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One of the most distinctive characters in TNA Wrestling history, “Broken” Matt Hardy, emerged from the innovative mind of the legendary wrestler Matt Hardy. This persona came complete with memorable catchphrases, a rich backstory, a cast of equally unique characters, and even a “Lake of Reincarnation.” While Hardy tried to carry the character into both WWE, alongside the late Bray Wyatt, and during his tenure with AEW, it was in TNA where “Broken” truly flourished alongside the Hardy Family.
Recently, Hardy shared insights about the inception of the “Broken” character on “Busted Open Radio.” He revealed that he drew inspiration from the show “True Blood,” particularly the idea that vampires can exist for thousands of years and be seen in various historical contexts. He also referenced other series like “Dexter,” expressing a desire to evolve creatively as he aged in the wrestling world.
“The guys today are incredibly athletic and talented, and many are smaller in stature. I can’t wrestle like I did 20 or 25 years ago,” Hardy explained. “So I thought, ‘What if I adopt a more theatrical and performative style?’ I drew inspiration from early characters like Papa Shango and The Undertaker. I figured that either people would embrace my transformation into a supernatural character because my brain had opened up, or they’d think I was just plain crazy. Either way, I was determined to make it work.”
Hardy and his brother Jeff made their return to TNA on June 17 after wrapping up their time with AEW. Although they are still actively working with the promotion, the tag team reportedly met with WWE officials ahead of SummerSlam in August.
