Shawn Michaels after last eliminatingLance Cade and Trevor Murdoch.[83] This started a feud with Cade and Murdoch, and the Hardys successfully retained their World Tag Team Championship in their first title defense atBacklash on April 29.[84] The Hardy Boyz also retained their titles atJudgment Day on May 20 against Cade and Murdoch. One month later atOne Night Stand on June 3, they defeatedThe World's Greatest Tag Team to retain the titles in a Ladder match.[85] The following night onRaw, Vince McMahon demanded that The Hardys once again defend their championships against Cade and Murdoch. The Hardys were defeated after Murdoch pushed Jeff's foot off the bottom rope during Cade's pinfall, causing the three count to continue.[86] They invoked their rematch clause against Cade and Murdoch atVengeance: Night of Champions on June 24, but were unsuccessful.
On the July 6 episode ofSmackDown!, Hardy won a non-title match againstUnited States ChampionMontel Vontavious Porter (MVP), which resulted in a feud between the two.[87] Hardy was defeated by MVP atThe Great American Bash on July 22 for the United States Championship. MVP then claimed that he was "better than Hardy at everything", which led to a series of contests between Hardy and MVP, such as abasketball game, anarm wrestling contest, and achess match which MVP "sneezed" on and ruined when Hardy put him in check.[88] MVP challenged Hardy to a boxing match on the August 18 episode ofSaturday Night's Main Event, however MVP waslegitimately diagnosed with the heart conditionWolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.[89] Since MVP was unable to compete, Hardy faced his replacement, former world champion boxer,Evander Holyfield. The match ended in a no contest after MVP entered the ring to verbally abuse Holyfield, who then knocked him out.[90] MVP also challenged Hardy to a beer drinking contest atSummerSlam on August 26, but as revenge for what happened onSaturday Night's Main Event, Hardy allowedStone Cold Steve Austin to replace him; Austin simply performed astunner on MVP then kept drinking.[88]
After a segment involving MVP inadvertently choosing Hardy as his tag-team partner,Theodore Long promptly set up a match againstDeuce 'n Domino for theWWE Tag Team Championship on the August 31 episode ofSmackDown! which Hardy and MVP were able to win, therefore setting up Hardy's first reign as WWE Tag Team Champion.[91][92] Hardy and MVP retained the titles atUnforgiven on September 16 in a rematch against former champions Deuce 'n Domino.[93] Hardy was scheduled to face MVP atCyber Sunday on October 28, but due to a real-life head injury sustained on the October 26 episode ofSmackDown!,[94] he was not medically cleared to compete.[95] As part of the storyline, Hardy continually asked MVP for a shot at the United States Championship but MVP refused stating that he was more focused on the WWE Tag Team Championship.
On the November 16 episode ofSmackDown!, Hardy and MVPdropped the WWE Tag Team Championship toJohn Morrison and The Miz.[92][96] Despite the fact that Hardy was hurt, MVP immediately invoked the rematch clause.[96] After the rematch, in which Hardy was forced to tap out, MVP attacked Hardy, repeatedly targeting his knee.[96] It was later confirmed by WWE.com that Hardy had suffered an injury at MVP's hands and that he might not be able to compete atSurvivor Series on November 18.[97] Despite Hardy's absence at Survivor Series, his team was able to win the match. On November 21, WWE's official website reported that Hardy underwent an emergencyappendectomy inTampa, Florida, after his appendix burst.[98] Hardy made an appearance at the December 31 episode ofRaw supporting his brother Jeff. To further Jeff's storyline withRandy Orton, however, Hardy was attacked by Orton.[99][100] Hardy made his return at a live event inMuncie, Indiana, on March 1, 2008.[101]
On March 30 atWrestleMania XXIV, during theMoney in the Bank ladder match Hardy cut through the crowd and attacked MVP to prevent him from winning the match. He made his official in-ring return the next night onRaw, losing a singles match to WWE Champion Randy Orton. On the April 4 episode ofSmackDown, Hardy faced MVP in a non-title match, which he won, re-igniting their storyline rivalry.[102] Hardy defeated MVP to win the United States Championship atBacklash on April 27,[103][104] and retained his title against MVP five days later onSmackDown.[105]
Hardy declared himself as a fighting champion that would take on all challenges, defending the United States championship againstShelton Benjamin,[106]Elijah Burke,[107]Chuck Palumbo,[108]Mr. Kennedy,[109]Chavo Guerrero andUmaga.[110] Hardy was drafted to theECW brand on the June 23, 2008, episode ofRaw during the2008 WWE Draft, in the process making the United States Championship exclusive to ECW.[111] He lost the United States Championship to Shelton Benjamin at theGreat American Bash pay-per-view on July 20, which meant that the title returned to SmackDown.[112][113]
On the July 22 episode ofECW, Hardy became the number one contender toMark Henry'sECW Championship after defeatingJohn Morrison,The Miz andFinlay in afatal four-way match.[114] He won the title match atSummerSlam on August 17 by disqualification due to interference from Henry's manager,Tony Atlas, thus he failed to win the title.[115] Due to the ending of the SummerSlam match, Hardy received a rematch for the title on the next episode ofECW, but again failed to win the title when Henry pinned him after a distraction by Atlas.[116] AtUnforgiven on September 7, Hardy won the ECW Championship during theChampionship scramble match, defeating then-champion Henry, The Miz, Finlay andChavo Guerrero Jr. by pinning the Miz with three minutes left, marking his firstworld heavyweight championship win.[117] He continued to feud with Henry untilNo Mercy on October 5, where Hardy retained the title. Hardy lost the title toJack Swagger on the January 13, 2009, episode ofECW, which was taped on January 12.[118]
At theRoyal Rumble pay-per-view on January 25, after losing an ECW Championship rematch to Swagger, Hardy turned on his brother when he hit Jeff with asteel chair, allowing Edge to win theWWE Championship, turningheel.[119] On the January 27 episode ofECW, it was announced byGeneral ManagerTheodore Long that Hardy had requested, and been granted, his release from ECW and had re-signed with the SmackDown brand.[120] As part of the buildup to this feud, Matt strongly implied that he was responsible for all of Jeff's accidents leading back to November, including an assault in a hotel stairwell that prevented Jeff from appearing atSurvivor Series, an automobile accident where Jeff's car was run off the road, and apyrotechnics malfunction where part of the pyro from Jeff's entrance was fired directly at Jeff, in an attempt to stop Jeff holding the WWE Championship. Despite Hardy's attempts to goad Jeff into fighting him, Jeff refused to fight his brother, but, on the March 6 episode ofSmackDown, Jeff attacked him during a promo where Matt implied that he was also responsible for the fire that burned down Jeff's house, going so far as to reveal that he had in his possession adog collar that supposedly belonged to Jeff's dog, Jack (who died in the fire), that he claimed to have salvaged from the wreckage of the house. AtWrestleMania 25 on April 5, Matt defeated Jeff in an Extreme Rules match, and in a stretcher match on the following episode ofSmackDown.[121][122][123]
