Matt Hardy expressed strong approval for Tony Khan’s decision to invest in AEW’s promising tag team, Brodido, composed of Bandido and Brody King. In recent weeks, the duo has gained rapid momentum within AEW, highlighted by their impressive journey through the World Tag Team Tournament.
Brody King and Bandido advanced to the finals of the tournament, where they battled FTR to a 30-minute time limit draw. This stalemate allowed both teams to progress and face the Hurt Syndicate at Forbidden Door. Ultimately, Brodido emerged victorious, capturing the AEW World Tag Team Championship and solidifying their status as a top tag team in the promotion.
Brody King and Bandido’s Swift Rise in AEW Tag Team Division
On his “Extreme Life Of Matt Hardy” podcast, Hardy highlighted the surprising but welcome emergence of Brodido, noting their genuine chemistry and talent. He revealed that the pair has a longstanding friendship and history of working together, which has translated into their success as a team.
“They kinda came out of nowhere, which is amazing. I was hearing a little backstory from the scrum they did afterwards, I guess they’ve been pals for a while. They’ve worked together a lot, and they’ve been friends for a bit. I think they’re both individually talented, and I love that they’re gelling, and it seems like people are behind them. It’s cool that they’ve created a tag team that has some nice momentum in AEW.” —Matt Hardy, Former AEW Star
Hardy emphasized that the team’s sudden popularity is significant given how they appear to have captured the audience’s support effectively, marking a refreshing shift in AEW’s tag team scene.
Importance of Tony Khan’s Role in Capitalizing on Brodido’s Momentum
When asked about Tony Khan‘s role in fostering the team’s rise, Hardy agreed that Khan deserves credit for capitalizing on their growing momentum. He stressed the importance of Khan maintaining close attention to live crowd reactions as AEW continues to evolve.
“No doubt. As time ticks on, that’s going to be more important for TK to listen to the crowd and cater to the crowd and do what the crowd asks him to do, especially the crowd in the live arena, not the crowd on X.” —Matt Hardy, Former AEW Star
Hardy’s comments underline the necessity for AEW leadership to remain attuned to the preferences of live audiences, which often differ from online fanbases, to sustain the company’s success.
Matt Hardy Welcomes Wardlow’s Return to AEW
Besides commenting on Brodido, Hardy expressed satisfaction over Wardlow’s recent return to AEW at Forbidden Door. Wardlow had been absent since March 2024 after last competing for the World Championship against Samoa Joe. Reports indicated that Wardlow was recovering from a knee injury and had also secured a role on American Gladiators in early 2025.
Hardy noted that although Wardlow has reappeared as a heel aligned with the Don Callis Family, it is expected that he will eventually regain his place as a fan-favorite babyface within AEW’s narrative.
Upcoming Developments for AEW and Its Talented Roster
Brodido’s tag team success and Wardlow’s return are important milestones for AEW as the company continues to build its roster around rising stars while retaining its key veterans. Tony Khan’s ability to recognize and nurture talent like Bandido and Brody King enhances AEW’s competitive tag team division, which in turn keeps live audiences engaged and invested in ongoing storylines.
As AEW progresses deeper into 2025, maintaining a strong connection with live crowds will be critical for sustaining the momentum of emerging talents and strengthening the promotion’s presence in the wrestling landscape.
