FTR's 2022, An Amazing Year in Wrestling

FTR: Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler is my all time favorite tag team, going all the way back to their Tag Team Revival days in NXT & WWE.  Every AEW live event I attend I hope that FTR have a match so I can witness them wrestle live again and again.

In my opinion, FTR's 2022 was an amazing year to be a fan of them and tag team wrestling as a whole.

Coming into 2022 FTR were the AAA World Tag Team Champions having defeated The Lucha Brothers on October 16, 2021 on a special AEW Saturday Night Dynamite in Miami, Florida.  On December 11, 2021 at Ring of Honor Final Battle the Briscoe Brothers defeated ROH World Tag Team Champions: The Kingdom: Mike Bennett & Matt Taven to win the championships.  After the match while the Briscoe's celebrated FTR made their ROH debut and ran in brawling with Dem Boys.  This appearance by FTR was months before Tony Khan purchased ROH.

Kicking off 2022 they made an indie appearance for Big Time Wrestling in a dream match on January 22 at the Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium in Spartanburg, South Carolina⁠ taking on Ricky Morton & Robert Gibson The Rock n' Roll Express!  They picked up the win in just over 15 minutes in a classic tag team wrestling match.

  

On March 13th they traveled to Lucha Libre AAA for Gira Aniversario XXX at Poliforum Zamna in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico to successfully defend the AAA Tag Team Championships against Hermanos Lee: Dragon Lee & Dralistico.

April 1st we would get the first match in a trilogy of matches that would go on to become instant classics and matches that we will talk about in years to come.  At Supercard of Honor FTR would battled and defeat the Ring of Honor World Tag Team Champions Mark & Jay Briscoe in 27 minutes to become double champions. 

Five days later on April 6th in Boston at the Agganis Arena FTR would defend both of the AAA and ROH Tag Team Championships against the Young Bucks in FTR vs. Young Bucks II.  I was in attendance on this night, and this match was a TREMENDOUS wrestling match.  Much to my delight FTR retained their championships in just over 20 minutes.

April 27, in Philadelphia, PA Dax and Cash would wrestle each other in a qualifying match for the 2022 Owen Hart Foundation Tournament in their first ever one on one match.  In 15 minutes Dax would pick up the win.

These are not the only matches they competed in during 2022, I'm simply going over what I feel are the best matches of the run.  Through out year they would have six man tag team matches with partners such as CM Punk and Danhausen.  

June 10th FTR would return Big Time Wrestling, this time in Webster, Massachusetts at the Webster Town Hall where they would be managed by Bret "The Hitman" Hart and defeated Brock Anderson with "Enforcer" Arn Anderson and Brian Pillman Jr.

I was also in attendance at this show and was excited to see FTR be managed by one of their idols Bret Hart for the first time.  I got cards signed by FTR & Arn Anderson and got some great photos.

The next day on June 11th FTR would travel to Beckley, West Virginia for All Star Wrestling to wrestle and defeat The American Wolves; Eddie Edwards & Davey Richards in juts over 19 minutes in another dream match.  On this night FTR was managed by another idol of theirs in "Loverboy" Dennis Condrey.

June 26th in Chicago at AEW Forbidden Door, FTR would defend their ROH Tag Team Championships in a triple threat match with Roppongi Vice: Rocky Romero & Trent and the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions: United Empire: Jeff Cobb & Great-O-Khan.  FTR would walk out as the new IWGP champions making them triple champions.  The AAA titles were not on the line, because NJPW has a working relationship with AAA's rival CMLL.

On July 23rd FTR returned to Ring of Honor PPV in Lowell, Mass at the Tsongas Center for Death Before Dishonor, and I was sitting front row for this match!  Either the morning of the pre-sale of the night before they announce FTR vs. The Briscoes II in a 2 out of 3 falls match for the ROH World Tag Team Championship.  My front row seat was right next to the commentators.

This match is without a doubt the greatest tag team match I have ever seen and perhaps the best wrestling match I have ever seen live.  In nearly 45 minutes FTR retained 2 falls to 1 in a hard hitting and bloody encounter that was battled in and out of the ring.  After the match Dax went around the ring the hugged everyone in the front row wearing an FTR shirt, there were only a few of us but I got a big hug from Dax and a thank you for the support.

