Just like every other fanbase, wrestling community is not immune to internal wars. The online fights between fans of WWE and AEW have only grown toxic since the past year or so. Matt Hardy seems to have noticed this too and isn’t having any of it.

On the latest episode of The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy, Matt addressed this issue. While he has no problems with fans supporting either of the promotions, he is very much against the toxicity that stems from online wars over preferences.

“One thing I would like to say is the tribalism between WWE and AEW fans, like, you don’t have to do this. I don’t know if you enjoy it, the people that do it online on social media, it just creates such a toxic environment in the big scheme of things.”

“You love WWE, go hard for WWE, and support WWE. I love WWE and you know I’ve said that since day one, and I’ll never say anything differently. Obviously, when I work somewhere else, I’m going to go hard for AEW because they’re the people paying my bills at the end of the day, but just like a pro wrestling match, you take shots at your opponent, and you talk sh** about them.”

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Matt Hardy then said that it’s fine when AEW and WWE take shots at each other because it’s all part of the game. With that said, he advised fans not to shoot themselves in between for doing the same.

“That’s what AEW is going to do to WWE, that’s what WWE, in theory, is going to do to AEW although they don’t mention AEW in the big scheme of things, they may take shots in other ways behind the scenes. That’s part of the game, part of the business, and don’t take that too seriously.”

“If you have a guy in WWE taking shots at an AEW guy, don’t sweat it. If you have an AEW guy taking shots at a WWE guy, don’t sweat it, it’s all part of the game, baby. It’s all a part of the game and the whole promotion, and the whole fun of pro wrestling. As a fan, don’t work yourself into a shoot, especially with other fans online. Enjoy whatever you enjoy and be proud of it, and don’t let anybody take it differently.”

Matt wants fans to understand he’ll go “hard” for the promotion who he represents at the moment. Fanboy wars won’t be stopping anytime soon, but at least we know Matt’s stance on this subject.

h/t Wrestling Inc.

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Bhupen Dange

Bhupen is a freelance writer for Ringside News and Thirsty For News; he is pursuing further studies in Computer Science. Since high school, he has actively participated in athletic activities, and when he is not playing video games, he spends his time in the gym training, watching movies, and walking his dog outside.

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