On the April 13 episode ofRaw, Hardy was drafted to the Raw brand as part of theWWE draft.[124] Despite the fact that the two were on different brands, he continued his feud with Jeff. Two weeks later, in a rematch from WrestleMania, Hardy lost to Jeff in an"I Quit" match atBacklash on April 26, in which helegitimately broke his hand.[125]
Hardy continued to wrestle with his hand in a cast, incorporating it into his persona and claiming that he was wrestling under protest. He reignited his feud with MVP on Raw for theUnited States Championship. He also formed a tag team withWilliam Regal, and the two acted as henchmen for General ManagerVickie Guerrero.[126] At the June 22 taping ofWWE Superstars, Hardy suffered yet another injury, when his intestines went through hisabdominal wall, during a triple threat match against MVP andKofi Kingston. Hardy had suffered a tear in his abdominal muscle two years previously, but had not needed surgery until it worsened, and became a danger to his health.[127]
He was then traded back to the SmackDown brand on June 29, and underwent surgery for the torn abdominal muscle on July 2.[128] He made his return on the August 7 episode ofSmackDown as thespecial guest referee in theWorld Heavyweight Championship match between his brother, Jeff, and CM Punk, and helped Jeff retain the championship by counting the pinfall.[129] The following week Hardy turned face again when he saved Jeff when CM Punk andThe Hart Dynasty attacked both Jeff and John Morrison.[130] On the August 21 episode ofSmackDown, after apologizing for his past actions towards Jeff and admitting that he was not behind any of Jeff's accidents, he had his first match back after his injury when he teamed with Jeff and John Morrison to defeat The Hart Dynasty and CM Punk, when Matt pinned Punk.[131]
In early 2010, Hardy began an on-screen relationship withMaria; but was brief and the relationship ended when Maria was released from her WWE contract. On the March 5 episode ofSmackDown, Hardy qualified for the Money in the Bank ladder match atWrestleMania XXVI on March 28 by defeatingDrew McIntyre, but was unsuccessful at WrestleMania, as the match was won by Jack Swagger.[132][133] Hardy was suspended byVince McMahon because he attacked McIntyre after McIntyre lost toKofi Kingston atOver the Limit on May 23.[134] He was able to get his revenge on McIntyre during the Viewer's Choice episode ofRaw when chosen as the opponent for McIntyre, with General ManagerTheodore Long stating that Hardy was suspended fromSmackDown, but not fromRaw.[135] On the following episode ofSmackDown, however, Vickie Guerrero announced that, per orders of Vince McMahon, Hardy had been suspended from all WWE programming.[136] However, atFatal 4-Way on June 20, Hardy prevented McIntyre from regaining the Intercontinental Championship, thus continuing their feud.[137] On the following edition ofSmackDown, he was reinstated by Long and had a match with McIntyre, which Hardy won. After the match, it was announced that McIntyre's visa had legitimately expired and was sent back to Scotland, thus ending their feud. Hardy was featured in the SmackDown Money in the Bank ladder match atMoney in the Bank on July 18 but was unsuccessful in winning with Kane coming out victorious.[138]
On the September 10 episode ofSmackDown, he lost his last televised match against then-newcomerAlberto Del Rio and was saved byChristian (who was feuding with Del Rio) after the match.[139] Two days later on September 12, WWE confirmed they had sent Hardy home from a European tour.[140] Following this, Hardy began posting videos on hisYouTube channel expressing his disinterest in the WWE product and insisting that he wanted to be released from the company.[141] On October 15, WWE announced that Hardy had been released from his contract.[142] Hardy later stated that his release had been in effect two weeks before WWE made the announcement.[143]
On January 9, 2011, Hardy made his debut forTotal Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) at theGenesis pay-per-view, as part of the stableImmortal. He was the surprise opponent for Rob Van Dam, and defeated him to prevent Van Dam from receiving a match for theTNA World Heavyweight Championship, held by Hardy's brother Jeff. In the main event, Hardy attempted to interfere in Jeff's World Heavyweight Championship match withMr. Anderson, but was stopped by Van Dam, which led to Jeff losing both the match and the championship.[144] On the January 13 episode ofImpact!, the Hardy Boyz reunited to defeat Anderson and Van Dam in a tag team match, following interference fromBeer Money, Inc.[145] On February 13 atAgainst All Odds, Van Dam defeated Hardy in a rematch.[146]
On the following episode ofImpact!, Hardy, along with the rest of Immortal andRic Flair, betrayedFortune.[147] On March 13 atVictory Road, Hardy was defeated by Flair's previous protégé,A.J. Styles.[148] On April 17 atLockdown, Immortal, represented by Hardy, Abyss, Bully Ray and Ric Flair, were defeated by Fortune membersJames Storm,Kazarian andRobert Roode and Christopher Daniels, who replaced an injured A.J. Styles, in aLethal Lockdown match.[149] On the April 21 episode ofImpact!, Hardy facedSting for theTNA World Heavyweight Championship, Hardy's first World Title match in TNA, but was defeated.[150] The following month, Hardy was granted a shot at theTNA World Tag Team Championship against Beer Money, Inc. (James Storm and Robert Roode). While the champions looked to defend the title against the Hardy Boyz, Matt instead introduced the returningChris Harris, Storm's old tag team partner, as his partner for the title match.[151] The match took place atSacrifice, where Storm and Roode retained their titles.[152]
On June 21, it was reported that TNA had suspended Hardy.[153][154][155][156] On August 20, Hardy was released from TNA following a DUI arrest that occurred earlier that same day.[157]
Hardy announced his retirement from full-time professional wrestling due to injuries on September 1, 2011.[158] He issued a challenge to his long-time rivalMVP, who was wrestling in Japan at the time, to one final match at "Crossfire Live!" in Nashville.[159] The event was held May 19, 2012, and benefited the Make-A-Wish Foundation.[160] Hardy won the match.
