On his Extreme Life of Matt Hardy podcast, Matt looked at the recent push of Harley Cameron, who despite her popularity, came up short against Mercedes Moné at Grand Slam: Australia. Hardy argued that even if Cameron isn’t on Mone’s level when it comes to in-ring wrestling ability, that shouldn’t have been a factor in the event’s booking.

“Who cares? Harley doesn’t match her in the ring. That’s irrelevant.”

Hardy shared his issue with Tony Khan’s mantra that AEW is ‘Where the best wrestle.’ While this is some effective promoting of the company, Hardy believes that Khan’s focus on in-ring work is having a negative impact on popular acts on the roster who may not be the ‘best’ in the ring.

“It doesn’t matter if she doesn’t match up. It drives me nuts man. If you are over (as a) character, if people are interested, it’s gonna help sell tickets, it’s gonna move merch, and someone that’s popular, utilize them.”

While Cameron may still become AEW TBS Champion, many believe the promotion’s ideal window has passed, and that a victory in her native Australia should have happened. The match in Brisbane marked Cameron’s first time competing for any championship in AEW, with fans hoping it is not her last.

As for Hardy, he will be a part of the upcoming WWE NXT, in a historic return for both himself and Jeff. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Matt Hardy and his views on AEW and the wider wrestling world.

The Hardys are set to make their in-ring return to WWE television on the February 25 episode of NXT, marking their first tag team match in the company since 2019. The TNA World Tag Team Champions accepted a challenge from Tavion Heights and Myles Borne of the No Quarter Catch Crew, setting up a must-see showdown.

Beyond their long-awaited return, Matt Hardy will achieve a historic milestone. His appearance on NXT will set a new record for the longest gap between matches in the brand’s history. Hardy last competed on the very first season of NXT in March 2010, meaning his upcoming match marks a 15-year hiatus from the brand. This surpasses Carlito’s previous record of 13 years and nine months between NXT appearances.

The Hardys’ return to WWE adds another chapter to their storied careers, bringing veteran experience to the NXT tag team division. Their match against the rising stars of No Quarter Catch Crew will be a clash of generations, giving fans an exciting mix of nostalgia and fresh competition.

NXT Preview for 2/25/25

This Tuesday, February 25, 2025, WWE NXT airs live from The Andrew J Brady Music Center in Cincinnati at 8 PM ET on The CW.

• Stephanie Vaquer defends the NXT Women’s North American Championship against Karmen Petrovic
• Moose puts the TNA X-Division Championship on the line against Lexis King
• The Hardy Boyz faces No Quarter Catch Crew
• Ricky Saints teams with Je’Von Evans to take on Ethan Page and Wes Lee

Matt Hardy says his brother Jeff Hardy wants to ‘right the wrongs’ with his WWE return.

The Hardy Boyz are set to make a return to WWE programming next week after years. The duo will be representing TNA Wrestling and face off against Tavion Heights and Myles Borne at the February 25 edition of NXT.

The Broken One opened up about his excitement about the upcoming appearance on his podcast. He revealed that the whole thing came together very quickly and he is not sure where it is headed:

“Really excited about this, man. All this stuff — even us popping up and responding to that challenge on NXT, that was a very last-minute thing. So it’s going to be interesting. It’s going to be fun.

I don’t know where this ride’s going. I really don’t want to know where this route is going in all capacities. Because I want, especially whatever we end up doing, I want everything to be as natural and as organic and as real as possible, as authentic as possible.”

• The Rock Reveals Wrestling Moment That Broke His Spirits

He Wants To Show Them Who He Is: Matt Hardy

For Jeff Hardy, the return would be a sort of redemption after his infamous walkout during a live event match that led to his WWE release in December 2021. After his failed AEW run, the Charismatic Enigma has expressed interest in making a return to the company in recent times believing that he could retire CM Punk before going into Hall of Fame.

Matt Hardy also revealed how his brother feels about the comeback claiming that Jeff wants to use the opportunity to show everyone who he really is:

“He’s very happy to be going back and I feel like he wants to right the wrongs, he wants to leave on a good note, no more erratic behavior. He wants to go back and show them who he is.”

The Attitude Era star expressed the belief that WWE waited this long to do something with The Hardys as part of the TNA deal because they wanted to see how Jeff fared in his TNA run.

• The ‘Real’ Reason Shane McMahon’s AEW Appearance Never Happened

Matt Hardy has revealed the strangest gift he has ever received from a fan.

People being obsessed with celebrities is not a new phenomenon. Sometimes these fans, however, cross the line and do something that feels like a wild dream.

The Attitude Era star recalled one such incident that left him stunned during the latest episode of his podcast. Matt Hardy was talking about the days when The Hardy Boyz first rose to stardom in WWE. The wrestling veteran noted how they used to receive a lot of gifts from fans at the time but one exceeded all others:

“Well, they sent it to my PO box. We had a PO box. There was a young lady who sent me a vial of her blood and it wasn’t a small. It was a big vial, a big vial of her blood.”

• Booker T Discusses Working With Corey Graves After Recent Controversy

It Was Wild: Matt Hardy

The madness didn’t end there as the fan not only wanted Matt Hardy to have their blood as a souvenir but they wanted the wrestling star to actually inject it into his veins:

“She said in the note, she said, ‘We’ve met and I know you don’t know me well, but we are connected. We are linked. I need you to take this blood, put into a syringe and put it into your own blood vessels.’ She said and if you put my blood into your blood vessels, then give me a vial of yours. This is my return address.

She said, and we’ll always be linked. We can always feel one another. I mean it sounded like a script out of True Blood. It was wild. That’s probably the most wild fan interaction I’ve ever had. She was at least, I’ll give it to her, she was committed to the bit.”

• New Evidence In Jade Cargill Case Implicates Raw Tag Team In Mystery Attack

TNA Wrestling delivered with its Genesis 2025, which saw plenty of notable names appear from WWE NXT as part of a multi-year partnership. Nathan Frazer and Axiom were among those who ‘crossed the line’ and fans could soon see them share the ring with The Hardys.

