FTR Further Explain Their "Handshake Deal" With AEW
Several weeks ago, FTR, aka Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood, joined All Elite Wrestling (AEW) after a six-year stint in NXT and WWE. AEW, which allows some wrestlers to compete elsewhere, like New Japan Pro Wrestling, is expected to let the duo perform in other promotions.
According to Hardwood, COVID-19 is the only thing keeping them from pursuing other opportunities, though they expect to honor their “handshake deal” with AEW. He insists that Tony Khan, the CEO of AEW, has faith in them, yet he says that they “call the shots and control and say what we want to do when we want to do it."
RELATED: FTR Takes Shot At AEW's Tag Team Rules, Get Heated Explaining What Needs Fixing
On the The Wrestling Inc Daily podcast, Hardwood wasn’t shy about affirming that they are “a hot commodity right now.” Yet it’s clear that FTR are simply following their dream, despite the fact that tag team wrestling isn’t always considered “the sexiest form of wrestling.” The duo, however, hope to best every team that believes they are better than the pair.
In AEW, FTR is showcasing the spike piledriver, which had been banned in WWE for being considered too dangerous. The duo thinks that all aspects of the sport carry risks but believe that each performer should be responsible for executing their moves correctly without injuring themselves or their opponents.
"If it's executed correctly, it's no more dangerous than a straight kick to the stomach. I've watched guys take Canadian Destroyers to the apron, Canadian Destroyers off the ropes to the floor, top rope hurricanranas, reverse-ranas," Wheeler said.
FTR seem intent on making wrestling about more than just stunts by focusing on the athleticism and professionalism that’s required to put on a great show without hurting anyone. “But people think the spike piledriver, which has been around and as far as I can tell, Arn and Tully never hurt anybody with it. It's all about how you do it; it's not just what you do,” Wheeler said.
READ NEXT: 5 Reasons FTR Is The Best Team In AEW (& 5 Reasons Why It's The Young Bucks)
At Fight for the Fallen, FTR will face off against the Lucha Bros after both teams were participated in an 8-person tag at Fyter Fest. FTR said that fans can expect the unexpected, acknowledging that the Lucha Bros don’t necessarily follow the rules but do give fans what they want.
FTR can be seen on Wednesday nights, 8/7c, as part of AEW Dynamite on TNT. They also appear in the WWE 2K17 video game as well as WWE 2K18, WWE 2K19, and WWE 2K20.
