Matt Hardy Walks Back Claim WWE–TNA Partnership Was Meant to Hurt AEW

Matt Hardy is now going back on his word and walking back on the fact that he believes WWE and TNA’s working relationship was made to hurt AEW.

While speaking on the Extreme Life of Matt Hardy podcast, Matt Hardy talked about the Tony Khan interview with Ariel Helwani, where Khan referenced Matt Hardy’s previous comments about the TNA-WWE partnership and believed it was designed to hurt AEW.

Hardy claimed that people twisted his comments. He claimed he didn’t say the WWE–TNA partnership was made to hurt AEW. He claims his point was that the partnership likely formed simply because TNA was already a functioning option, and from there, WWE just decided to use it to their advantage.

"As for the whole TNA–WWE relationship, you know, I feel like my words were manipulated a little bit in some way. They were saying that the whole reason the TNA–WWE relationship exists is to hurt AEW, which isn’t what I said. I just said I think the relationship may have come into existence just because TNA was actually in existence more than anything else, and you know, they kind of took it and ran with that."

However, it is to be noted that Matt Hardy actually walked back on his claim. During his interview with Ariel Helwani back in July, Helwani asked Matt Hardy why back in 2000 WWE wouldn’t work with TNA or do any kind of co-promotion, but now they are working with other promotions. Matt Hardy responded that he thinks a big part of it is simply the existence of AEW, saying, “I would guess because part of it is AEW and its existence.”

Ariel followed up by wondering if maybe it’s about propping up TNA and giving them opportunities in order to keep AEW blocked out, saying, “Let’s prop these guys up. Let’s give these guys the opportunity to block out these guys that—without beating around the bush.” Hardy had stated he believes that’s certainly a feasible reason, saying, “I mean, I think that could obviously be a feasible option.”

It’s not known why Matt Hardy decided to walk back on his comments. Regardless, the WWE-TNA partnership is going strong and Tony Khan is also unfazed by it, which is all that matters in the end.

Do you believe WWE is working with TNA to counter AEW, or is the partnership simply a business opportunity? Share your thoughts in the comments — we’d love to hear your opinion!