The Hardy Boyz Speak With Fightful

Fightful spoke with the legendary tag team, The Hardys, Matt and Jeff Hardy. The winners of over 10 Tag Team Championships across different promotions sat with Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp for nearly 30 minutes, discussing various topics.

The interview started without Jeff Hardy, but Matt Hardy jokingly said Jeff tends to make a big impression by arriving last and "stealing the show." Matt welcomes his role as the "architect" while saying Jeff is the "rock star" of their team.

Sean mentioned his experience seeing Matt and Jeff at WrestleCade events when they have their meet-and-greets. Sean asks Matt how important those events are to them. Matt said they are significant to them. Matt told Sean they’ve built a loyal fanbase over nearly three decades and have been on television for over 25 years. Matt said it is humbling and flattering to have the fans wait in lines to meet them when they are there.

Sean asked about having each other's backs when they were younger. Matt and Jeff shared a story from their youth. Jeff said he had put dirt in their dad’s girlfriend’s gas tank and mentioned that Matt had put a nail in the tire and gotten away with it. Matt said their father punished Jeff by making him wake up early and go to work with him as punishment before school started. Matt mentioned that their father worked for the postal service. He said it happened for a few weeks. Despite everything they said, their Dad became their biggest fan.

Jeff shared that Matt has often saved him from getting into trouble and avoided embarrassing situations.

Sean asks about the possibility of the Hardys being inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame, though no such announcements have yet to be made. He asks if they would be interested in it. Matt and Jeff agree that it would be an honor to be inducted. Matt said that as weird as it feels, people refer to them as legends.

Jeff says he previously turned down a WWE Hall of Fame induction because he wanted to be inducted with Matt as a team rather than going in solo. They feel that any Hall of Fame induction should celebrate them as a team. He said he turned it down because he was not in a good place, as their father just passed away. Matt mentions that when Jeff told him they offered him a spot in the WWE Hall of Fame, he turned it down because he wanted to go in with his brother. Matt said it was pretty cool, and he feels like any Hall of Fame they get into, they should go in together. Jeff mentioned he did not know TNA still had a Hall of Fame.

Sean mentions the popularity of Jeff’s memes and asks the two if there are any particular memes they are fond of. Jeff mentions that while he isn’t very active online, he enjoys seeing memes, especially those featuring Joe Hendry. Jeff says Hendry has “entertained the heck out of him,” and added that when he started watching TNA again, I said, “He is special.” Matt recalls one of his favorite meme moments was during his AEW tenure when he was “Big Money Matt.”

Sean would then ask, “Who is the worst person you've seen do the Jeff Hardy juke?” Jeff said, “I hate to say this, but Matt is pretty terrible.” Matt agreed with him and said he didn’t have the hips for it after 30 years of Swanton Bombs. They continue to discuss their careers, with Matt saying doing leg drops carried a toll on him and said it was at Judgment Day 2005 when he realized he needed to alter things. He explains that he ultimately switched to safer moves to protect himself.

When asked if they had decided to pass on any moves during matches, Matt said they’ve been asked this before, and nothing stands out. Matt said there was one that surprised them, and that was cleared for WrestleMania 25. Matt explained, “It’s a table sandwich spot. There's a table, and there's another table on top. But instead of putting me on the top table and through two tables, he puts me in the middle. Then he's going to break the table onto me and through. We took a chair and put it over my organs so I wouldn't get punctured with the table.”

Sean mentioned that Michael P.S. Hayes was very influential early in their careers. Matt says Hayes was the most influential person in their career. Matt says Hayes would envision spots with Jeff jumping off a ladder, sending the other wrestler flying. Jeff and Matt mentioned the creative influence Hayes had on their career.

The conversation continued, and they talked about TNA when Sean mentioned they were working with several talents like Santana and Casey Navarro. Matt Hardy says he’s enjoyed working with Moose and how their storyline came together and has been creatively fulfilling. Matt said he had an agreement to be with TNA until June 15th.

The Hardys reflect on the energy within TNA, which has had consecutive sellouts. Matt praised TNA's current management and roster for their dedication. They highlight their excitement for TNA's growth.

Jeff spoke about his recent match against First Class. He said that the match boosted his confidence and inspired him to try new, innovative moves. He mentioned performing the newer move as a "stunning twist." Jeff said the combination was well-received, and they made it a regular part of their repertoire. They are thinking about naming it the “Plot Twist.”

Matt appreciates being able to continue innovating moves even after 30 years as a tag team. He also praises ABC for their innovation and star potential as a team and individually. They acknowledge how much ABC reminds them of their rise, combining teamwork and individual star power.

Sean mentions Don West’s commentary during Jeff’s Swan Dive at Bound for Glory 2005 onto Abyss. Jeff recalled how daring that particular Swan Dive was at that height and stressed the risk involved.

Jeff and Matt shared their respect for Don West. Jeff jokingly said West had a unique fashion sense. Jeff added that West would wear the same-colored shirt and tie and rock it. Matt said Don was a beloved figure in the TNA locker room, boosting morale and positivity.

Sean asked if there were younger wrestlers in TNA who approached them for advice. Matt says the locker room is filled with humble, hardworking talent eager to learn from them. Matt mentions Joe Hendry as one of the younger stars who has sought advice, praising him for his level-headedness and willingness to improve.

The conversation shifts to the Hardys’ signature moves, which have become so iconic that even heels in TNA and elsewhere use them to generate heat from the crowd. Matt says it is flattering to see people use their moves and mannerisms. They share how wrestlers often ask for their permission to use the Swanton Bomb or Twist of Fate during matches.

In closing, Sean mentioned how the WWE trusted them to work with wrestling legends early in their careers. Jeff Hardy recalls his first match with Razor Ramon when he was just 16 years old. Jeff described how surreal it was to walk into the building and see all the wrestlers he had admired on TV. Jeff explains that he did not know if he was on live TV during his first match and says that made the experience even more nerve-wracking. Jeff said that the night after his match with Razor Ramon, Jeff wrestled the 1-2-3 Kid and remembered it as a moment that "refilled his soul" after his initial doubts following his match with Ramon. Jeff said he was given the nickname “Ice” because he resembled Vanilla Ice.

You can follow Matt and Jeff Hardy on social media. Follow Jeff on X and Instagram at @JeffHardyBrand and Matt at @MattHardyBrand.