Jeff Hardy during the men's five-on-five elimination match during the WWE Survivor Series at Barclays Center in 2021. Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Jeff Hardy vents frustrations at lack of involvement in AEW's storylines

By Adam Taylor | Last updated 12/4/23

Jeff Hardy feels like a "ghost" within AEW.

The veteran wrestler has been limited in terms of ring time and on-air appearances for the majority of the year. Most of his matches have been on-off performances, with very little storyline surrounding them.

When speaking on a recent episode of the "Extreme Life of Matt Hardy podcast," he explained his current feelings of missing out.

"The last time I was in this extreme dimension of your podcast, I said in WWE I felt like I was a ghost just walking around backstage," Hardy said. (h/t to Fightful for the transcription.) "Honestly, I kind of still feel like that at AEW just because not being involved in something cool, and I feel like there is something so special that we have within us to really bring out, and that brings me to things with ego."

One of the biggest criticisms surrounding AEW is the size of their roster. Numerous wrestlers under contract with the company are sitting at home and waiting for an opportunity. Even with the addition of "Collision" earlier this year, AEW is still struggling to get all of its wrestlers on TV. Of course, Tony Khan has to go with the people who draw a crowd and generate emotion through a TV screen.

Hardy, however, is one of the most recognizable names in wrestling. He understands how to sell a movie and work a crowd and what it takes to put on a show. Yet, at present, his character, along with Matt Hardy's, is stale.

Nevertheless, AEW has other talents they need to put over before working on anything for the Hardys. The Acclaimed were one of the hottest tag teams in the world at the start of the year, but they too are struggling for relevancy within the brand at present. Given the amount of merchandise sales The Acclaimed generates, though, they will likely be ahead of Matt and Jeff Hardy in the pecking order.

AEW is coming to a crossroads. They either need to do a brand split between Dynamite, Rampage and Collision, or begin releasing some fringe wrestlers from their contracts. Whether that means Matt and Jeff Hardy remain with the company or find a new home would remain to be seen.

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