History of Jeff Hardy in Timeline
Jeff Hardy is an American professional wrestler and musician known for his high-flying wrestling style and time in WWE, AEW, and TNA. He's a multiple-time world champion and, alongside his brother Matt, formed the iconic Hardy Boyz tag team. They're credited with revitalizing tag team wrestling during WWE's Attitude Era and are considered one of the greatest tag teams ever.
August 31, 1977: Birth of Jeff Hardy
Jeff Hardy was born on August 31, 1977.
1987: Jeff Hardy's Mother Passes Away
Jeff Hardy's mother, Ruby Moore Hardy, died of brain cancer in 1987.
May 23, 1994: Jeff Hardy's First WWF Match
Jeff Hardy had his first WWF match on May 23, 1994, against Razor Ramon in Youngstown, Ohio.
June 25, 1994: Jeff Hardy's Match Airs on Superstars
On June 25, 1994, Jeff Hardy's match against The 1–2–3 Kid aired on WWF Superstars.
1994: The Hardy Boyz Begin Working with WWF
In 1994, The Hardy Boyz started working with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) as enhancement talents.
December 19, 1995: Jeff Hardy vs. Razor Ramon Taping
The match where Jeff Hardy defeated Razor Ramon by countout was taped on December 19, 1995.
January 13, 1996: Jeff Hardy Defeats Razor Ramon
Jeff Hardy defeated Razor Ramon by countout on WWF Superstars on January 13, 1996.
April 1998: OMEGA Folds, Hardy Boyz Sign with WWF
The Hardy brothers' wrestling promotion, OMEGA, closed in April 1998 when they signed contracts with the WWF.
May 1998: Jeff Hardy Wrestles as a Jobber
Jeff Hardy continued to wrestle occasionally as a jobber as late as May 1998, including a match against Rob Van Dam.
1998: The Hardy Boyz Train with Dory Funk Jr.
After being signed to a contract in 1998, The Hardy Boyz trained with Dory Funk Jr. at his Funkin' Dojo.
1998: Jeff Hardy Gets First Tattoo
In 1998, Jeff Hardy got his first tattoo, a dragon, which he initially kept hidden from his father.
1998: The Hardy Boyz Sign with WWF
The Hardy Boyz signed full-time contracts with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 1998.
February 7, 1999: The Hardy Boyz Appear on That '70s Show
Jeff Hardy, alongside his brother Matt, made an uncredited appearance as wrestlers on the February 7, 1999, episode of That '70s Show titled "That Wrestling Show".
October 17, 1999: The Hardy Boyz Win Managerial Services of Terri Runnels
On October 17, 1999, at No Mercy, The Hardy Boyz won the managerial services of Terri Runnels in the finals of the Terri Invitational Tournament.
1999: Jeff Hardy and Beth Britt Begin Relationship
Jeff Hardy's relationship with Beth Britt began in 1999, shortly after the Hardy Boyz secured their first WWF Tag Team Championship.
2000: Team Xtreme and Feud with Edge and Christian
In 2000, The Hardy Boyz, managed by Lita, formed "Team Xtreme." Their rivalry with Edge and Christian continued, leading to two WWF Tag Team Championship victories. They faced them in the first-ever Tables, Ladders, and Chairs (TLC) match at SummerSlam in their hometown of Raleigh and again at WrestleMania 17, although they were unsuccessful in both matches.
2000: The Hardy Boyz Compete at WrestleMania 2000
The Hardy Boyz competed in the first-ever tag team triple threat ladder match against The Dudley Boyz and Edge & Christian at WrestleMania 2000.
2001: Singles Push and Storyline with Matt and Lita
Jeff Hardy's high-risk stunts in TLC matches earned him recognition. In 2001, he received a singles push, winning the Intercontinental, Light Heavyweight, and Hardcore Championships. A storyline involving a feud with Matt and Lita unfolded, culminating in a match at Vengeance with Lita as the referee. An attack by The Undertaker led to their storyline injuries and temporary absence. The Hardys later returned as a team, without mention of the previous storyline.
