(Photo courtesy of the WWE) “The Hardy Boyz celebrating their championship win at the WWE.”
Jake Messer
Connector Editor
On Sunday Oct. 12, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling comes to Lowell at the Tsongas Center for one of sports biggest events of the year, Bound For Glory. One of the marquee matches headlining the massive event is the tag team title match between the Hardy Boyz and the Dudley Boyz.
What has fans excited for this match is the opportunity to see something special, the last time we will ever see these two teams face off again in the ring, as one of half the Dudley Boyz, D-von Dudley, is set to retire after wrestling for more than 30 years.
“This match is a celebration of us battling for over a quarter of a century,” said Matt Hardy. “Not only that, it is going to be a very emotional match, because we know the Dudleys, especially D-von is very much at the end of his career. So we’re going to try and make this a celebration for everyone who has supported and enjoyed our 25 year rivalry.”
A celebration it will be, as the two teams have shared the ring for not only some of the most memorable moments in wrestling history, but in the entirety of entertainment history. With iconic moments from the first Tables, Ladders and Chairs match in 2000, to leaps off of ladders through tables, this rivalry has seen it all in nearly 25 years.
Hosting the Hardys and the event in Lowell is Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, a professional wrestling company founded in 2002 and is currently based in Nashville, Tennessee. It was created to compete with and be the alternative to WWE, for fans who wanted more wrestling in their weekly programming.
The Hardys, who now find themselves in TNA once again, won the championships for a fourth time back in July at TNA Slammiversary, with Jeff Hardy flying off the top rope and sending his opponent through two tables, similar to his WWE days.
This opportunity to hold championship gold once again is something that the brothers do not take for granted, especially Jeff, who has famously had to overcome many demons throughout his time as a wrestler.
“Winning the Tag Team Championship with TNA this time around, I took it as a sign or a symbol that man, I’ve done it, and now I’m on the other side of this,” said Jeff. “This chance shows that I have built everything back up and that I can’t burn it back down. These belts have made me feel like a champion again and that I can overcome anything as long as I stay positive and set my mind in the right direction.”
With all that the Hardy brothers have accomplished and overcome throughout their storied careers, some fans believe that the time to hang them up is right around the corner. According to Matt, they still have goals they need to accomplish.
“We really want to submit our legacy as one of the greatest to ever do it. There are also some tag team titles that we believe are in our grasp,” he said. “One of those being the NXT Tag Team Titles, given we have never held those belts before. Maybe even the WWE titles or Triple A (Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide) titles as well.”
Unlike in years past, TNA isn’t an old man’s show; it is now a company where any wrestler, regardless of age, race or gender, can make a name for themselves and become a star in the world of pro wrestling. Today, TNA is filled with young men and women who have the potential to be household names.
“One guy who has always had my attention is Leon Slater–such a great guy with such a great great attitude, ” Matt said. “I think he is the future of pro wrestling.”
“Another guy that comes to mind is Jason Hodge. I think he’s going to be a breakout star. He’s got tons of talent and is a really great athlete. I think he’s going to be a household name once he gets his opportunity.”
With Bound for Glory all but guaranteeing thrill seeking leaps, high-speed violence, and unbearable tension, the Hardys match up against the Dudleys will be something very hard to find in the sport of professional wrestling, emotional.
“I think this is going to be possibly the most emotional match that TNA has ever seen,” Matt said. “This is truly going to be the last time you ever see the Hardys and the Dudleys go at it again.”
“I’ve been describing this match with the three E’s, extreme, epic and emotional,” Jeff said. “There might even be a few tears shed by the time all is said and done.”