Throughout 2012, Hardy wrestled sporadically on the independent circuit, working with promotions such as Mid Atlantic Championship Wrestling,[161] Pro Wrestling Syndicate[162] andNortheast Wrestling.[163] On October 5, Hardy was defeated byKevin Steen at Pro Wrestling Xperience's An Evil Twist of Fate.[164] On November 11, Hardy, as the masked wrestler Rahway Reaper, defeated the Pro Wrestling Syndicate Kevin Matthews, winning the championship.[6] On February 9, 2013, Hardy lost the Pro Wrestling Syndicate Championship back to Matthews.[165]
On February 16, 2013, at Family Wrestling Entertainment's No Limit, Hardy wrestled a TLC match for theFWE Heavyweight Championship against the champion Carlito and Tommy Dreamer, but he was defeated.[166] On November 30, 2013, at WrestleCade, Hardy defeated Carlito to become the first ever WrestleCade Champion.[167]
On May 3, 2014, following a match betweenChristian York and Drolix, Hardy defeated Drolix to become the newMCW Heavyweight Champion.[168] At Maryland Championship Wrestling's Shane Shamrock Cup, Hardy defeated Luke Hawx in a TLC match for Hardy's title and Hawx's Extreme Rising World title. Hardy won the match, but he gave back the title to Hawx.[169] On October 4, Hardy lost the MCW Heavyweight Championship back to Drolix, following outside interference from Kevin Eck.[170]
On February 9, 2015, Hardy appeared on FWE's "No Limits 2015" iPPV, challengingDrew Galloway for theICW World Heavyweight Championship, but was defeated.[171][172] It was thisICW title match which saw the Scottish championship renamed as the ICW's "World Heavyweight Championship" due to being the first defense outside of continent of Europe.[173]
On November 28, 2015, Hardy lost the WrestleCade Championship toJeff Jarrett at WrestleCade IV in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Hardy regained the title in a triple-threat cage match against Jarrett and Ethan Carter III in Hickory, North Carolina on May 20, 2016. He appeared at the #DELETEWCPW event for What Culture Pro Wrestling (WCPW) in Nottingham, England on November 30. Hardy, billed as "Broken" Matt Hardy, lost a no-disqualification match toBully Ray, with Ray proposing the no-disqualification stipulation at the last minute, and Hardy accepting there and then. On March 12, 2016, Hardy challenged Drew Galloway for the WCPW World Heavyweight Championship[173] at aBritish Championship Wrestling event[174] in a match taped for an episode of WCPW ReLoaded.[175]
AtDeath Before Dishonor X: State of Emergency in 2012, Hardy returned to Ring of Honor, confrontingAdam Cole and challenging him to a match for theROH World Television Championship.[176] On December 16 atFinal Battle 2012: Doomsday, Hardy defeated Cole in a non-title match.[177]
At the following iPPV,11th Anniversary Show on March 2, 2013, Hardy joined the villainousS.C.U.M. stable.[178] On April 5 at theSupercard of Honor VII iPPV, Hardy unsuccessfully challengedMatt Taven for the ROH World Television Championship in a three-way elimination match, which also included Adam Cole.[179] On June 22 atBest in the World 2013, Hardy defeated former S.C.U.M. stablemate Kevin Steen in a No Disqualification match to become the number one contender to theROH World Championship.[180] Hardy received his title shot at the following day'sRing of Honor Wrestling tapings, but was defeated by the defending champion,Jay Briscoe.[181] Later that same day, S.C.U.M. was forced to disband after losing aSteel Cage Warfare match against Team ROH.[181] On December 14, 2013, atFinal Battle 2013, Hardy defeated Adam Page in a singles match; later on in the main event, Hardy aided Adam Cole in retaining his title and forming a tag team with him. After aiding Cole atSupercard of Honor VIII, Hardy was given Jay Briscoe's unofficial "Real World Title" belt, which he renamed the "ROH Iconic Championship".[182] In July, Hardy opted out of his ROH contract and went back to TNA.
