Matt Hardy's Viability to TNA

[TNABaddboi 0]

Here's a question and answer from today's Ask The Torch that I thought would spark some more discussion:

 

PWTorch.com reader Dave Weringa asks: I guess I'm asking for more of an educated opinion. I, like everyone else, would like nothing more than to have two big name rival companies again. I've read the articles on what TNA needs to do to get better and compete. One of the things mentioned was to bring in the big names from elsewhere, but put them against the wrestlers that TNA wants to push to help get them over. Then, there was another that said that Matt Hardy should be brought in and put against Jeff Jarrett right away. What's your take on Matt Hardy possibly going to TNA and who do you think he should be matched against in a feud? And what good would it do for TNA in the long run to make a Jarrett-Hardy match first, instead of pushing some of the wrestlers that have been there for a long time. Won't they eventually just give up trying to advance knowing that Jarrett is just going to keep taking the WWE/WCW throwaways and throwing them in the main events with each other. To me it seems that Jarrett is splitting up the company into two groups, his famous friends, and everyone else who is there all the time trying to make names for themselves. WCW comes to mind. What do you think?

 

WK: Unlike Billy Gunn and Dallas Page, Matt Hardy is looked at someone who hasn't been pushed as a top tier player already. Page is a good supporting player to have around, but you can't build around him. There's a reason WWE let Gunn go, and so far in TNA he hasn't done anything that would indicate it was WWE's fault he didn't get over. Matt Hardy is someone with a genuine connection with crowds. He was underutilized in WWE because WWE creative had personal issues with him and to a degree genuinely felt he was Marty Jannetty to his brother Jeff Hardy's Shawn Michaels. The benefit of pushing Hardy to the top right away in a match with Jeff Jarrett, and giving Hardy the NWA Title right away, is that sends a message to fans everywhere who won't even consider purchasing a TNA PPV if Jarrett is the headliner, that it's a new era in TNA. Maybe Hardy wouldn't work out, but people within TNA have been saying for two years that Jarrett isn't ideal, but who's an obvious better candidate? Now they have one available to them in Hardy. Hardy is hungry to prove WWE wrong. He has name recognition with the national audience who might see clips on cable of him as champ and say, "I know him. I wonder what's going on with this promotion." Of course, they might also say, "TNA's champion is a guy who got squashed in his last 20 WWE TV matches by Kane?!" There's risk Hardy, when given the ball, wouldn't have what it takes to be one of the two or three centerpieces of the promotion, but it's a chance I'd take.

 

I agree that Hardy would make a great TNA champion, but in his V-1 persona, so I don't know how feasible Jarrett/Hardy is. In fact, I think the way to go about it is do the temporary Hardy Boys reunion leading to Jeff Hardy getting a title shot and winning the belt, but then, make him a transition champion by having Matt Marty Jannety him (which would be ironic since everyone thought Matt was the Hardy's Marty) and win the belt leading to a nice run that would feel fresh because that character would get over and it would be something we haven't seen in TNA before, as opposed to say another Styles run, even though I love AJ.

[RedJed 0]

They would have to slow build Hardy getting the title, in fact I would wait at least 6 months after he would show up in TNA to do so. Jarrett against anyone is not going to draw and TNA doesnt have the time to have Jarrett holding this title much past May (at the very latest, he needs to give up the belt at the Anniversary show). Making people take notice in TNA BEFORE Hardy does a chase for the title would make much more sense in my eyes as even though he is a fresh character, I can't see him really drawing in the fans until they get through a Hardy Boys reunion for at least a few months and then move towards bigger and better things for each Hardy. Matt could go for the world title and Jeff could aim for the X division title. I'm more than anything basing things from Jeff's feud with Jarrett that didnt really draw interest at all. I can't see it being any different with Matt. With good booking Matt can be a draw in 2-3 months after a TNA debut though, and if paired off against the right guy (Brown, Hardy, or someone like that) in a title chase, that might very well work.

[UseTheSledgehammerUh 0]

Serious question:

 

What would everyone think of Matt Hardy cutting his hair short and becoming an oppressed ass-kicking "ECW Dreamer circa 1995" type character that fans could rally around?

[slimm44 0]

Another Hardy going for the gold...when will TNA realize wrestlers released from WWE will never hold the belt, lol. The only exception is Killings because they made history with him.

[Fro 0]

I would think he would come in with the gimmick he wanted to return to WWE with. That's where the money will be.

[zyn081 0]

Another Hardy going for the gold...when will TNA realize wrestlers released from WWE will never hold the belt, lol. The only exception is Killings because they made history with him.

I think youve picked on something there. I dont see why TNA can build up Jarrett as really being strong on his own by winning cleaning over AJ, Abyss, Monty and Daniels. Abyss would be logical after AJ, since he lost to AJ for the Number 1 Contendership. Monty would then call in the favour. By then Daniels would have dropped the X-Division and say hes moving up a gear. Over this time Matt will team up with Jeff and later turn on Jeff. By this run of events were in August. At that PPV Raven BEATS Jarrett and Hardy BEATS Killings (who is claiming that he is the only non-WWE star who actually held the TNA title) in a Number 1 Contendership Match. This means that Ravens 1st opponent is revitalised Matt Hardy, whom, for those who have seen Ravens shoot interview, will know that Raven had a great story for working with Matt and always wanted to do an extended programme with him.

 

Btw, whats happened to Mark Henry 8-)

[Mystery Eskimo 0]

Matt isn't going to TNA. He'll be back with WWE eventually.

[Jingus 0]

If he does end up in TNA, it would be a bad idea to have Matt as a singles competitor for any big length of time. The Hardyz are a MUCH bigger draw as a team than individually.

[Carnival 0]

If he does end up in TNA, it would be a bad idea to have Matt as a singles competitor for any big length of time. The Hardyz are a MUCH bigger draw as a team than individually.

I agree with this one.

 

I don't see Matt being any bigger draw than Jeff was when he came in.

 

After many months of build up he might be. And I think a dreamer like character could work with Hardy, I don't know why he would have to cut his hair though?

[Carnival 0]

Another Hardy going for the gold...when will TNA realize wrestlers released from WWE will never hold the belt, lol. The only exception is Killings because they made history with him.

If by history you are referring to him being the first black man to hold that title.....then actually Bobo Brazil was NWA champion in 1962. It's one of those...never happened things though...so NWA doesn't acknowledge it just like a bunch of Flair's losses.

 

http://www.wrestling-titles.com/nwa/world/nwa-h.html

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

Monty Brown is still the future of the company as far as the belt. Matt Hardy could at some time down the line hold the belt but short term a reunion with the Jeff would be a much bigger draw for them.

[TNABaddboi 0]

Monty Brown is still the future of the company as far as the belt.

 

I used to think as well, but I'm kinda worried that they may have damaged him too much with this heel turn and depush. You think he can be repaired enough?

[Carnival 0]

I wouldn't call it a depush. He's still a main eventer. I think this whole angle is setting him up from something bigger.