Dax Harwood Reveals FTR’s Low-Dollar Contracts With WWE

FTR went by the ring name “The Revival” before coming to AEW. The team was created by the late Dusty Rhodes in 2014, then known as The Mechanics, and later simply “Dash and Dawson” when they made their WWE NXT debut. In the last eight years, FTR have cemented their legacy as one of the best tag teams in the history of professional wrestling.

On April 10th, 2020, Dax Harwood and Cash Wilder were granted their releases from WWE. On the May 27th, 2020, episode of Dynamite, FTR made their AEW, rescuing The Young Bucks from The Butcher and The Blade. 

The reason why FTR parted ways with WWE can be attributed to the fact that Dax Harwood and Cash Wilder were convinced that WWE’s tag team championships were meaningless. The duo was frustrated with Vince McMahon’s comical booking of the tag team division and didn’t see a long-term plan for themselves in the company.

On the FTR with Dax Harwood podcast, the former Scott Dawson revealed the 6-figure salary he was earning in WWE prior to his release. The paycheck was apparently not a fair remuneration for their strenuous schedule.

“We were on the road every single week. 4 days a week, 5 days a week. You know, so when you think I have signed this million dollar contract or whatever, it’s not that lucrative. Our contracts were at the very bottom dollar. I’ll tell you mine, I don’t know about Cash’s, but our first contract for the main roster was 125, 150, 175 across the three years. And that was it, you know.” 

Those six-figure salaries might look great, but WWE Superstar are also responsible for paying their way on the road, and getting their own gear made. That money is not immediately liquid, because it costs a lot to be a pro wrestler.

Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler were longtime friends and wrestled together on the independent circuit before being made into a team. In 2012, WWE hired Harwood based on a match he previously had with Wheeler. In 2014, WWE signed Wheeler to a developmental contract.

Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler enjoyed a legendary run in AEW last year. FTR became Triple Tag Team Champions by holding the AAA, ROH, and IWGP World Tag Tem Championships simultaneously. The duo was also honored with Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s “Tag Team of the Year 2022” award. Only time will tell what they do in April when their contracts are up, or how much they’ll be paid.

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