During Genesis, it was announced that Fraxiom will defend their NXT Tag Team Titles against The Rascalz on Thursday’s live episode of TNA Impact. If Fraxiom retains their titles, The Hardys appear eager to step up as their next challengers. In an online promo, Matt Hardy shared that he and Jeff, already TNA’s World Tag Team Champions, are coming from Fraxiom.

“The Hardys, we are forever. Fraxiom, I noticed you were out there tonight. You’ve got a couple of titles too. We’d love to go on another expedition of gold. So maybe we’ll see you around.”

Throughout their storied career, The Hardys have captured numerous tag team championships across the pro wrestling world. Between WWE, TNA, and Ring of Honor, Matt and Jeff are 13-time World Tag Team Champions, in addition to holding titles from smaller promotions. Fraxiom are in their second reign as NXT Tag Team Champions, and their efforts with the gold earned the pair the ‘Tag Team Of the Year’ award during the recent NXT End Of Year Awards.

The Hardys are considered one of the greatest tag teams of all time, but the NXT Tag Team Titles remain a prize they have yet to claim. With both Matt and Jeff having discussed possibly wrestling in a WWE ring again as part of the TNA partnership, fans are excited to see the brothers potentially holding the NXT Tag Team Championships.

Joe Hendry Calls Out John Cena For TNA Vs. WWE Match

Fans can expect to see TNA’s Matt Hardy as part of WWE programming soon, including a genuine possibility of an in-ring return. On the latest edition of the Insight podcast, Hardy shared that he has filmed content for the Sports Entertainment juggernaut that will be dropping soon.

“We filmed some content for WWE that’ll probably be dropping pretty soon. I saw the Dudleys did it the day before us, and I know theirs just dropped recently.”

Matt parted ways with WWE in 2020 but the “perfect storm arose” that has allowed him to work with the company recently. Matt also believes that WWE’s ongoing partnership with TNA could make an in-ring return possible.

“I feel good about that… I think you could see us pop up even as TNA champs on some WWE show.”

Matt and Jeff are currently in their third reign as TNA World Tag Team Champions after capturing the gold from The System at Bound for Glory in October 2024. Though the champs have yet to resurface in WWE, TNA Knockouts World Champion Masha Slamovich was spotted at the January 14, edition of WWE NXT.

Masha Slamovich Teases Future WWE NXT Role After Surprise Appearance

Decades after debuting in WWE in the mid 1990s, there’s still no shortage of love for Matt and Jeff Hardy among fans. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on the Hardy Boyz, and whether a TNA World Tag Title defense in a WWE ring is in store for the iconic duo.

WWE’s roster evolution continues as major wrestling contracts expire in 2025. From veteran superstars to rising technical talents, here’s who could potentially join WWE’s ranks.

Veterans With Expiring Contracts

Emerging Talent Watch

Strategic Opportunities for WWE

• Veteran Leadership: Jericho and the Hardys bring mainstream appeal and mentorship potential
• Technical Division: Gresham could enhance WWE’s pure wrestling presentation
• Tag Team Depth: Parker and Menard offer experienced tag team options
• Broadcasting: Jim Ross provides legendary commentary possibilities

Contract status information courtesy of industry reports and public statements from talent. Dates subject to change based on contract extensions or early releases.

A Potential Glimpse into WWE’s Future: The Independent Scene’s Role in 2025

As WWE navigates its 2025 free-agent landscape, the company’s ability to scout and secure fresh talent from the independent wrestling scene remains critical. While the big names of current WWE superstars dominate headlines, several rising stars from the independent circuit could potentially reshape the roster’s future.

Here’s a look at some noteworthy independent wrestlers poised to make waves in the coming years:

Megan Bayne

Ranked an impressive 139 in the 2024 PWI 500, Megan Bayne is redefining what it means to be a versatile, dominant performer. Known for her strength and ability to compete in intergender matches, Bayne has built a reputation by defeating prominent opponents like Joey Janela and Alec Price.

Her unique blend of power, charisma, and versatility makes her a compelling candidate for WWE, where her talent could shine across both the women’s and men’s divisions.

Alec Price

Breaking into the top 100 of the PWI 500 at 92, Alec Price has emerged as a technical marvel in the indie scene. Known for his adaptability and fierce in-ring style, Price has already made a name for himself against opponents like Jonathan Gresham and Mustafa Ali.

His charisma and in-ring storytelling would make him a fantastic addition to WWE’s roster, especially in programs requiring high-energy, technical matches.

Richard Holliday

One of the most talked-about heels in the indie circuit, Richard Holliday ranks at 215 but brings a character-driven approach that resonates deeply with audiences.

His recovery from Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2023 further exemplifies his determination and love for wrestling. Holliday’s flair for trash talk and ability to seamlessly play the villain make him a natural fit for WWE’s entertainment-focused brand, drawing comparisons to stars like The Miz and MJF.

Zilla Fatu

The son of Umaga, Zilla Fatu, has emerged as a standout with just 33 matches in 2024. His natural charisma, in-ring presence, and heritage make him a compelling addition to any major wrestling promotion. As he transitions from Game Changer Wrestling and builds a wider profile, Fatu is a prime candidate for WWE’s developmental system.

Calvin Tankman

With his imposing 350-pound frame and agility, Calvin Tankman has made waves across promotions like Deadlock Pro and West Coast Pro Wrestling. At 29 years old, Tankman combines experience with untapped potential, making him a valuable asset for any roster.

Titus Alexander

A staple of the West Coast wrestling scene, Titus Alexander, 24, has competed in promotions like Pro Wrestling Guerrilla and NOAH. Known for his high-energy performances and technical skill, Alexander could thrive in WWE’s high-octane environment.

Ichiban

Drawing comparisons to El Generico for his fun, lighthearted demeanor, Ichiban is a masked sensation from the Northeast indie scene. At just 24 years old, he competed in an astounding 94 matches in 2024, showcasing his resilience and versatility.

