Matt Hardy is undoubtedly one of the best wrestlers to ever step foot inside the squared circle. His long journey in some of the US’ top promotions have made him, alongside his brother Jeff, one of the most iconic and charismatic wrestlers in the business.

After arriving to AEW in 2020, Matt Hardy had a singles run before assembling the Hardy Family Office. However, shortly after Andrade El Idolo took over group this year and renamed it as the Andrade Family Office, Matt reunited with his brother Jeff and had brief run in the AEW tag team division.

During a recent Q&A on his ‘Extreme Life of Matt Hardy Podcast’, Matt Hardy opened up about a variety of topics related to AEW. In one of these topics, he addressed on the importance of ROH World Champion Chris Jericho, comparing him with WWE Legend Hulk Hogan. When reflecting on this, Hardy said:

“Chris Jericho is the same as Hulk Hogan was whenever WCW got hot. I mean, he was the guy the people know, probably the biggest household name they could get their hands on and just super beneficial. I mean, Chris Jericho goes down in the conversation as one of the GOATs without a doubt.”

Hardy continued by stating “I mean, he’s one of my close, dearest friends as well. You know, he is just so amazing, and the fact he’s been able to keep himself in that top position for so long is a credit to how talented he is.”

Matt Hardy & His Take On Chris Jericho’s Creative Work

In addition to what he stated, Matt Hardy reflected on how he admires Jericho’s in-ring work and creative mind. When addressing on this, he said:

“I just think Chris Jericho is so multi-talented and he understands how to do sports entertainment. He understands how to do wrestling. He understands character work, if you’re a Danhausen type, how to portray that and optimize it and get the most out of it. He understands if you’re a very serious wrestler like Bryan Danielson, he realizes how to get the most out of that.

That’s something I think is hugely beneficial because you have a lot of guys that are great wrestling minds, but they only did one gig. I feel like when you’ve done so many different gigs and you’ve been serious, you’ve been able to create drama, you’ve been able to create comedy, you’ve been able to draw money, and you know what you have to do to make something work, I feel like Chris is the epitome of that.”

H/T to WrestlingNews.co for the interview transcription.

Photo Credit – All Elite Wrestling (AEW)

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Ric Flair shocked the pro wrestling world when he announced his Last Match event a few months ago. After losing to Shawn Michaels on WrestleMania 24 and retiring from in-ring competition, Flair teamed up with his son-in-law Andrade El Idolo to take on Jay Lethal and Jeff Jarrett on July 31st.

On an event that featured many AEW, ROH and Impact talents on the official matchcard, Flair took some serious bumps and even admitted he passed out during the match. However, Ric Flair and Andrade were able to overcome the odds and walk away with the win.

Shortly after that, Ric Flair commented he rejected some others booking offers. However, after taking to social media to address on his 50-year-career anniversary, Ric Flair might have hinted his future wrestling-related plans.

‘The Nature Boy’ shared a picture of himself during the celebrations. In addition to the picture, Flair stated he will never retire from the pro wrestling business.

He wrote: “Thank You To Everyone Who Helped Me Celebrate My 50 Years In The Business! One Thing Is For Certain… I WILL NEVER RETIRE! WOOOOO! #50YearsOfFlair.”

Obviously, we shouldn’t take this for granted. Mainly because there is still not any solid confirmation of any match happening in the near future.

However, given the way his Final Match event was announced earlier this year, we shouldn’t be surprised if we got the chance to see Ric Flair wrestling one more match.

Ricky ‘The Dragon’ Steamboat, Ric Flair’s Main Inspiration For Wrestling One More Match

A few days ago, on his ‘To Be The Man’ podcast, ‘The Nature Boy’ hinted the possibility of lacing up his boots once again.

About that, he stated that Ricky ‘The Dragon’ Steamboat’s decision to wrestle one last match on November 27 makes him want to get in the ring for one more match.

You can click here to read the full details of what he said.

Photo Credit – Jim Crockett Promotions/Starrcast

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On Sunday July 31st, the entire pro wrestling world witnessed the final match of Ric Flair’s legendary career, where he teamed up with son-in-law Andrade El Idolo to pick up the win against the team of Jay Lethal and Jeff Jarrett.

