History of Matt Hardy in Timeline
"Matt Hardy is an American professional wrestler known for his work with his brother Jeff, particularly in tag team matches. They rose to fame in WWE during the 2000s, popularizing TLC matches and becoming 14-time world tag team champions across various promotions like WWE, ROH, WCW, and TNA. They are credited with revitalizing tag team wrestling during WWE's Attitude Era. Currently, Matt wrestles freelance, including appearances for TNA.
September 23, 1974: Birth of Matt Hardy
On September 23, 1974, Matthew Moore Hardy, better known as Matt Hardy, was born in Cameron, North Carolina.
1987: Passing of Matt Hardy's Mother
Tragedy struck the Hardy family in 1987 when Matt and Jeff's mother, Ruby Moore Hardy, passed away due to brain cancer.
May 1994: Matt Hardy's Championship Win as "The Wolverine"
While wrestling under the moniker "The Wolverine," Matt Hardy secured victory in the New England Wrestling Alliance (NEWA) Championship in May 1994.
May 23, 1994: Matt Hardy's WWF Debut
Matt Hardy made his initial appearance in the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) on May 23, 1994, facing Nikolai Volkoff on Monday Night Raw.
March 1995: High Voltage's Tag Team Championship Victory
Teaming up with Venom as High Voltage, Matt Hardy clinched the New Frontier Wrestling Association (NFWA) Tag Team Championship in March 1995.
1995: Matt Hardy's Early WWF Matches
Throughout 1995, Matt Hardy participated in a series of matches within the WWF, facing opponents such as Crush, Irwin R. Schyster, Razor Ramon, Hakushi, Owen Hart, the imposter Undertaker, Hunter Hearst Helmsley, and "The Ringmaster" Steve Austin.
1996: The Hardy Boyz's WWF Tag Team Debut
The year 1996 marked the first time Matt and Jeff Hardy joined forces as a tag team in the WWF, competing against notable duos like The Smoking Gunns and The Grimm Twins.
1997: The Hardy Boyz's Matches with The Headbangers and Kurrgan
During 1997, The Hardy Boyz engaged in matches against The Headbangers (Thrasher and Mosh) and Kurrgan, further honing their skills as a team.
1997: Establishment of OMEGA Championship Wrestling
Matt and Jeff Hardy took the initiative to create their own wrestling promotion, The Organization of Modern Extreme Grappling Arts (OMEGA Championship Wrestling), in 1997.
May 1998: Matt Hardy's Final Singles Match Before Full-Time WWF Contract
In his final singles match before committing to a full-time WWF contract, Matt Hardy faced off against Val Venis at a WWF Shotgun taping in May 1998.
1998: The Hardy Boyz's Training with Dory Funk Jr.
Following their signing of full-time WWF contracts, The Hardy Boyz underwent training under the guidance of seasoned wrestler Dory Funk Jr. in 1998.
1998: The Hardy Boyz Sign Full-Time WWF Contracts
The Hardy brothers, Matt and Jeff, secured full-time contracts with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 1998, marking a pivotal moment in their careers.
January 1999: Matt Hardy meets Amy "Lita" Dumas
Matt Hardy met fellow wrestler Amy Dumas, known as Lita, at an NWA Mid-Atlantic show in January 1999.
October 1999: Closure of OMEGA Championship Wrestling
The Hardy brothers' wrestling promotion, OMEGA Championship Wrestling, ceased operations in October 1999 as they both secured contracts with the World Wrestling Federation.
1999: The Hardy Boyz's Brief Partnership with Michael Hayes
In 1999, The Hardy Boyz briefly joined forces with Michael Hayes, who served as their manager during their rivalry with Edge and Christian.
1999: Matt and Jeff Hardy appear on "That '70s Show"
Matt and Jeff Hardy appeared as uncredited wrestlers in the 1999 "That Wrestling Show" episode of "That '70s Show."
April 24, 2000: Matt Hardy's Hardcore Championship Victory
Matt Hardy achieved a victory in the WWF Hardcore Championship on April 24, 2000, during Raw Is War, defeating Crash Holly.
2000: The Hardy Boyz's Rise in Tag Team Wrestling
The year 2000 proved to be a significant one for The Hardy Boyz, marked by several groundbreaking matches, including the first-ever tag team ladder match and the first-ever tag team tables match. Their participation in WrestleMania 2000's Triangle Ladder match cemented their status as a prominent tag team.
