Jeff Hardy plays a former MMA fighter turned promoter in movie The Favorite, an inspirational true story currently in production. We had a chance to speak with Jeff on Tuesday and discussed him and Matt working for Ring of Honor, the latest on Anthem blocking the Hardy family from using the Broken Universe elsewhere, the possibility of returning to WWE, wanting to be World Champion again and more. Â Here are the highlights:
His involvement in the movie The Favorite:
Jeff: I was asked a few months ago if I’d be interested in doing this, the role of a retired MMA fighter and now a promoter. I just looked over the script and it’s very interesting. It’s based on a true event, this guy that had a close call with death. I was very moved by it, so I’m here for one day only to film. It should be fun.
Does he have any other acting roles scheduled?Â
Jeff:Â No, just a lot of wrestling. March has been crazy, we’re going to finish it out strong in Orlando for WrestleMania weekend, we’re on 3 shows. We’re doing a Ring of Honor show in Lakeland, Florida where we’re wrestling the Young Bucks in a ladder match, so that should be a show stealer. No more movie roles for a while, this is a one time deal for right now.
If he would consider focusing more on acting down the road:
Jeff:Â Yeah, possibly, if this goes well and naturally I can’t wrestle forever. If my music doesn’t succeed, maybe more acting gigs might work out.
Reports that he and Matt have signed short-term deals with Ring of Honor:
Jeff:Â We do, it’s a short term deal and it’s cool because we can still work the indies like we’ve been doing. We’ve really had a good time on the independent circut. We sell a lot of merchandise and take a lot of pictures with fans. It’s great to be your own boss and being able to do TV with Ring of Honor as well.
The latest on Impact Wrestling parent company Anthem blocking the Hardy family from using the Broken Universe elsewhere:
Jeff:Â It’s kind of in limbo right now. It’s just very heartbreaking. I gave 7 years of my life to Impact Wrestling and TNA and for them to hold this against us .. When they threatened to sue Ring of Honor .. What they said was a complete lie, that “they developed the Broken Universe” for us, which is so untrue. We did that all on our own. It started when I broke my leg in April of 2015. The positive outcome of [my accident] is that Broken Matt Hardy was born. Brother Nero was born as well. The stuff we did at our home, Final Deletion, was the highest rated show all year for Impact Wrestling and it was just 4 guys and a couple sound people. We did it all on our own and we totally developed the characters all on our own. For them to hold this against us like this is very sad and heartbreaking. But I think in the end, we’ll come out on top.
In late 2016 when TNA Wrestling’s future was uncertain and Dixie Carter, Billy Corgan and Anthem were fighting for control of the company, did he and Matt align themselves with any particular camp?Â
Jeff:Â Oh fore sure. If Billy was still the President and he owned the company, I’m pretty sure I’d still be there because I get along with Billy great. He is so open minded and he was out there when we filmed Delete or Decay and he was great. He had great ideas and he was out there all night until the sun came up. That said a lot to me so fore sure, if Billy owned the company I’m sure I’d still be under contract. I was excited, to continue to move forward, but oh well, it’s done now so I’m looking forward to future possibilities.
Returning to WWE, his desire to be World Champion again and wanting to bring the Broken Universe to WWE:
Jeff:Â I would love to introduce the Broken Universe to WWE eventually. I think it would be huge. As far as character driven or just a fresh vibe in in the pro wrestling world, yeah I think eventually I’m sure I’m going to jump back into the solo dimension and I’d love to be the world champion again. In my career in WWE, if it works out, the whole Hall of Fame and all that stuff. It started there and I’d like to end there. For now, I’m just having a blast doing the indies and I love the Broken Universe stuff with Matt, I think it’s the best thing he’s ever done. It’s just hard to keep a straight face around him at times, but he can be serious and make sense in a weird way, it’s just so fun. I hope it lasts as long as it can.
If he still follows the WWE product:
Jeff:Â I do, I just watched a little bit of RAW last night and saw Aries debut. I was very proud of him because we’ve had a lot of good matches back in the day and had a great feud. So I was glad to see that and i’m just now catching up with the whole Goldberg movement. He’s destroying everybody until Mania and that’s going to be something big between him and Brock. I tune in every now and then, but I’ve gotta be honest, I kind of miss those crowds. Hopefully I revisit them.