On July 27th AEW was in Worcester, Mass which we also attended, initially FTR was advertised to be part of the pre-show meet and greet back when these were announced day of the event.  Back in October 2021 for only $75 I purchased a meet and greet with FTR & Tully Blanchard!

  

We couldn't believe they would be part of it so soon after their very hard hitting match, and I was going to buy this one as well, however they cancelled it just before it went on sale, replaced with Jurassic Express.

October 1st FTR would travel to London England and successfully defended the IWGP championships at NJPW Royal Quest II defeating Aussie Open: Kyle Fletch & Mark Davis in just over 31 minutes.  Rated 5 stars by the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. 

October 7th in Washington DC they would successfully defend the ROH Championships against Gates of Agony: Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona at AEW Battle of the Belts IV.  

November 5th in Osaka, Japan at NJPW Battle Autumn 2022 FTR would retain the IWGP Tag Team Championships against United Empire: Jeff Cobb & Great-O-Khan.

November 9th they were back in Boston for AEW Dynamite at the Agganis Arena.  On this night the IWGP, ROH, & AAA Tag Team Champions: FTR: Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler and AEW Tag Team Champions: The Acclaimed: Max Caster & Anthony Bowens defeated Swerve in Our Glory: Swerve Strickland & Keith Lee and The Gunns: Austin & Colten Gunn with Morrissey.  I included this show because I was also at this event and it was be the 4th time I saw them wrestle live in 2022.

November 27th at Big Time Wrestling at the Dorton Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina FTR would team with Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat in a six man tag defeating Jay Lethal, Nick Aldis, & Brock Anderson with "Enforcer" Arn Anderson in Steamboats retirement match.

By this time FTR had competed in over 40 matches for AEW, New Japan, AAA, and numerous indies across the United States, Japan, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and Canada.  They had successfully defended the ROH Tag Team Championships 6 times, the AAA Tag Team Titles 4 times and the IWGP Championships twice.  They were pushing too hard.

On December 7th in Cedar Park, Texas on AEW Dynamite they would challenge the Acclaim for the AEW World Tag Team Championship and came up short in 16 minutes. 

Three days later on December 10th they would face the Briscoes Brothers in the final match of the trilogy in a hard hitting and stiff double dog collar match at Ring of Honor Final Battle in Arlington, Texas.  Dem Boyz with capture the titles in just over 22 minutes for a record 13th title reign.

December 28th FTR would travel back to Mexico for Lucha Libre AAA Gira Aniversario XXX in Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico.  They would lose the AAA World Tag Team championships to Hermanos Lee: Dragon Lee & Dralistico.

Spilling into 2023 FTR would travel to Japan to compete on the annual January 4th show at the Tokyo Dome, Wrestle Kingdom 17.  Bishamon: Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI would defeated FTR for the for the IWGP Tag Team Championships ending a hell of a run.

438 days AAA World Tag Team Champions: October 16, 2021 - December 28, 2022

253 days ROH World Tag Team Champions: April 1, 2022 - December 10, 2022

192 days IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions: June 26, 2022 - January 4, 2023

2022 Awards

Fightful Awards

Men's Tag Team of the Year: FTR

Men's In-Ring Wrestler of the Year: Dax Harwood

Tag Team Match of the Year: FTR vs. Briscoe Brothers Death Before Dishonor July 23, 2022

PWI Tag Team of the Year: FTR

Voices of Wrestling Matches of the Year: FTR vs. Briscoe Brothers Trilogy

Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Tag Team of the Year: FTR

Feud of the Year: FTR vs. Briscoe Brothers

5 Stars: FTR vs. Briscoe Brothers April 1, 2022 ROH Supercard of Honor XV

5 Stars: FTR vs. Briscoe Brothers July 23, 2022 2 out of 3 Falls ROH Death Before Dishonor

5 Stars: FTR vs. Aussie Open October 1, 2022 NJPW Royal Quest II

5.5 Stars: FTR vs. Briscoe Brothers December 10, 2022 Double Dog Collar ROH Final Battle

I was on Instagram one day and randomly found this FTR vs. Briscoes VHS that I just had to buy!  I've watched it a few times and it's awesome.

 

If you saw above Dax was voted the male wrestler of the year by Fightful.  On top of the stellar tag team match run they had, Dax had singles matches against: CM Punk, Adam Cole, Will Osprey, Rocky Romero, Jay Lethal, Claudio Castagnoli, Mike Bailey, Brian Danielson, and the previously mentioned Cash Wheeler.