April 2001: The Hardy Boyz's Feud with The Power Trip
The Hardy Boyz engaged in a heated rivalry with Stone Cold Steve Austin and Triple H, collectively known as The Power Trip, in April 2001. This feud led to singles pushes for both Matt and Jeff, resulting in significant championship victories for both brothers.
2001: Matt, Jeff, and Lita appear in "Rolling Stone" magazine
Matt Hardy, Jeff Hardy, and Lita were featured in "Rolling Stone" magazine's 2001 Sports Hall of Fame issue.
2001: Matt and Jeff Hardy appear on "Tough Enough"
Matt and Jeff Hardy appeared on the reality show "Tough Enough" in early 2001.
February 25, 2002: Matt Hardy appears on "Fear Factor"
On February 25, 2002, Matt Hardy appeared on the television show "Fear Factor," competing against five other WWF wrestlers, including his brother Jeff. He won $50,000 for the American Cancer Society.
2002: Matt Hardy Embarks on Solo Career
In 2002, Matt Hardy took a significant step in his wrestling career by venturing into singles competition within WWE.
2002: Team Xtreme Split and Heel Turn
In 2002, despite a brief reunion, Team Xtreme disbanded after the brand extension. Frustrated with his position on the roster, Matt Hardy turned heel on August 12th by attacking his brother Jeff, blaming him for his lack of opportunities. He then adopted the "Matt Hardy: Version 1" persona.
2002: Matt Hardy wins Wrestling Observer Newsletter Best Gimmick Award
Matt Hardy won the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Best Gimmick award in 2002.
2002: Return to Face Persona
Matt Hardy's turn in April 2004 marked his return to a face persona after turning heel in 2002.
2003: Cruiserweight Championship Reign
In 2003, Matt Hardy rigorously slimmed down to qualify for the Cruiserweight division. He won the Cruiserweight Championship from Billy Kidman at No Way Out and successfully defended it against Rey Mysterio at WrestleMania XIX. He would lose the title back to Mysterio in June in a landmark match, marking the first time the Cruiserweight Championship headlined a WWE show.
2003: "The Hardy Boyz: Exist 2 Inspire" is published
Matt and Jeff Hardy, with Michael Krugman, wrote and published their autobiography, "The Hardy Boyz: Exist 2 Inspire," in 2003.
April 2004: Face Turn and Feud with Kane
Matt Hardy turned face in April 2004 by rescuing Lita from an attack by Kane, sparking a feud between the two. He would defeat Kane at Vengeance but lose a "Till Death Do Us Part" match at SummerSlam, leading to Lita's forced marriage to Kane.
2004: Matt Hardy Turns Heel
In 2004, Matt Hardy turned heel, marking a significant change in his character.
February 2005: Matt Hardy and Amy "Lita" Dumas break up
In February 2005, Matt Hardy and Amy "Lita" Dumas broke up after Hardy discovered she was having an affair with fellow wrestler Adam "Edge" Copeland.
April 11, 2005: Release from WWE and Real-Life Controversy
Matt Hardy was released by WWE on April 11, 2005, due to public outcry over his real-life relationship drama involving Lita and Edge. Hardy's public reactions to the affair, which spilled onto social media, blurred the lines between storyline and reality, leading to his release.
July 11, 2005: Worked Shoots and Blurred Lines
On July 11, 2005, Matt Hardy made a series of appearances on WWE Raw, blurring the lines between reality and storyline. He attacked Edge, referencing their real-life feud, and called out WWE officials, leading to fan confusion and speculation about the authenticity of the events.
July 16, 2005: Ring of Honor Debut and Criticism of WWE
Matt Hardy made his Ring of Honor (ROH) debut on July 16, 2005, defeating Christopher Daniels. In a worked shoot promo, he criticized WWE and John Laurinaitis, further fueling the controversy surrounding his departure.
November 21, 2006: Return to WWE and Hardy Boyz Reunion
On November 21, 2006, Matt Hardy returned to WWE on ECW, reuniting with his brother Jeff after nearly five years. They feuded with MNM, leading to a match at Armageddon and a victory at the Royal Rumble.
