WWE Rumors: TNA Star To Return To WWE After Contract Expires?
It seems each week WWE rumors suggest the return of another former superstar to the current roster. The latest speculation is over Matt Hardy who currently stars with WWE’s competitor TNA. There are murmurs currently that Hardy may be slated for a return to the wrestling ring. Hardy has become one of the most interesting characters during his recent stint with TNA, so it would make sense that WWE wants to bring back the former Hardy Boyz tag team star.
According to Wrestling Inc, the WWE has been sending feelers out when it comes to Matt Hardy. Basically, it’s being suggested that Triple H has expressed some interest in signing Hardy after his contract expires in the spring. However, the company can’t really talk to Hardy formally due to the fact he is under contract, so it’s all been through intermediaries.
So would Hardy even want to make a return to the WWE wrestling ring? Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Newsletter first brought the speculation mentioning the differences between Hardy being with WWE and his current gig.
“With WWE there’s the killer schedule which probably isn’t the best thing for him physically right now. Granted, if something happens to TNA, that equation changes because he’s loaded with ideas for his character and he would need television to get them over.”
That would seem to be the glaring difference, in that TNA has allowed a lot more craziness than WWE currently is under its “PG Era” of programming. As for the schedule, it’s been shown with Brock Lesnar that some stars do get contracts where they aren’t working full time. However, Lesnar seems to be a much bigger draw than Hardy might be.
The WWE has brought several TNA stars into the mix lately including AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, Austin Aries, and Bobby Roode. However, none of those names were major stars with WWE before. Styles and Joe have gone on to capture championships since signing with WWE. Hardy formerly held several different titles including the United States Championship and tag team championships.
Hardy was part of The Hardy Boyz tag team in the WWF/E back in 1998 through 2005. He left for Ring of Honor for a year, and then returned to WWE for another five years, before his last appearance in 2010. Since then, Hardy has been in TNA, the independent circuit, and Ring of Honor. He currently stars as the “Broken” Matt Hardy character on TNA, which has provided some of the more compelling storylines the show has seen in recent years.
Of note, another former TNA star, who came back to WWE, and is now a former WWE star, could have been teasing a return to TNA. Ironically, it could involve a feud with Hardy. Bubba Ray, also known as “Bully Ray” within TNA, showed up at House of Hardcore this past Saturday in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He not only appeared there but cut a promo about Matt Hardy and asked, “How would you like me to show up at the Impact Zone?” He even suggested putting Hardy’s wife and son through a table. That would seem to indicate Hardy is going to stay with TNA for the near term.
If he returns, there’s also the question about bringing him in solo or with his popular brother. For a long time, fans had been seeming to want a Jeff Hardy return to the WWE ring. However, Matt’s character on TNA has really boosted his superstar status, which explains WWE’s interest in him. Still, it would be great to see The Hardy Boyz make a return to the ring. That is certainly something to consider, as WWE brought back former tag team The Dudley Boyz from TNA for another run over the past year or so.
[Featured Image by WWE]
