Matt Hardy vs The Elite
The greatest tag team in history, the Hardy Boyz are back in TNA.
The Hardys, also known as the Hardy Boyz, are an American professional wrestling tag team consisting of brothers Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy. They are signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA). They are widely regarded as one of the greatest tag teams of all time.
- Primary Figures
- Matt Hardy vs Kenny Omega / The Young Bucks
- Affiliation
- All Elite Wrestling (AEW)
- Era
- Founding Years (2020-2021)
- Key Event
- Double or Nothing 2020 Hardy's Debut & Subsequent Feud
- Status
- Historical Narrative
Lore & Background
The Hardy brothers began teaming together in 1995 on the independent circuit, where they won the NWA 2000 Tag Team Championship and founded OMEGA Championship Wrestling, capturing the promotion’s tag titles. In 1997, they signed with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE). In 2000, they were joined by Lita to form the popular trio known as Team Xtreme. They are the only tag team in history to have held the WWE World Tag Team Championship, WCW Tag Team Championship (in WWE), TNA World Tag Team Championship, ROH World Tag Team Championship, and the Raw, SmackDown, and NXT Tag Team Championships. After disbanding in 2002, the brothers reunited in 2006 and teamed intermittently thereafter. They had a brief reunion in 2011 in Impact Wrestling (then known as TNA) as part of Immortal, and resumed regular tag team activity between 2014 and 2017. Following their departure from Impact in 2017, they returned to WWE, capturing the Raw Tag Team Championship at WrestleMania 33. They later won the SmackDown Tag Team Championship the night after WrestleMania 35 in 2019. Matt’s WWE contract expired in March 2020, marking the end of that run, and he subsequently signed with All Elite Wrestling (AEW). Jeff would also depart WWE in 2021 and joined Matt in AEW in 2022, before both brothers returned to TNA in 2024, and later returned to WWE on the NXT brand in 2025.
In Their Own Story
The arena lights hummed low as Matt Hardy stepped into the ring, his eyes fixed on Kenny Omega. The crowd roared, sensing the weight of two eras colliding. No bell was needed; the tension in the air was enough. Hardy adjusted his glove, a silent challenge to the man who claimed to be the best in the world. Behind him, the Elite watched from the ramp, their presence a reminder that this wasn't just about one match—it was about who owned the future of wrestling.
Reader's Guide
Recognized as one of the greatest and most decorated tag teams in professional wrestling, both brothers have also found success in singles competition, with each becoming a multi-time world champion. In 2017, they held seven different tag team titles from seven companies simultaneously—including the ROH World Tag Team Championship and Impact World Tag Team Championship—a feat unmatched in wrestling history. The Hardy Boyz are especially noted for their high-risk, innovative performances in ladder matches and Tables, Ladders, and Chairs matches. They are widely credited with helping to revitalize tag team wrestling during the Attitude Era. In 2012, WWE ranked them number two in its list of the greatest tag teams in history. Collectively, they are 15-time world tag team champions between WWE, TNA, and ROH.
Did You Know?
- The Hardy Boyz are the only tag team to have held the WWE World Tag Team Championship, WCW Tag Team Championship, TNA World Tag Team Championship, ROH World Tag Team Championship, and the Raw, SmackDown, and NXT Tag Team
- In 2017, they held seven different tag team titles from seven companies simultaneously, an unmatched feat in wrestling history.
- WWE ranked them number two in its list of the greatest tag teams in history in 2012.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the key figures in the Matt Hardy vs The Elite storyline?
This narrative centers on veteran icon Matt Hardy clashing with AEW's founding faction, The Elite, which included Kenny Omega, Cody Rhodes, and The Young Bucks. Their interactions defined the power structure during the promotion's chaotic early years between 2020 and 2021.
What roles did Matt Hardy and The Elite play in this feud?
Matt Hardy served as an established legend bringing outside credibility from WWE and TNA, while The Elite represented a new wave of international stardom already entrenched within AEW. Their conflict highlighted the tension between the promotion's veteran founders and its homegrown powerhouse group.
How did the Matt Hardy vs The Elite story begin?
The rivalry ignited following Matt Hardy's high-profile debut at Double or Nothing 2020, where he immediately challenged the established hierarchy of The Elite. This event marked a pivotal moment as Hardy sought to assert his authority against the faction that had dominated early AEW programming.
Why is this feud considered important in AEW history?
This storyline was crucial for establishing the early pecking order and narrative stakes during All Elite Wrestling's formative period. It showcased the collision of different wrestling philosophies and helped solidify the identities of both Hardy as a veteran force and The Elite as the promotion's primary attraction.
How did the conflict between Matt Hardy and The Elite conclude?
Rather than ending in a singular, prolonged war, their story evolved into a complex dynamic that shifted as AEW expanded its roster and focus. The initial tension eventually faded into history as both parties moved on to new rivalries, leaving behind a foundational chapter for the company.
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