Jeff Hardy is a bona fide legend in the wrestling industry, with both success in and outside of WWE during his career. With his brother, Matt Hardy, being a prominent fixture in AEW, rumors are likely to run rampant on whether or not Jeff will follow his brother over the choppy wrestling waters and find a new home in the promotion. A big question, however, is whether this is even a good idea.
WWE’s Lack Of Respect Towards Legends Could See Him Wanting To Leave
Jeff Hardy made his name alongside brother Matt as part of the Hardy Boyz, revolutionizing tag-team wrestling, birthing the TLC match, and cementing his legacy in WWE, undoubtedly becoming a future Hall of Famer. However, a casual viewer of today’s WWE television would see Jeff Hardy as just another guy. That legendary status isn’t upheld or even respected in today’s product.
WWE’s lack of respect towards the veterans of the industry has prompted an exodus of household names in the last year, with people such as Mark Henry, Sting, Big Show, and Christian all leaving the company, finding a new home in AEW. Looking at Hardy’s current position on the card, it's unlikely that he will leave the lower midcard, and whilst that may be a comfortable spot for many to see out their careers, someone like Hardy will without a doubt believe he’s capable of more.
Big warning flags showed up a few weeks ago, when Hardy came out alongside the 24/7 cohort, chasing after a title with no prestige, amongst a collection of lower card members and enhancement talent, in a position which screams disrespect to all involved, but especially when it comes to a name like Jeff Hardy. Despite getting his old, favorable ring music back, little else has changed upon his return for fans of his work. With hours of TV time per week to fill up with talent, it’s a telling sign of WWE’s booking that they are struggling to find a place or story for someone like Hardy, and this could be an indication that its time to move on.
Jeff Could Salvage Matt’s Stagnating Character
Whilst his brother, Matt Hardy, has found a comfortable place on AEW programming, being featured on TV most weeks, his character development has been strongly questioned. When he brought his ‘Broken Universe’ to AEW, it bordered on being too silly, despite being entertaining at times. Following a horrendously received match with Sammy Guevera at All Out 2020, and a series of gimmick changes, Matt now leads his own faction which isn’t getting over with fans. Matt Hardy’s time in AEW may imply that everything isn’t always greener on the other side.
Despite Matt Hardy’s tumultuous time in AEW, it's possible that Jeff Hardy could be a savior of sorts. Whenever the Hardy Boyz are together, whether that be in Impact, WWE, or Ring Of Honor, they are a draw, and it’s a formula which always works. If Jeff Hardy were to join AEW, and realign with his brother, both men could see a renewed period of success. The Hardy Boyz having one last run in the wrestling industry, inside or outside WWE, can only mean good things for both men, and any tag team division that they are a part of.
The Hardy Boyz Being Together Will Always Work
Arguably the last great run for both was following their shocking and triumphant return at Wrestlemania 33, winning the Tag Team Championships, and going on to have a great, brutal, multi-PPV feud with The Bar over the titles, with Jeff Hardy doing little since. Working with the younger and newer teams in AEW will help elevate tandems such as Private Party, where a natural story would occur given their place in the Hardy Family Office. Big showdowns against the likes of FTR and Young Bucks scream pay-per-view worthy matches, and a final championship run wouldn’t be out the question either.
Questions have been raised about AEW signing multiple big names all at once, with signings such as CM Punk, Bryan Danielson, and Adam Cole clogging up the main event scene. AEW have managed to juggle talent efficiently, but despite that, signing these big names along with younger and less high-profile additions such as Lio Rush and 2.0, is there any space for Jeff Hardy?
The simple answer to that question, is yes. For a name like Jeff Hardy, similarly to others like Christian Cage, Big Show etc, there is always a place for names of this level, as long as they’re used appropriately, and elevate the younger talent, something which AEW have proven to accomplish time and time again. In many ways, AEW would be the perfect place for Jeff Hardy to spend what could be the final years of his career.