Jeff Hardy recently shared insights on why he chose to leave AEW despite being offered a new contract. During an episode of the I Love Wrestling podcast, he explained how a particular Will Ospreay match influenced his decision to return to TNA and reunite with his brother Matt Hardy. Jeff described feeling content with his circumstances and acknowledged that his AEW deal running out prompted reflection on his next step in wrestling.
Everything’s great, and I feel like we’re exactly where we’re supposed to be. You know, I think everything worked out the way it was supposed to, especially when my AEW deal kind of ran out. There was a part of me that said, ‘I wonder if I should just take this deal from AEW and try to, you know, build myself up into this amazing superhero wrestler and stay there for a year and just see how things go.’
Jeff Hardy, Wrestler
But then I was watching a Will Ospreay match, and I was like, ‘no, I need to go back to TNA. I think I need to go to TNA and tag with my brother, do the Hardys thing, and help them evolve.’ So yeah, I think everything worked out exactly the way it was supposed to.
Jeff Hardy, Wrestler
Matt Hardy Shares His Perspective on Leaving AEW
Matt Hardy elaborated on the reasons behind his own exit from AEW during a podcast episode. He noted Jeff’s intense focus but acknowledged a sense of regret related to their AEW tenure and the impact it had on their careers as a tag team. Matt emphasized Jeff’s feelings of responsibility for their struggles and highlighted the renewed sense of purpose Jeff found after transitioning to TNA.
Jeff is good. Jeff is locked in. He’s locked in. He’s hyperfocused. But it was still a new concept to him, like, say, a year and a half ago when he first came to TNA. He felt like he was part of the reason our downfall happened in AEW—and to a degree, he was. And you know, that is deserved to a degree. He made a mistake.
Matt Hardy, Wrestler
But it affects me—if you have a tag team partner in pro wrestling, it often affects you if your tag team partner makes a mistake. And Jeff felt really, really terrible about that. I mean, he had so much regret about it. To see him come to TNA and get an opportunity, being utilized to his utmost value, being put in a position to succeed, and then being able to succeed and be in this great place in life—he is just so happy, and he feels so rewarded.
Matt Hardy, Wrestler
He says this all the time. He says, ‘We are both exactly where we need to be.’ And that’s truly how he feels. And that makes me happy, because for the longest time he was so down on himself. So I’m glad he’s got that opportunity.
Matt Hardy, Wrestler
And it’s just one of those things, man. I don’t know, man. During those times in AEW, there were moments where both myself and Jeff—especially me, when I was there and not really doing anything—it just made me question, like, ‘Ah, why am I still doing this? Like, I love this, but this doesn’t feel like something I love right now.’
Matt Hardy, Wrestler
And I knew if we could get into a groove of doing something good and be where we need to be—and ultimately, what we needed to do was leave and go to TNA—then we’d find that again. And we did. I am as much in love with the business as I have ever been this year.
Matt Hardy, Wrestler
Background on the Hardy Brothers’ Career Moves
Before their AEW stint, the Hardy brothers had significant involvement in various promotions, including the Organization of Modern Extreme Grappling Arts (OMEGA), which they co-founded. Their journey through WWE, AEW, and eventually back to TNA reflects a complex career path motivated by personal growth, creative fulfillment, and family legacy.
Their move back to TNA symbolizes a strategic choice to revive the iconic “Hardys” brand in an environment they believe offers better opportunities for wrestling evolution and personal satisfaction. Jeff’s inspiration drawn from the Will Ospreay match underscored a desire to refine his craft and reconnect with the tag team dynamic he values deeply alongside Matt.
Implications of the Hardys’ Decisions in Pro Wrestling
The departures of Jeff and Matt Hardy from AEW highlight ongoing challenges and motivations that established wrestlers face navigating their careers across promotions. Their candid reflections emphasize the importance of aligning professional opportunities with personal goals and passions, factors that often drive significant transitions in the wrestling industry.
Given the Hardys’ lasting influence and multi-generational impact on the sport, their choice to return to TNA may inspire other veterans assessing their careers and potential moves. Fans and industry observers can expect renewed excitement around the Hardy brothers as they contribute to TNA’s evolving landscape and continue to shape professional wrestling’s narrative.
