Jeff Hardy reveals why he turned down WWE Hall of Fame opportunity

Former WWE star Jeff Hardy has revealed why he turned down an opportunity to be inducted into the company’s Hall of Fame.

The ‘Engimatic Soul’ is one of the most popular Superstars in recent WWE history. He is a 22-time champion in the company, with three of those reigns being world titles.

Hardy is renowned for his high-flying ability, charismatic performances and the famous tag team with his real-life brother, Matt.

Eight years after Hardy’s first departure from the company in 2009, he returned alongside Matt as late additions to a Tag Team Championship ladder match at WrestleMania 33. The pair returned to a huge pop from the crowd. In addition, in one of the best moments of the entire event, the Hardy Boyz won the tag titles.

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As a pairing, Jeff and Matt are widely known as one of the best tag teams in the history of professional wrestling. Furthermore, they are 12-time world champions across WWE, TNA and ROH.

After three years apart, they reunited in AEW in March. Matt had originally left WWE in 2019. Meanwhile, Hardy remained with the company until his own departure in 2021.

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Why did Jeff Hardy leave WWE?

WWE announced in December 2021 that they had released Jeff Hardy from his contract.

This came after he had walked out of a six-man tag team match during a live event. According to Fightful, WWE then asked Hardy, who has had previous drug and alcohol issues, to go to rehab.

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The 44-year-old did not accept WWE’s offer. He was then released. However, Hardy took a drugs test, which came back clear. Matt claimed that the company attempted to bring him back by offering him a spot in the Hall of Fame, which he rejected.

Now, Jeff has revealed why he didn’t want to be in the WWE Hall of Fame.

Jeff Hardy explains Hall of Fame rejection, why he signed for AEW

Speaking on Chris Jericho‘s ‘Talk is Jericho‘ podcast, Jeff Hardy explained: “Well, first of all, I don’t want to go in there without my brother, and it’s not my time. This is too early. This is crazy.

“So yeah, it was very emotional. I was like, ‘What are they trying to do?’ Because, naturally, I’m going to be reuinted with my brother in AEW when I’m free of WWE.

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“I told my wife what had happened. I said, ‘I can’t believe what they just offered me’. So it was very emotional, but I happily declined it.”

WWE fans will hope that, one day, Hardy can accept the company’s offer of a deserved Hall of Fame induction. Until that day comes, though, they can continue to enjoy watching him perform in AEW.

Featured Image Credit: Getty