I dare anyone to saw any other tag team, had a better 2022 than FTR, I don't think anyone can.

Thank you for reading, please leave a comment, check out my other posts, and if you want like my blogs Facebook page.  You can also head over to Amazon and pick up a copy of my book the 2024 Limitless Wrestling Almanac, or any of my other books.

Until next time!

The Times I've Seen Briscoe Brothers Live

I've been listening to another awesome episode of the 10 Bell Pod and this one is on life of Jay Briscoe.  Listening to the Manscout Jake Manning talk about Jay really got me thinking about his career and legacy and of course got me thinking about the times I've seen him, and Mark, wrestle live.

I actually own all of these Jay Briscoe matches on home video, so I rewatched all of them for this post.

June 1, 2012

Pro Wrestling Syndicate (PWS) The Rahway Rec Center, Rahway, New Jersey

Pre-Show Dark Match

The Briscoe’s: Mark & Jay defeated Davey Richards & Adam Cole when Mark pinned Adam Cole with a small package.

This was at the PWS 5th Anniversary weekend.  The reason we went to the show was to see The Great Muta.  He's one of my all time favorites and he was doing a rare indie appearance that weekend and we just had to go see him wrestle and do his meet and greet.

 

This show was ridiculously stacked but the Briscoe's wrestled on the pre-show because they were signed to Ring of Honor and this show was airing on Internet PPV.  I believe this was originally advertised as the Briscoe's vs. American Wolves, but Adam Cole replaced Eddie Edwards.

This was an intense fast paced match that showed how good the Briscoes have always been. Action was in and outside the ring, Mark reversed a vertical suplex into the small package.  Jay was limping after the match.

September 30, 2016

Ring of Honor (ROH), Memorial Auditorium, Lowell, Massachusetts 

All Star Extravaganza VIII 

Opening Round Match: Six-Man Tag Team Championship Tournament: Kushida, ACH, & Jay White defeated IWGP World Tag Team Champions: The Briscoe Brothers: Mark & Jay and NOAH GHC Tag Team Champion: Toru Yano when ACH pinned Yano with a 450 Splash

I recall going into the match I thought for sure the Briscoe's and Yano would advance and was shocked when the ACH got the pin.  Great match, again fast paced lots of action and everyone going all out.  I know they have teamed together frequently but Yano just doesn't fit with them in my eyes.

This was my first ROH show, happened to be a PPV, and we had front row right on the aisle.  There was 6 of us and we all wore Limitless Wrestling shirts. You can read my original report about it here: All Star Extravaganza VIII

June 23, 2017

Ring of Honor (ROH), Memorial Auditorium, Lowell, Massachusetts

Best in the World 2017

Dalton Castle & The Boys defeated World Six-Man Tag Team Champions: Bully Ray & The Briscoe Brothers: Mark & Jay to win the tag team titles when Castle pinned Mark 

Back in Lowell for another PPV, and we had the same exact front row seats as last time.

The real feud of this match was Dalton Castle vs. Jay Briscoe the pre-match promos was just Dalton and Jay talking.  Castle was MEGA over at this time and the crowd just loved he and the boys.  Bully Ray was a good fit with The Briscoe's for their shared intensity, but he busted out some comedy with Dalton.

Jay was plain angry the entire match in fact he was distracted going after the boys outside the ring when Dalton pinned Mark to a huge pop!

You can read my original report about it here: Best in the World 2017

May 9, 2018

New Japan Pro Wrestling / ROH, Memorial Auditorium, Lowell, Massachusetts

War of the Worlds

ROH Tag Team Champions: The Briscoes: Mark & Jay defeated Jushin Thunder Liger & Flip Gordon when Mark pinned Flip after an avalanche splash mountain neckbreaker combo

This was my third time seeing ROH at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium, this was also my first time seeing Liger live!  This was a house show, we had front row once again, but not in the same seats.  Every match with the Briscoe's is the same, high intensity and fast paced action.  Flip took most of the beating for his team, as it should be.  Crowd didn't care Liger lost, they just wanted to see him.

You can read my original report about it here: War of the Worlds Lowell

November 7, 2018

New Japan Pro Wrestling / ROH, The Colisee, Lewiston, Maine

Global Wars

The Briscoe Brothers: Mark & Jay defeated “American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes with Brandi & Hangman Page when Mark pinned Page with a froggybow after Jay hit him with a Jay Driller.

