The Hardy Boys, or The Hardy Boyz, consists of real-life brothers Matt and Jeff Hardy, who are among the most influential and important tag teams in the history of professional wrestling. Known for their high-flying, daredevil style and innovative matches, the Hardys helped define an era of tag team wrestling that transcended the boundaries of the sport. From their beginnings in the independent circuit to their iconic runs in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and beyond, the Hardy Boys have left an indelible mark on the wrestling world.
The Beginning and Rise to Stardom
Matt and Jeff Hardy began their wrestling journey in the mid-1990s in the small North Carolina-based promotion, OMEGA (Organization of Modern Extreme Grappling Arts), founded by Matt Hardy and friend Shannon Moore. This is where they honed their skills in OMEGA, crafting the foundation of their distinctive style. The brothers’ innovative use of high-flying moves, thrilling spot-based offense, and willingness to take extreme risks were integral to their eventual rise in the professional wrestling world.
After catching the attention of WWE scouts, the Hardy Boyz were signed to a developmental contract with the company, and they debuted on WWE programming in 1998. Initially working as jobbers (wrestlers used to enhance the reputations of other performers), the Hardy Boyz gained momentum with their unique look and fast-paced, daredevil in-ring style. They were among the first wrestlers to consistently perform high-impact aerial moves that became the hallmark of their careers.
The Hardy Boyz in the Attitude Era
The Attitude Era (roughly from the late 1990s to the early 2000s) was one of the most revolutionary periods in professional wrestling. During this time, WWE redefined its product with edgier storylines, risqué content, and a more gritty approach to entertainment. It was within this era after their training and mentorship from Michael Hayes, and the bonus of Lita, that they truly made their mark and became symbols of a new style of tag team wrestling. For me, this was where the semi-obsession began. I had to watch everything they did. Get every magazine, poster, etc. This was the start of my lifelong love of the two brothers from North Carolina.
In 1999, they were introduced to the WWE audience as part of the tag team division. At the time, the tag team division in WWE was on the verge of being stale, with few standout teams and little innovation. However, the Hardy Boyz were far from ordinary. They were not only capable of traditional tag team wrestling, but they also showed an insane level of innovation and excitement to the tag team ranks. Their high-flying, risk-taking style drew the attention of fans and set the stage for an explosive period of tag team wrestling. Hello, Jeff, anyone?
As a fan, this was one of the defining moments for the Hardy Boyz that happened in 2000 during the legendary (TLC) tables, ladders, and chairs match. In this one and the one at WM 17, the Hardy Boyz faced off against the Dudley Boyz and Edge & Christian in a series of unforgettable contests that would go down in history as some of the greatest matches ever produced by WWE. These matches showcased jaw-dropping stunts, such as Jeff Hardy’s daredevil leap off a ladder from great heights and the memorable moment when Matt Hardy went through a table from an unbelievable height. The Hardy Boyz were at the forefront of this movement, blending traditional wrestling with a new form of high-impact, stunt-heavy action.
TLC matches were a fusion of high-flying wrestling and hardcore elements using tables, ladders, and chairs to create an elevated sense of danger and unpredictability. These matches caused me a lot of stress back in the day.
These matches helped revolutionize the tag team division, and the Hardy Boyz quickly became synonymous with the high-flying excitement of TLC contests. The chemistry and rivalry between the Hardy Boyz, Dudley Boyz, and Edge & Christian laid the foundation for what many regard as one of the most iconic tag team feuds in WWE history.
The Influence of the Hardy Boyz on the Tag Team Division
The Hardy Boyz's influence on the tag team division cannot be overstated. During the late 1990s and early 2000s, their matches were the gold standard for what a tag team contest could be. Before the rise of the Hardy Boyz, tag team wrestling often followed a formulaic structure: two teams would compete using basic, fundamental wrestling maneuvers. While this formula could be effective, it did not necessarily push the envelope or appeal to a different or even possibly younger audience.