Jordan Oliver

Recovering from an ACL injury in 2024, Jordan Oliver has a promising career ahead as he returns to the ring. With a history in MLW and an exciting tag team career with Nick Wayne, Oliver could shine as either a solo or tag competitor in WWE.

Blake Christian

Having previously held a contract with WWE’s NXT, Blake Christian has since excelled on the independent scene. His year-long GCW World Title reign and matches against top talent like Will Ospreay have solidified his reputation as a main-event-caliber performer.

Viva Van

A unique presence on the indie circuit, Viva Van blends athleticism with a magnetic persona. Her work across promotions like GCW has cemented her as one of the most exciting female talents in recent memory.

Sam Holloway

At 6’9” and 264 pounds, Sam Holloway has a commanding presence that evokes comparisons to WWE’s Creed Brothers. With 59 matches in 2024, he’s shown potential as a future powerhouse in professional wrestling.

Starboy Charlie

At just 21 years old, Starboy Charlie has already made his mark on the West Coast scene, competing in high-profile matches for promotions like NOAH and GCW. His youth and skill set make him a prime candidate for WWE’s developmental system.

Why WWE Should Invest in Independent Talent

While marquee signings and contract renewals dominate WWE’s 2025 free-agent strategy, nurturing independent talent like Bayne, Mathers, Price, and Holliday offers a sustainable path for long-term success. Each brings a unique skill set and untapped potential, ensuring that WWE’s roster remains dynamic and diverse for years to come.

By keeping an eye on the independent scene and integrating fresh faces into its developmental and main roster programs, WWE can solidify its reputation as the premier destination for wrestling talent.

Matt Hardy has picked Drew McIntyre as his heel of the year.

The wrestling veteran reflected on 2024 on the latest episode of his podcast and gave out awards in various categories. He picked Cody Rhodes as his babyface of the year.

When it came to picking heel of the year, Hardy gave mentions to people like Hangman Page and Gunther but said that The Scottish Warrior was head and shoulder above everyone else:

“Drew McIntyre is head and shoulders above the rest I almost feel like. Everybody was great but just Drew McIntyre had an extremely amazing year. 2024 was a year of Drew McIntyre no doubt.”

• Matt Hardy Details His First Impression Of Kurt Angle

Really Embraced His Heel Role: Matt Hardy

Matt Hardy picked the former World Champion as his talker of the year as well, explaining how McIntyre has completely committed to his character. The Attitude Era star recalled the viral moment of McIntyre walking out of his Busted Open interview and revealed that it was all the WWE star’s idea:

“My favorite this year, especially because he really embraced his heel role and he went so through with the shtick is Drew McIntyre. One thing that I wanted to say about Drew McIntyre, about committing to the schtick.

So I had just learned from talking to Tommy Dreamer and Dave LaGreca. Whenever he did that bit with Busted Open, he was out there and he gave that heart….It was really a from-the-heart type spill as he was saying, which he kind of sounded like a dickhead for saying, but obviously, some of it rang true.

He dropped the mic and he left, and none of those guys were in the know. I mean, that was all done on his own. Nobody had any idea that was coming. That was all him working his character.”

Matt Hardy did not expect Kurt Angle to become the ultimate entertainer when the two first met.

The Broken One talked about the career of the Olympic Gold Medallist in detail during the latest episode of his podcast. He talked about things such as Angle’s WWE TV debut, his first world title win and more.

Before all this, however, Hardy discussed his first impression of the fellow wrestling veteran. He noted that Kurt Angle seemed to be a mix of a dry personality with killer instincts when the two first met:

“When I think about Kurt Angle initially. I remember hearing about him when he was signing with WWE. I remember meeting him and just how, it almost seemed like he had a very dry personality.

He was just like one of these straightforward, kick-ass athletes, who was just kind of quiet and just kind of did his thing but he was a killer whenever he would get you on the mat. That’s what it seemed out initially.”

• Matt Hardy On How The Death Of Eddie Guerrero Changed His Perspective

‘Does He Have A Larger Than Life Personality?’: Matt Hardy

Even when Matt Hardy got the chance to work out with Angle, he did not perceive the success Kurt would achieve with his character work. He did not see the WWE Hall of Famer becoming the ultimate entertainer that he ended up becoming:

“Even working out with him in the beginning, as he was kind of learning about pro wrestling and whatnot, it just seemed like ‘Ah, I don’t know. This guy. Does he have a larger-than-life personality? Is he really gonna excel?’ He’s gonna be great in the ring, because his mechanics are awesome. They’re just unbelievable. He’s so physically, athletically gifted, he would probably be great.

But just the thing I think about with Kurt Angle was like how I did not expect him to morph into this complete, entertaining character that was absolutely amazing, had a great comedic timing and great comedic humor. [He] could just entertain the shit out of everyone out there. He ended up being the ultimate entertainer, and like you said, one of the greatest packages ever in pro wrestling.”

You can check out the full episode of Matt Hardy’s podcast on Kurt Angle below:

Fans can expect to see plenty more of Matt and Jeff Hardy in TNA Wrestling as the legendary duo has re-signed with the promotion. News of the pair’s new deals with TNA was broken by SI, who spoke with Matt about this latest run with the company.

“It’s like we turned back time. Everything’s clicking. We’re very happy with what we’re doing there, and we want to do what we can to help build TNA back into one of the top brands in pro wrestling.”

Re-signing The Hardys is certainly a boon for TNA, which relaunched in January of this year to much fanfare after years as Impact Wrestling. Since then, TNA has maintained momentum thanks to popular talents including World Champions Nic Nemeth, Jordynne Grace, and Joe Hendry, as well as its popular partnership with WWE NXT.

Matt and Jeff both returned to TNA after AEW runs many fans believed fell short of what could’ve been for one of wrestling’s most popular tag-teams. The Hardys captured the TNA World Tag Team Championships at Bound for Glory in October, ending the 43-day reign of The System (Brian Myers and Eddie Edwards.)

As for how long The Hardys’ time with the gold, that remains to be seen, but fans can expect plenty more of the brothers in the iMPACT Zone. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Matt and Jeff Hardy and their plans as part of the TNA roster.

