Backstage News On Jeff Hardy Wrestling Against Mustafa Ali Despite Neck Injury

Jeff Hardy has been suffering from a neck injury since going through a table at WWE NXT Halloween Havoc 2025 when The Hardys faced DarkState in a Broken Rules Match.

The former WWE Champion is dealing with two bulging discs in the left side of his neck, although he is still cleared to wrestle. Hardy has worked 11 matches since Halloween Havoc across TNA and the indies, which included a singles match with Mustafa Ali on the January 22 episode of Thursday Night IMPACT.

Fightful Select has reported it was discussed that Jeff wouldn't wrestle on the show and Matt Hardy would replace his brother in the Mustafa Ali match. Jeff insisted on working the match, however, as he knew Mustafa Ali would take care of him and was looking forward to wrestling the singles contest.

Ali ultimately did take care of Hardy, and Jeff emerged okay from the contest. The match ended up going 15 minutes and Jeff won following a distraction from Elijah which allowed Hardy to hit a Twist of Fate and Senton Bomb for the pinfall victory.