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What’s the story?
PWInsider is reporting that WWE and Anthem/Impact Wrestling has licensed some content from Matt and Jeff Hardy's careers in Impact Wrestling.
In case you didn’t know…
As of this past January, WWE Superstar Matt Hardy now owns all the rights to everything that was ever used for his 'Broken' persona in Impact Wrestling. Matt can change his name on WWE TV from 'Woken' to 'Broken' if WWE chooses to do so, and also owns the likeness of the Brother Nero gimmick, Vanguard 1, Señor Benjamin, Reby, Maxel, WWE versions of 'The Final Deletion', Tag Team Apocalypto and more.
While Matt obtaining the 'Broken' gimmick was done entirely on his own, it was WWE who negotiated with Anthem for the Hardy Boyz Impact footage to be used.
The heart of the matter
WWE are currently working on a Hardy Boyz return to WWE edition for an upcoming episode of WWE 24, and a DVD on the Hardy Boyz later this year, so the content will likely be used for these. While we may see some of Jeff Hardy's solo highlights used (Jeff is a 3 times TNA Champion), it will most likely feature the majority of the 'Broken Universe' that aired on Impact Wrestling.
In the past WWE has used still photos from Impact Wrestling on the WWE Network, highlighting career moments from AJ Styles, Sting, Bobby Roode and R-Truth. However, this will be the first time WWE will actually use Impact Wrestling video. WWE has also done this in the past with Ring of Honor.
What’s next?
The upcoming WWE 24 edition of the Hardy Boyz returning to WWE is currently slated to air sometime in March or April, while the DVD should be released late Summer.
Author’s Take
I think this was a great thing to happen. It will be fun and surreal to see actual Impact Wrestling video on WWE TV, and I love how it adds to the realism of the WWE 24 documentary series. It is also a 'win-win' for Impact, as they will be getting paid by WWE to get WWE audience attention on their product.
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