AJ Styles: Dixie Carter Killed Impact, Matt Hardy Retires Gimmicks

We have a WWE Superstar who says who killed IMPACT-check out what AJ Styles has to say!

Also, Matt Hardy retires gimmicks…as in, all of them.

AJ Styles: Dixie Carter Killed Impact,

Much has been said about the interesting life of IMPACT Wrestling. A WWE Superstar is now saying who killed IMPACT.

AJ Styles spent time in IMPACT, so he knows a thing or two about the cause of death (yes, I know it’s not dead yet…).

On a recent Twitch stream, the Phenomenal One pulled no punches.

He specifically pointed a finger at Dixie Carter. Styles laid the blame at her feet.

He noted that, while there were many issues, you can look back to when she took over as the point in IMPACT’s lifespan where things began to trend downhill.

That wasn’t the only interesting comment to come out of the WWE Intercontinental Champion’s stream. In his stream, he also absolved Vince Russo of much of the blame he’s gotten over the years.

Styles said that while he and Russo had their issues, Russo was not a reason why IMPACT struggled. Those struggles could all be traced back to Dixie Carter.

AJ Styles says that Dixie Carter ruined TNA 100% by trying to be WWE lite #TNA #WWE

— Powerbomb Productions (@PowerbombPROD) July 26, 2020

Of course, there are some who think Styles is wrong.

AJ Styles really is as dumb as a box of rocks. What a complete and utter spinner.https://t.co/ib4OApmdzO

— Andrew Garvey (@AMGarvey) July 27, 2020

In the end, does it much matter? Probably not. IMPACT is still around, and recently added several recently released Superstars.

However, the company is nowhere close to a threat to the bigger companies in the United States (WWE and AEW).

Matt Hardy Retires Gimmicks

Speaking of AEW…relative newcomer Matt Hardy is retiring his gimmicks.

Not just one. All of them.

According to a video Hardy released, he said it’s time for him to drop his gimmicks and become Matthew Hardy.

[EXCLUSIVE NEW VIDEO] The pandemic has forced pro wrestling to drastically change the way it operates.. That includes me in @AEWrestling.

Is it now time to just be me? Just be Matthew Hardy? https://t.co/cuGqcjA7ch

— The #MULTIFARIOUS Matthew Hardy (@MATTHARDYBRAND) July 23, 2020

Matthew Hardy

? by @RebyHardy pic.twitter.com/zVHm1KNQoS

— The #MULTIFARIOUS Matthew Hardy (@MATTHARDYBRAND) July 25, 2020

He’s doing this to be more real and do what he can to reduce division in this country.

Of course, by retiring his gimmicks and becoming “Matthew Hardy”, it has to be said…he’s becoming a new gimmick-even if it’s just him being him.

Some embraced the move, though the assume that gimmick Matt returns when fans do (Hardy did not say this would, or would not, be the case).

Hell yes, Matt. I can’t wait to see Broken Matt when fans return, but you are a great performer and wrestler. Give us You. Cut a promo that’s 100% from the heart and put a tear in our eye. Can’t wait to see Matthew Hardy on @AEWonTNT.

— Drew Dietsch (@DrewDietsch) July 23, 2020

Some fans had to give him a bit of grief for the video, of course.

Matt Hardy said that things haven’t gone how he expected them to during his time at Ell Elite Wrestling, and that now it’s time to be the “real” Matthew Hardy.

Did you really think The Broken Gimmick was gonna work in 2020? #aew

— Niko Exxtra (@nikoexxtra) July 23, 2020

I commend Hardy for addressing things and adjusting. It will be interesting to see how things proceed.