Jeff Hardy has spent months talking about how much music means to him. Now, Matt Hardy believes that passion is starting to reshape his brother’s wrestling future—and it could mean Jeff has fewer years left in the ring than fans might expect.
Speaking on The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy, Matt explained that while he isn’t putting any kind of expiration date on his own wrestling career anymore, he can already see Jeff heading down a different path.
Matt admitted the Hardy Boyz found new life after returning to TNA following a frustrating stretch in AEW. While he still isn’t ruling anything out when it comes to the future, he said he’s simply taking things one day at a time.
“I think you’re right. I, think, you know, part of the issue, Jeff and I had some frustrations with AEW… TNA is a much better fit for us, and it kind of coming back to TNA, I think rejuvenated both of our love for pro wrestling and being able to contribute.”
“Never say never. You know, at the end of the day, that’s one thing I have truly learned in pro wrestling… don’t ever say, ‘I’m never gonna do this,’ because you end up being a hypocrite sooner rather than later.”
Matt said that approach applies to him personally, which is why he isn’t setting a finish line for his own in-ring career.
“I do feel like I’m not putting any kind of bookend on my wrestling career now. I’m not putting any kind of timetable. I’m just going by how I feel.”
Jeff, however, seems to be looking at things differently. Matt pointed to Jeff’s recent performance at Louder Than Life, saying his brother loved every second of it and has become increasingly interested in putting more energy into music while slowly cutting back on wrestling bookings.
“And I almost feel Jeff is all into music now. And he had a real successful outing at that Louder Than Life festival that he did. And he loved it so much. And I know he would really love to try and pursue music. Like, he’s trying to, like, back off of actual in-ring wrestling bookings now and do more music.”
That doesn’t mean Jeff is walking away tomorrow. Matt stressed that his brother still enjoys meeting fans and remains committed to TNA, even as he starts thinking more about life outside the ring.
“And, you know, he still likes doing appearances and cons and everything else. And he still wants to be very fully committed to TNA. But Jeff is working on that transition a little bit too.”
Matt expects his own future to look very different. Whenever his wrestling days are over, he sees himself staying in the business in a backstage role because he doesn’t think he’ll ever truly leave wrestling behind.
“I think me, on the other hand, I will transition to being into a backstage role when it’s all said and done because I’m pretty sure Jeff, maybe not so much, but I’m a lifer when it comes to wrestling, just ’cause I’m so passionate about pro wrestling.”
“I wanna do it as long as I can in the ring, and then whenever I can’t do it in the ring, I’ll be outside the ring, like trying to coach others and be creative and whatever else, give guys input and ideas… As of right now, I feel really good. And while I feel really good, I’m gonna just keep doing what I love, man. I’d be silly not to.”
Later in the interview, Matt was asked to look three years into the future and imagine where both he and Jeff might be. That’s when he offered his strongest prediction yet, suggesting Jeff’s in-ring career may not have much longer to go if his music career continues growing.
“I don’t know. I feel like, you know, I feel like Jeff, if he can get his music going and he’s very committed to it and he’s very passionate, he might have a couple more years left, you know, at the most. He might try and segue out.”
Matt’s comments build on what Jeff said back in June, when he admitted he could see himself “wrestling less and singing more” by the end of the year. Between landing major performances like Louder Than Life and the Jericho Cruise, Jeff has already started carving out a bigger place for music in his life, and Matt believes that transition is only going to continue.
Nobody is announcing Jeff Hardy’s retirement, and Matt certainly isn’t saying the end is right around the corner. But if Jeff keeps chasing opportunities with Peroxwhy?gen while dialing back his in-ring schedule, the next few years could end up looking very different from anything fans have seen during the Hardy Boyz’ legendary run.
Do you think Jeff Hardy still has several big years left in wrestling, or can you see music becoming his full-time focus? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
This transcript was produced exclusively for Ringside News from the original recording. Republishing the transcription in full is prohibited. When using excerpts, provide prominent credit and a link to this article.
