Tag: FTR

AEW’s FTR Out Of Action Indefinitely Due To Dax Harwood Injury Suffered At Dynasty PPV

One of AEW’s top tag teams will be shelved for an undetermined amount of time as FTR’s Dax Harwood took to X to announce an injury he first suffered at Dynasty that he effectively hid from the medical staff and the powers that be, which will now force him to rest until further notice.

Just before 9pm ET, Harwood posted a video more than five minutes long explaining just what went down, along with the caption, “An explanation that I feel I owe everyone. The fans, my boss, the medical team, and the whole roster. I appreciate you all, and I hope to see you soon. Top Guys, out.”

Harwood began with a disclaimer about the sometimes toxic world of social media, saying, “I know [there are] a lot of people, especially in the Twitter world, who don’t really care for me too much and that’s okay but I thought this was the best way that I could talk to the fans of AEW and the fans of FTR and finally get this off of my chest.” He then apologized to AEW President Tony Khan, to AEW staff, and specifically to its medical staff, with whom he admitted not being up front about the origin and the nature of the injury, which he would go on to explain in detail. “[At Dynasty], I gave Matt Jackson a Piledriver, and when I landed, it messed my lower back up really bad and caused a severe hematoma that appeared on my lower back,” he said. “As we know, that’s where a brunt of the bumps go for a professional wrestler. I thought I could tough through it.”

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Dax Harwood Suffered A Concussion At AEW Dynasty 2024

A Vacant AEW Tag Team Title Tournament Finals Ladder Match with The Young Bucks vs. FTR that saw Jack Perry help The Bucks go over took place at the Dynasty pay-per-view event. 

AEW will be without Harwood for a while as Dave Meltzer reported in the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Harwood also suffered a concussion during the match.

Source: eWn

Cash Wheeler Arrest Affidavit: AEW Star Allegedly Pointed Handgun At Victim In Traffic

In light of the news of Cash Wheeler’s arrest and his subsequent arraignment on the charge of aggravated assault with a firearm, the Orange County Clerk’s Office has released the sworn affidavit from the complainant in the case. According to the statement made by Daniel Matta, Daniel Wheeler (Cash’s real name) is alleged to have pointed a gun in his direction as part of a road rage incident on July 27.

The statement reads, in part, “[Victim Daniel] Matta stated he was driving west on Interstate 4 north of Exit 83. He noticed a Jeep Gladiator weaving in and out of traffic honking its horn, so he moved over to the far-right lane to let the Jeep pass. Matta said the Jeep took the right shoulder to drive around him on the passenger side of his vehicle. Matta looked over and noticed a white male with a beard pointing a black semi-automatic handgun out of the driver’s window at him with a strong stare. Matta said he feared for his life at this time.”

The victim goes on to explain that he tried to get out of the way and ended up behind the Jeep, taking pictures when it began to drive recklessly and calling 911 to relay the information. Officers created a photo line-up using an online database for investigative purposes, from which Matta identified Wheeler out of a randomized order of potential suspects.

Wheeler had been set to defend the AEW Tag Team Championships alongside partner Dax Harwood against The Young Bucks at All In. AEW has stated that they are aware of the charge and are closely monitoring the situation, making no assessment on Wheeler’s status for the pay-per-view otherwise.

Haus of Wrestling’s Nick Hausman reports he was given the impression that the Young Bucks versus FTR rubber match would still be going ahead at All In on August 27, given that Wheeler was not asked to surrender his passport. AEW World Champion MJF came to Wheeler’s defense and said the match would still be happening.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Breaking News: AEW Star Cash Wheeler Arrested This Morning For Aggravated Assault With Firearm

Daniel Wheeler, who wrestling fans know as AEW star Cash Wheeler, was arrested by the Orlando Police Department on Friday morning, the Orlando Sentinel has learned. Per the report, the 36-year-old is facing one count of aggravated assault with a firearm.  

PWInsider has since provided more information, revealing that the AEW star will have a hearing at 1 p.m. today. The warrant for his arrest was filed on July 28 and he was booked in the Circuit Court of Orange County, Florida. Wheeler has pled not guilty to the charge, which is considered a third-degree felony in the State of Florida. 

Further details about the situation are minimal at the time of this writing. However, AEW has issued a statement to the Orlando Sentinel, noting that the company is aware of the situation.  

“AEW has been made aware of the charge, and we are closely monitoring the situation. He (Wheeler) is fully cooperating with local authorities.”

FTR Suggested They Will Retire Upon Expiration Of Latest AEW Contract

On the latest episode of the “FTR with Dax” podcast, Dax Harwood disclosed that he and Cash Wheeler had signed new deals with All Elite Wrestling. According to Wrestling Observer, the reigning AEW World Tag Team Champions revealed that they had inked new four-year contracts with Tony Khan’s promotion during an in-ring interview with Tony Schiavone that was taped last night following “AEW Dynamite” for this Friday’s episode of “AEW Rampage.” Additionally, FTR suggested that they would retire in four years once their new deals had expired.

