Bleeding Cool recently reported on the legal feud between TNA Wrestling and pro wrestlers Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy over the “BROKEN” gimmick. In case you didn’t read that, let us catch you up:
While working for TNA, it’s widely believed that the Hardys were allowed free reign to create and run with the Broken storyline, which worked out well for the organization, serving as one of the few bright spots and a viral success in an otherwise dismal year that saw the company almost taken over by Smashing Pumpkins vocalist Billy Corgan before finally being actually taken over by Anthem Sports & Entertainment, who restored co-founder Jeff Jarrett to a seemingly important creative role. However, when the Hardys’ contracts expired earlier this month, they chose not to re-sign with the company, reportedly due to new provisions the company was reportedly asking all talent to agree to in new contracts. The Hardys immediately showed up in Ring of Honor winning the tag team titles and declaring that they’d signed a contract with the company, prompting TNA to send cease and desist notices to the Hardys, ROH, and cable providers airing ROH’s 15th Anniversary PPV, even reportedly causing one of those providers, Dish Network, to drop the PPV at the last minute and causing Matt Hardy’s wife Reby Hardy to go on an epic Twitter rant, humorously coining the phrase F*** That Owl in reference to Anthem’s logo.
The outpouring of support has been so tremendous that you guys have inspired me to release a little somethin…RT !https://t.co/HV9y7g1ADG pic.twitter.com/nL3NaiKD8i
— Reby Hardy (@RebyHardy) March 13, 2017
So what’s happened since then? Well, the Hardys have now hired legal representation to fight for the trademarks, according to a tweet from Reby Hardy:
From now on, someone will be speaking for us regarding the ridiculous situation we've been put in. And not on twitter. Thx for the support.
— Reby Hardy (@RebyHardy) March 18, 2017
But before that, Hardy unleashed another rant against Anthem and TNA. While addressing various subjects, Hardy claimed that her father worked on screen as Senor Benjamin, who she says was part of TNA’s trademark claims, without any signed agreement. Additionally, she says that her and Matt Hardy’s one-year-old son, Maxel, who appeared in several Impact Wrestling segments and even “wrestled” in a match, was not legally cleared to appear on camera:
UPDATE: TNA sent an absolutely laughable legal proposal re: trademark, usage & ownership. Sigh.
We tried to play nice. Truly.
Oh well.— Reby Hardy (@RebyHardy) March 18, 2017
They also seem real hurt about #FuckThatOwl. Awww.
Cute.
— Reby Hardy (@RebyHardy) March 18, 2017
Fun facts ! Señor Benjamin never signed one piece of paper stating TNA could ever use, broadcast or profit from his image/likeness.
— Reby Hardy (@RebyHardy) March 18, 2017
Fun facts ! Maxel was never legally cleared to work/appear on camera. Wanna check them TV child labor laws & get back to me, TNA ?
— Reby Hardy (@RebyHardy) March 18, 2017
Fun facts ! Nearly every notable attribute that makes #BROKEN Matt Hardy "Broken Matt Hardy" was developed by ME in a @WaffleHouse. Yummy !
— Reby Hardy (@RebyHardy) March 18, 2017
Fun facts ! Trying to prevent someone from legally making money is torturous interference of business & a HUGE OFFENSE ! How bow dat C&D ?
— Reby Hardy (@RebyHardy) March 18, 2017
Fun facts ! I filed for the #BROKEN trademark when all the shady business from JJ & Anthem got back to me, WEEKS before his contract was up.
— Reby Hardy (@RebyHardy) March 18, 2017
If owning my husband was that important, why not file/apply – oh, I don't know – BEFORE his contract was up ? BEFORE you found out I did ? 🤔
— Reby Hardy (@RebyHardy) March 18, 2017
How about every other former talent still working under their "TNA name" & gimmick without issue. Wouldn't that look weird in court ? Yeah.. pic.twitter.com/kNuaTTcyty
— Reby Hardy (@RebyHardy) March 18, 2017
And the store I've been running for 5+ years, 100% by myself, with MY original designs & my sole effort/investment. Yeah, they want a cut.