Matt Hardy says the sudden passing of Eddie Guerrero made him realize that tomorrow isn’t guaranteed.

The wrestling veteran was part of the SmackDown roster when the Latino Heat unexpectedly passed away back in November 2003. Like other members of the locker room, Hardy was also shocked by the turn of events and it taught him a valuable lesson in life.

The TNA star talked about the sudden death of Guerrero on the latest episode of his podcast. While discussing the backstage reaction to the news, Hardy said that it was the first time he really felt like you never know what the future holds:

“I remember that was one of the first times I really felt like you never know, like tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. I do that too. I say it all the time now to people. I try and live every day like I’m gonna die tomorrow. You never know. Nothing is guaranteed.

You need to live every day to the maximum. You need to try and optimize every day. The people that you love, don’t leave them without telling them you love them. Because you never know if it’s gonna be the last time you see them or not.”

• Matt Hardy Says Experience In Saudi Arabia Made Him Appreciate Freedoms of Life In US

Now I Never Know: Matt Hardy

Unfortunately for Matt Hardy, the passing of Guerrero isn’t the only time he had to witness such an event in his wrestling career. Most recently the deaths of Jay Briscoe and Bray Wyatt have reminded him again that you never know what’s in store for you:

“That was the first instance where I really felt like that. Like, ‘Whoa. Hold up.’ This guy was just wrestling, doing this stuff like a superior athlete does. now he’s passed away. Now he’s died. And you know obviously the Jay Briscoe thing that really set in, the Windham thing that set in. Now, just like I never know.

I try and I make sure every time I tell my kids, every time I leave, it’s mandatory that I have to hug them, I have to say I love you. I just do. I try and treat everyone and live every day like it might be my last. Because you hope it isn’t, but you never know.”

• Matt Hardy Recalls Backstage Reaction To Titus O’Neil’s Viral Saudi Arabia Moment

Matt and Jeff Hardy have once again reached the pinnacle of TNA’s tag team division by capturing the promotion’s tag title gold at Bound for Glory.

In the main event of the show, the Hardys defeated reigning champions The System (Brian Myers and Eddie Edwards) as well as ABC (Ace Austin and Chris Bey.) The match was contested under Full Metal Mayhem rules (TNA’s equivalent to WWE’s TLC match.) The win marks the brothers’ third time as TNA World Tag Team Champions, after previously holding the gold in 2015 and 2016.

TNA Bound For Glory 2024 Results

• Pre-Show: Ash by Elegance and Heather by Elegance (with The Personal Concierge) defeated Xia Brookside and Brinley Reece (NXT)
• Pre-Show: Frankie Kazarian won the Call Your Shot Gauntlet by last eliminating Rhino
• Mike Bailey (c) defeated El Hijo del Vikingo (TNA X-Division Championship)
• Spitfire (Jody Threat and Dani Luna) (c) defeated Rosemary and Wendy Choo (NXT) (TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Championship)
• Josh Alexander defeated Steve Maclin
• PCO (c) defeated Matt Cardona (Monster’s Ball, TNA Digital Media Championship & International Heavyweight Wrestling Championship)
• Mike Santana defeated Moose
• Masha Slamovich defeated Jordynne Grace (c) (TNA Knockouts World Championship)
• Nic Nemeth (c) defeated Joe Hendry (TNA World Championship, Frankie Kazarian as guest referee)
• The Hardys (Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy) defeated The System (Brian Myers and Eddie Edwards) (c) (with Alisha Edwards) and ABC (Ace Austin and Chris Bey) (Three-way Full Metal Mayhem, TNA World Tag Team Championship)

TNA Bound for Glory 2024 will take place on October 26, 2024, from the Wayne State Fieldhouse in Detroit, Michigan. The show will be the 20th Bound for Glory show, and the first under the TNA branding since 2016, following on from TNA’s relaunch earlier this year.

The show already features a stacked card, including a triple-threat tag-team Full Metal Mayhem match between ABC, The Hardys, and TNA World Tag Team Champions The System. Now, that match has undergone a change, as for the first time in close to a decade, the match will be won when the victors capture the titles from above the ring. In recent years, the match has been contested under pinfall and submission rules, and this change will add a new layer of excitement to the bout.

On the surface, this stipulation favors the Hardys, who are no strangers to Full Metal Mayhem, TNA’s answer to the TLC match. Jeff Hardy has appeared in five FMM matches, including the very first match of its card back at TNA Against All Odds 2005. Matt has been in three Full Metal Mayhem matches but has yet to win the contest.

While Bryan Myers has yet to compete in Full Metal Mayhem, his tag-team partner Eddie Edwards is a regular in the contest with four appearances and two wins to his name. Both Ace Austin and Chris Bey of ABC have yet to compete under the stipulation.

TNA Bound For Glory 2024

Here is the card as it currently stands for TNA Bound for Glory 2024.

• TNA World Heavyweight Championship Match:
  Nic Nemeth vs. Joe Hendry
• TNA Tag Team Championship Full Metal Mayhem Match:
  The System vs. The Hardys vs. ABC
• TNA Digital Media Championship & International Heavyweight Championship Monsters Ball Match:
  PCO vs. Matt Cardona
• TNA Knockouts Championship Match:
  Jordynne Grace vs. Masha Slamovich
• Mike Santana vs. Moose

Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest from TNA Bound for Glory 2024, including breaking news and live results.

Matt and Jeff Hardy have been working with WWE to produce interviews for upcoming documentaries, Fightful Select has reported. In addition to interviews, other content with the brothers has reportedly been filmed that will be rolled out on WWE’s digital media platforms in the future. WWE sources reportedly told Fightful that fans shouldn’t read too much into this situation, but that an eventual appearance by the brothers wouldn’t be out of the question.

The Hardy Boyz separately parted ways with AEW earlier this year and both have since been working with TNA. It has been reported that both men are working in TNA without official contracts meaning WWE would be able to offer them a deal if they wanted.