With their initial contracts with AEW expiring this month, there had been a lot of speculation surrounding the futures of Harwood and Wheeler, with the former recently indicating that FTR had decided on their next move without disclosing any specific details. While it had been suggested that FTR could be heading back to WWE, Harwood pointed out on the “FTR with Dax” podcast that it was “the best course of action” that he and Wheeler stayed with AEW. 

Harwood and Wheeler made their debuts for AEW in May 2020 after being granted their releases from WWE the previous month; they would officially sign with the promotion two months later after initially working without contracts. FTR captured the AEW World Tag Team Championship from “Hangman” Adam Page and Kenny Omega at the All Out pay-per-view four months after debuting for the organization. They would also go on to win tag team gold in Ring of Honor, Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide, and New Japan Pro-Wrestling. After being absent from AEW programming earlier this year, FTR returned at March’s Revolution event and later captured the AEW World Tag Team Championship for a second time in a Titles vs. Careers match against Austin and Colten Gunn on the April 5 episode of “Dynamite.”

Source: Wrestling Inc.

FTR Save AEW Careers, Win Tag Team Titles On Dynamite

It appears all those teases, hinting at FTR’s return to WWE, were just to swerve fans. Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler are staying with AEW for the foreseeable future. 

On last night’s “AEW Dynamite,” FTR defeated The Gunns in a Career vs. Titles bout to capture the AEW World Tag Team Championship in Long Island, New York. After the match, FTR celebrated in the ring with Marc Briscoe and AEW President Tony Khan, essentially confirming that they had signed new contracts with the promotion.

During the closing stages of the bout, Austin Gunn clocked Harwood with a title belt, as the Gunns appeared in prime position to retain their championships. However, Harwood miraculously kicked out, following which FTR took out Colten Gunn with a stereo sunset flip. The sequence allowed Harwood to roll-up Austin for the pinfall victory. 

FTR will now start their second reign as AEW World Tag Team Champions. Their previous reign, of 63 days, ended when they lost the titles to The Young Bucks at the Full Gear pay-per-view in November 2020.

The topic of FTR’s contracts had been a talking point in pro wrestling over the past few months. Last month, Harwood urged wrestling fans to “respect our decision,” assuring them that their decision would be made in the best interest of their families. The FTR vs. The Gunns feud dates back to last year and intensified when Austin & Colten secured an upset victory on the December 21 episode of “Dynamite.” Subsequently, FTR lost their IWGP and AAA Tag Team Championships and took a sabbatical until last month’s Revolution pay-per-view, where they returned and laid out The Gunns to set their sights on the AEW’s tag titles. The Gunns initially rejected FTR’s challenge but agreed after FTR offered to put their AEW careers on the line in a high-stakes match.

A clip of FTR celebrating with Tony Khan after last night’s show can be seen below.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Major Updates On FTR’s AEW Status, Contract Expiration Date & Future

While the wrestling world is currently in the grips of Vince McMahon and his return to power, it’s easy to forget that another big story is looming this year, the free agency of FTR. The duo have made it clear that their contracts with AEW are expiring this April, and no one, including themselves, knows what’s going to happen. Sadly though, it seems fans will be seeing a lot less of FTR in the meantime. In the latest episode of his podcast FTR with Dax, Dax Harwood revealed that he and Cash Wheeler will be taking some time to consider their next move.

“We have asked and been granted the next few months off of television, so we can sit back, reflect, let our bodies heal, and figure out what we are going to do for the next few years,” Harwood said. “Because whatever we decide to do next, will be the absolute last thing we do, as far as wrestling. I don’t see myself, after I’m done with whatever we’re going to decide next, in five years going on the independents. I don’t see myself working, in five years a Japan tour, or a Mexican tour, or traveling around the world and wrestling all over places.”

“That’s why these next few months are the most important few months for us. By April at least, at most, we will have an answer. But now, again, I have to take in my health, I have to take in my family, I have to take in my creativity, and I have to take in my personal life all into consideration, about what we’re going to do next.”

Dax Harwood went on to state that he wasn’t sure if FTR would be returning to AEW TV before their deals expired, and also admitted that a lot of things will factor into their decision, including the recent corporate turmoil going on in WWE.

“I’d be lying to you if I said no, it doesn’t at all. Of course it does,” Harwood said. “But also … If I feel like we aren’t being respected the way I think we should, and I mean as entities and characters, what we’ve done, what we’ve accomplished, and who we are, I will not hesitate to explore other options. Whether those other options are taking a year off and doing things we love, that could be it. Whether those options are being presented to me in other forms? There’s a lot of things I have to weigh.”

One thing Harwood can confirm is that a decision will only be made when he and partner Cash Wheeler are in absolute lockstep. The duo, who Harwood described as never having an argument or cross word with each other, will be sitting down to discuss things soon, including opportunities outside of the ring. “I’ll put this out there, we’re looking into buildings for a pro wrestling school as well,” Harwood said. “That’s one of our things we want to open up. We also have ideas for more real estate together, and also for a future coffee shop. So there’s a lot of things we’re going to be talking about for the next few months. But, at the top of the list, is our future.”