2001: The Hardy Boyz and Lita Featured in Rolling Stone's Sports Hall of Fame Issue
Jeff Hardy, along with Matt and Lita, were featured in Rolling Stone magazine's Sports Hall of Fame issue in 2001.
2001: The Hardy Boyz Appear on Tough Enough
Jeff and Matt Hardy made an appearance on the wrestling reality show Tough Enough in early 2001, interacting and wrestling with the contestants.
2001: Release of "The Hardy Boyz: Leap of Faith" DVD
The DVD "The Hardy Boyz: Leap of Faith" was released in 2001, featuring Jeff Hardy as part of WWE.
February 25, 2002: Jeff Hardy Competes on Fear Factor
On February 25, 2002, Jeff Hardy participated in the television show Fear Factor, competing against five other World Wrestling Federation wrestlers. He was eliminated in the first round.
April 2002: Feud with Brock Lesnar
In April 2002, a new storyline began when Brock Lesnar attacked Matt Hardy, sparking a feud with Jeff. This led to Lesnar's first televised match against Jeff at Backlash, where Lesnar dominated and won by knockout. The feud continued, with the Hardys securing only one win by disqualification. At Judgment Day, Lesnar and his partner, Paul Heyman, triumphed over the Hardy Boyz.
July 2002: Third Hardcore Championship Reign
In July 2002, Jeff Hardy secured his third Hardcore Championship title by defeating Bradshaw.
2002: Jeff Hardy's Singles Career Takes Off
After the Hardy Boyz split in 2002, Jeff Hardy's popularity as a singles wrestler grew.
2002: Teaming with RVD and Bubba Ray Dudley
By late 2002, Hardy had formed a tag team with Rob Van Dam and Bubba Ray Dudley. The trio emerged victorious against 3-Minute Warning in a six-man tag team elimination tables match at Survivor Series.
January 2003: Heel Turn and Brief Program with Shawn Michaels
January 2003 saw Hardy briefly turn into a heel after attacking Van Dam and Shawn Michaels. However, this heel turn ended the following month when he came to the aid of Stacy Keibler, saving her from an attack by Christian. This led to a brief program with Michaels, with the two even teaming up for a while.
April 22, 2003: Release from WWE
Hardy was let go from WWE on April 22, 2003. The official reasons given were his unpredictable behavior, drug issues, refusal of rehabilitation, and declining performance in the ring. He was also often late or absent from events. Hardy himself attributed his departure to burnout and needing a break.
May 24, 2003: Debut in OMEGA
On May 24, 2003, Hardy made his first wrestling appearance since his release from WWE. He wrestled in a match for the promotion OMEGA, using his old "Willow the Wisp" gimmick. He challenged Krazy K for the OMEGA Cruiserweight Championship but was defeated.
2003: The Hardy Boyz Publish Their Autobiography
In 2003, Jeff and Matt Hardy co-wrote and published their autobiography titled "The Hardy Boyz," which became a New York Times Best Seller.
2003: The Hardy Boyz Publish Autobiography, "Exist 2 Inspire"
In 2003, Jeff and Matt Hardy, with assistance from Michael Krugman, authored and published their autobiography titled "The Hardy Boyz: Exist 2 Inspire".
2003: Jeff Hardy Forms Band PeroxWhy?Gen
Jeff Hardy formed his band, PeroxWhy?Gen, in 2003, collaborating with members from the band Burnside 6 and Shannon Moore, who later departed.
June 23, 2004: Debut in TNA and Pursuit of the NWA World Heavyweight Championship
Hardy debuted in TNA at their Second Anniversary Show on June 23, 2004, challenging A.J. Styles for the TNA X Division Championship. This marked the debut of his new entrance theme, "Modest," a song he performed himself, and his new nickname, "The Charismatic Enigma." The match ended in a no contest due to interference. He returned to TNA on July 21, 2004, and earned a shot at the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, but lost to champion Jeff Jarrett on September 8, 2004.
October 2004: Victory Road and Feud with the Kings of Wrestling
In October 2004, Hardy won a tournament in TNA, earning another shot at the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. He challenged Jeff Jarrett for the title at Victory Road, TNA's first monthly pay-per-view event, on November 7, 2004. Despite his efforts, Hardy lost the ladder match due to interference from Kevin Nash and Scott Hall. He continued to feud with Jarrett, Nash, and Hall, known as the Kings of Wrestling.
