In an intriguing revelation for WWE fans, Matt Hardy recently disclosed a creative storyline pitch he made to Vince McMahon in 2017 involving his iconic “Broken” persona and his brother Jeff Hardy. The idea, which would have kept an injured Jeff Hardy on television as a ghostly apparition only Matt could interact with, was ultimately rejected by WWE’s top decision-maker. This scrapped concept could have added a supernatural twist to WWE programming but never saw the light of day.
The Origin of the Pitch: Keeping Jeff Hardy on TV
The pitch came at a time when Jeff Hardy was sidelined by a legitimate shoulder injury, expected to be out for five to six months. Matt was already evolving his “Broken” or “Woken” character, a persona that first gained massive popularity in Impact Wrestling and later in WWE, known for its surreal, supernatural style and catchphrase “Delete!”
To maintain momentum and keep Jeff relevant despite his injury, Matt proposed a storyline inspired by the TV series Dexter, where an injured Jeff would appear to him as a figment of his imagination. In this concept, Jeff—still appearing with his shoulder sling—would serve as a conscience or internal guide, visible and audible only to Matt. Other characters would witness Matt seemingly talking to no one, adding an eerie, psychological depth to the storyline.
Matt outlined the pitch on his podcast The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy with Jon Alba:
“I said, ‘What if we do a thing where Broken Matt’s here, he’s in this dilemma… and then all of a sudden, Jeff is there, and he’s talking to him, and he’s hurt, you know, he has the shoulder sling on whatever else,’” Hardy explained. “Someone walks in the room and they see me talking to someone, but there’s no one there, and Jeff is just a figment of my imagination.”[2]
Vince McMahon’s Reaction: Not on Board
According to Matt, WWE Chairman Vince McMahon was unfamiliar with the TV show Dexter and, more importantly, disliked the supernatural and psychological nature of the idea. Sources close to WWE confirm that Vince tends to lean toward more traditional wrestling storytelling and was skeptical about including a ghostly figure that only one character could see.
“Vince hated it,” Matt said about the pitch. “Vince was not a fan… I could tell that it just wasn’t, it wasn’t his cup of tea.”[2] This rejection precluded the storyline from developing further, leaving fans to wonder how Jeff’s injury might have been incorporated creatively had WWE embraced the concept.
The Broken Universe: A Cult Phenomenon
The “Broken” gimmick originated in Impact Wrestling, where Matt Hardy transformed into a delusional yet compelling character inspired by mystical and otherworldly themes. The character’s mythology included encounters with supernatural entities called The Seven Deities and a mission to “delete” his brother Jeff, whom he called “Brother Nero.” This was more than a wrestling persona—it was an elaborate narrative with roots in cult-like storytelling and surreal presentation.[1][3]
When Matt and Jeff returned to WWE in 2017, they briefly ran as The Hardy Boyz before Jeff’s injury interrupted their momentum. The abandoned ghostly Jeff Hardy storyline was meant to bridge this gap, but WWE opted not to pursue this route, perhaps due to creative differences or concerns about audience reception.
Backstage Perspective: The Cost of Innovation
An insider familiar with WWE creative dynamics shared, “Vince McMahon has a strong vision for WWE, and sometimes very innovative or unconventional ideas struggle to find a home here. Matt’s ‘Broken’ concept is beloved by fans, but WWE’s style is often more grounded. The ghost Jeff Hardy idea was too out there for the brass. It’s frustrating because it had potential to deepen Matt’s character and keep Jeff involved while injured.”
Despite the rejection, Matt Hardy continued to champion his creative vision outside WWE, and the Hardys remain legendary for pushing boundaries in wrestling storytelling.[4]
Where Are The Hardys Now?
Both brothers have continued their in-ring careers beyond WWE. Matt and Jeff recently held the TNA World Tag Team Championships and remained active figures in Impact Wrestling programming, where their “Broken Universe” gimmick thrives free from WWE’s creative restrictions.[2]
Fans hoping for a revival of this supernatural element in WWE will have to wait and see if future storylines ever build on the foundation Matt laid with his pitch.
SEO Key Takeaways
- Matt Hardy pitched a ghostly Jeff Hardy storyline to Vince McMahon in 2017, inspired by Dexter.
- Vince McMahon rejected the idea, finding it too unconventional for WWE.
- The pitch would have kept an injured Jeff Hardy on television as a figment of Matt’s “Broken” persona’s imagination.
- The “Broken Universe” character is highly acclaimed for its originality but faced creative hurdles within WWE.
- Both Hardys continue to impact the pro wrestling scene outside WWE, especially in Impact Wrestling.
This behind-the-scenes insight offers wrestling fans a fascinating look at the creative risks wrestling stars like Matt Hardy attempt—and the veto power WWE leadership has over storytelling directions. One thing is clear: Matt Hardy’s vision for supernatural storytelling left an indelible mark on pro wrestling lore, even if WWE declined to follow that path.
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