Matt Hardy has revealed that Vince McMahon once wanted to incorporate one of Jeff Hardy‘s real-life tragedies into a WWE storyline.
Speaking on the Battleground Podcast, Matt and Jeff Hardy looked back on their memorable 2009 rivalry, which remains one of the most personal feuds in WWE history. During the discussion, Matt recalled how WWE developed the storyline that eventually saw him revealed as the mystery attacker targeting his brother.
At the time, Jeff was enjoying a run as WWE Champion while Matt was the reigning ECW Champion. According to Matt, WWE believed both brothers were popular enough to carry a major programme against one another.
“Vince saw that I could continue to be elevated by turning heel,” Matt said.
The storyline centred on Matt becoming jealous of Jeff’s success and popularity, leading to a series of attacks before he was ultimately unmasked as the culprit. However, Matt revealed that plans became even more controversial after Jeff’s North Carolina home was destroyed in a real-life fire.
According to Matt, McMahon suggested blaming the incident on his villainous character in order to generate additional heat for the feud.
“I remember we got to the point where Jeff’s house had legitimately burnt down, and then Vince said, ‘You know what? His house had burned down. Let’s pin that on you. I think that’ll get good heat,'” Matt recalled.
While Matt understood the thinking behind the idea, he admitted he felt it crossed a line.
“I was like, ‘Ah, I don’t know, Vince. That might be a little too much. I think they get that you’re jealous. You want to sabotage him. You want to have a better career than him, but burning his house down might be a lot.'”
Matt Hardy Said Vince McMahon Pushed Ahead With The Story Of Him Burning Down Jeff Hardy’s House Despite Concerns
Despite his concerns, Matt Hardy said Vince McMahon remained committed to the concept, and WWE ultimately incorporated the real-life event into the storyline. Looking back, Matt noted that professional wrestling has long blurred the line between reality and fiction to make stories feel more authentic.
“We rolled with the punches, man. And it was what it was, and we’re just incorporating real life in a story,” he said. “That happens in pro wrestling all the time. It incorporates things to try and blur the lines of what is fiction and what is reality.”
The feud culminated at WrestleMania 25, where Matt and Jeff Hardy faced off in an Extreme Rules Match, one of several encounters in a rivalry that remains among the most personal storylines of either man’s career.
