In the high-stakes theater of professional wrestling, the line between the character and the human is often blurred by design. For decades, the industry has thrived on carefully constructed personas and scripted rivalries, but the true stories—the ones involving grief, failure, and the grueling climb toward redemption—usually remain hidden behind the curtain. That is precisely where Dark Side of the Ring finds its pulse.
Matt Hardy, a veteran whose career has mirrored the volatility of the business itself, is now signaling that the series is preparing its most ambitious undertaking to date. Speaking on his podcast, The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy, the award-winning performer revealed that he and his brother, Jeff Hardy, have provided extensive testimony for an upcoming multi-part arc focusing on the complex legacy of Jeff Jarrett and the evolution of TNA (Total Nonstop Action) Wrestling.
According to Hardy, the production is not merely a retrospective of a promotion, but a deeply personal exploration of Jarrett’s life. The project, which Hardy describes as a “redemption story,” aims to reconcile the professional triumphs of one of the industry’s most polarizing figures with the personal tragedies that defined his trajectory.
A Narrative of Redemption and Loss
For those who have followed the industry since the late 1990s, Jeff Jarrett is a name synonymous with both innovation and friction. As a founder of TNA, Jarrett helped create a viable alternative to the WWE monopoly, yet his tenure was often marked by internal turmoil and a reputation for rigid control. However, the upcoming episodes seek to peel back those layers, focusing on the man behind the “Chosen One” persona.
Hardy noted that the interviews, conducted in Las Vegas, spanned the entirety of their shared history. The conversations touched upon the early days of their professional relationship, including the pivotal moment when Jarrett and the late Owen Hart discussed placing the tag team championships on the Hardy Boyz—a move that would help propel the brothers into the stratosphere of pop-culture stardom.
Beyond the gold and the glory, the series delves into the darker chapters of Jarrett’s life. Hardy highlighted the emotional weight of the production, noting that the interviews covered the devastating loss of Owen Hart, as well as the passing of Jarrett’s first wife. By framing the story as one of redemption, the series intends to show how Jarrett navigated these losses to reach a place of stability and renewed respect within the wrestling community.
“It felt great to be a part of something that did feel like a redemption story, because not only did we talk about how Jeff Jarrett came out the other end in a much better place and how he’s gained everyone’s respect from what he has done, we talked about the condition of TNA right now,” Hardy said via The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy (h/t WrestlingNews.co).
Unprecedented Scale and ‘Star Power’
While Dark Side of the Ring has previously tackled heavy subjects—ranging from the tragedy of the Von Erichs to the controversies surrounding Chris Benoit—the TNA arc appears to be larger in scope than any previous installment. Hardy suggested that the sheer volume of participants makes this a landmark moment for the series.
The production is rumored to be roughly three hours in total length, a duration that will necessitate splitting the story across multiple episodes. Hardy indicated that the production team “interviewed almost everybody,” hinting that the list of contributors is among the most comprehensive in the show’s history. This breadth of perspective is crucial for a story involving TNA, a company that served as a sanctuary and a battleground for hundreds of wrestlers during the 2000s and 2010s.
The involvement of the Hardy Boyz adds significant weight to the narrative. As pillars of the “extreme” era, Matt and Jeff provide a peer-level perspective on Jarrett’s leadership and the chaotic growth of the TNA brand, offering a bridge between the promotional politics and the athletic reality of the ring.
Key Focus Areas of the TNA/Jarrett Arc
| Thematic Element | Primary Focus | Emotional Core |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Origins | Early collaborations with the Hardys and Owen Hart | Ambition and Opportunity |
| Personal Tragedy | Loss of Owen Hart and first wife | Grief and Resilience |
| TNA Evolution | The rise, fall, and rebranding of the promotion | Industry Disruption |
| Modern Status | Current state of TNA and Jarrett’s redemption | Legacy and Respect |
TNA’s Current Standing in a Changing Landscape
The timing of this release coincides with a period of significant transition for TNA. After years of operating under the “Impact Wrestling” banner, the company has returned to its original TNA branding, attempting to recapture the spirit of its inception while modernizing its presentation. Hardy noted during his podcast that the promotion is currently “in a good place” and “thriving,” specifically mentioning its presence on AMC.
This focus on the present ensures that the series is not just a eulogy for a bygone era, but a case study in survival. For the stakeholders—the wrestlers, the executives, and the fans—the story of TNA is a reflection of the wider wrestling industry’s struggle to balance artistic freedom with corporate sustainability.
The series will premiere its seventh season on Vice TV on July 7, with the three-part TNA and Jarrett saga serving as the season’s opening event. For a community that often settles scores in the ring, this production offers a rare opportunity to settle them through honest, long-form conversation.
Fans and industry insiders can look forward to the July 7 premiere on Vice TV to see the full scope of Jarrett’s journey and the definitive history of TNA’s most turbulent years.
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