January 16, 2005: Victory over Hall and Continued Feuds
At Turning Point in December 2004, Hardy teamed with A.J. Styles and Randy Savage to defeat the Kings of Wrestling. He continued his rivalry with Hall, defeating him in a singles match at Final Resolution on January 16, 2005, after being chosen as a replacement for Héctor Garza.
February 2005: Feud with Abyss and Suspension
Hardy's quest for championship gold continued at Against All Odds in February 2005, where he faced Abyss in a "Full Metal Mayhem" match. However, he was unsuccessful in securing the number one contendership for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. He retaliated by defeating Abyss in a Falls Count Anywhere match at Destination X in March. Unfortunately, his momentum was halted when he was suspended from TNA for no-showing a rematch against Raven at Hard Justice in May, citing travel issues.
March 25, 2005: Tag Team Match with Shocker
On March 25, 2005, Hardy teamed up with Shocker in a winning effort against David Young and Lex Lovett.
October 2005: Return to Action and Continued Championship Pursuits
Hardy's suspension was lifted in August 2005, and he returned to TNA, immediately targeting Jeff Jarrett. He wrestled his first match back against Bobby Roode at Unbreakable in September but lost due to interference from Jarrett. Throughout October, he engaged in a feud with Abyss, Rhino, and Sabu, culminating in a Monster's Ball match at Bound for Glory, which Rhino won. Despite the loss, Hardy delivered a memorable Swanton Bomb to Abyss from a significant height. He also competed in a ten-man battle royal for the number one contendership but was unsuccessful. His misfortune continued at Genesis in November, where he lost another number one contender match, this time to Monty Brown.
December 2005: Second Suspension and Departure from TNA
Hardy faced another setback in December 2005 when he no-showed the Turning Point event, again citing travel problems. This led to another suspension from TNA, and he did not appear on their television programming again. He wrestled at some live events promoted by TNA in partnership with Dave Hebner and the United Wrestling Federation in early 2006. However, his time with TNA came to an end in June 2006 when he was released from his contract.
2005: Release of "Enigma: The Best of Jeff Hardy" and "Pro Wrestling's Ultimate Insiders: Hardy Boys – From the Backyard to the Big Time"
Two releases featuring Jeff Hardy came out in 2005: "Enigma: The Best of Jeff Hardy" from Total Nonstop Action Wrestling and "Pro Wrestling's Ultimate Insiders: Hardy Boys – From the Backyard to the Big Time".
May 2006: Independent Circuit Appearances
Between March and May 2006, while still under suspension from TNA, Hardy made appearances and wrestled at various independent circuit events. These events were often promoted in collaboration with TNA, Dave Hebner, and the United Wrestling Federation.
June 2006: Release from TNA
After a series of suspensions and no-shows, Hardy's contract with TNA was terminated in June 2006, marking the end of his run with the company.
August 4, 2006: Jeff Hardy Re-signs with WWE
On August 4, 2006, marking a significant return to his former wrestling platform, Jeff Hardy officially re-signed with WWE.
April 2007: WrestleMania 23 Injury
In a memorable moment at WrestleMania 23 in April 2007, Jeff Hardy sustained injuries during the Money in the Bank ladder match after a daring leap onto Edge, who was lying on a ladder. This resulted in both wrestlers being removed on stretchers.
2007: Release of "The Ladder Match" DVD
Jeff Hardy was featured in the WWE DVD release "The Ladder Match" in 2007.
March 15, 2008: Fire Destroys Jeff Hardy's Home
Tragedy struck on March 15, 2008, when a fire engulfed Jeff Hardy's residence. While he and his girlfriend, Beth Britt, were away, his dog, Jack, perished in the fire.
April 29, 2008: Release of "Twist of Fate: The Matt and Jeff Hardy Story" DVD
WWE released a DVD titled "Twist of Fate: The Matt and Jeff Hardy Story" on April 29, 2008, featuring moments from their time in OMEGA and WWE, with a brief mention of Jeff's first run with TNA.
