This PWTorch Exclusive was originally printed in this week's Pro Wrestling Torch Newsletter #1291 available for VIP members on Tuesday night. Not VIP? Find out how to subscribe here at PWTORCH.COM.

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TNA World Hvt. champion Jeff Hardy is re-energized, focused, and willing to speak up behind-the-scenes in TNA, according to his brother Matt Hardy during an exclusive interview on the February 8 PWTorch Livecast.

Matt painted a picture of a different, more-committed Jeff Hardy who inked a two-year deal with TNA earlier this month to remain one of the promotion's top stars as they expand to bigger arenas for Impact television.

"It's a huge step forward for them growing into somewhat of a bigger wrestling company and one day being on the radar of WWE," Matt exclusively told PWTorch editor Wade Keller. "I definitely think he's very passionate about not only what he's doing, but making the company he works for better."

Matt says that Jeff recognizes the pressure placed on him as the face of TNA going into a new era. However, Matt believes Jeff is much-better prepared to handle this pressure than earlier in his career.

"I think he knows he's the flagship and face of the company right now. Obviously, he wants it to succeed. I think he takes a lot of pride in being the face of the company and it doing well. So, he wants to do whatever he can to excel," Matt said.

"Jeff never worked out when we were on the road and he ate whatever. Now, Jeff eats super-strict, he gets up at 7:00 or 7:30 in the morning, he runs three or four miles, and he works out. It's insane. Like, I've never seen him like this. Everything in his life kind of pointed to him making these changes and he takes it very seriously."

Although Jeff has always been an individual and free spirit, Matt says his TNA champ brother has taken it upon himself to develop as a leader, breaking out from his reputation for being so laid-back that he allowed Matt to do everything when they were a tag team.

"When he comes home, he wants nothing to do with wrestling, but when he goes to wrestle now, he's very into his matches and he wants to make it good," Matt said. "Before, when we teamed for so many years, he would go, 'Matt, tell me what to do and when to do it.' (laughs) But, now, he's so hands-on and his mind is so good. He's such a good worker, he's smarter than he's ever been, and he's very good about picking and choosing his stuff. And, he's taking such good care of himself. It's awesome to see, especially from my standpoint."

Part of being a leader is Jeff deciding he has enough clout and credibility in TNA to speak up when he feels it's necessary. Matt says it's new territory for Jeff, but a sign of his maturity.

Asked if Jeff would take a stand if he felt like it, Matt said, "Absolutely, yeah." Hardy continued, "He doesn't care - he will definitely speak up. He's always been kind of laid-back or a go-with-the-flow type guy, but now that he's a dad and with the things he's been through, he's very much like, 'No, I don't think this is cool.' Or, 'This should be a different way.' Or, 'I'm not going to do this.' Where, back in the day, he would let a lot of that slide."

Can Jeff maintain the improvements to his personal and professional habits? Matt says that he believes Jeff is locked in after his recent trials, which include a September 2009 drug arrest and the infamous Victory Road 2011 PPV match with Sting that led to him leaving TNA.

"It's amazing. Reby has just known him since he's been super-responsible Jeff, and I'm just like, 'You can't imagine just how different he is.' It's great to see," Matt said.

"And, it's a testament to how good people can change. Jeff's always had the best heart of anyone you would ever meet, but it's just a testament to people really do change and evolve and mature. Sometimes it just takes different circumstances to get people there. Hopefully they do. Sometimes people get their stuff together or they end up failing alltogether."

[ AUDIO: A five-minute clip from Matt's Livecast interview discussing Jeff can be downloaded here - http://bit.ly/YsXiz4 ]

[ HEAR MORE: Hardy's entire Livecast interview with live callers can be heard here at BLOGTALKRADIO.COM. VIP members get access to another 40 minutes with Hardy talking even more in-depth about wrestling topics such as changes to the industry. NOT VIP? Find out how to sign up here at PWTORCH.COM ]

[Torch art credit Travis Beaven (c) PWTorch.com]

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