On July 24, 2014, Hardy returned to TNA and reunited with Jeff to reform The Hardys for the third time. At theDestination X episode ofImpact Wrestling, The Hardys were defeated byThe Wolves in a match for theTNA World Tag Team Championship.[183] On the August 14 episode ofImpact Wrestling, Team 3D (formerly the Dudley Boyz) challenged The Hardys to a match, which Team 3D won. At theHardcore Justice episode ofImpact Wrestling, The Hardys and Team 3D talked about a match involving themselves and The Wolves. When The Wolves were asked by the two teams, they agreed. Later that night, Kurt Angle announced all three teams would compete in a best of three series for the TNA World Tag Team Championship with the winners of the first match choosing the stipulation of the next one. The Hardys won the second match of the series on the September 10 episode ofImpact Wrestling in a tables match and choose a ladder match for the third match of the series. The Hardys were unsuccessful in winning that match on the September 17 episode ofImpact Wrestling, as the Wolves won that match. The Wolves then went on to pick the final match of the series to be aFull Metal Mayhem match to take place on the October 8 episode ofImpact Wrestling. The Hardys were unsuccessful in that match as the Wolves won that match.
On October 22, The Hardys entered a number one contenders tournament for the TNA World Tag Team Championship defeatingThe BroMans (Jessie Godderz andDJ Z) in the first round of the tournament.[184] On the October 29 episode ofImpact Wrestling, The Hardys defeatedTeam Dixie (Ethan Carter III andTyrus) in the semifinals to advance to the finals of the tournament, where they defeatedSamoa Joe and Low Ki to become number one contenders for the TNA World Tag Team Championship. On the January 16, 2015, episode ofImpact Wrestling, The Hardys defeated the Wolves. At theLockdown episode ofImpact Wrestling, The Hardys were defeated byThe Revolution in a six sides of steel cage match for the TNA World Tag Team Championship. On the February 20 episode ofImpact Wrestling, Hardy and The Wolves defeated The Revolution in a six-man tag team match. In March, The Hardys participated in a tournament for the vacantTNA World Tag Team Championship. On March 16, 2015, Matt and Jeff won an Ultimate X match for the titles. On May 8, 2015, Hardy vacated the TNA World Tag Team Championship due to his brother Jeff being injured.
On June 28, 2015, Hardy was among the five wrestlers who competed for theTNA King of the Mountain Championship atSlammiversary, withJeff Jarrett ultimately emerging victorious. On the July 8 episode ofImpact Wrestling, Hardy requested a world title shot against Ethan Carter III, but was denied and forced to face theDirty Heels (Austin Aries andBobby Roode) in a handicap match, which he lost. On the July 22 episode ofImpact Wrestling, Hardy defeated Roode in a Tables match to become the #1 contender for theTNA World Heavyweight Championship. On the August 5 episode ofImpact Wrestling, Hardy got his shot at the title against EC3 in aFull Metal Mayhem match, but failed to win the title. On the September 2 episode ofImpact Wrestling, Hardy got another shot at the TNA World Heavyweight Championship against EC3, but again failed to win the title; as part of the storyline, Jeff Hardy was forced to act as Ethan Carter's personal assistant. On the September 30 episode ofImpact Wrestling, Hardy was added to the Ethan Carter III vs.Drew Galloway main event match for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship atBound for Glory after he and Galloway defeated Carter and Tyrus, making it a three-way match, following which Jeff, who EC3 had just "fired" in the previous episode, was revealed to be the special guest referee.
On October 4 at Bound for Glory, Matt won the TNA World Heavyweight Championship by pinning Galloway. However, EC3 filed an injunction (kayfabe) that banned Hardy from appearing onImpact Wrestling for a month, which forced Hardy to relinquish the title in order to stay on the show.[185] However, Hardy had been participating in theTNA World Title Series for the vacant title. He qualified to the round of 16 by defeatingDavey Richards,Robbie E andEddie Edwards. He then advanced to the round of 8 by defeating the King of the Mountain ChampionBobby Roode and then toJessie Godderz to continue his winning streak. The semifinals and finals were held on the January 5, 2016, live episode ofImpact Wrestling during its debut onPop TV, in which he defeatedEric Young to advance to the final round. Hardy faced EC3 in the TNA World Title Series finals, but lost the match via pinfall.
Hardy won the TNA World Title from EC3 on the January 19, 2016, episode ofImpact Wrestling, becoming the first man to defeat him in a one-on-one match in TNA. During the match a double turn took place; Hardy turned heel afterTyrus betrayed EC3. The following week onImpact Wrestling,Jeff Hardy had confronted him about last week and issued a challenge to Matt for the World Heavyweight title in the main event and Matt accepted. However, later before the main event could begin,Eric Young andBram attacked Jeff from behind.Kurt Angle then came out to try save Jeff, and Matt had Tyrus attack Angle from behind. While Matt watched from the ramp, Young attacked Jeff with thePiledriver off the apron through a table.[186] The following week, he retained his title against Angle. AtLockdown, he retained his title in a Six-side of steel match against Ethan Carter III, with the help ofRockstar Spud. He lost his title againstDrew Galloway on the March 15 episode ofImpact Wrestling, after a match featuring EC3 and Jeff Hardy.
Two weeks later he received a rematch for the title onImpact Wrestling, but was again defeated by Galloway. After losing the title he started a feud with Jeff. On the April 19 episode ofImpact Wrestling, an I Quit match ended in a no-contest as both Matt and Jeff were badly injured and Matt was taken out to the hospital on a stretcher.