This was the first and only time ROH had ever been in Maine, and our second NJPW/ROH show of the year.  This venue had previously hosted two WWE events, and has since then hosted 3 Limitless Wrestling shows.  Oh yeah, Muhammad Ali defeated Sonny Liston for the boxing World Heavyweight Championship in 1965.

 

I did the meet and greet with the Briscoe's at this show got my photo with them and for my All In trading card signed by both of them.  I don't have that card anymore, after Jay died someone reached out to me about trading.  They were trying to get a complete signed All In set, so I now have their dual signed Missouri Wrestling Revival Card. 

What we didn't know was two months after this show Cody, Page, and The Young Bucks would announced AEW and would be leaving ROH.  The Briscoe's were leaning towards heel in this match, but still had the fans behind them.  Another great match you can read my original report about it here: ROH Lewiston, Maine Live Report

April 6, 2019

New Japan Pro Wrestling / ROH, Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York

G1 Supercard

IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions: Guerrillas of Destiny: Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa with Jado defeated ROH World Tag Team Champions: Villain Enterprises: PCO & Brody King and Los Ingobernables de Japon: Evil & Sanada and The Briscoe Brothers: Mark & Jay to win both championships when Tanga Loa pinned Brody King after a Superbomb

This was historic as no other wrestling promotion in 60 years had ever held a show at MSG other than WWE until this event.  We had front row in the balcony and it was amazing.

This match was a giant cluster and to be honest, not very good.  Briscoe's had a couple moments in it but they are probably best remember from the match with brawling with Big Caz and Enzo who jumped the rail after the match.  I don't know if ROH was trying to run an angle but it was never acknowledge on the broadcast and they kept the camera's off it.

You can read about it this show here: IndieMania 2019 Part 3

July 23, 2022

ROH: Ring of Honor, Tsongas Center, Lowell, Massachusetts    

Death Before Dishonor 2022

2 out of 3 Falls Match: ROH, IWGP, & AAA World Tag Team Champions: FTR: Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler defeated The Briscoe Brothers: Mark & Jay two falls to one

Fall 1: Mark pinned Dax with the Doomsday Device at 16:33

Fall 2: Dax pinned Jay with the shatter machine at 29:33

Fall 3: Dax pinned Jay with middle rope pile driver at 43:26

THIS IS THE GREATEST TAG TEAM MATCH I HAVE EVER SEEN LIVE!

Hands down, no doubt about it, and I can't imagine it will ever be topped on the list.  It had been over 3 years since the last time I saw the Briscoes and the been to Ring of Honor.  Since that time Tony Khan bought the promotion and Death Before Dishonor was the first ROH PPV under Khan after the sale finalized in May 2022.  I was on the fence about buying tickets, until the morning they went on sale and the two out of 3 falls match was announced.  I got VERY lucky and scored a front row ticket that ended up being right next to the commentators.

My seat was AMAZING.  It was a tremendous show from beginning to end, and FTR and The Briscoe's tore it up for almost 45 minutes! I wore my FTR shirt, Dax came around the front row and hugged everyone wearing an FTR shirt. I don't have the words to express just how good this match is.

Bonus:

These are the two times I've seen Mark Briscoe wrestle at AEW since he joined the promotion after Jay's passing. 

November 6, 2024

AEW Dynamite, SNHU Arena, Manchester, NH

Fight Without Honor: The Conglomerations: Tomohiro Ishii, Mark Briscoe, & Kyle O’Reilly defeated  Ring of Honor World Champion: Chris Jericho, Big Bill & Bryan Keith when Ishii pinned Jericho

April 17, 2025

AEW Collision, MGM Music Hall at Fenway, Boston, MA

Ring of Honor Tapings Episode 113 Aired April 24, 2025

8 Man Tag: AR Fox, Mark Briscoe, and Top Flight; Dante & Darius Martin with Leila Grey defeated Shane Taylor Promotions: Charlie Bravo, ROH Pure Champion: Lee Moriarty, Shane Taylor & Shawn Dean

Thank you for reading, please leave a comment, check out my other posts, and if you want like my blogs Facebook page.  You can also head over to Amazon and pick up a copy of my book the 2024 Limitless Wrestling Almanac, or any of my other books.