Matt Hardy has offered his perspective on the reported TNA status of Joseph Sawyer and Sam Shaw, the wrestlers previously known in WWE as Joe Gacy and Dexter Lumis. While Hardy stressed that he does not have firsthand knowledge of whether either man has signed, he sees substantial upside in bringing former members of the Wyatt Sicks into the company.
The subject has gained added attention because recent editions of TNA Impact have included mystery attackers targeting prominent names, including Matt and Jeff Hardy. That angle has led to fan speculation about who could be behind the attacks, with Sawyer and Shaw among the names being discussed. At this point, however, neither wrestler’s involvement in the storyline nor any TNA signing has been officially confirmed.
Hardy addressed the reports and the wider conversation on The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy. His assessment was clear: the performers associated with the Wyatt Sicks have more to offer than the presentation that made them most recognizable.
“I think they’re all very talented individuals,” Hardy said. “On top of playing these over-the-top characters, I also think they’re all very talented when it comes to being performers in the ring.”
For more background on this topic, read AJ Francis Explains Why Working as a Heel Fits His TNA Style.
That distinction is important when considering where Sawyer and Shaw could fit if they do enter TNA. Both men spent a significant period tied to character-driven material in WWE, and the Wyatt Sicks association remains the defining chapter of their recent mainstream exposure. Hardy does not appear to view that history as something they should abandon. Instead, he believes it can serve as a foundation for an updated approach.
A Hybrid Presentation Could Preserve Recognition
Hardy suggested that the strongest option would be a hybrid of the wrestlers’ established personas and a more grounded presentation of the people behind those personas. In other words, he would not necessarily want to see an exact recreation of the Wyatt Sicks concept, particularly without Bray Wyatt at the center of it. But he also does not believe it would be wise to ignore the imagery, mannerisms, and audience awareness created by that run.
“For the majority of them, their biggest stardom was obviously doing the Wyatt Sicks. I would almost [want to see] some sort of hybrid,” Hardy explained.
The idea would be to retain individual elements that fans recognize while scaling back the overtly supernatural side of the act. For Hardy, that means allowing more of the real personalities of the wrestlers to come through without pretending the Wyatt Sicks chapter never happened. The approach could also give TNA more flexibility than a direct continuation would allow.
That is a potentially valuable balance for a promotion that frequently places a premium on distinctive characters while also asking its performers to deliver in-ring performances and clear, ongoing stories. A complete reset risks throwing away the instant recognition attached to Sawyer and Shaw. A strict recreation of their former act, on the other hand, could invite direct comparisons to a WWE presentation that was specifically connected to Bray Wyatt’s legacy.
Hardy’s proposed middle ground would acknowledge what viewers remember while creating room for new motivations, rivalries, and identities in TNA. The former Wyatt Sicks members could carry an unsettling edge, remain visually and psychologically distinct, and still operate in a more conventional wrestling environment.
Why the Wyatt Sicks Connection Still Matters
The Wyatt Sicks were released by WWE earlier in 2026, ending a run that left many fans disappointed by its abrupt conclusion. The group had generated interest because of its connection to the legacy of Bray Wyatt and because it featured performers with established character work. Supporters had hoped to see the stable become a more dominant force and further develop its tribute to Wyatt.
Instead, the members are now working to establish their next steps. That makes the question of presentation especially significant. A wrestler moving from one major promotion to another can choose to start fresh, but a total overhaul is not always the best route when an audience already connects the performer to a recognizable role.
Hardy noted that the association is likely to stay with them regardless of where they appear next. Fans who have watched Sawyer, Shaw, or any of the other former members on independent wrestling events or in future televised appearances will naturally remember the Wyatt Sicks. That is not necessarily a limitation. It can be an asset if used with purpose.
“Anybody who sees them and whenever they watch them on an indie show or whatever else, they’re gonna think about that Wyatt Sicks; they will forever be known for that,” Hardy said.
That reality makes a hybrid approach practical. Rather than fighting audience memory, TNA could use it. The key would be making the characters feel evolved rather than derivative. Sawyer and Shaw would need a reason for their actions, a presence that fits the TNA roster, and stories that do not depend solely on mystery or familiar imagery.
Hardy’s comments also speak to the challenge of separating a stable’s members from the group identity. The Wyatt Sicks presentation was designed around a collective atmosphere. Once performers move into new settings, they need to show what makes each of them individually compelling. Sawyer and Shaw have the chance to do that while retaining the intensity that drew attention to them in the first place.
Mystery Attacks Add to the Conversation
The timing of the reports has naturally intensified speculation around TNA Impact. Mystery attackers have been involved in attacks on multiple figures, with Matt and Jeff Hardy among those targeted. Anonymous assaults are a familiar wrestling device, but they are particularly effective when there are credible free-agent or rumored-signing possibilities attached to the story.
Sawyer and Shaw are logical names for fans to consider because of their prior work together and their experience portraying unsettling, unpredictable characters. Their involvement would immediately give an attacker angle an identity and a direction. It could also place them opposite one of TNA’s most recognizable teams in the Hardys.
Still, there is a meaningful difference between speculation and confirmation. Hardy himself said he has no inside information regarding the reported signings. The mystery attacker angle could ultimately lead to Sawyer and Shaw, but it could just as easily involve a different direction. Until TNA identifies the attackers or announces the wrestlers’ status, any connection remains unverified.
That uncertainty may be part of what makes the situation compelling. TNA has given viewers a question to follow from week to week, while the circulating discussion around former WWE talent has created a plausible list of suspects. If the company does reveal Sawyer and Shaw as the attackers, it would instantly frame them as threats. If it does not, the attention around their possible arrival still demonstrates the interest their names carry.
In-Ring Ability Could Be Central to Their Next Chapter
Hardy’s emphasis on wrestling ability may be the most consequential part of his evaluation. Character work often drives first impressions, especially for performers involved in dark or theatrical acts. But sustained success depends on being able to transition from an entrance and a visual concept into matches that matter.
Hardy believes the former Wyatt Sicks members are capable of doing exactly that. His view is that their talent is not limited to playing exaggerated characters; they can also perform effectively once the bell rings. For TNA, that combination could be useful across several kinds of programming. They could be introduced as an imposing duo, developed as individual singles competitors, or used in a wider faction situation if the company sees value in building a new group around them.
A match program involving the Hardys would be one obvious possibility if the mystery attacker story goes in that direction. It would offer immediate visibility and a veteran opposition with enough history to make any ambush feel consequential. At the same time, Sawyer and Shaw would need more than a single feud to establish their long-term places on the roster. Hardy’s call for a less supernatural, more personal version of their characters could help create that longevity.
For now, the major facts remain limited: the entire Wyatt Sicks stable was released earlier this year, reports have connected Sawyer and Shaw to TNA, and mystery attacks on TNA Impact have fueled discussion around those reports. Matt Hardy sees talent and potential in the former stable members, but he is not presenting their arrival as confirmed.
If they do appear, Hardy’s vision offers a clear blueprint. Keep the distinctive qualities that audiences associate with the Wyatt Sicks. Let the performers show more of themselves. Reduce the reliance on overt supernatural elements. Most importantly, give them the chance to prove that the next phase of their careers can stand on its own rather than simply revisit the last one.
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Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.