It’s no secret that Jim Cornette is a big fan of Dax Harwood and tag team partner Cash Wheeler.
Cornette, who is famously vocal about what he doesn’t like in modern wrestling, has publically praised FTR on numerous occasions going all of the way back to their time in NXT. This praise has led some fans to wonder whether Cornette could ever manage the duo in the future. Cornette made his name as the manager for the Midnight Express, and eventually became known as one of the greatest managers in history.
However, speaking in an exclusive interview with Inside The Ropes’ Kenny McIntosh, Dax Harwood revealed that a partnership with Cornette has never been on the table. The star explained that he’s only spoken to the veteran on a handful of occasions, and has never asked about him joining up with FTR.
“I guess when I first realised he was a big fan of ours was the third match after, the third match with American Alpha, after that match, I think he realised then, okay, this is not taking away from Gable and Jordan. Gable, one of my best friends in the world, incredible talent, one of the best I’ve ever worked with, maybe my best opponent ever, ever worked with. Jason Jordan, again, a really great friend of mine, especially at the time, but a really great friend of mine, unlimited potential, such a great talent, so good in the ring, so good on the mic, looks great. But at the time, both were very green.
I think after that third match, Cornette realised okay, those guys are putting those babyfaces in the middle, and they’re creating the excitement. And I don’t mean creating excitement as in, if it were just Chad Gable and Jason Jordan, it would be boring, because that is an absolute lie. They are so phenomenal there.
They have the fire, they have the selling, they have every component that a great babyface needs. But what I mean is as heels at the time, we were doing our job, we were making the movement, we were making, we were making the motion, we were put in the middle, and we were creating the action, which was what heels do. Because you want to create the action to make those babyfaces look even bigger, and even better. So I think that’s when he realised that.
As far as getting him to manage us, I’ve never asked, I don’t think he’s ever asked either. I could be wrong, but I don’t think he’s ever asked, because he’s a guy. Look, I think I’ve talked to him, we met at WrestleMania in 2018 maybe 2017, I can’t remember. We met that one time. That is the only time I’ve ever seen him aside from a Ring of Honor stint. I’ve talked with him on the phone twice my whole career, once was for the podcast with him, and then once was right after we left WWE.
So, you know, and I know that he doesn’t like travelling, he doesn’t want to travel. I don’t even think he wants to work. I think he loves what he’s doing. So it’s never been an, it’s never been an option on either one of our parts, I don’t think. Speaking on the work part, point of view, yeah, it’s never been, it’s never been, I’m sure it’s been discussed with people, but it’s never even come close to fruition.”
Dax Harwood Says He Doesn’t Know What’s Next For FTR
During the interview, Harwood also discussed what’s next for him and Cash Wheeler. The pair’s contract status remains a topic of much conjecture after they returned to AEW at Revolution. However, Harwood has since reiterated that nothing has changed with regard to their AEW deals. The star has previously stated that FTR’s contracts expire in April.
In conversation with Inside The Ropes, Harwood said that he still doesn’t know where the team will end up, but admitted that Vince McMahon’s return to WWE could play a role.
A huge thank you to Dax Harwood for taking the time out to speak with Inside The Ropes, you can see Dax Harwood LIVE in Los Angeles on March 30th, 2023 – tickets are available via FTRWITHDAX.COM
If you use any quotes from this interview please provide a link back to the original article and h/t to Inside the Ropes.