However, even though it was reported he was in good health after the match, it came to many fans’ notice that the 73-year-old legend may have not closed the door for another chance of stepping into the squared circle.

While speaking at the latest episode of his ‘To Be The Man’ podcast, Ric Flair revealed he received a booking offer from Puerto Rico for a match on the following week of the Ric Flair’s Last Match event, claiming he wishes he didn’t say his match with Jarrett and Lethal was his final one.

“I wish I hadn’t said it was my last match. That’s gonna get heat,” Flair said. “Hell, they wanted me to wrestle in Puerto Rico on Saturday night. I said, ‘Guys, I cannot get in the ring one week later.’ And the guy looked at me and said, ‘Well, you know what, could retire in Puerto Rico can’t you?’ No, no, no that’s not the point.” (H/T Sportskeeda)

This is not something strange to most fans and media, since Flair returned to the ring just one year after his iconic retirement match with Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 24.

As to the current time, Ric Flair also accompanied Andrade El Idolo to the ring for his match with Carlito at the WWC 49th Anniversary Show, which took place from Bayamon’s Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez on August 6th.

This match also featured a heated staredown and a brawl between Flair and former rival Carlos Colon, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise if we see ‘The Nature Boy’ lacing up his boots one more time in the near future.

Photo Credit – Jim Crockett Promotions/Starrcast

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Mark Henry is one of the most respected personalities in the entire pro wrestling business, with a long and legendary career in the WWE that awarded him with a well-deserved spot in the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2018.

However, after more than 20 years with the WWE, Mark Henry signed with All Elite Wrestling in May 2021 and started to serve as a commentator for AEW Dark and AEW Rampage, as well as helping the company’s talent as a coach and taking part in many of AEW’s communitarian tours.

During a recent talk with Lex Luger and Bully Ray at the ‘Busted Open Radio’, Henry has revealed the main reason why fans have not been able to see him compete in the AEW ring, claiming that he is suffering from a serious back injury.

When consulted about this by Bully Ray, Henry said:

“Bully, to be honest, to be completely transparent, I got nerve damage is why I don’t wrestle, in my back, in my [sacroiliac (SI) joint],” he revealed.

“I get that,” Henry said. “It will just go out, and I’ll be on the ground, and there have been times where I do too much at AEW, and I have to take a wheelchair through the airport, and it sucks because I’m prideful, and I hate it when I can’t walk through the airport. Feels like my leg is on fire. I’m not saying for a pity party for me; I’m saying that Darren Droszdov is in a wheelchair for the rest of his life, paralyzed from the chest down.

I know countless other guys that are on canes and [in] wheelchairs too. My doctor told me, ‘Hey, man. You know you can surgically get that fixed?’ And he said, ‘Don’t do it until you can’t walk no more.” He’s like, ‘Let that be your last alternative.’ So I feel it, but I’m not there yet, you know what I’m saying?” (H/T WrestlingInc)

There is no doubt that, even if he is not able to wrestle ever again, Mark Henry will always remain in fans memories as one of pro wrestling’s all-time greats.

You can listen to the full interview by clicking here.

Photo Credit – All Elite Wrestling (AEW)

The post Mark Henry Reveals He Hasn’t Wrestled In AEW Due To An Injury appeared first on Wrestling Republic.

Kurt Angle is considered by many as one of the best technical wrestlers of all times. The Olympic Gold Medalist’s work gained WWE’s attention, who ended up offering him a contract with the company.

Ever since his debut, he amazed everyone with all his talent, uniqueness and charisma.

Now, after having retired from in-ring competition following his final WWE run, Angle has joined NBC Sports Boston to explain how he thinks that Gable Steveson has all that it takes to be a top star in WWE, while also giving his thoughts on why the company should give him a push.

“I think the reason is his size, he’s probably 170 pounds, you know, five foot eight. I think that bears a little bit on the reason why he’s not being pushed as much as he should be,” he explained. “But I think he’s an amazing talent, I think the WWE can do a lot with him. He’s very technical, he has a lot of charisma, he’s a very talented kid, and I think he would do extremely well if the company pushed him.” (H/T WrestlingInc)

Kurt also commented that the idea of being Steveson’s manager in the near future is ‘not out of question,’ referencing his old idea of managing American Alpha’s Jason Jordan and Chad Gable, which eventually ended up in nothing.

