Tony Khan is reportedly considering suspending two former WWE champions following their conduct during a recent AEW Collision event. The incident occurred at ringside, where Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler, part of the tag team FTR, engaged in aggressive behavior that crossed boundaries.
During AEW Collision this week, FTR squared off against the Rascalz in a tag team match. Harwood and Wheeler directed hostile shouts toward the family members of the Young Bucks who were seated at ringside. The Young Bucks, Matt and Nick Jackson, also appeared at ringside during the match, creating a distraction that Rascalz capitalized on to secure victory.
After the match, a violent scene unfolded as Gates of Agony attacked Rascalz and the Young Bucks from behind. FTR escalated the attack by forcibly pulling Matt and Nick’s younger brother over the guardrail and violently assaulting him, culminating in a piledriver maneuver in front of the Bucks. Jack Perry attempted to intervene but was neutralized by Ricochet. Due to the assault on a fan in attendance, Tony Khan’s management is expected to take decisive disciplinary action against Harwood and Wheeler, potentially suspending them indefinitely.
Controversy Surrounding Tommaso Ciampa’s Title Run in AEW
Tommaso Ciampa made a strong debut in AEW by capturing the TNT Championship in his first match with the promotion. However, his momentum sharply declined when he lost the title just 12 days later to Kyle Fletcher. This booking decision has sparked criticism from wrestling voices inside the industry.
Jim Cornette, speaking on his podcast The Experience, criticized Tony Khan’s handling of Ciampa’s short-lived title reign. Cornette questioned the rationale behind signing Ciampa, allowing him to win the championship, and then immediately dropping the belt in his next contest.
How did they present that to Tommaso? Okay. Okay. We’re going to sign you to this deal. Great. We’re going to bring you in, have you challenge Mark Briscoe. Great. We’re going to have you wrestle Mark Briscoe and beat him for the title. Great. And in the very next match you have, you’re going to lose it to another guy. What? They had something with Ciampa and people were talking about him. And with his first three weeks in the company, he’s won and won. He’s won a belt and lost a belt already. How can they justify this in their little pea brains?- H/T ITR Wrestling
It remains uncertain whether Ciampa will regain the TNT Championship, but the response from commentators like Cornette highlights the tension surrounding AEW’s creative direction.
Implications for AEW’s Future and Talent Management
The potential suspension of Harwood and Wheeler underscores Tony Khan’s commitment to maintaining order and professionalism in AEW, especially regarding conduct that impacts fans directly. This incident could set a precedent for how AEW addresses wrestler behavior outside of the scripted match outcomes.
Meanwhile, the booking controversies involving Ciampa indicate ongoing challenges in balancing talent momentum and storyline development within AEW. The outcomes of these situations may influence the company’s talent relations and audience reception in the coming months.