Hardy returned on May 17 episode ofImpact Wrestling, revealing himself to be one of the impostorWillows behind the attacks on Jeff. Later that night, he attacked Jeff. In the following weeks, Hardy debuted a new persona as a "Broken" man with part of his hair bleached blonde along with a strange sophisticated accent, blaming Jeff (who he began referring to as "Brother Nero", Nero being Jeff's middle name) for breaking him and becoming obsessed with "deleting" him. His line “Delete”, is mostly inspired by theDeath Note manga/anime series characterTeru Mikami. On June 12, atSlammiversary, Matt was defeated by Jeff in aFull Metal Mayhem match.[187] On the June 21 episode ofImpact Wrestling, Matt was once again defeated by Jeff in a Six Sides of Steel match. On the June 28 episode ofImpact Wrestling, Matt challenged Jeff to a final battle with the Hardy brand on the line, to take place at their home in Cameron, North Carolina the next week.[citation needed] On July 5, during special episode "The Final Deletion", Matt defeated Jeff in the match to become sole owner of the Hardy brand, forcing Jeff to drop his last name and become referred to as "Brother Nero".[citation needed]
On the August 18 episode ofImpact Wrestling, Matt and Brother Nero defeatedThe Tribunal,The BroMans andThe Helms Dynasty in an "Ascension To Hell" match for an opportunity to challengeDecay for the TNA World Tag Team Championship. On September 8, during special episode "Delete or Decay", the Hardys faced Decay in a match held at the Hardy compound, where Brother Nero sacrificed himself to save Matt fromAbyss.[188] Thanks to Brother Nero's sacrifice, Hardy was able to confrontRosemary and prevent his son Maxel from being abducted, which turned Hardy babyface as a result, and he furthered the face turn by healing Brother Nero in the Lake of Reincarnation. AtBound for Glory, the Hardys defeated Decay in "The Great War" to win theTNA World Tag Team Championship for the second time. On the October 6 episode ofImpact Wrestling, they successfully defended their titles against Decay, in a Wolf Creek match.
On the November 3 episode ofImpact Wrestling, the Hardys successfully defended the titles against The Tribunal. After the match, the Hardys were attacked by the masked trio known asDeath Crew Council (DCC). After accepting DCC's title challenge, The Hardys facedBram andKingston, and Matt pinned Kingston to retain the titles.[189] On December 15, during special episode "Total Nonstop Deletion", they were once again successful in retaining. Brother Nero attackedCrazzy Steve with theTwist of Fate, who then fell into a volcano (that had appeared on the compound in the weeks leading up the event), and was shot up into the sky, landing in the ring. Matt then covered him to win the match.[190]
On the January 12, 2017, episode ofImpact Wrestling, The Hardys successfully defended their titles againstThe Wolves.[191] AtGenesis, The Hardys retained their titles against the DCC and Decay in a three-way tag team match.[192] OnOpen Fight Night, the Hardys began a storyline where they would teleport to different promotions and win that promotions' tag team championship gold, which was referred to by Matt as their "Expedition of Gold".[193] On February 27, Hardy announced that both he and Jeff had finally left TNA, following years of speculation, with their contracts expiring that week.[194] Though the two sides were reportedly close to a contract agreement, talks began to break down and changes in management prompted their departure from the company.[195] The TNA World Tag Team Championships were vacated due to the Hardys' departure and was explained on TNA television in a segment where The Hardys teleported to their next Expedition of Gold destination, but a technicality resulted in them disappearing and the belts appearing in the arms of Decay.[196]
Shortly after the departure of Matt and Jeff from TNA was made public, Matt's wife,Reby, went on asocial mediatirade in which she repeatedly slammed TNA, the company's new management and the way in which contract negotiations between the company and the Hardy family were conducted.[197] A few weeks following this, the bad blood between the two sides intensified, so much so that the new management of TNA (now renamed Impact Wrestling)Anthem Sports & Entertainment issued acease and desist letter to The Hardys' new promotion Ring of Honor (ROH), in which Anthem essentially ordered ROH as well as any broadcasting company airing ROH's15th Anniversary pay–per–view show (on which The Hardys were to participate in a match) to not in any way speak of, indicate or acknowledge the existence of the Broken Matt and Brother Nero characters and instead to refer to The Hardys as simply Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy.[citation needed] While The Hardys were in TNA, they had full creative control over the Broken gimmick, with them even filming their own segments to air on TNA programming in some circumstances, thus making the Hardy family (in their belief) the owners of the Broken gimmick.
Newly–appointed TNA Wrestling President Ed Nordholm credits the invention of and the vision behind the Broken gimmick toJeremy Borash, Dave Lagana andBilly Corgan, and while Borash specifically had the most input into the gimmick of the three aside from Matt, the Hardy family deny that Borash was the sole person behind the gimmick.[198] In November 2017, Impact Wrestling changed their policy, allowing all talent to retain complete ownership over their intellectual property, essentially forfeiting ownership of the "Broken" character to Hardy.[199]
On January 31, 2018, the legal battle officially concluded when Matt legally acquired ownership of all trademarks related to the Broken universe and the Broken gimmick, which includes 'Broken Matt', 'Brother Nero', 'Broken Brilliance' and 'Vanguard1'.[200]
On November 1, 2014, Hardy traveled toJapan to compete forWrestle-1 at the promotionsKeiji Muto 30th Anniversary Hold Out show in a triple threat match againstSeiya Sanada andTajiri, which he lost.[201]
On May 24, 2015, Hardy traveled toMexico to compete as ateam captain for Team TNA/Lucha Underground with teammatesMr. Anderson andJohnny Mundo atLucha Libre AAA Worldwide's2015 Lucha Libre World Cup pay–per–view show. In the quarter–final round, Team TNA/Lucha Underground faced Team Rest of the World (Drew Galloway,Angélico andEl Mesías) to a 15-minute time limit draw, with Team TNA/Lucha Underground winning in overtime and advancing to the semi–final round. In the semi–final round, Team TNA/Lucha Underground defeated Team MexLeyendas (Blue Demon Jr.,Dr. Wagner Jr. andEl Solar) to advance to the final round. In the final round, Team TNA/Lucha Underground faced Dream Team (El Patrón Alberto,Myzteziz andRey Mysterio Jr.) to a 15–minute time limit draw, with Dream Team winning both the match and the tournament in overtime with Hardy on the losing end of the final pinfall.[202]
On December 2, 2016, Hardy returned to ROH for the second time while still under contract with TNA, appearing at the promotionsFinal Battle pay-per-view show as Broken Matt, where a video message showed him addressingThe Young Bucks (Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson) andThe Briscoes (Jay Briscoe and Mark Briscoe).[203]
The most important thing in the professional wrestling industry in this day and age of technology and the Internet and social media is to be able to make wrestling unpredictable. We were very happy we were able to do that, and it's one of the things I take a lot of pride in, along with my universe. I do all that I can to surprise people and make things unpredictable because that is what makes wrestling fun. Matt Hardy may be dysfunctional, but you can't spell dysfunctional without fun. My goal in the professional wrestling industry is to put fun into the dysfunctionality of it.