“I wanted to manage Jason Jordan and Chad Gable back in the day, and it never occurred. It was brought up in meetings but it just never happened.” (H/T WrestlingInc)

Gable Steveson signed with WWE in September 2021, shortly after winning the gold medal in Tokyo 2020’s Olympics- which took place in mid 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Steveson would then be featured in the same year’s WWE Draft, being picked to be a part of Monday Night Raw’s roster.

The 22-year-old star also showed up at both nights of WrestleMania 38, where he joined RKBro for an interesting physical segment with Chad Gable.

Photo Credit – World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)

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The Undertaker is considered by many as the best WWE Superstar of all-time. It is undeniable that his 30 long years in the WWE have made him one of the most iconic and respected pro wrestlers in history.

Taker’s legendary and illustrious career gained him a well-deserved spot on the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2022.

‘The Deadman’ has recently joined Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated, where he spoke about Cody Rhodes and his family’s legacy, while also praising him for leaving WWE back in the day and now coming back as a better wrestler.

“From his first trip in, to where he is now, Cody has a much better grasp of who he is,” Taker said. “It’s great to be part of a legacy in the business. Cody’s dad is one of the all-time greats. That also makes it very tough for people like Cody, Dustin and Charlotte Flair. It takes a minute to figure out who you are. No one can be Dusty. Naturally, though, you fall into that trap of trying to be like him.

The first time Cody came through, he was trying to figure out who he was. Now he knows. Yes, he keeps the legacy alive. His dad was ‘The American Dream,’ he’s ‘The American Nightmare’. That’s cool how he’s merged that, and he’s pulled a few things from Dusty’s repertoire.

Cody is his own man now, and he believes in himself. I don’t think he did the first time through. Sometimes it takes going away to someplace else, and his time away served him well.” (H/T Sports Illustrated)

Cody Rhodes returned to WWE at WrestleMania 38, where he battled Seth ‘Freakin’ Rollins in a very good match.

He would then move on to face Rollins again at WrestleMania Backlash and in Hell in a Cell, getting also praised in the last one for competing while suffering from a torn pec.

Photo Credit – World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)

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Kurt Angle is considered by many as one of the greatest pro wrestlers that the world has ever seen.

The Olympic Gold Medalist made a huge reputation for himself ever since his amateur wrestling days. He would then move up to perform at some of the top promotions around the world, including New Japan Pro-Wrestling, TNA and most notably the WWE.

After leaving the company in 2006, Angle returned to WWE in 2017 for a final run, where he served as RAW’s General Manager and also wrestled in a handful of matches. However, during a recent talk on The Two Men Power Trip of Wrestling podcast, Angle revealed his thoughts on his final run with WWE.

When consulted about if he enjoyed his run, he said “No, not at all.”

“I went back to WWE. It wasn’t a big welcome home. It was more of a, ‘We’re going to show you what you did when you left us.’ I didn’t have any hard feelings about it, but Vince McMahon just didn’t have any plans for me.

I was doing more jobs than I was winning. I don’t blame him for that. I left the company high and dry in 2006, and coming back, I think he felt that I was a little bit of a liability because of my broken necks. I had four broken necks in WWE back in the 2000s.

I also had a painkiller problem that I got myself out of, but I think that he thought I was a little bit of a liability so he didn’t want to utilize me the way he should have.” (H/T WrestlingNews.co)

Kurt Angle’s last WWE match occurred at WrestleMania 35, in April 2019, where he lost to Baron Corbin.

He would end up getting released from his contract on April 2020, as a result of WWE’s budget cuts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Photo Credit – World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)

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Matt Hardy and his brother Jeff are undoubtedly one of the most talented, iconic and charismatic tag teams of all time.

The Hardy brothers collected gold everywhere they’d go, before reuniting at All Elite Wrestling a few months ago.

However, after the news of Jeff Hardy being arrested again, Matt has opened up about his younger brother’s issues.

While speaking at his Extreme Life of Matt Hardy podcast, Matt explained how he believes their mother’s early passing is the main cause of Jeff’s substance issues, as well as the reason that drives him to keep healthy.

“I feel like some of Jeff’s issues probably come from our mother dying when he was so, so young,” he explained. “That was always an issue that he carried with him deeply.