July 6, 2007: Feud with MVP and Series of Contests
Matt Hardy's rivalry with MVP began on July 6, 2007, leading to a series of entertaining contests. They competed in a basketball game, an arm wrestling match, a chess match, and were scheduled for a boxing match before MVP's health issues led to a change in plans.
March 1, 2008: Return from Injury and Support for Jeff
After recovering from injuries and an appendectomy, Matt Hardy returned to action on March 1, 2008. He continued to support his brother Jeff in his storyline with Randy Orton but became a target of Orton's aggression.
March 30, 2008: WrestleMania XXIV Interference
Matt Hardy made a surprise appearance at WrestleMania XXIV on March 30, 2008, interfering in the Money in the Bank ladder match to prevent MVP from winning. This marked his return to WWE programming following his injuries.
April 27, 2008: United States Championship Victory
Matt Hardy defeated MVP to win the United States Championship at Backlash on April 27, 2008, reigniting their rivalry and solidifying his return to prominence.
April 29, 2008: "Twist of Fate: The Matt and Jeff Hardy Story" is released
WWE released "Twist of Fate: The Matt and Jeff Hardy Story," a DVD featuring footage of the brothers in OMEGA and WWE, on April 29, 2008.
June 23, 2008: ECW Draft and Open Challenge Reign
Matt Hardy was drafted to the ECW brand during the 2008 WWE Draft on June 23, 2008, taking the United States Championship with him. As a fighting champion, he defended the title against numerous challengers.
July 20, 2008: Loss of United States Championship
Matt Hardy lost the United States Championship to Shelton Benjamin at the Great American Bash on July 20, 2008, ending his reign and returning the title to the SmackDown brand.
January 13, 2009: Matt Hardy Loses ECW Championship
On January 13, 2009, Matt Hardy lost the ECW Championship to Jack Swagger on an episode of ECW. This ended his reign as champion.
January 27, 2009: Matt Hardy Returns to SmackDown
On January 27, 2009, Matt Hardy made his return to SmackDown after requesting and being granted his release from ECW.
October 13, 2009: Matt Hardy appears on "Scare Tactics"
Matt Hardy appeared on the October 13, 2009, episode of the television show "Scare Tactics."
October 15, 2010: Matt Hardy Released from WWE
After expressing his desire to leave the company, Matt Hardy was released from his WWE contract on October 15, 2010.
January 9, 2011: Matt Hardy Debuts in TNA
Matt Hardy debuted for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) on January 9, 2011, at the Genesis pay-per-view.
August 20, 2011: Matt Hardy arrested for DUI
Matt Hardy was arrested for driving under the influence on August 20, 2011.
September 1, 2011: Matt Hardy Announces Retirement
Matt Hardy announced his retirement from full-time wrestling on September 1, 2011, citing injuries.
November 2011: Matt Hardy sent back to jail
Matt Hardy was removed from court-mandated rehab and sent back to jail for drinking in November 2011.
May 19, 2012: Matt Hardy's Retirement Match
Matt Hardy wrestled his retirement match against MVP at "Crossfire Live!" in Nashville on May 19, 2012.
2012: Matt Hardy Returns to Independent Circuit
Following his retirement from full-time wrestling, Matt Hardy wrestled sporadically on the independent circuit throughout 2012.
2012: Death Before Dishonor X: State of Emergency
In 2012 at Death Before Dishonor X: State of Emergency, Matt Hardy returned to Ring of Honor, confronting Adam Cole and challenging him to a match for the ROH World Television Championship.
January 2013: Chinlock For Chuck
Matt Hardy announced that OMEGA would return in January 2013 with an event titled "Chinlock For Chuck". The main event featured Matt, Jeff, Shane "Hurricane" Helms and "Cowboy" James Storm defeating Gunner, Steve Corino, CW Anderson and Lodi.
February 9, 2013: Matt Hardy Loses PWS Championship
On February 9, 2013, Matt Hardy lost the Pro Wrestling Syndicate Championship to Kevin Matthews.
February 16, 2013: Matt Hardy at FWE's No Limit
Matt Hardy wrestled at Family Wrestling Entertainment's No Limit event on February 16, 2013, but was unsuccessful in winning the FWE Heavyweight Championship.
March 2, 2013: ROH 11th Anniversary Show
At the Ring of Honor 11th Anniversary Show on March 2, 2013, Matt Hardy joined the villainous S.C.U.M. stable.
