Real Reason FTR Have Been Off TV (AEW News)

Dax Harwood reveals the real reason for FTR's AEW absence.

AEW Revolution 2023 FTR Cash Wheeler Dax Harwood
AEW

For those wondering why FTR have been absent from AEW television in recent weeks, Dax Harwood has explained that the tandem is currently taking a well-earned break from in-ring action.

Taking to Instagram, Dax revealed that he and Cash Wheeler are having their first real break in 12 years.

As the three-time AEW Tag Team Champion detailed:

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"Since the summer of 2014, The Revival, FTR, Dawson & Dash, Dax & Cash, whatever you want to call us, we’ve had the pedal to the floor. Aside from my bicep tear in 2017, we’ve taken no time away from the job we’ve dreamed of having. Physically & mentally, we both became exhausted. We were two of the very few talents that traveled and worked on both Collision & Dynamite. I’ve fought through 3 hematomas on my lower back, another bicep tear I decided not to have surgery on, labrum tear from my groin to my hip, a shoulder that needs replacement, and probably a laundry list of other things I’m too afraid to get checked out haha. “For the first time in 12 years, we’ve decided to step away and take some time for ourselves & for our families,” he continued. “I’m not sure when we’ll be back, what we’re going to do, how much longer we have, or if we even need to prove anything at all anymore.”

FTR were last in action at Double or Nothing last month, where Dax and Cash lost the AEW Tag Team Titles to Adam Copeland and Christian Cage. Since then, the team has been completely absent from AEW TV.

Despite this break from the ring, FTR are currently set to face the Good Brothers at AMW Superbowl of Wrestling on August 22nd, and are also scheduled to work for RevPro on August 29th. Of course, there's also the small matter of AEW All In taking place on August 30th, with FTR surely set for a spot at Wembley Stadium when that show rolls around.

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Before All In gets here, though, we've got Forbidden Door next weekend, where the stars of AEW, NJPW, CMLL, STARDOM, and Ring of Honor will be lacing up their boots.

Interestingly, last month brought news that FTR were entering the contract year on their existing AEW deals that were signed in 2023, with "preliminary interest" from WWE in bringing Dax and Cash back into the fold.

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Once described as the Swiss Army Knife of WhatCulture, Andrew can usually be found writing, editing, or presenting on a wide range of topics. As a lifelong wrestling fan, horror obsessive, and comic book nerd, he's been covering those topics professionally as far back as 2010. In addition to his current WhatCulture role of Senior Content Producer, Andrew previously spent nearly a decade as Online Editor and Lead Writer for the world's longest-running genre publication, Starburst Magazine, and his work has also been featured on BBC, TechRadar, Tom's Guide, WhatToWatch, Sportkskeeda, and various other outlets, in addition to being a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic. Between his main day job, his role as the lead panel host of Wales Comic Con, and his gig as a pre-match host for Wrexham AFC games, Andrew has also carried out a hugely varied amount of interviews, from the likes of Robert Englund, Kane Hodder, Adrienne Barbeau, Rob Zombie, Katharine Isabelle, Leigh Whannell, Bruce Campbell, and Tony Todd, to Kevin Smith, Ron Perlman, Elijah Wood, Giancarlo Esposito, Simon Pegg, Charlie Cox, the Russo Brothers, and Brian Blessed, to Kevin Conroy, Paul Dini, Tara Strong, Will Friedle, Burt Ward, Andrea Romano, Frank Miller, and Rob Liefeld, to Bret Hart, Sting, Mick Foley, Ricky Starks/Saints, Jamie Hayter, Britt Baker, Eric Bischoff, and William Regal, to Mickey Thomas, Joey Jones, Phil Parkinson, Brian Flynn, Denis Smith, Gary Bennett, Karl Connolly, and Bryan Robson - and that's just the tip of an ever-expanding iceberg. Where his beloved Wrexham AFC is concerned, Andrew is a long-standing season ticket holder and an FSA Award-winner for his time co-hosting the Fearless in Devotion podcast.