May 1st 2024.
Get ready, wrestling fans – Matt Hardy is making his highly anticipated return to TNA Wrestling. After years of success as one half of the Hardy Boyz tag team in WWE, Matt is back and ready to embark on a new chapter in his career as the iconic Broken Matt Hardy.
In an exclusive interview with The Agency, the 49-year-old legend opened up about his return to TNA and the creation of his deranged persona, which first debuted during his previous run with the company. Matt revealed that bringing the Broken Universe to life back in 2016 was a huge risk, but one that he and his brother Jeff were willing to take.
"We really bet on ourselves when we did that," Matt said, reflecting on the fan-favorite character and the infamous Final Deletion match. "It was so polarizing – people either loved it or hated it. But the fact that it commanded such strong emotion showed us that we had tapped into something special."
The Broken Universe has since spanned multiple promotions, with Matt even bringing his Woken Matt character to WWE in 2017 to a thunderous ovation. But despite his success, Matt is still a free agent after failing to come to terms on a new deal with All Elite Wrestling.
Now, he's returning to TNA as Broken Matt for the first time in seven years, eager to continue pushing the character to new heights. "I hate how we ended things last time," Matt admitted, referencing his previous run with the company. But now, he's determined to take Broken Matt to another level and add more layers to the character.
"It's almost like Bruce Banner and the Incredible Hulk," Matt explained. "When I reach my breaking point, I turn into a monster. You wouldn't like me when I'm broken."
But for Matt, it's not just about nostalgia – it's about constantly evolving and developing the character, even after over 30 years in the wrestling industry. He described his initial run as Broken Matt in 2016 and 2017 as "the most fun" he's had in his career, with creativity flowing freely from himself, Jeff, and the TNA team.
And while Matt is grateful for the support and admiration from fans over the years, he's also keenly aware of the sacrifices and risks he's taken in the ring. He and Jeff made their names as daredevils, often putting their bodies and lives on the line for the sake of entertainment.
But now, at a different point in his career, Matt is taking more calculated risks and focusing on other elements of storytelling. This was evident in his surprise return at TNA's Rebellion show earlier this month, where he hid out all day at the building to keep his appearance a secret.
As for his goals in TNA, Matt has his sights set on one thing – winning the TNA World Title as Broken Matt Hardy. "I've won it as Matt Hardy and as 'Big Money Matt,' but never as Broken Matt," he shared. "That's my reason for being back in TNA."
Fans can catch Broken Matt Hardy in action this week at TNA's Under Siege event, available to stream live on TrillerTV. And for those who can't tune in live, TNA's Impact can be watched every week on TNA+, DAZN, and YouTube Insiders.
In the end, Matt's return to TNA is just the latest chapter in his long and successful wrestling career. And while he may have grown up in front of the world, he remains humble and grateful for the support of his fans.
"I've accepted that part of being a professional wrestler is having some sort of fame or notoriety," Matt said. "And I'm always happy to oblige fans who come up to me in public. It's the least I can do for their support over the years."
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