Matt and Jeff’s last return to WWE took place at WrestleMania 33 and the pair won the RAW Tag Team Championships in one of the most exciting returns in recent history. Matt left WWE in 2020 while Jeff would be controversially released the next year after refusing to enter rehab. It was later revealed that the behavior that made WWE insist on Jeff entering rehab was not due to drugs.

Could A Return Happen?

Fans reportedly should not read too much into the Hardyz filming WWE content, but there are those eager to see the legendary brothers make a full-term return. Last month, Matt Hardy told fans to “never say never” and teased that the Hardy Boyz could return as part of the ongoing NXT-TNA crossover. The elder Hardy pointed out that the WWE NXT Tag Team Championships are a set of titles that the pair are yet to win and teased that could change.

This tease came shortly after Matt said on Busted Open Radio that his “best case scenario” would see the pair have “a hell of a run” in TNA before doing “something small” in WWE followed by a Hall of Fame induction. Jeff has said he only wants an induction if he goes in with his brother. Stay tuned to SE Scoops for all the latest on Matt & Jeff Hardy and a potential WWE return.

Game Changer Wrestling has announced that Nick Gage is set to face Matt Hardy at the GCW Now And Forever event on August 2.

This will be the first time the two would go against each other in the ring:

“*BREAKING* NICK GAGE returns and takes on the debuting MATT HARDY in a first time ever Dream Match THIS FRIDAY in CLEVELAND!” the announcement on GCW’s X/Twitter page reads.

“Im gonna cause matt hardy to feel physical pain when i fight him in Cleveland,” the 43-year-old wrestler wrote on X regarding the match.

Gage notably wasn’t able to appear on the GCW Worst Behavior on July 5, because of injury. He was subsequently advertised for events taking place on July 18 and 20, but he was still unable to make appearances due to the injury. He last competed on the June 14 event of GCW Lights Out, where he defeated Orin Veidt.  

Nick Gage has made a name for himself with his hardcore matches, after competing in GCW and on other indie promotions. Gage also made appearances for AEW in 2021, when he was involved in the feud between MJF and Chris Jericho.

Meanwhile, this would be Matt Hardy’s debut in GCW. His last televised match at the time of writing was at TNA iMPACT on July 21, where he teamed up with ABC (Ace Austin and Chris Bey) to defeat JDC and The System (Brian Myers and Eddie Edwards).

Hardy recently talked about his experience wrestling in Saudi Arabia for WWE, noting that he had a great time there with the people. However, he came back appreciating the freedoms of life in the US.

Jeff Hardy is in no hurry to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame after the company’s previous offer “didn’t feel right at all” to the legend.

In late 2021, Hardy’s actions during a WWE live event led the company to suspect that he was using substances and released him after he refused to go to rehab. A drugs test would later reveal that Hardy had not been under the influence of substances. WWE would try and coax Jeff back in early 2022 (an act that’d keep him from joining) AEW but to no avail.

Part of WWE’s efforts to win Hardy back after his release was the promise of a Hall of Fame induction. Speaking on Busted Open Radio, Jeff made clear that going in without his brother Matt (who was with AEW at the time) did not feel right.

“I cried after that phone call. I was just thinking about all the really cool moments I’ve given to the pro-wrestling world. I’m so proud of it, but it didn’t feel right at all. So, I just wanted to wait. If I did do this, I’m definitely doing that with Matt.”

Despite his lofty achievements on his own, include three reigns as a WWE World Champion, Jeff is not interested in a solo induction. In the interview, Hardy made clear that if he is inducted, it’ll be as one-half of the Hardy Boyz, adding “I just want one ring.”

Although Hardy has done more than enough to warrant two inductions, his dedication to his brother Matt trumps any accolade WWE may bestow on the Charismatic Enigma. These days, fans can find Jeff and Matt teaming once more in TNA Wrestling, though Jeff was recently written off TV with an attack by The System.

Related: Jeff Hardy Has “So Much Guilt” & Shame Over Past Mistakes

The world of professional wrestling has shown how they celebrated this year’s Fourth of July, with everything from fireworks to juggling.

On Twitter, WWE Women’s Champion Bayley showed off her red, white, and blue juggling skills while balancing a can of Stone Cold’s IPA.

Dave Bautista wished fans a Happy 4th of July with a throwback photo from WWE Tribute to the Troops.

WWE Hall of Famer John ‘Bradshaw’ Layfield gave a unique depiction of what happened during the Revolutionary War.

Kurt Angle opted to give a Santa Claus-inspired message to his 1.3 million followers on Twitter as well as a very patriotic photo.

WWE legend AJ Lee reminded fans of the issues fireworks and loud noises have on pets and had a solution of her own in mind.

Matt Hardy made clear he’s grateful to be an American alongside some photos of himself and his family.

Ric Flair had one familiar word in mind to describe his excitement over this year’s July 4th celebrations.

AEW commentator Jim Ross had some words of advice for those celebrating.

Lex Luger shared a throwback to July 4, 1993, when he slammed Yokozuna in a moment that’d set up their WWF title match at that year’s SummerSlam.

Whatever way you celebrated, we at SE Scoops hope you had an enjoyable Fourth of July!

Matt Hardy has opened up about his experience in Saudi Arabia.

The former WWE star visited the country with the rest of the roster for two early PLEs in the Kingdom. He teamed with Bray Wyatt to win the vacated Raw Tag Team Championships at the Greatest Royal Rumble in 2018 and competed in a battle royal at the 2019 Super ShowDown event.

During the latest episode of his Extreme Life with Matt Hardy podcast, the Broken One reflected on his experience in the country. He compared the environment there to Los Angeles where the accommodations were luxuries but they had to deal with hot weather. The former Champion also claimed that everyone he met there was super nice to him:

“All those people that came to the show or that we met, they were all super kind. They’re all super nice. I did like a VIP party at one point and everybody there was just as friendly and as kind as it could have been. That’s one of the things that I think sometimes people forget about. Most of the people that live in Saudi Arabia are just normal human beings like you and I that have red blood whenever their skin gets cut open, that have a heart and lungs and whatever else in there, just trying to make it through every day and trying to live the best life they possibly can.

So my impressions of it were that it was nice, and you could see there was wealth in the country. Some of the spreads we had to eat were like outrageously great and good. We were taken very good care of while we were there. The hotel was very nice. The food was very nice. So no complaints on any of that front. And even the people that we met that we worked with that were like more government-type officials they were all very nice. There was nobody that was weird. There was no one that was off-putting.”

• Matt Hardy Reveals Backstage Reaction To Titus O’Neil’s Viral Greatest Royal Rumble Fall

It Made Me Appreciate United States Even More: Matt Hardy

Though despite all the luxuries, all the roster members were still on their toes not wanting to break any laws of Saudi Arabia. Matt Hardy also recalled an incident that made him appreciate the freedoms of US more:

“Probably the strangest thing and this is me being an American, right and growing up in the South. I just grew up [with] my dad, I would get my ass beat if it wasn’t ‘Yes, sir. Yes, ma’am.’ and whatnot. Just the way the women had to wear their outfits in the job whatever you see in majority of the women’s eyes.

Not everyone had to dress fully like that but the majority of the people did. There was one point where I was out on the beach hanging out with a couple guys. A couple guys came in front of us that were wearing shorts and short sleeve shirts, whatever. They say ‘Oh our kids are big fans. they would love to meet you.’ They said ‘If you can wait a second our wives are taking care of them’ Their wives were over there and they’re fully dressed in the outfits the wives have to wear during the day when they’re out on public.

And it was just, that was strange, you know, and I guess everybody that was there was just very much on their toes. They just wanted to act proper because you didn’t want to do anything that would break laws in Saudi Arabia obviously, just because it’s a very different culture from us. It is what it is. We knew what we were going into. It was a very different culture. They live very differently than we do here in America. I feel like even the experience of going over there made me appreciate America and the United States even more just because of all the freedoms we have.”

The latest WWE PPV from Saudi Arabia dubbed King and Queen of The Ring will be airing live from the Jeddah Super Dome on May 25.

WWE’s visits to Saudi Arabia always make headlines and their shows in the country are filled with memorable moments. Not all of these moments however are planned in advance.

Former WWE star Matt Hardy talked about his experiences of being part of some of the early WWE shows in the Kingdom on the latest episode of his podcast.

During the episode, he was asked about one such moment that Hardy got to witness firsthand, which was Titus O’Neil’s hilarious fall during his entrance in the Greatest Royal Rumble in 2018. Hardy branded it as the ‘craziest most insane thing ever’:

“It was just the craziest most insane thing ever. I remember everyone saw him slide underneath the ring and everybody was like ‘he’s dead.’ I mean everybody felt like he slid into a portal and he’s now somewhere in the 15th dimension. It was just so crazy that he ran and slid.”

It Was So Crazy: Matt Hardy

Matt Hardy mentioned that Titus could have hit the steel posts beneath the ring and got seriously injured. The former Prime Time Player however, somehow managed to come out unscathed:

“In the middle of the frame, of the ring there’s like an iron or steel post that’s big and thick that goes to the floor. Everyone’s like ‘Oh my god, if he slid in and hit his neck on that thing, he broke his neck.’ He made it in and he got out unscathed, which was crazy.

It was so crazy. It was just like such a viral moment because if you would have planned that you couldn’t have done it in 1000 takes. It just happened on that one take and he was able to get in and get out unscathed and uninjured. It was crazy.”

Hardy was part of two WWE events in Saudi Arabia. He teamed with Bray Wyatt to win the Raw Tag Team Titles at the Greatest Royal Rumble in 2018 and competed in the 51 Men Battle Royal won by Mansoor at Super ShowDown in 2019.

WWE will be running their 11th PPV event from the country called King and Queen of The Ring from the Jeddah Super Dome today on May 25. You can check out the streaming details and full match card for the show here

On Thursday’s episode of TNA Impact, Matt Hardy was gifted a title match against Moose for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship. The match will take place at Against All Odds on June 14.

The announcement came after Matt Hardy won a tag team match, teaming up with Ryan Nemeth against the duo of Eddie Edwards and Brian Myers.

Backstage after the match, Director of Authority Santino Marella was going to give a tag team championship shot to Hardy and Ryan, however, Hardy wanted to take on Moose instead. He said that he had set his sights to win the world title from Moose, which Santino offered him.

In place of Hardy, Nic volunteered to be Nic’s partner, and Santino gave the duo a tag team title match against Edwards and Myers.

BREAKING: @MATTHARDYBRAND will challenge @TheMooseNation for the TNA World Championship at #AgainstAllOdds on June 14! Don’t miss the action, streaming LIVE on TNA+ from Cicero Stadium in Chicago.

Get tickets NOW: https://t.co/Qq97bN0z8H

Get TNA+: https://t.co/bHnJUqj5Ej pic.twitter.com/QtrUz9I9Qt

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 24, 2024

BREAKING: @NicTNemeth and @ryrynemnem will challenge @TheEddieEdwards and @Myers_Wrestling for the TNA World Tag Team Championships at #AgainstAllOdds on June 14! Don’t miss the action, streaming LIVE on TNA+ from Cicero Stadium in Chicago.

Get tickets NOW:… pic.twitter.com/gHANcR34ci

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) May 24, 2024

The card for Against All Odds 2024 is starting to shape up, and these are the confirmed matches as of now:

• Moose (c) vs. Matt Hardy for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship
• The System (c) vs. Nemeth Boyz (Ryan and Nic Nemeth) for TNA World Tag Team Championship
• Mustafa Ali (c) vs. Trent Seven for the X-Division Championship

Matt Hardy on how the TNA return happened

Recently, Matt Hardy talked about how he returned to the TNA at the Rebellion PPV. Talking on Busted Open Radio, the Attitude Era star revealed that the deal happened last minute:

“So last night was me showing that pro wrestling can still be unpredictable. I popped up. This was done in a couple days notice. we kind of started talking about this on Wednesday. Then this kind of materialised over a couple days doing some shots for TNA and a little story arc. Pro Wrestling is at its best when it’s unpredictable.”

Even his brother Jeff Hardy wasn’t privy to Matt making his way to TNA, and he only found out after the show ended.

At Rebellion, Hardy confronted Moose and hit him with a Twist of Fate. This was the set-up to a match between the two, which has been now made official.

The pro wrestling landscape continues to undergo significant changes. Following WrestleMania, WWE is embarking on the Paul Levesque Era (“PLE” for short), while AEW is navigating towards a potentially transformative period, one they hope will include a new television deal.

Wrestling isn’t as explosively popular as it was in 1998, but The Rock is right that it’s ‘cool again’ and has strutted back into mainstream pop culture. That obviously means good news for fans, but with more than one prominent company now in the mix, that means leverage for the pro wrestling talent.

Wrestlers now have options as to where they can hone their squared circle trade for a good paycheck, meaning a much higher rise in competition for those coveted spots. 2024 also is a big free agent year for stars with major names’ contracts due to expire. However, depending on where a talent is at in their careers one promotion could provide a greater benefit than the other.

A Big Boom For Becky Lynch In 2024

Mercedes Mone inked a “CEO” like type deal with AEW, almost two years after walking out on WWE. That meant a new horizon and big money for the former Sasha Banks. A former colleague of hers Becky Lynch could be in a similar position in 2024, but ‘The Man’ has made clear that she aims to be a WWE lifer. Lynch would likely not increase her star power by jumping ship to AEW, but she could find herself affected in other manners. 

Money is a major aspect, but Becky’s also a mom with a resume. Will Ospreay made clear that a big incentive for him signing with AEW was the lighter schedule and Becks life outside the ring could benefit from that. Additionally, there’s something to be said for new scenery. Even if AEW didn’t make the most of Lynch, her being shown under a new light could create even greater intrigue when she does ultimately make her way back to WWE: ask Cody Rhodes. You can potentially even ask someone like Wardlow, too, who is still starting his career.

Drew McIntyre Is Exactly Where He’s Supposed To Be In WWE

Drew McIntyre is a name with plenty of cache following WrestleMania considering this run of his has creatively been his greatest to date. One would have to assume Triple H and he at the very least have a handshake agreement at re-signing. Aside from a very large paycheck, there’s almost zero incentive for him to make the leap to AEW. Considering what his character has done to fan the flames of CM Punk’s past with the company, it’s pretty evident Drew is well aware of that too.

Veteran Names With Star Power

What about big name veterans like Matt Hardy or Rob Van Dam? The former just recently announced his free agency and then signed with TNA while the latter for years has been fully embracing his independent contractor status. Van Dam just appeared 4/20 edition of AEW Collision, but on the latest episode of “1 Of A Kind” made note that he’s up for a WWE return. That however, would likely only happen if they’d call him, not the other way around. RVD is comfortable where he’s at in life that he’s the one to make the choice he wants: and that’s the “when,” “where” and “why.”

Matt however, has a different mindset after being with AEW full time for four years. The eldest Hardy has whipped himself up in terrific shape and clearly wants to make the most of his remaining time in the squared circle. Matt had the option to sign a new deal with AEW but chose not to and instead signed with TNA. Fom a creative perspective that makes sense. Unfortunately, fans didn’t see a good deal of Hardy on AEW TV in 2024 and it seems Matt is looking for that opportunity. 

WWE would benefit on several levels in getting Hardy back under their umbrella as he could be an active talent, but in turn be a great help behind the scenes. TNA and Hardy hooking back up ultimately makes sense considering the transcendent run he last had with the company.

A Young Talent On The Rise Looking For Opportunity

What if you’re a younger talent looking for that big break with an AEW or WWE? Anthony Catena is one of those names on the rise as he’s been active with the NWA, AAW Pro and the UK. He just recently found himself on the WrestleMania stage in Philadelphia during the Drew McIntyre entrance. 

“Once that’s achieved everything that subsequently follows – money, recognition, etc – will naturally come with it. WWE has a very long track record of, not only creating stars, but providing them an opportunity to explore other areas of entertainment to potentially excel in that realm as well. AEW, albeit only a few years in, has managed to build a global juggernaut in the pro wrestling industry, which is impressive as well.

“Where it all comes together for me is where I feel I have the best chance at achieving the goals I’ve set for myself/”

To Catena’s point, opportunity can lead to presence and if AEW were to scoop him up, they could still build him as another “homegrown” talent, something that a Darby Allin or MJF has benefited from

https://www.instagram.com/p/reel:C5yqfYmODTE

If a young wrestler is looking for potential instant on-television experience, AEW may be the easier to get into, but you run the risk of being lost in the shuffle (see Action Andretti). WWE would be a company where you’d have to work from the ground up and it’s there where you would learn that style which has created big stars. NXT currently gets better ratings than Collision, so being a part of their developmental system gives one even a bigger platform for starters. However, in this landscape, signing with either company would be a win-win, just for different reasons.

The good thing about it all? Options, opportunities and the wallet are open. Jim Ross says “cash” and “creative” are always two primary factors in wrestling, and that hasn’t changed in 2024.

TNA is making some big moves when it comes to free agency but unfortunately it isn’t transferring over into PPV buys via television.

Just this past Saturday, the company had it’s Rebellion PPV and it featured the main event of TNA World Champion Moose defending his title against Nic Nemeth. The card also featured Josh Alexander taking on Hammerstone in their rubber match which was a Last Man Standing fight.

According to Dave Meltzer, Rebellion saw a massive drop in PPV purchases in comparsion to TNA’s return PPV earlier in January, Hard To Kill. Hard To Kill had over 66,000 buys on TV and streaming, which happened to be a record for the promotion. Unfortunately, Rebellion had only 500 TV buys at air-time, that’s an 89% drop in comparison to Hard To Kill which had 22,400. However, the streaming buys have yet to be released so TNA should see at least a little boost with the combination.

Although the buys of down, the perception of TNA is very positive with acquisitions such as Nemeth, Hammerstone, AJ Francis and Mustafa Ali. Rebellion also saw the major returns of Matt Hardy and Mike Santana into the company fold.

Nemeth said in an exclusive interview with SEScoops, noting how much he believes in TNA as a company and the promotion’s long-term booking plans. Nemeth isn’t signed to any contract with TNA, but noted his primary goal is getting the company over and its roster of rising stars.

You can check out the full interview with Nemeth below:

Matt Hardy says his TNA return is a way to showcase that genuine surprises can still be delivered in wrestling even in today’s age.

The Attitude Era star spoke to Busted Open Radio on Sunday where among other things, he also discussed his return to the Anthem owned promotion during the Rebellion PPV on Saturday night.

Hardy first reiterated that he loved working for Tony Khan during his time with All Elite Wrestling and that they are still negotiatiating a potential new deal:

“I will start by saying I love AEW, I loved working with Tony Khan. He’s a great guy. My contract ended up expiring and we hadn’t reached a deal yet. We’re still in the midst of talking. I have literally, in the last week, I have talked to every promoter from every promotion that there is.”

Pro Wrestling Is Best When It’s Unpredictable: Matt Hardy

Speaking about his surprise return at the TNA PPV, Matt Hardy claimed that they started talking about it on Wednesday and the deal only came together within a couple days:

“So last night was me showing that pro wrestling can still be unpredictable. I popped up. This was done in a couple days notice. we kind of started talking about this on Wednesday. Then this kind of materialised over a couple days doing some shots for TNA and a little story arc. Pro Wrestling is at its best when it’s unpredictable.”

The former WWE star also revealed that he hadn’t even told his brother Jeff Hardy about the appearance and Jeff only found out after the show was over.

Matt Hardy confronted TNA World Champion Moose during the PPV event and delivered a Twist of Fate to him. The altercation sets up a match between the two but an official announcement for the same has not been made yet.

Sami Callihan returned to TNA Wrestling during Saturday’s Rebellion pay-per-view. This was a surprise, because he had just resurfaced in MLW. He wasn’t the only unannounced return, as ‘Broken’ Matt Hardy and Mike Santana also showed up after several years away.

SEScoops has learned that Sami Callihan will be working with TNA and MLW moving forward. His outta nowhere appearance involved an attack Kon, Jason Hotch, and John Skyler, which helped Jordynne Grace in retaining her TNA Knockouts World Championship against Steph De Lander.

TNA’s Approach

Callihan was one of several stars who returned to TNA at Saturday night’s PPV, along with Mike Santana and Broken Matt Hardy, who clarified after the show that he’s free to work anywhere.

All three stars, Hardy, Santana, and Callihan, have re-appeared on the TNA roster page. 

TNA pay-per-views often feature surprises in the way of debuts and returns. Bringing back three established former stars on a non-exclusive basis gives us some insight on what the company is currently looking for. Mike Santana, House of Glory’s reigning champion, has some really interesting match-ups awaiting him in TNA.

All three wrestlers also did a lot to boost their personal stock during their time away from the company. 

Hardy and Santana both spent time in AEW, where they received a spotlight on Tony Khan’s television shows. Whereas, Sami Callihan returned to MLW in January and will still be featured on the company’s programming and PPV’s.

??Cinco De Mayo??
NYC Arena

HOG Heavyweight Championship Match
??vs ??
Mike Santana (C) vs Psycho Clown

??: https://t.co/opPJY5j1Ja ?: @FiteTV pic.twitter.com/NKjn7WRsPR

— House Of Glory Wrestling (@HOGwrestling) April 19, 2024

TNA Rebellion 2024 went off the air with the reveal of the ‘Lights Out’ mystery as ‘Broken’ Matt Hardy made his stunning return to the promotion.

In the days running up to Rebellion, a mysterious video teased that something known as ‘Lights Out’ would be appearing at Rebellion. The video left fans trying to decypher clues to learn of what was behind the eerie video.

In the main event of Rebellion, TNA World Champion Moose retained his title against Nic Nemeth. As Moose celebrated while The System watched from the stage, the screens flickered as fans awaited the arrival of ‘Lights Out.’

Hardy’s signature laugh then aired and when the lights came up, the ‘Broken’ version of Matt was in the ring with Moose and leveled the World Champion with a Twist of Fate. Matt ended the show by holding the TNA World Championship.

DELETE THE SYSTEM! @MATTHARDYBRAND has returned to TNA! #Rebellion pic.twitter.com/3uZvpfclcR

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 21, 2024

In a backstage video, The System was unhappy with Matt’s return and Moose spoke about never having things go right for him in Vegas. The champion is referring to his title victory at Hard to Kill in January in Paradise, Nevada, which saw his post-match celebration interrupted by Nic Nemeth. 

Hardy’s TNA return comes mere days after it was confirmed that he had left All Elite Wrestling following a four-year run with the promotion. It had been rumored that Matt would be returning to WWE, given that he had been teasing involvement with the ongoing QR code mystery, believed to be the return of Uncle Howdy.

Instead, Matt has returned to TNA, the promotion in which he has his greatest singles success. Matt is a two-time former TNA World Champion and seems set on adding a third title to his collection. 

More Returns

Matt wasn’t the only notable name to return to TNA Wrestling at Rebellion 2024. During the show, fellow AEW alum Mike Santana returned to face Steve Maclin. Santana had been with TNA from 2017 to 2019 before he departed to join AEW. 

.@Santana_Proud IS BACK in TNA Wrestling! #Rebellion pic.twitter.com/bpPHeg6QlY

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 21, 2024

Sami Callihan also made his TNA return at Rebellion. The former World Champion returned as part of the chaos surrounding the TNA Knockouts World title match. After The Good Hands and Kon interfered on Steph De Lander’s behalf, Callihan and PCO came out to even the odds. Jordynne Grace retained her title soon after. 

THE DEATH MACHINE IS BACK! @TheSamiCallihan #Rebellion pic.twitter.com/glYqOcmLFt

— TNA Wrestling (@ThisIsTNA) April 21, 2024