The Hardy Boyz changed all of that. They brought an edgier, more acrobatic style to the table, and in doing so, they showed that tag team wrestling could be both athletic and thrilling. As pioneers of the tag team ladder match, they paved the way for a new generation of tag teams to experiment with high spots and incorporate more extreme elements into their matches. Their willingness to take risks and their commitment to putting on a memorable show for the fans inspired other teams to do the same in the future.
Moreover, the Hardy Boyz were unique in their ability to blend the technical aspects of tag team wrestling with daring high spots and some chaos. Matt Hardy was known for his grounded, technical wrestling style, while Jeff Hardy embodied the daredevil, high-flying persona that fans gravitated towards. Together, they created a dynamic that became one of the most successful and influential tag teams of all time.
The Hardy Boyz’s matches also helped elevate the importance of tag team championships. The Hardy Boyz’s prominence grew, so did the prestige of the tag team titles and they did this by putting on stellar matches highlighting the best of tag team wrestling. Their successful title reigns, combined with the memorable bouts they produced, brought a level of respect to the tag team championships that had been lacking for years.
The Revival of the Tag Team Division and Cultural Influence
Matt and Jeff's influence was not just limited to their time in WWE. They also had a profound impact on the larger wrestling world. Their groundbreaking style of wrestling inspired countless young wrestlers to pursue careers in tag team wrestling. Many have emulated their high-flying, risk-heavy approach to the sport. Their moves became part of the wrestling lexicon, with spots like the Swanton Bomb and the Twist of Fate becoming signature maneuvers copied by aspiring wrestlers.
After leaving WWE in the mid-2000s, the Hardy Boyz continued to wrestle in various promotions, including Total Nonstop Action (TNA), Ring of Honor (ROH), and other regional promotions. In these places, the Hardy Boyz helped elevate the status of tag team wrestling even further. In TNA, for example, they had the broken gimmick where fans even now shout "Delete!" at events. They also worked in many indie promotions.
Their ability to adapt to different styles, evolve as performers, and connect with new audiences kept their relevance intact. They defined an era and defined the future of tag team wrestling. The Hardy Boyz’s importance lies not only in their in-ring work but also in their ability to influence the culture surrounding wrestling. They became icons, not just for fans, but for future wrestlers who looked up to them as the gold standard for tag team wrestling.
The Hardy Boyz Legacy
The Hardy's legacy endures, and they are still active competitors. While their time in WWE has seen its fair share of ups and downs, what they brought to tag team wrestling can't be denied. When they returned to WWE at WrestleMania 33 in 2017< I was sobbing. It was one of my absolute favorite moments. I cried when they came back. And even now, they continue to be beloved figures in the industry.
Their ability to remain relevant for over two decades is a testament to their incredible style, their craft, and, their lasting impact on tag team wrestling.
One of the most impressive aspects of their legacy is the way in which they have continued to adapt to changing times while remaining true to their core identity. Whether in TNA, WWE, AEW, or the independent circuit, the Hardy Boyz have always found ways to captivate audiences, whether it be through their high-flying moves, the emotion of their storytelling, or their willingness to embrace the more extreme side of wrestling.
Their influence continues to be seen in the work of countless tag teams today. From the Young Bucks in AEW to the Usos in WWE, modern-day tag teams owe a great deal to the innovations of the Hardy Boyz. Their willingness to take risks and defy expectations helped revolutionize tag team wrestling and the echoes of their impact can still be felt across the industry.
The Greatest Tag Team of All Time?
The Hardy Boyz’s importance in the history of tag team wrestling is immeasurable. They brought new energy, excitement, and innovation to a division that wasn't always treated as a top priority. Through their iconic matches, high-risk moves, and incredible chemistry as a team, the Hardy Boyz transformed tag team wrestling into one of the most thrilling aspects of professional wrestling. Their legacy will undoubtedly live on, as they remain one of the most beloved and influential tag teams of all time. And being a fan as long as I have, I will say with much bias that they are the best tag team of all time.