Fresh off Wardlow’s surprising return at Forbidden Door, TNA star Matt Hardy has voiced his strong support for the powerhouse, dubbing himself Wardlow’s “biggest advocate.” Speaking on the latest episode of his Extreme Life of Matt Hardy podcast, Hardy expressed his pleasure at seeing him back on AEW television.
“Very happy to see him. I love me some Wardlow,” Hardy stated. “Wardlow, if you’re out there, man, keep killing it. Matt Hardy is your biggest advocate.”
Hardy commented on the decision to bring Wardlow back as a heel aligned with the Don Callis Family, noting that while he expects a significant push for him in this role, a turn back to a babyface feels inevitable. “He looks like a star. He resonates like a star; everything about him yells and screams star,” Hardy added. “I’d imagine before it’s all said and done, he’ll find his way back to being a hero again.”
Wardlow made his shocking return on August 23 at Forbidden Door in London, after more than a year away from the company. Following the main event between Swerve Strickland and Kazuchika Okada, he appeared in a suit, attacking Prince Nana and several security guards before officially aligning himself with Don Callis, Okada, and Kyle Fletcher on the entrance ramp.
His extended absence began after an unsuccessful challenge for the AEW World Championship against Samoa Joe on the March 13, 2024, episode of Dynamite. Reports later confirmed he had been sidelined by a torn labrum and injuries from a car accident. Although he had been medically cleared for several months, his comeback was strategically delayed. After being cast in the Amazon Prime Video reboot of American Gladiators, Wardlow and AEW President Tony Khan mutually agreed to postpone his return until filming was complete to avoid a disjointed creative direction.
In the days following his reappearance, Wardlow has also debuted a new, clean-cut persona, declaring himself “the most attractive man in the history of professional wrestling” on social media, a stark contrast to his previous character.