KEY POINTS

  • Matt Hardy's WWE contract recently expired 
  • Hardy has left cryptic messages in his YouTube show that eventually led to his AEW debut
  • Fans took Hardy's appearance well in social media

Former WWE superstar Matt Hardy has made the transition to the AEW community. After weeks of speculation, the rumors were proven true when Hardy made an appearance in the latest AEW Dynamite show. It was a special introduction of the former ECW Champion as it was in front of an empty arena – a direct effect of the coronavirus threat.

Hardy has been teasing an AEW debut for weeks now ever since his WWE contract approaching its end. The Woken Hardy brother sent cryptic messages in his YouTube show Free the Delete where he sends off his drone the Vanguard 1.

This would be crucial in the development of AEW’s storyline as the drone made an appearance in the ending of the recent Dynamite episode.

In what appeared to be a winning night for the Inner Circle, Vanguard 1 flew inside the ring that would set up for Hardy’s appearance. Chris Jericho and his stable were shocked as they saw Hardy in the upper stands of the empty arena. The mysterious Hardy was seen standing and chanting his iconic delete chants as the show cut to the end.

Hardy’s debut sent multiple reactions across social media. Mostly pointing out Jericho’s shocked reaction when he saw the former WWE tag team specialist in AEW.

Most reactions were positive for the wrestling veteran.

Analysts have been calling this debut of Hardy as a win for the company during the difficult times the world is going through. The empty arena and uncertainty of future events that should have been cleared to push through have been tough for everyone.

Bleacher Report senior writer Jonathan Snowden claims that this was a good moment for the industry as AEW delivered.

Hardy made his WWE debut in the 90s with his brother Jeff as one half of the Hardy Boyz. The tag team is considered as one of the best duos in wrestling history with the way they immortalized the Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match. While the two are remembered for their tag team accomplishments, both of them have had successful individual runs as well.

Hardy’s broken gimmick has been well received by the wrestling community and is continued to be a push by the writers.

wrestling ring
Video of a wrestler in New York being launched several feet outside of the ring by an opponent has gone viral this week. A wrestling ring is pictured on May 22, 2016 in Shawsville, Virginia. Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images
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