Each time I interview wrestlers, I like to interrupt the ice by asking them in regards to the wrestling legends that influenced them in a technique or one other. Though I had a sense which crew AEW World Tag Crew Champions Non-public Occasion would carry up after we chatted forward of their Full Gear four-way match, I nonetheless needed to ask. I’m glad I did.
No shock right here, however Isiah Kennedy and Marq Quen laughed when the query got here up and as a substitute requested me who I believed had been their favorites rising up. Understanding their historical past, in-ring model, and flashy personalities, I instantly responded with the Hardy Boyz, to which Kennedy responded with “Positively the Hardyz” earlier than including:
The Hardyz influenced each of us to be skilled wrestlers. Jeff was the primary individual I noticed when it got here to the wrestling scheme of issues. After which I did my analysis and I came upon that he has a brother that is additionally doing the identical factor. After which after that, I used to be hooked.
What adopted was a quick-yet-impactful journey down reminiscence lane the place we chatted about how Matt and Jeff Hardy influenced a complete technology of future stars, gave followers a few of the most iconic Angle Period moments, and always reinvented themselves and wrestling as an entire over the previous 25 years.
However what stood out most in regards to the duo? Kennedy added:
So for me, what actually stood out in regards to the Hardy Boyz was they had been completely different. As a child, that catches my eye. You already know, you are watching all these large beefy guys in trunks and tights, you recognize, the common wrestling look. However these guys got here out in fishnet, armbands, and saggy cargo pants and face paint … and I am like, these dudes are cool.
Tagging in to share his expertise rising up watching the Hardy Boyz put their lives on the road every week, Quen talked about how a lot he was shocked discovering out simply how large Matt and Jeff had been assembly them years later:
Once I noticed the Hardyz, these had been those that made be like, wait, perhaps I can do it. After which after I lastly meet the Hardyz, they’re large guys too. They’re large boys. I used to be like, what? I mentioned you guys had been within the cruiserweight division again within the day.
Kennedy, Quen, and I, although from completely different elements of the nation and completely different walks of life, had a whole lot of shared experiences watching these two brothers from North Carolina pull off death-defying stunts in our formative days. Relating this, Kennedy shared how the pair’s charisma and perspective made him a fan on day one:
And then you definitely hear the music, you see Jeff dancing, you see Matt going all loopy. After which to high it off and put the cherry on the cake, man, they’re out right here doing loopy stuff. As a child, how are you going to not love that? You bought them doing jumps off of ladders by means of tables, utilizing chairs, Swanton bombs, the accident, all that great things. I am like, yeah guys, you bought me, you bought me. I’m a fan.
Non-public Occasion has had fairly the historical past with the Hardy Boyz. That is very true with Matt, who has labored with the crew a number of occasions through the years. A number of years after the Hardyz defeated Kennedy and Quen for the Home of Glory Tag Crew Championship, Matt paired up with the crew in AEW. At one level, Kennedy began working beneath the title Brother Zay whereas Quen was out with an harm.
Solely time will inform if Non-public Occasion will get an opportunity to face off in opposition to Matt and Jeff Hardy in some unspecified time in the future sooner or later, however it might give me much more motive to be excited if these two groups met within the ring at an upcoming AEW pay-per-view or wherever else actually.