Source: Wrestling Inc.

[Report] FTR removed from AEW video game

Fightful Select reported that FTR won’t be part of the first version of the AEW: Fight Forever video game.

The former AEW Tag Team Champions originally made it to the “model phase” of the game but were pulled this past Spring. FTR was told of the decision and wasn’t too happy about it because wrestlers being part of video games usually also comes with a significant bonus.

All Elite Wrestling and THQ Nordic announced the game earlier this month.

No official release date is still confirmed, but it is listed as December 31, 2022, on Amazon. The game is available for pre-order on Amazon for PC, Xbox, PS4, PS5, and Nintendo Switch with a price tag of $59.99.

FTR will team up with Wardlow vs. Jay Lethal & Motor City Machine Guns in a trios match at next Sunday’s AEW All Out.

Source: WrestlingNews.co

Ricky Steamboat Will Reportedly Be The Sixth Man In Ric Flair’s Return Match

After a couple of videos of Ric Flair training with Jay Lethal made it out into the wild, The Nature Boy officially confirmed this week that he really is returning to the ring. Flair will wrestle his first match in more than ten years, at the age of 73, at the Nashville Fairgrounds on July 31, 2022. If you won’t be in the area or can’t get a ticket, the match, and presumably the rest of the event, will stream live on Fite.

The only element of Flair’s latest return match that hasn’t been confirmed is who else will be involved. Thankully, it doesn’t appear as if Flair will be rolling the clock back 35 years and wrestling a 60-minute broadway. However, one of them he had some of his best matches ever with, Ricky Steamboat, will reportedly be involved.

According to Fightful Select (via Wrestling Inc.), Steamboat will be a part of the match, wrestling for the first time since 2010. Steamboat’s last match was actually even longer ago than Flair’s. Naitch’s final match was a losing effort to Sting on Impact in 2011. Steamboat’s last match was one where he tagged with his son Richie in 2010, though he was sort of involved in a match/physical angle with The Duke at an AIW show in 2018.

As for how Steamboat will factor into the match, if other reports are correct he will likely be teaming with The Rock ‘N’ Roll Express. The belief is that Steamboat, Ricky Morton, and Robert Gibson will take on the team of Flair and FTR. On paper, that gives Team Flair the advantage since the average age of the team will be far younger. Then again, if Steamboat is still in tremendous shape, which seems likely, he will probably wrestle like a man half his age.

As this plan continues to unfold, who exactly wants this match to happen outside of Flair himself remains unclear. Hopefully, the match will be well thought out and Flair won’t do much outside of the hits. Connecting with a few chops, taking the Flair Flop, that sort of thing. Whatever the plan, if you want to see it happen, tune into Fite on July 31.

The match will be taking place at Jim Crockett Promotion’s Starrcast event in Nashville, TN on July 31. The show is set to air just via FITE TV just one day after WWE’s SummerSlam, which will also be in Nashville.

Source: TheSportster

FTR Sets Its Sights On The IWGP Tag Titles As AEW Contracts Wind Down

AEW stars Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler are teasing a potential New Japan run and declaring their desire to challenge for the IWGP tag titles.

FTR members Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler have a few very clear-cut goals … but not all of them involve AEW. And if their own words are anything to go by, they’re more than ready to part ways with Tony Khan’s promotion in order to take care of business.

Harwood and Wheeler addressed their future and their current AEW contract status during a recent chat with Brandon F. Walker on Barstool Rasslin‘. The FTR said they want to regain the AEW tag titles next year and they intend to defeat The Briscoes, the stalwart Ring Of Honor tag team they confronted during last week’s Final Battle pay-per-view.

“I think we are going to be the first-ever two-time AEW Tag Team Champions,” said Wheeler. “In 2022, we are going to get the titles back. We are going to have the title run that we should’ve had the first time,” he added. “Rematch with the Young Bucks. Beat the s**t out of The Briscoes. Hold titles everywhere.”

Harwood later revealed that the lads don’t have much time left on their AEW contracts.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen from there. But we have a short amount of time to accomplish what we want to accomplish,” Harwood said, before declaring FTR’s intention to challenge for the coveted IWGP Tag Team Championship at some point.

So far, FTR has been unsuccessful in its attempt to recapture the AEW World Tag Team Championship, but they didn’t manage to win the AAA tag titles from the Lucha Bros on Dynamite a few weeks ago.

Harwood and Cash Wheeler formed a tag team while they were both members of WWE’s developmental roster. For the majority, they were known as The Revival, due to their penchant for an old-school style of tag team wrestling. The duo parted ways with WWE in 2020 and subsequently jumped ship to AEW. They made their AEW debuts on the May 27, 2020 edition of AEW Dynamite.

Source: TheSportster