AEW Collision tonight on TNT and HBO Max at 8/7c.
AEW x NJPW x CMLL x STARDOM Forbidden Door – Sunday June 28 –
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AEW Dynamite live tonight at 8/7c on TBS and HBO Max from the Rio Rancho Events Center in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.
AEW fans may have noticed that FTR has been absent from the ring for the past month, and it appears that break is going to continue for the foreseeable future.
Dax Harwood recently revealed on Instagram that he and Cash Wheeler have decided to step away from wrestling for a period of time after years of maintaining a demanding schedule. According to Harwood, the decision comes after both men reached a point of physical and mental exhaustion following more than a decade of consistently being on the road.
Harwood also opened up about the injuries he has been dealing with while continuing to perform. He disclosed that he worked through a torn bicep, a hip labral tear, a significant shoulder injury, and multiple hematomas in his lower back while remaining active in the ring.
In his statement, Harwood explained that this marks the first time in 12 years that the longtime tag team has chosen to take a meaningful break to focus on themselves and their families. While he did not provide a timetable for a full-time return, he acknowledged that neither he nor Wheeler are certain what the future holds for the team or how much longer they intend to compete.
Despite announcing a hiatus, FTR is not disappearing entirely. The duo is still advertised for a pair of upcoming independent wrestling appearances later this summer. They are scheduled to face The Good Brothers for Appalachian Mountain Wrestling on August 22 in Corbin, Kentucky, before heading to Wembley Arena on August 29 to challenge The Young Guns for the Undisputed British Tag Team Championship at a Revolution Pro Wrestling event.
Wheeler recently shared similar thoughts regarding where he and Harwood currently stand in their careers. While he believes his mental approach to wrestling remains as strong as ever, he admitted that the physical toll of the profession has become increasingly difficult to ignore.
The veteran tag team wrestler also hinted that FTR may be entering the final chapter of its run. Wheeler suggested that the team’s most recent reign as AEW World Tag Team Champions could end up being their last, though he emphasized that both members remain passionate about helping elevate younger talent and contributing to the wrestling industry.
For now, FTR appears focused on recovery and spending time away from the grind of weekly competition. Given the lengthy list of injuries Harwood revealed and the comments from both men about their future, the break may prove to be an important one as they evaluate what comes next in their careers.
AEW Collision tonight at 8/7c on TNT and HBO Max.
AEW Dynamite live tonight at 8/7c on TBS and HBO Max from the Smart Financial Centre in Sugar Land, Texas.
AEW Collision: Summer Blockbuster 2.5 Hour Special tonight at 8/7c on TNT & HBO Max from the Andrew J. Brady Music Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The AEW Dynamite Summer Blockbuster special airs live tonight at 8pm ET on TBS and HBO Max from from the Andrew J Brady Music Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.
A new backstage report has shed some light on AEW’s internal discussions regarding the status of Keith Lee, who has been absent from television for well over a year.
According to Fightful Select, AEW officials reportedly discussed bringing Lee back into the fold several months ago. However, the report indicates that it is unclear how far those conversations progressed or whether the plans ever reached Lee directly.
Sources cited in the report suggested that whatever ideas may have been discussed internally are likely no longer active, or have at least undergone significant changes. One person close to the situation reportedly noted that if AEW had moved forward with the original plans, Lee likely would have already returned by now.
Questions also remain about Lee’s medical status. There is currently no confirmation that the former AEW World Tag Team Champion has been cleared for in-ring competition. The report noted that Lee has not been a regular presence backstage at AEW events, which is notable because any clearance process would reportedly require evaluations from company doctors over a period of several weeks.
Lee has not wrestled for AEW since late 2023. He was originally scheduled to face former tag team partner Swerve Strickland at the AEW Worlds End pay-per-view, a match that had been building for months following the breakup of Swerve In Our Glory. However, Lee was removed from the event on the day of the show due to injury concerns, and Dustin Rhodes ultimately took his place against Strickland.
Since then, Lee has kept a relatively low profile regarding his condition and future plans. While he has occasionally addressed fan questions about his absence, he has largely remained private about the specifics of his situation. One notable exception came last year when he stated on social media that he intends to wrestle again, offering reassurance to fans wondering whether his in-ring career had come to an end.
For now, Lee’s status remains uncertain. While it appears AEW has at least explored the possibility of bringing him back, there is no indication of when—or if—the former NXT Champion will return to television. Given his popularity and the unfinished business surrounding his rivalry with Strickland, a comeback would likely be welcomed by many AEW fans whenever the time is right.
AEW Collision live tonight coast-to-coast at 8pm ET/5pm PT on TNT and HBO max from the Von Braun Center in Youngstown, Ohio.
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