Matt Hardy stirred up major discussion recently after stating that TNA should focus on storytelling and character-driven content rather than chasing five-star matches heading into iMPACT!’s AMC era next month.
He said that TNA needs its own identity and should move away from the modern trend of obsessing over match ratings, something which he believes AEW is too focused on.
Below are his comments from The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy podcast.
“I think TNA does need to have its own identity and one thing I can say, I’ll say this off the top. I want us to focus on story more than f**king 5-star matches, because that’s f**king way too overdone now. In AEW, they can have all those, but the type of audience we’re looking for are people that are getting compelled by the storytelling and the characters. That is something I want to focus on. I’ll say that blatantly right upfront.
There’ll be good wrestling on it, but we’re not going to be obsessed over it. I think at the end of the day, the most important things are moments more than moves.
Great wrestling matches are great, sure. No doubt about it. But like, AEW, that’s their thing. They stand out. They have their wrestling like that. I don’t think that’s the direction we’re going to go. We need to find our own identity and go in a different direction.”
Dax Harwood later tweeted what many fans interpreted as a response to Hardy’s comments. While he didn’t mention the WWE Legend directly, the timing made the connection hard to ignore.
Here’s what he wrote:
“I think, in wrestling, the older you get, the more you complain about ‘5 star matches’.
I also think, the older you get, the more you (secretly) wish you had 5 star matches.
Whatever a 5 star match even is.”
The discussion escalated when a fan insulted wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer, calling him a moron. Dax defended Meltzer and emphasized that star ratings are simply opinions, not facts.
He replied:
“I think calling Dave a moron is insane. He’s probably wrestling’s most accurate historian. While I may not agree with some of his star ratings, that doesn’t mean he’s wrong. That means he has a different opinion than I do; which is absolutely ok!
To me, BrainBusters vs Hart Foundation SS 89 is a 5 star tag match. To Dave, it’s a 2. Who’s wrong? Who’s right? Who gives a f**k? As long as we all enjoy wrestling!”
Matt Hardy then responded directly to Dax by sharing a screenshot of his tweet defending Meltzer. He clarified his stance and questioned why Harwood seemed to respond without tagging him.
“I think, on wrestling twitter, if you’re gonna decide to moan about someone’s take, you should @ them, @DaxFTR.
I also think, the older I get, I give less than a f**k about what someone on the internet thinks a 5 star match is. What I care about what our matches are drawing at the box office & how they make people feel.
I enjoy FTR’s work ethic & talent. I also think AEW emphasizes ‘matches’ more than ‘story/character/emotional investment’ & it makes it challenging to grow your audience from a niche core — Which is MY opinion.
I want AEW to succeed, it’s good for the industry. I love & enjoy great matches that get me emotionally invested. I don’t (secretly) wish I ‘had 5 star matches.’
Whatever a 5 star match even is.
Who’s wrong? Who’s right? Who gives a f**k? As long as we all enjoy wrestling! (Your words in this same thread).”
Dax then replied, saying he had no idea why Hardy believed the message was aimed at him, and insisted their relationship had always been positive.
“Matt, I have no idea what you’re talking about, why you think this is about you, or why you’re so upset with me. I’ve only EVER had good things to say about you & your brother and what you’ve meant to tag team wrestling.
I thought, until today, we always had a great relationship.”