June 23, 2008: Draft to SmackDown
On June 23, 2008, Jeff Hardy's career took another turn as he was drafted to the SmackDown brand as part of the WWE Draft, marking a new chapter in his wrestling journey.
2008: Jeff Hardy Wins WWE Championship
Jeff Hardy won his first of six world championships, the WWE Championship, in 2008.
January 2009: Betrayal and Feud with Matt Hardy
January 2009 saw the start of a dramatic turn in Jeff Hardy's career as he became embroiled in a series of scripted accidents, culminating in a shocking betrayal by his brother, Matt, at the Royal Rumble. This marked the beginning of a heated feud between the brothers.
September 11, 2009: Jeff Hardy Arrested on Drug Charges
Jeff Hardy was arrested on September 11, 2009, on charges of drug trafficking and possession of anabolic steroids following a search of his home. The search yielded a significant quantity of prescription pills, steroids, and drug paraphernalia.
September 2009: Jeff Hardy Signs Deal with Fox 21 for Reality Television Show
In September 2009, Jeff Hardy secured a deal with Fox 21 to participate in a reality television show.
December 2009: Release of "Jeff Hardy: My Life, My Rules" DVD
WWE launched a DVD focusing on Jeff Hardy titled "Jeff Hardy: My Life, My Rules" in December 2009.
2009: Return of "No More Words" Entrance Theme
In 2009, Jeff Hardy brought back his popular "No More Words" entrance theme song.
2009: Jeff Hardy's SmackDown Run
In 2009, Jeff Hardy was a prominent wrestler on the SmackDown brand.
January 4, 2010: Return to TNA
On January 4, 2010, Jeff Hardy made a significant return to TNA, marking a shift in his wrestling affiliations. His return was met with immediate action as he was involved in a confrontation with Homicide.
August 2010: Jeff Hardy and Beth Britt Announce Pregnancy
In August 2010, Jeff Hardy shared the news of Beth Britt's pregnancy with their first child.
October 20, 2010: Birth of Ruby Claire Hardy
Jeff Hardy and Beth Britt welcomed their first child, daughter Ruby Claire Hardy, on October 20, 2010.
2010: Jeff Hardy Renames Twist of Fate to Twist of Hate During Heel Run
During his heel run in 2010, Jeff Hardy altered the name of his signature move, the Twist of Fate, to the Twist of Hate.
January 4, 2011: NJPW Debut
Expanding his wrestling horizons, Jeff Hardy made his debut for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) on January 4, 2011, at the prestigious Wrestle Kingdom V event held at the Tokyo Dome, where he successfully defended his TNA World Heavyweight Championship title against Tetsuya Naito.
March 9, 2011: Jeff Hardy and Beth Britt Marry
Jeff Hardy and Beth Britt exchanged vows and were married on March 9, 2011.
March 2011: Road to Redemption
According to TNA, Jeff Hardy completed his "road to redemption" in October 2012. While the specifics of this redemption are not provided, it seemingly relates to events that occured in March 2011.
August 23, 2011: Return to TNA and Face Turn
TNA announced on August 23, 2011, that Jeff Hardy would be making his comeback to the promotion. He returned on August 25 in Huntsville, Alabama, just five days after his brother Matt Hardy was let go by TNA. This marked a turning point in his career as he sought redemption and a fresh start.
September 8, 2011: Jeff Hardy Sentenced in Drug Case
On September 8, 2011, Jeff Hardy received his sentence in his drug case. He was sentenced to ten days in jail, 30 months of probation, and a fine of $100,000.
2011: Victory Road 2011 Incident
The Victory Road 2011 incident, a significant event in Jeff Hardy's TNA career, is documented in the 2012 release "Enigma: The Best Of Jeff Hardy Volume 2".
January 8, 2012: Genesis
On January 8, 2012, at the Genesis event, Jeff Hardy faced Bobby Roode for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship. Despite winning the match by disqualification, the title remained with Roode.
2012: Bound for Glory Series
Throughout 2012, Jeff Hardy participated in the Bound for Glory Series, a tournament held by TNA. He overcame a storyline injury to ultimately win the tournament, defeating Bully Ray in the finals and securing a shot at the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.