On March 4, 2017, in the same week that both Matt and Jeff were released from TNA, The Hardys defeated The Young Bucks in an impromptu match at ROH's 2017 installment of the company's Manhattan Mayhem show series to become the newROH World Tag Team Champions for the first time.[205] Moments after winning the titles, Hardy announced in a post-match promo that both he and Brother Nero (Jeff) had signed "the biggest ROH contracts in (the company's) history". It was later confirmed that the contracts were short-term, only for the "immediate future".[206] On March 10, The Hardys successfully defended the ROH World Tag Team Championship for the first time at ROH's15th Anniversary pay-per-view show against The Young Bucks andRoppongi Vice (Beretta andRocky Romero) in a three-wayLas Vegas tag team street fight match. Prior to the event, the Hardys had been sent a legal threat by Impact Wrestling regarding the use of the Broken Matt and Brother Nero gimmicks.[207] The following night on March 11, The Hardys (not billed but using the Broken gimmicks anyway) once again retained the titles, this time against The Briscoes at a set ofRing of Honor Wrestling television tapings. The Hardys lost the titles back to The Young Bucks in a ladder match on April 1 at ROH'sSupercard of Honor XI pay-per-view show, which would be the final ROH appearances for both Hardys in this tenure with the promotion.[208]
At theWrestleMania 33 pay-per-view on April 2, 2017, Hardy made his surprise return to WWE, along with his brother Jeff Hardy, being added as last-minute participants in the ladder match for theRaw Tag Team Championship, defeatingGallows and Anderson,Cesaro and Sheamus, andEnzo and Cass to win the Raw Tag Team Championship.[209] Afterwards onRaw Talk, Hardy mentioned that The Hardy Boyz had successfully completed the Expedition of Gold, after winning the Raw Tag Team Championship.[210] AtPayback, The Hardy Boyz retained their championships against Cesaro and Sheamus, who attacked them after the match.[211] The next night onRaw, Cesaro and Sheamus explained their actions, claiming the fans were more supportive of 'novelty acts' from the past like The Hardy Boyz, who they feel did not deserve to be in the match at WrestleMania 33.[212] Subsequently, atExtreme Rules, The Hardy Boyz lost the titles against Cesaro and Sheamus in a steel cage match,[213] and failed to regain it back the following month at theGreat Balls of Fire event.[214] Afterwards, it was revealed that Jeff had gotten injured and would be out for an estimated six months, thus Hardy began wrestling in singles matches.[215]
During his feud withBray Wyatt, Hardy introduced his "Woken" gimmick, after Impact Wrestling dropped their claim to the gimmick and Hardy gained full ownership of it. Wyatt defeated Hardy atRaw 25 on January 22, 2018,[216] and Hardy defeated Wyatt atElimination Chamber on February 25.[217] Their final match happened on the March 19 episode ofRaw, dubbedThe Ultimate Deletion, with Hardy winning after distractions from Señor Benjamin.[218] Wyatt then disappeared after being thrown into the Lake of Reincarnation.[219] AtWrestleMania 34 on April 7, Hardy competed in the annualAndré the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, and won the match due to a distraction by the returning Wyatt.[220] After WrestleMania, Hardy and Wyatt performed as a tag team, sometimes referred to as The Deleters of Worlds.[221] They won a tournament for the vacant Raw Tag Team Championship, defeating Cesaro and Sheamus at theGreatest Royal Rumble event to win the title.[222] However, they lost the titles atExtreme Rules toThe B-Team (Bo Dallas andCurtis Axel).[223] On the July 23 episode ofRaw, Hardy and Wyatt received a rematch for the titles, but was again defeated by The B-Team.[224] Following this, Hardy revealed that he was taking time off due to his back fusing with his pelvis, effectively disbanding the team.[225] According to Hardy, the reason WWE disbanded the team was because he and Wyatt pitched several ideas to WWE to work with their characters.[226]
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After more than seven months of absence from television, Hardy returned on the February 26, 2019, episode ofSmackDown Live, teaming with his brother Jeff to defeat The Bar (Cesaro and Sheamus).[227] AtWrestleMania 35 on April 7, Hardy competed in the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, but was eliminated by eventual winner,Braun Strowman.[228] Two days later onSmackDown Live, The Hardy Boyz defeatedThe Usos to win theSmackDown Tag Team Championship.[229] The reign only lasted 21 days (recognized as 20 days by WWE), as they had to vacate the title due to Jeff injuring his knee,[230] this was explained in storyline as injuries afflicted byLars Sullivan.[231] After his brother Jeff's injury, Hardy began to appear on WWE programming less frequently.[232]
AtSuper ShowDown on June 7, Hardy competed in the 51-man Battle Royal, which was eventually won byMansoor.[233] From November to December, Hardy occasionally appeared onRaw, losing matches against superstars likeBuddy Murphy,[234] Drew McIntyre,[235]Ricochet[236] andErick Rowan.[237]
On the February 10, 2020, episode ofRaw, Hardy confrontedRandy Orton about Orton's attack onEdge two weeks earlier. Hardy then got himself into a brawl with him moments after, and was viciously attacked by Orton.[238] The following week on Raw, an injured Hardy appeared and was once again assaulted by Orton, which would be his final appearance in WWE.[239] On March 2, Hardy announced his departure from WWE through his officialYouTube channel, where Hardy said that while he was grateful towards the people behind the scenes, he said he was also on different pages with WWE as he felt he needed to have creative input and still had more to give.[240] Later that day, WWE announced that his contract had expired.[241]
