Matt Hardy returns to WWE TV on Raw

The night after Survivor Series saw Matt Hardy make his return to WWE television.

Hardy came out to the Hardy Boyz’s theme music and faced Buddy Murphy on tonight’s Raw. For the finish, Murphy pinned Hardy after reversing the Twist of Fate and hitting three knee strikes.

Murphy cut a promo after the match and said he was picking a fight with Aleister Black. Black entered and sent Murphy out of the ring after hitting him with strikes.

This was Hardy’s first televised appearance for WWE since the battle royal at Super ShowDown in Saudi Arabia this June. Prior to that, he was off of TV since the The Hardyz had to vacate the SmackDown Tag Team titles in April due to Jeff needing to undergo knee surgery.

Hardy praised Murphy on Twitter after facing him at a house show in June: “Got the opportunity to get in the ring with @WWE_Murphy tonight at #WWEReno for the first time ever. He’s an INCREDIBLE athlete & a @WWE superstar you should definitely keep your eye on.”

WWE posted on Instagram after tonight’s Hardy vs. Murphy match: “@matthardybrand returns to #RAW, but how will this defeat to @wwe_murphy affect his future?”