FTR hasn’t wrestled on AEW television since the December 21st, 2022 episode of Dynamite and they took a break from the ring entirely just a couple of weeks later.
Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood enjoyed the best year of their careers in 2022, at one point holding the AAA, IWGP, and ROH World Tag Team Titles at the same time. While it was their trilogy with the Briscoes that captured the wrestling public’s imagination, all three matches received acclaim across the board.
Interestingly, as FTR took their break it was revealed that their contracts with AEW are due to expire in April, and at the time they weren’t expected back in the ring before then.
This sparked renewed speculation that the duo could be heading back to WWE, where they won the NXT, Raw, and SmackDown Tag Team Titles previously.
However, Harwood and Wheeler made a surprise to AEW at Revolution, confronting The Gunns just moments after they had retained their Tag Team Titles. The segment ended with the returning stars standing tall with tag team gold.
It has now been reported by Fightful Select that their return was kept “very quiet” backstage, with the assumption that many were kept in the dark over their comeback.
.@coltengunn: We are the BEST TAG TEAM IN THE WORLD!#FTR: Hold our tequila.
Welcome back to #AEW, @DaxFTR & @CashWheelerFTR!
Order #AEWRevolution LIVE on PPV right now!
🇺🇸: Cable & Satellite, @BRWrestling
🌐: @FiteTV@YouTube@dazn_wrestling@PPV_com@skysportdepic.twitter.com/tXFqhG6vcH— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) March 6, 2023
Fellow AEW Stars Have “Shoot” Issues With FTR
FTR’s return comes days after AEW World Tag Team Champions The Gunns said there are very real problems between the two teams. Austin and Colten said that the relationship between the two sides had started well, but things deteriorated as they rose up the AEW ladder. They added that while they never want to “bash wrestlers,” they don’t get along with FTR backstage.