— Reby Hardy (@RebyHardy) March 18, 2017
Theme song I composed/recorded/graciously allowed them to use GRATIS when they were having licensing issues w/music. They claiming that too.
— Reby Hardy (@RebyHardy) March 18, 2017
If the character is TNA's, where are their format sheets ? (Don't exist). Where are the scripts ? (Can't be produced; don't exist). And….
— Reby Hardy (@RebyHardy) March 18, 2017
..Best part. Ready ? SURPRISE ! "The Hardy Show" was behind the scenes recording OUR entire creative process this whole time. See you soon !
— Reby Hardy (@RebyHardy) March 18, 2017
And #FuckThatOwl
— Reby Hardy (@RebyHardy) March 18, 2017
Hardy later retweeted a tweet from Senor Benjamin:
Don't pay Señor Benjamin dont own Señor Benjamin. #FuckThatOwl https://t.co/PWh4yLVx8U pic.twitter.com/W8Mnzyjzjf
— Señor Benjamin (@BenjaminSenor) March 18, 2017
And continued where she left off:
I'd suggest those who don't know the 1st thing about image releases in television refrain from commenting on what is/isn't "right"…
— Reby Hardy (@RebyHardy) March 18, 2017
…it's past a matter of opinion at this point. It comes down to law, something we never had to worry about til TNA brought it into things
— Reby Hardy (@RebyHardy) March 18, 2017
They wanna get legal & specific ?
We can get legal & specific.
That's what it comes down to.
Sad, but that's what we're forced to do.— Reby Hardy (@RebyHardy) March 18, 2017
Then came the legal tweet:
From now on, someone will be speaking for us regarding the ridiculous situation we've been put in. And not on twitter. Thx for the support.
— Reby Hardy (@RebyHardy) March 18, 2017
And then a response to a fan, in case you needed clarification that, while someone would be speaking for the Hardys, that would not preclude Reby Hardy also speaking:
. @StevenSupparits the environment was 100% safe & child friendly. THAT DOES NOT GIVE THEM RIGHT TO AIR WITHOUT PROPER PAPERWORK.
— Reby Hardy (@RebyHardy) March 19, 2017
Maxel was 100% safe & well protected at all times. Dixie & Universal made sure of that. Not sure new mgmt would have; PART of reason we left
— Reby Hardy (@RebyHardy) March 19, 2017
Getting technical NOW regarding releases & permissions to appear re: Maxel because we have no choice but to given the circumstances.
— Reby Hardy (@RebyHardy) March 19, 2017
We didn't bring legal garbage into this. TNA did. They want to bring the law into it, so can we. Simple as that. Anyone else questioning…
— Reby Hardy (@RebyHardy) March 19, 2017
She then referenced the recently leaked stolen sex tapes between WWE superstar Paige and former WWE Superstar Brad Maddox for some reason:
…anything about my kid can pull a Maddox & dump your BS load elsewhere. Thanks 👍🏽
— Reby Hardy (@RebyHardy) March 19, 2017
And continued some more:
Shit talk to your hearts content; it's the internet. But don't try & spit "facts" about someone's kid w/o knowing WTF you're talking about.
— Reby Hardy (@RebyHardy) March 19, 2017
Why do people think I care about being liked ? I clearly don't care about anything but my family at this point. Was that not made clear ? 🤔
— Reby Hardy (@RebyHardy) March 19, 2017
Not here for you to like me. I'm literally just a random mom protecting her family & commenting on what I see/experience, just like you guys
— Reby Hardy (@RebyHardy) March 19, 2017
Don't like, don't follow. I will be myself regardless. (You would be missing out on Paw Patrol lyrics, tho. That's a loss)
— Reby Hardy (@RebyHardy) March 19, 2017
Ah, pro wrestling. Where the feuds that take place outside the ring often eclipse the ones that take place inside it. We’ll continue to keep you update on this one, of course.