Hardy made hisAll Elite Wrestling (AEW) debut on the March 18, 2020, episode ofDynamite, reverting to his "Broken" gimmick and being announced as the replacement for thekayfabe injuredNick Jackson onThe Elite's team atBlood and Guts.[242] However, the event was postponed to the following year due to theCOVID-19 pandemic. On the May 6 episode ofDynamite, Hardy wrestled his first match with AEW, teaming up withKenny Omega for astreet fight againstThe Inner Circle'sChris Jericho andSammy Guevara, and Hardy and Omega lost when Jericho pinned Omega.[243] During this period, due to the lack of live audience, Hardy felt that the Broken character needed the fans, so he began to include several of his gimmicks alongside the Broken gimmick, including Big Money Matt, Matt Hardy V1, and Unkillable Matt Hardy, being referred to as "Multifarious" Matt Hardy.[244] AEW presidentTony Khan later admitted that he "wasn't a fan" of the Broken gimmick and much preferred more realistic presentations in wrestling.[245]
AtDouble or Nothing, Hardy teamed with The Elite to defeat The Inner Circle in the first everStadium Stampede match. During the match,Santana and Ortiz dunked Hardy in the stadium pool, which acted as a version of the Lake of Reincarnation, as Hardy kept cycling through his various gimmicks throughout his career when he surfaced.[246] Hardy then feuded with Sammy Guevara, and after Hardy defeated Guevara in aBroken Rules match atAll Out, Hardy took time off until he was cleared to return, due to an injury sustained during the match.[247] On the September 16 episode ofDynamite, Hardy aligned withPrivate Party (Isiah Kassidy and Marq Quen) as theirmanager, but was attacked backstage before their match.[248] The attacker was later revealed as Guevara and The Elite Deletion match was announced, which took place at The Hardy Compound inCameron, North Carolina, where Hardy won.[249]
Hardy then switched to his Big Money persona as he focused on managing Private Party. Over the following weeks, Hardy would displayvillainous tactics as he began cheating during matches much to Private Party's dismay. On the January 20, 2021, episode ofDynamite, Hardy and Private Party defeatedMatt Sydal and Top Flight (Dante Martin and Darius Martin) after using a steel chair before attacking Sydal and Top Flight afterwards, thus turning heel.[250][251][252] Hardy then approachedAdam Page to accompany and befriend him, and during tag team matches, Hardy would always tag himself in and pick up the victory for his team to Page's behest. After Page set up a match between Hardy and himself, Hardy double-crossed Page, with Private Party andThe Hybrid 2 (Angélico andJack Evans) attacking Page untilThe Dark Order came out to save him. At theRevolution event, Hardy lost to Page despite multiple interferences from Private Party.
Following Revolution, Hardy became the manager forThe Butcher and The Blade (with their valetThe Bunny in tow), and along with Private Party, the stable became known as the Matt Hardy Empire before settling on the name Hardy Family Office.[253] Hardy also added The Hybrid 2 to his group in July having previously hiring them on a mercenary basis. AtDouble or Nothing, Hardy competed inCasino Battle Royale but was eliminated byChristian Cage. This led to a match between the two atFyter Fest, where Hardy lost to Cage. In August, Matt Hardy and HFO began a feud withOrange Cassidy andBest Friends, which led to a match on the August 25 episode ofDynamite, where Hardy was defeated by Cassidy. However, on the November 12 episode ofRampage, Hardy defeated Cassidy in a Lumberjack match, thanks to an interference from HFO and the heel lumberjacks. Their feud ended on the November 17 episode ofDynamite where his team of The Butcher and The Blade lost to the team of Cassidy andTomohiro Ishii, where Cassidy gave a crossbody to the interfering Hardy and The Blade during the match. AtRevolution 2022, Hardy would lose aTornado tag team match withAndrade El Idolo and Isiah Kassidy against Sammy Guevara,Darby Allin, andSting.
On the March 9 episode ofDynamite, Matt was attacked by Team AHFO (Andrade, Private Party, Butcher and Blade), which he was later saved by Darby Allin, Sting, and the debuting Jeff Hardy. He reunited with his brother Jeff, thus turning face in the process.[254] On the October 12 episode ofDynamite,Stokely Hathaway reveals he has bought Private Party's contracts fromLFI. During this segment, a challenge is made forRampage for a match betweenEthan Page and Isiah Kassidy. If Kassidy wins, Private Party is free from The Firm.[255] If Page wins, The Firm acquires Matt Hardy's contract. On the October 14 episode ofRampage, Page won the match which Hardy and Private Party would have to join The Firm.[256] Over the next few week, Hardy was banned from using the Hardy theme and Twist of Fate. On April 12, 2023, episode ofDynamite, Matt and Kassidy was attacked by The Firm (Ethan Page,Lee Moriarty andBig Bill), which they were later saved byHook and a returning Jeff Hardy.[257] On April 8, 2024, it was reported that Hardy’s contract had expired and he had chosen not to re-sign.[258]
Hardy made his surprise return to TNA on April 20, 2024, atRebellion (2024), reverting to his "Broken" persona and attackingTNA World ChampionMoose.[259] On June 14, atAgainst All Odds (2024), Hardy challenged Moose for the title in a Broken Rules match, but was unsuccessful. Following the bout, Jeff Hardy made his return to TNA, coming to his brother’s aid after a post-match attack by Moose andThe System.[260]
On June 28, 2024, Hardy teamed with his wifeReby, defeatingAlisha andEddie Edwards of The System. The following night, Hardy reunited with Jeff to challenge Edwards andBrian Myers for theImpact World Tag Team Championship, winning by disqualification. After The System’sJDC injured Jeff in storyline, Hardy went on to defeat JDC atSlammiversary.
