The status of FTR in AEW remains a topic of discussion as there have been mixed messages around whether they’re staying or leaving for the Triple H-booked WWE. The timing of Triple H taking the creative reigns and Vince McMahon being removed from power made for an attractive landscape for released WWE and NXT talents.
FTR Told Tony Khan That They Have to be Presented as “Main Event-Level Guys” in AEW
However, the brakes were pumped a bit once it was revealed that Triple H still offers an ear for Vince’s advice on the product. In FTR’s case, Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler laid down the terms for their continued stay in the Jacksonville-based promotion and what Tony Khan needed to do for them.
On the FTR with Dax podcast, Harwood said:
“If we stick around in AEW after the thing with the Gunns is over with, we have to be presented as main event-level guys. We have to be presented as, no pun intended, top guys. Because if we don’t…the same thing that happened last year is gonna happen this year.” (h/t: Wrestling Inc)
Harwood would point out that during the summer of 2022, FTR were over outside of other former WWE talents with more established resumes such as Bryan Danielson, CM Punk, and Moxley. However, AEW didn’t fully utilize them—like a couple other notable ex-WWE signings who simply sat on the roster.
He noted that he and Wheeler had somewhere between six or seven bouts in AEW that year. When the duo returned during the 3/8 episode of AEW Dynamite, the reception was loud and welcoming. This was a sign to Dax Harwood that FTR was still a hit with the fans and Khan needed to capitalize on that.
The important thing Harwood mentioned—and it applies not only to FTR—is that time on the mic was necessary for fans to actually develop an affinity for FTR outside of their in-ring ability. He would also say that there was a “ceiling” for how far they could go if fans are only invested in their wrestling and not in their gimmick.
What do you think? Should FTR get more time on the mic? Do you dig their mic work or is the thought of them on the mic unappealing? If they were given time on the mic to get their character over should it be them on the mic or a mouthpiece?
Plenty of questions here but let us know in the comments.
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