October 5, 2013: Matt Hardy marries Rebecca "Reby Sky" Reyes
Matt Hardy married fellow wrestler Rebecca Reyes, better known as Reby Sky, on October 5, 2013.
October 12, 2013: Chapel Thrill
On October 12, 2013, at "Chapel Thrill", Matt Hardy announced a Tournament for the OMEGA Heavyweight Championship which featured himself vs. CW Anderson and Shane "Hurricane" Helms vs. "The King" Shane Williams.
November 30, 2013: Matt Hardy Wins WrestleCade Championship
Matt Hardy defeated Carlito to become the first WrestleCade Champion on November 30, 2013.
December 14, 2013: Final Battle
On December 14, 2013, at Final Battle, Matt Hardy defeated Adam Page in a singles match.
2013: Matt Hardy appears in "Pro Wrestlers vs Zombies"
Matt Hardy and his wife, Reby Sky, appeared in the 2013 film "Pro Wrestlers vs Zombies."
January 2014: Matt Hardy and Reby Sky arrested
Matt Hardy and his wife, Reby Sky, were arrested in January 2014 after a fight at a hotel.
May 3, 2014: Matt Hardy Wins MCW Heavyweight Championship
Matt Hardy defeated Drolix on May 3, 2014 to become the new MCW Heavyweight Champion.
July 24, 2014: Impact Wrestling
On July 24, 2014, Matt Hardy returned to TNA and reunited with Jeff to reform The Hardys for the third time.
November 1, 2014: Wrestle-1 Appearance
On November 1, 2014, Hardy participated in Wrestle-1's Keiji Muto 30th Anniversary Hold Out show, competing in a triple threat match against Seiya Sanada and Tajiri, which he lost.
January 16, 2015: Impact Wrestling
On the January 16, 2015 episode of Impact Wrestling, The Hardys defeated the Wolves for the TNA World Tag Team Championship.
February 9, 2015: Matt Hardy Challenges for ICW World Heavyweight Championship
Matt Hardy challenged Drew Galloway for the ICW World Heavyweight Championship at FWE's "No Limits 2015" iPPV on February 9, 2015 but was unsuccessful.
March 16, 2015: Impact Wrestling
On March 16, 2015, Matt and Jeff Hardy won an Ultimate X match for the TNA World Tag Team Championship.
May 8, 2015: TNA Tag Team Championship Vacated
On May 8, 2015, Matt Hardy vacated the TNA World Tag Team Championship due to his brother Jeff being injured.
May 24, 2015: Lucha Libre World Cup
On May 24, 2015, Hardy captained Team TNA/Lucha Underground at AAA's Lucha Libre World Cup. They advanced to the finals but lost to Dream Team, with Hardy taking the final pinfall.
June 28, 2015: Slammiversary
On June 28, 2015, Matt Hardy was among the five wrestlers who competed for the TNA King of the Mountain Championship at Slammiversary, with Jeff Jarrett ultimately emerging victorious.
November 21, 2015: OMEGA
On November 21, 2015, Matt Hardy won the OMEGA Heavyweight Championship for the second time, defeating former student Trevor Lee.
November 28, 2015: WrestleCade IV
On November 28, 2015, Matt Hardy lost the WrestleCade Championship to Jeff Jarrett at WrestleCade IV in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
January 5, 2016: TNA World Title Series Finals
On January 5, 2016, Matt Hardy competed in the TNA World Title Series finals, ultimately losing to EC3.
January 19, 2016: TNA World Heavyweight Championship Victory and Heel Turn
On January 19, 2016, Matt Hardy won the TNA World Heavyweight Championship from EC3, marking the first time EC3 was defeated in a one-on-one match in TNA. This victory involved a double turn, with Hardy turning heel after Tyrus betrayed EC3.
March 12, 2016: British Championship Wrestling
On March 12, 2016, Matt Hardy, billed as "Broken" Matt Hardy, challenged Drew Galloway for the WCPW World Heavyweight Championship at a British Championship Wrestling event in a match taped for an episode of WCPW ReLoaded.
May 20, 2016: WrestleCade
On May 20, 2016, Matt Hardy regained the WrestleCade Championship in a triple-threat cage match against Jeff Jarrett and Ethan Carter III in Hickory, North Carolina.