2012: Release of "Enigma: The Best Of Jeff Hardy Volume 2"
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling released "Enigma: The Best Of Jeff Hardy Volume 2", a sequel to the 2005 release, in 2012. This two-disc documentary follows Hardy's return to TNA, his heel turn, and the Victory Road 2011 incident, accompanied by relevant matches.
January 13, 2013: Genesis
On January 13, 2013, at Genesis, Jeff Hardy successfully defended his TNA World Heavyweight Championship in a three-way elimination match against Austin Aries and Bobby Roode.
October 20, 2013: Bound for Glory
Jeff Hardy debuted a new theme song at Bound for Glory on October 20, 2013. He also competed in his first Ultimate X match for the TNA X Division Championship. Despite his efforts, he was unsuccessful in securing the title, with Chris Sabin winning after interference from Velvet Sky.
November 7, 2013: Release of PeroxWhy?Gen's Debut Album "Plurality of Worlds"
PeroxWhy?Gen, Jeff Hardy's band, released their first album, "Plurality of Worlds", on November 7, 2013, through TNA Music. Though marketed as a Jeff Hardy solo album, it features the band's work.
2013: Bound for Glory Series
Jeff Hardy participated in the 2013 Bound for Glory series, winning his first match against Bobby Roode. However, his participation was cut short when he was eliminated from a 20-person battle royal by Kazarian on September 5th.
February 2014: Return to TNA as Willow
After a brief hiatus, Jeff Hardy returned to TNA in February 2014, this time under his "Willow" persona. This marked a significant shift in his character and wrestling style.
October 22, 2014: The Hardys Enter Tag Team Tournament
On October 22, 2014, The Hardy Boyz (Jeff and Matt Hardy) entered a tournament to become the number one contenders for the TNA World Tag Team Championships.
March 16, 2015: The Hardys Win TNA Tag Team Championships
On March 16, 2015, The Hardy Boyz won an Ultimate X match to become the TNA World Tag Team Champions for the first time as a team.
May 8, 2015: Jeff Hardy Injured, The Hardys Vacate Titles
On May 8, 2015, Jeff Hardy suffered a broken leg in a dirt bike accident, forcing The Hardys to vacate the TNA Tag Team Championships.
July 27, 2015: Release of PeroxWhy?Gen's Second Album "Within the Cygnus Rift"
PeroxWhy?Gen, Jeff Hardy's band, launched their second album, "Within the Cygnus Rift", on July 27, 2015.
2015: Release of "The Best of Jeff Hardy Volume 3: Humanomoly"
In 2015, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling released "The Best of Jeff Hardy Volume 3: Humanomoly", showcasing some of his most memorable matches during his time with TNA.
December 31, 2015: Birth of Nera Quinn Hardy
Jeff Hardy and Beth Britt became parents for the second time on December 31, 2015, with the birth of their daughter, Nera Quinn Hardy.
January 5, 2016: Jeff Hardy Returns to Support Matt Hardy
Jeff Hardy made an appearance on the January 5, 2016, episode of Impact Wrestling, supporting his brother Matt in the TNA World Title Series.
January 12, 2016: Jeff Hardy Returns to Action
On January 12, 2016, Jeff Hardy returned to in-ring action on Impact Wrestling, defeating Shynron.
January 12, 2017: The Hardys Retain Tag Team Titles, Jeff Wins Race for the Case
On January 12, 2017, The Hardy Boyz successfully defended their TNA Tag Team Championships against The Wolves. Jeff Hardy also won the green case in the inaugural Race for the Case tournament.
March 4, 2017: The Hardys Win ROH Tag Team Championships
On March 4, 2017, The Hardy Boyz defeated The Young Bucks to win the ROH World Tag Team Championship at Manhattan Mayhem VI.
April 2, 2017: The Hardy Boyz Make Surprise Return to WWE, Win Tag Team Championships
In a surprising turn of events, The Hardy Boyz returned to WWE at WrestleMania 33 on April 2, 2017. They were last-minute additions to the ladder match for the Raw Tag Team Championship and emerged victorious, defeating Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson, Cesaro & Sheamus, and Enzo Amore & Big Cass. This marked their first win as a team at WrestleMania and Jeff's first individual WrestleMania victory.