 I know 100%, the biggest thing that drives me to stay healthy and not have an addiction issue at all, because I’m sure I have an addictive personality, but the thing that keeps me running and stronger than anything else is my family, my children, specifically. I mean, my wife as well. She would whip my ass as everyone knows.” (H/T WrestlingNews.co)

Matt continued to explain that he thinks Jeff’s situation got worst when they first splitted, which saw him get influenced by recreational drug users before being released from WWE in 2003.

“Once we got into wrestling back in the day, there were times where stuff was kind of thrown on us and we were still really good.

We were resilient about things as far as being out of control until we split. That was the first time there were ever really any chemical dependency issues. That’s when Jeff was away from me.

He was on the RAW show and he was traveling with two guys who were pretty well known for using recreational drugs at that time. That is when Jeff first got bad and he ended up being released in 2003.” (H/T WrestlingNews.co)

Matt Hardy hasn’t appeared on AEW television yet. On the other hand, Jeff got suspended by AEW on the day after his arrest.

However, Tony Khan himself said that Jeff will have AEW’s full support on this tough situation.

Photo Credit – All Elite Wrestling (AEW)

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Paul Wight, also known as The Big Show, is undoubtedly one of the most respected pro wrestlers in the business.

Wight has made a huge name for himself ever since his time at WCW and, most notably, the WWE.

While speaking with Submission Radio, the AEW Star has revealed that he had another hip transplant surgery in December, and that he also plains to wrestle in small doses to help push younger talents.

“I had another hip transplant in December. So, now I have two fake hips now, I have two titanium hips so I’m like Wolverine,” Wight revealed. “So the focus for me has just been on rehab, physical therapy, and just getting stronger. And my thing coming over [to AEW], honestly, to be sincere, is I came over here to work on my commentary skills because that’s where my future lies in wrestling, that’s where I want to contribute to the business.

But I came over to compete periodically, in small doses, like I don’t see myself running for championships, that’s not my gig.

Maybe if it works out and there’s a younger talent that I can help bring along, like a tag team championship, maybe. I’ve done my five nights a week for decades, I’ve put in my time. Now, for me, it’s about not taking anything away from the amazing AEW talent here that deserves that TV time, that deserves that opportunity to make those connections with the audience, that deserves that ability to go out and earn those pay-per-view paydays, this is their time.”

So, that’s the smart thing you do, like I’m never gonna be a guy that’s going to come in and bully my way and, ‘I need my dressing room, I need to be fighting for the title.’ That’s not my MO. I want the business to do well and I want the talent around me to do well, and I’ll be okay.” (Via Submission Radio, H/T WrestlingInc)

Paul Wight signed with All Elite Wrestling on February 2021, after 22 long years with WWE.

Since then, he has served as a performer and commentator for YouTube’s AEW Dark.

Photo Credit – All Elite Wrestling (AEW)

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Konnan doesn’t currently need dialysis, but it could be necessary eventually. Right now, he is on a kidney waiting list in the United States that is 7 years long, so he is looking at getting the procedure done in Mexico. It is possible that he has already found a doner. 

This is especially scary now as not too long ago he underwent a successful heart surgery caused by his fight with Covid in February of last year.

During an interview with Wrestling Inc. in 2018, Konnan spoke with Wrestling Inc. Managing Editor, Nick Hausman, about his prior health issues:

“I feel like I just want to say ‘goodbye’ to the fans as a [pro] wrestler, as an active wrestler,” Konnan said at the time. “I just want to be able to say ‘goodbye’ on my terms because 10 years ago, I had to have hip surgery. I had a hip replacement and when they went in to do my hip replacement, my kidneys were damaged, so I had to get a kidney replacement, a kidney transplant, and a hip replacement.

“And, bro, I was in really bad health and I hadn’t wrestled in 10 years. So all-of-a-sudden, I retired because I was hurt or disabled and everybody’s like, ‘well, what happened?’ So I just want to kind of like go out on my own [terms] and be able to say, ‘goodbye’ to everybody one last time.”

Konnan went on to work several matches in 2018 and 2019 including in the Copa TripleMania match at AAA TripleMania XXVII in August of 2019. So it is possible that if everything goes well, we could see him involved in wrestling after he is fully healed from his transplant surgery.

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