Sports Illustrated interviewed GFW president Ed Nordholm about the Hardys vs. GFW situation. Nordholm said that GFW is “moving on” and “not going back to it.”
SI: Will you ever sell the intellectual property? Also, will you want a bigger sum of money if the creation is used on WWE television?
Nordholm: I’ve stopped thinking about this. We have a show to put on, and a company and a brand. We’ve got things on our plate that are more important than sorting out the “Broken Brilliance.” I made a genuine effort to resolve something to benefit the Hardys as a goodwill gesture to Matt. It didn’t reach a conclusion and we’re moving on. We’re not going back to it, I’m not interested in opening a new dialogue, I’m not interested in opening another conversation about it. We made our best effort, it didn’t happen, and I’m not going to negotiate all over again.
There were also recent reports that the Hardys and GFW had a deal in place, but it fell through, with the Hardy side of the story being that GFW just stopped responding to them after they agreed to a deal.
SI: Sports Illustrated reported that both the Hardys and Anthem were close to an agreement that would have sold the “Broken Universe” intellectual property for somewhere between $10-15,000, but it fell apart when Anthem reportedly increased its financial demands from the Hardys. Sources have reported that the plan from Anthem and Jeff Jarrett was to purposely draw out the process. Was there ever a deal in place, and, if so, what prevented it from completion?
Nordholm: What prevented it from completion is that we’ve never come to terms. I have made numerous efforts, going back to February and the time of the cease and desist letter [to Ring of Honor for advertising the “Broken” Hardys for their 15th Anniversary pay per view] to make an arrangement with Matt Hardy to use the gimmick. Every time we have those conversations, they sort of start warm then end up not coming to fruition due to an inability to come to an agreement as to what basis I would confer those rates on him.
There is a lot more in the full interview if you’re interested in reading Nordholm’s corporate and questionable side of the story.
WWE: Mike Santana Reflects on His NXT Appearance & Arrival To NXT Brand at 7/22 WWE NXT Show, Alexa Bliss Provides Update on Arm Injury, Updated List of Talents Invited To WWE Tryouts During SummerSlam 2026 Weekend
WWE: AJ Lee on Her WWE Contract Pays Her The Way CM Punk Is Being Paid, AJ Styles on Him Not Closing The Door For Potential One More Match In Future, Josh Bishop, J-Rod, & More Set For WWE Tryouts During SummerSlam 2026 Weekend
AEW Redemption Notes: “Speedball” Mike Bailey vs. Kyle Fletcher for AEW International Title Set for Grand Slam Mexico 2026, Maya World Wins TBS Title, Andrade El Idolo Wins AEW National Title, Willow Nightingale Wins AEW Women’s World Title, 7/29 Dynamite Show Card



