AEW Star Lets Their Contract Expire - Now A Free Agent
This hugely decorated star has decided against signing a new contract with AEW.
Matt Hardy now finds himself a free agent after opting to let his AEW contract lapse.
Previously, it was reported that Hardy's AEW deal was expiring in March, with the star himself detailing how he'd had talks with the company about a new contract, but that he was weighing up all of his options before deciding what was next in his legendary career.
Per Fightful Select, Matt's AEW existing AEW deal had actually been extended for a few weeks through WrestleMania Season. There's no word on why that was the case, as there's no period where Hardy took any notable time off due to injury. Even after suffering a horrific concussion at All Out 2020, Matt continued to appear on AEW TV. While it's total speculation from your writer, it could well simply be a case of AEW wanting to have the talent tied down to stop any surprise appearances elsewhere around WrestleMania Week.
Either way, Matt Hardy's deal has now expired and he's no longer with AEW. Fightful adds how Hardy had told those close to him that he allowed his contract to lapse after deciding not to sign the extension offer AEW had made.
Of course, this doesn't rule out Matt eventually re-signing with AEW, but, for now, at least, he's no longer with the company. For those thinking Hardy and his brother Jeff could make a shock return to WWE, if Matt were to head back to the market leader, he'd initially be doing so on his own right now, for the Charismatic Enigma has had time tacked on to his AEW deal due to injuries and absence.