On the August 31, 2024 episode ofImpact, The Hardys defeated The System in a non-title match. AtVictory Road, they scored another victory overFir$t Cla$$, establishing themselves as the number one contenders to the tag team titles.
AtBound for Glory on October 26, The Hardy Boyz defeated The System (Myers and Edwards) andAce Austin &Chris Bey in a three-way Full Metal Mayhem match to win theImpact World Tag Team Championship.[261] AtFinal Resolution (2024), they retained the titles against The System in a tables match.
AtRebellion, The Hardys lost the championships toNic andRyan Nemeth, ending their reign at 183 days. They regained the titles atSlammiversary in a four-way ladder match also involving the Nemeths,The Rascalz, and Fir$t Cla$$.[262]
While still contracted to TNA, the Hardy Boyz made a return appearance with WWE during the February 25, 2025 episode ofNXT. AtNXT: Roadblock on March 11, The Hardy Boyz successfully defended the TNA World Tag Team Championship againstNXT Tag Team ChampionsNathan FrazerandAxiom.[263] AtNXT vs. TNA Showdown on October 7, the Hardy Boyz won theNXT Tag Team Championship after defeatingDarkState'sDion Lennox and Osiris Griffin in aWinners Take All match.[264] AtNXT Halloween Havoc on October 25, Lennox and Griffin regained the NXT Tag Team Championships from The Hardy Boyz, who wrestled as The Broken Hardys, in aBroken Rules match.[265]
After the creation of his Broken character, Hardy was praised by several wrestlers and critics for reinventing himself several times during his career.[266][267] During his career, Hardy has won theWrestling Observer Newsletter Best Gimmick award two times under two different characters, once in 2002 and again in 2016.
Hardy was in a six-year relationship with wrestler Amy Dumas, better known asLita. They first met in January 1999 at aNWA Mid-Atlantic show but did not begin dating until a few months later.[268] They broke up in February 2005 when he discovered that she was having an affair with one of Hardy's close friends, fellow wrestler Adam Copeland, better known asEdge. Hardy also dated WWE wrestlerAshley Massaro.[269]
Hardy married wrestler Rebecca Reyes, better known asReby Sky, on October 5, 2013.[270] They have three sons and one daughter.[271] Hardy had previously been an addict, and credits his wife for helping him get clean.[272][273]
Hardy is good friends with fellow wrestlersMarty Garner,Shannon Moore, andGregory Helms.[274][275] In December 2020, he claimed to have Native American ancestry.[276]
Hardy was arrested for a DUI on August 20, 2011.[277] Two days later, he was arrested on felony drug charges when police found steroids in his home.[278] In November 2011, Hardy was removed from court-ordered rehab and sent back to jail for drinking.[279]
In January 2014, Hardy and his wife were both arrested after a fight at a hotel.[280]
In 1999, Matt, along with his brother Jeff, appeared as an uncredited wrestler onThat '70s Show episode "That Wrestling Show".[281][282] Matt and Jeff also appeared onTough Enough in early 2001, talking to and wrestling the contestants.[283] He appeared in the February 25, 2002, episode ofFear Factor competing against five otherWorld Wrestling Federation wrestlers, including his brother.[284][285] He won$50,000 for theAmerican Cancer Society.[284][285] Hardy also appeared on the October 13, 2009, episode ofScare Tactics, as a mental patient who threatens to attack the prank's victim.[286][287]
In 2001, Matt, Jeff, and Lita appeared inRolling Stone magazine's 2001 Sports Hall of Fame issue.[288] In 2003, Matt and Jeff, with the help of Michael Krugman, wrote and published their autobiographyThe Hardy Boyz: Exist 2 Inspire.[289] As part of WWE, Matt appeared in their DVD,The Hardy Boyz: Leap of Faith in 2001.[290] On April 29, 2008, WWE releasedTwist of Fate: The Matt and Jeff Hardy Story.[291] The DVD featured footage of the brothers in OMEGA and WWE.[291] Hardy also appears onThe Hardy Show, an Internet web show which features the Hardys,Shannon Moore, and many of their friends.[292]
Hardy plays himself in the 2013 filmPro Wrestlers vs Zombies in which he and his real-life wifeReby Sky battle the undead.[293]
 | This section of abiography of a living personneeds additionalcitations forverification. Please help by addingreliable sources.Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced orpoorly sourcedmust be removed immediately from the article and its talk page, especially if potentiallylibelous. Find sources: "Matt Hardy" – news ·newspapers ·books ·scholar ·JSTOR(February 2019) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
| Film | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2013 | Pro Wrestlers vs Zombies | Himself | |
| Television | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1999 | That '70s Show | Wrestler No. 3 | |
| 2001 | The Big Breakfast | Himself | |
| Tough Enough | Himself | ||
| 2002 | Fear Factor | Himself | Episode winner |
| 2004 | Headbangers Ball | Himself | |
| 2009 | Scare Tactics | Patient 12 | |
| 2012 | The 99 | Awang/Ben Hargreaves | |
| AEW Video games | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Title | Notes | |
| 2023 | AEW Fight Forever | Video game debut Pre-order bonus | |
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| Winner (wager) | Loser (wager) | Location | Event | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matt Hardy (hair) | Billy Blade (hair) | Santa Maria, California | Terror Rising | October 27, 2012 | This was a ladder match.[326] |
Matt Hardy's music hit
5. Rikki Nelson defeated Matt Hardy.
(6) Matt Hardy beat Jay Lethal.
Matt Taven w/ Kasey Ray vs. Matt Hardy w/ Reby Sky
Matt HARDY as Wrestler #3 (uncredited)
,Cagematch,Wrestlingdata,Internet Wrestling Database| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |