Jeff Hardy “Wasn’t Professional” In AEW

While looking back on his time in AEW, Jeff Hardy has admitted that while his run didn’t work out he almost decided to stay.

Just three months after signing with AEW, Jeff Hardy was suspended after being arrested for driving under the influence. The arrest scuppered plans for a World Tag Team Title run, and although he eventually returned to action in April 2023, he never recaptured his earlier momentum.

A year later, Matt Hardy allowed his AEW contract to expire, and in June 2024, Jeff left the company after his own contract ended. After becoming a free agent, Jeff followed his brother to TNA.

However, his return to TNA seemingly wasn’t the slam dunk decision it seemed on paper.

Jeff Hardy Looks Back On AEW Exit

During a new interview with Chris Van Vliet, Hardy recalled the latter stages of his spell in AEW where he tried to turn heel on social media after not being used on television. The star suggested his comments weren’t professional but did lead to some of his better matches during that period.

“Yeah, yeah, for sure. There’s never been a real heel Hardy run and I was so excited about that in AEW, but I know, I own what I’ve done. It was my fault, I really let Matt down with the whole AEW thing. I think AEW man, before I broke my nose wrestling Sammy Guevara, my thinking was like, ‘Man, we’re not being used. What if I can be a heel on social media and send out some tweets.’

It evidently wasn’t professional, but again, it’s not like I was being serious, I just said something like Collision was designed for Punks. I ended up getting three matches out of that with Swerve Strickland, Jon Moxley, and then Sammy. In all those matches, I had that passion, I could feel it again within myself.

Then naturally, injury happens and my nose is broken, that’s gonna take a while to heal. Things just worked out the way they worked out and I am so glad to be back in TNA. Super excited, TNA has been there for me in dark times, man.”

While reflecting on his departure from AEW, Hardy admitted he almost didn’t leave, but was swayed by the success he’d had in AEW previously.

“There was even one moment where I found out Matt went back to TNA, I watched the footage, I was like, ‘Oh, maybe I need to stay with AEW and continue to prove myself and have some killer matches with these guys who are on a different level.’

Then I was like, I had such a good run in TNA last time. The merchandise they came out with was so cool, I started doing the eyelid paint and everything was so good the last time in TNA. There was so many innovative bumps I did throughout that run. I said, ‘No, this is exactly the way it’s supposed to be.’

I called Matt and agreed to show up. This time, I’m glad I didn’t try to run and do the juke at the same time. Still to this day, why would I try to juke and run to save my brother my first time in AEW? So bizarre. I’ve even practiced it since to see if it was possible.”

In November, it was announced that Jeff Hardy and his brother Matt had signed new contracts with TNA. The new deals will keep the TNA World Tag Team Champions with the company for another 12 months.

H/t to Fightful