🔥 “I Almost Quit Wrestling Forever!” – Matt Hardy Opens Up About His Miserable AEW Run and How TNA Saved His Career
Matt Hardy — one of the most beloved tag team icons in WWE history — has made a shocking confession about his time in AEW. The veteran star revealed that his experience in Tony Khan’s promotion was so frustrating, it nearly made him hang up his boots for good.
When Hardy joined AEW during the pandemic era, fans were excited to see the return of his wild “Broken” persona. Unfortunately, the lack of live crowds made it nearly impossible for the character to truly connect. What should have been a triumphant rebirth quickly turned into a creative dead end.
Instead of finding his footing, Matt was shuffled through multiple gimmicks and storylines. From leading factions to mentoring younger stars, nothing seemed to stick. The long and often confusing feud with Sammy Guevara didn’t help either — fans lost interest as storylines dragged on without satisfying payoffs.
Things got even tougher when his brother, Jeff Hardy, faced legal issues that halted their momentum as a tag team. The Hardys were barely featured on TV, and AEW seemed unsure of what to do with them.
By April 2024, Matt Hardy’s AEW contract had expired, and he decided it was time to move on. Two months later, Jeff followed suit — and the Hardy Boyz closed the AEW chapter of their legendary careers.
But just when it seemed like Matt was ready to walk away from wrestling entirely, TNA gave him a reason to keep fighting. Speaking on The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy podcast, the former WWE Champion revealed how close he came to retiring — and how TNA reignited his passion for the business.
“During those times in AEW, there were moments where both Jeff and I were questioning why we were even still doing this,” Hardy said. “I love wrestling, but at that point, it didn’t feel like something I loved anymore.”
“Leaving AEW and going to TNA helped us find that spark again. I’m more in love with wrestling now than I’ve been in years.”
That passion has clearly paid off. The Hardy Boyz are once again thriving in TNA, even making special crossover appearances in WWE. Earlier this year, they shocked fans by returning to WWE television and capturing the NXT Tag Team Titles — before dropping them to DarkState in a brutal Broken Rules Match at Halloween Havoc 2025.
After everything he’s been through, Matt Hardy’s story is proof that even legends can rediscover their fire. From nearly quitting in AEW to reigniting his love for wrestling in TNA, the Hardy legacy continues — stronger than ever.