2017: Release of PeroxWhy?Gen's Third Album "Precession of the Equinoxes"
In 2017, PeroxWhy?Gen, Jeff Hardy's band, released their third album, titled "Precession of the Equinoxes".
January 22, 2018: Jeff Hardy Makes Special Appearance on Raw
On January 22, 2018, Jeff Hardy made a special appearance on the 25th-anniversary episode of Raw during a poker segment that included The APA, Ted DiBiase, and other wrestlers.
2018: Jeff Hardy Reduces Use of Swanton Bomb Due to Back Injuries
By 2018, due to accumulated lower back injuries, Jeff Hardy began to decrease the frequency of his signature move, the Swanton Bomb.
2018: Return From Injury, United States Champion, and Move to SmackDown
On April 9, 2018, Jeff Hardy returned from injury to WWE Raw, assisting Finn Bálor and Seth Rollins against The Miz and The Miztourage. He won the United States Championship from Jinder Mahal, becoming the second person to achieve the modern Grand Slam. Hardy was then traded to SmackDown, successfully defending his title against Jinder Mahal at the Greatest Royal Rumble and Randy Orton at Backlash.
July 13, 2019: Jeff Hardy Arrested for Public Intoxication
On July 13, 2019, Jeff Hardy was arrested in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, for public intoxication.
March 13, 2020: Return from Injury and Feud with Sheamus
On March 13, 2020, Jeff Hardy returned from injury, defeating King Corbin on SmackDown. He began a feud with Sheamus, culminating in a Bar Fight at Backlash which Hardy won.
2020: Draft to Raw
In 2020, Jeff Hardy was drafted to the Raw brand as part of the WWE Draft.
2020: Matt Hardy Joins AEW
In 2020, Matt Hardy, Jeff's brother, joined AEW.
January 26, 2021: Royal Rumble and Feud with Elias
On January 26, 2021, Jeff Hardy participated in the Royal Rumble match but was eliminated. He was then involved in a feud with Elias, culminating in a Symphony of Destruction match on the November 30 episode of Raw.
2021: Draft to SmackDown and Survivor Series
In 2021, Jeff Hardy was drafted to the SmackDown brand. He participated in the Survivor Series event as part of Team SmackDown.
February 2022: Signing with AEW
In February 2022, Jeff Hardy confirmed his intention to sign with All Elite Wrestling (AEW).
June 13, 2022: Jeff Hardy Arrested for DUI
On June 13, 2022, Jeff Hardy was arrested in Volusia County, Florida, for driving under the influence, violating restrictions on his license, and driving with a suspended license. After being pulled over for erratic driving, Hardy exhibited signs of intoxication, failed sobriety tests, and blew a BAC of 0.291.
February 2023: Jeff Hardy Sentenced in DUI Case
In February 2023, following a nolo contendere plea, Jeff Hardy received his sentence for his June 2022 DUI charge. This included 38 days in jail (already served), two years of probation, fines, a 10-year license suspension, and other penalties.
April 12, 2023: Return to AEW
On April 12, 2023, Jeff Hardy returned to AEW, assisting his brother Matt and others from an attack by The Firm.
May 6, 2023: Tag Team Match Against The Firm
On May 6, 2023, Jeff Hardy teamed with Matt Hardy, Hook, and Isiah Kassidy to defeat The Firm in a tag team match.
February 14, 2024: Jeff Hardy Suffers Broken Nose in No Disqualification Match Against Sammy Guevara
On February 14, 2024, during an AEW Rampage episode, Jeff Hardy faced Sammy Guevara in a no disqualification match, where he unfortunately suffered a broken nose. This marked Hardy's final appearance in AEW.
June 14, 2024: Jeff Hardy Makes Surprise Return to TNA at Against All Odds
In an unexpected turn of events, Jeff Hardy reappeared in TNA on June 14, 2024, at the Against All Odds event. He joined forces with his brother Matt, Joe Hendry, and The Nemeth Brothers to confront The System, consisting of TNA World Champion Moose, Brian Myers, and Eddie Edwards, following the TNA World Championship match between Matt and Moose.