December 2, 2016: ROH Final Battle Appearance
On December 2, 2016, Hardy, as Broken Matt, appeared at ROH's Final Battle pay-per-view in a video message directed at The Young Bucks and The Briscoes.
2016: Debut of the "Broken" Gimmick
Matt Hardy introduced his unconventional "Broken" persona to the wrestling world in 2016, which would later evolve into "Woken."
2016: Matt Hardy wins Wrestling Observer Newsletter Best Gimmick Award for "Broken" gimmick
Matt Hardy won the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Best Gimmick award again in 2016 for his "Broken" character.
2016: OMEGA Champion
Throughout 2016, Matt Hardy defended the TNA and OMEGA titles jointly at OMEGA events as part of his "only true world champion" gimmick.
January 12, 2017: Successful Title Defense Against The Wolves
On January 12, 2017, The Hardys successfully defended their tag team titles against The Wolves.
March 4, 2017: ROH World Tag Team Championship Victory
On March 4, 2017, The Hardys won the ROH World Tag Team Championship from The Young Bucks at ROH's Manhattan Mayhem show. They subsequently announced short-term contracts with ROH.
April 2, 2017: The Hardy Boyz Return at WrestleMania 33
On April 2, 2017, at WrestleMania 33, Matt and Jeff Hardy made a surprise return to WWE, winning the Raw Tag Team Championship in a ladder match against Gallows and Anderson, Cesaro and Sheamus, and Enzo and Cass. This marked the completion of their "Expedition of Gold."
November 2017: Impact Wrestling Changes Intellectual Property Policy
In November 2017, Impact Wrestling shifted its policy to allow talent to retain ownership of their intellectual property, resulting in Hardy gaining ownership of the "Broken" character.
January 22, 2018: "Woken" Matt Hardy vs. Bray Wyatt
On January 22, 2018, at Raw 25, Bray Wyatt defeated Matt Hardy, who was then using his "Woken" gimmick after gaining full ownership of it. This marked the beginning of their intense feud, which would continue for several months.
January 31, 2018: Legal Victory and Acquisition of "Broken" Trademarks
On January 31, 2018, Matt Hardy won the legal battle over the "Broken" gimmick, obtaining ownership of related trademarks including 'Broken Matt', 'Brother Nero', 'Broken Brilliance', and 'Vanguard1'.
February 26, 2019: The Hardy Boyz Reunite on SmackDown Live
On February 26, 2019, Matt Hardy returned to WWE after a seven-month absence and teamed up with his brother Jeff on SmackDown Live, defeating The Bar (Cesaro and Sheamus).
February 10, 2020: Matt Hardy Confronts Randy Orton
On February 10, 2020, Matt Hardy confronted Randy Orton on Raw about Orton's attack on Edge. This led to a brawl and a brutal attack by Orton on Hardy, marking the beginning of their feud.
March 18, 2020: Matt Hardy Debuts in AEW
On March 18, 2020, Matt Hardy made his debut in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) on Dynamite, returning to his "Broken" gimmick and setting the stage for a new chapter in his career.
December 2020: Matt Hardy claims Native American ancestry
In December 2020, Matt Hardy claimed to have Native American ancestry.
January 20, 2021: Matt Hardy Turns Heel
On January 20, 2021, Matt Hardy turned heel on AEW Dynamite after he and Private Party defeated Matt Sydal and Top Flight. This marked a significant change in his character and his alliances in AEW.
2022: Matt Hardy's Feuds and Matches in 2022
Throughout 2022, Matt Hardy continued to be a prominent figure in AEW, engaging in feuds with Orange Cassidy and Best Friends, as well as competing in notable matches, including a Casino Battle Royale at Double or Nothing and a Tornado tag team match at Revolution 2022.
April 12, 2023: Matt Hardy and Isiah Kassidy attacked by The Firm; saved by Hook and Jeff Hardy
On April 12, 2023, Matt Hardy and Isiah Kassidy were attacked by The Firm, but the duo were saved by Hook and a returning Jeff Hardy.
April 8, 2024: Matt Hardy leaves AEW
On April 8, 2024, Matt Hardy's contract with AEW expired, and he opted not to re-sign.
April 20, 2024: Matt Hardy returns to TNA as "Broken" Matt Hardy
Matt Hardy made a surprise return to TNA at Rebellion on April 20, 2024, using his "Broken" gimmick and attacking TNA World Champion Moose.
