The Hardys know their careers are winding down, but you shouldn’t count them out yet.
Matt and Jeff Hardy spoke with WrestleZone Managing Editor Bill Pritchard ahead of TNA’s television tapings in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The Hardys have a Carolina “homecoming” of sorts, as TNA Tag Team Champions grew up in Cameron, about an hour away from the venue. The brothers called their Bound For Glory title win a validating moment for many reasons in their professional and personal lives.
Matt Hardy: “Jeff and I have been busting our asses for the last couple of years to try and be in the best shape we can be in and to try to be as healthy as possible. And speaking about my brother on a personal level, the last two years have been the greatest of his life, especially on a personal level. And I’m so proud of him. I’m so happy for him. And it became frustrating at one point that our utilization just isn’t what we wanted it to be.
“We took it upon ourselves to bet on ourselves and we end up going to TNA. [TNA has] a great team. And I feel like everybody there understands how to utilize us and our status as legends, as Living Legends right? They put us in opportunities and positions to succeed and I feel like we have hit a grand slam every time we’ve been put in one of those positions.”
The Hardys believe their latest title win brings validation
Jeff Hardy: “It’s big-time validation overall. It’s most likely our last run, and to be back in TNA and be the champions again, it really feels good to kind of shine again in the world of pro wrestling. So, I think in the next couple of years are going to be the best years of my career. Honestly, I feel really good and great about moving forward and helping TNA expand all over. And I’m just super crazy excited and still so blessed that I love the craft of pro wrestling, still.”
Matt added that a recent appearance at Rhode Island Comic Con not only highlights their popularity, but shows how much they want TNA to grow and succeed. The Hardys had a meet-and-greet for nearly ten hours at the event, and Jeff encouraged everyone they met to watch TNA and see what they are creating.
Matt Hardy: “Every time a fan came and they said congratulations on the TNA Tag Titles, Jeff said, ‘Please, support TNA. It’s doing really good stuff. Make sure you do what you can to check out TNA.’ Every time he said that, thousands of times, and I was so proud that he did say that. Because we are very proud that we are there.
“They’re doing great things and I think it’s best if all wrestling companies thrive. And they’re doing as good as they possibly can. I want TNA to do the best it can for the industry. I want AEW to do the best it can, I want WWE to do the best it can. The more wrestling thrives across all levels, the better it is for the wrestlers, the people in the industry, and the fans.”
Is it really one last run?
Pritchard pointed out that Jeff said this could be their last run. Have they ever had that feeling before, and how much do they want to prove themselves wrong in that regard?
Matt Hardy: “Great question. I think when you are as humble and you’re selfless as Jeff is, I almost feel like you are conditioned to say that and think that because you live in that moment.”
Jeff Hardy: “No. I never really had the feeling of like, ‘Oh my God! My career is almost over.’ I mean, like I do now. It’s different because I’m in such a good place in my existence and my family, I still have, they still love me and support me. And that’s the main thing, in my existence right now is to be there for [Matt], to be there for them.
“But yeah, it just, it feels like it’s going to be the best run of our careers. And possibly the last. But I am sure as we get further on into it. You know, I’ll judge the idea of how I’m feeling physically, mentally, and all that stuff. But it’s just exciting to still be doing what we are doing this later in life. And I’m crazy with ideas. I’ve got a lot of big ideas. And I’m super excited to bring them to life. And yeah, [we’re] older and a little bit slower, the Hardy Boyz are not done yet.”
TNA’s television tapings take place at the Crown Arena in Fayetteville, North Carolina on November 8 and 9. Watch our full interview with The Hardys below:
