Jeff Hardy Bringing Old Gimmick Back To AEW?

Reunited with brother Matt in AEW, Jeff Hardy is keeping his creative mind open...

Jeff Hardy Willow
WWE/IMPACT Wrestling

Jeff Hardy has talked up the possibility of reprising his Willow character in All Elite Wrestling, doing so during a recent episode of the promotion's AEW Unrestricted podcast.

Speaking with hosts Aubrey Edwards and Tony Schiavone, Hardy stated that while reintroducing the character wouldn't involve AEW's House of Black stable, there's a chance he could end up bringing his alter ego to Tony Khan's promotion (h/t Fightful):-

"Yes, of course, there is [a chance Willow could appear in AEW] but not with House of Black. He is [inside of Jeff] and that's it. When he comes out to play, he comes out and it's going to be exciting.”

A gimmick created by Jeff for his and brother Matt's OMEGA promotion prior to signing with WWE in the 1990s, Willow is best remembered for its reprisal in IMPACT Wrestling in 2014. The mask-clad, heavily make-upped, umbrella twirling gimmick ran for a few months in the former TNA, before being brought back several times prior to the Hardys leaving in 2017 - including as part of the Broken Universe.

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This isn't the first time Jeff has spoken about bringing Willow back. An October 2021 appearance on the Culture State Podcast saw Jeff speak on potentially using the character again before retiring;-

"Speaking of Willow, I was just talking with the guy that makes these masks, who made it back then. He's such an awesome mask maker, and that's now making this new Willow mask, and we're talking about the possibility of Willow entering the scene once again before my career is over".

Hardy, 44, has been with AEW since signing in March 2022.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.