Former AEW Tag Team Champions FTR will return to action on Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite for a good reason: to benefit hurricane victims in North Carolina.
Announced Tuesday, Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler will take on The Learning Tree’s Big Bill & Bryan Keith to raise awareness for the Manna Food Bank, Be Loved Asheville, and the Asheville Dream Center, according to the graphic.
Both FTR members are from North Carolina. Asheville and the western part of the state were nearly decimated by flooding due to the recent Hurricane Helene. Harwood, Wheeler and Asheville resident Adam Copeland have been vocal on social media for help for their local communities.
Bill and Keith are 0-1 as a team, losing to Kyle O’Reilly & Orange Cassidy earlier this month. It will be FTR’s first in-ring action since the September 21st edition of Collision.
Here’s the current lineup for AEW’s debut in San Jose, California:
New AEW World Champion Jon Moxley appearance
TBS & NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Mercedes Mone vs. Queen Aminata in a non-title match
The Elite (Kazuchika Okada & The Young Bucks) vs. The Conglomeration (Kyle O’Reilly, Orange Cassidy & Rocky Romero)
Jay White vs. Christian Cage
Shelton Benjamin vs. Lio Rush
FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) vs. Big Bill & Bryan Keith
Beth Phoenix posted a message to Instagram on Wednesday stating that she, Adam Copeland, and their family are all safe following Hurricane Helene.
The couple live in Asheville, North Carolina, which was hit hard by the storm. Phoenix says they were unable to contact anyone for several days and were without power, cell phone service, or water.
Phoenix also shared that her 8-year-old Ruby developed a skin infection and had an inspiring trip to the ER last Friday that included sharing a ride with several nurses.
She wrote on Instagram:
“Copeland Update: The Copeland Family is safe and gathered together. Thank you to all that have reached out!! After several days of no cell phones, no power, no water, limited gas and travel, we are finally getting our feet back on the ground. We have been blessed to be unharmed and have minimal damage to our home and our loved ones’ homes after the catastrophic Hurricane Helene. Because we have had limited access to the internet or media, this is the first time I have been able to observe all of the horrifying footage of our beloved Asheville and affected areas through the lens of others. To say I am overwhelmed is an understatement. While we all grieve, process, and rebuild as a community, I wanted to share a story of an experience we had.”
“Last Friday my 8-year-old Ruby began showing symptoms of a spreading skin infection. Despite doing what I could to treat her at home, by Sunday it was evident she needed to see a doctor. With no phone, no power…no urgent care… I made the decision to drive to the ER. My drive took me through Biltmore Village which I was stunned to see had been totally washed away and guarded by police blockade along with several people in scrubs. I pulled up and begged the officer if he knew of another route to the ER? Or if the ER was even there anymore? The kind officer rerouted me and asked me if I could take these CNAs and Nurses with me.”
“We gratefully welcomed our passengers and headed to the ER. During the ride, they filled me in on what they had seen the last 3 days… I was astounded to learn that they have been living at the hospital to meet the need of low staff and immense need. Stories of surgeries and life-saving rescues done with no power… leaving their families to come and do their best to save ours. Selflessly stepping up during a historic tragedy, to demonstrate the best of humanity. All the while, Ruby sat silently in the backseat absorbing all of this.”
“After a scary drive through the wreckage of downtown and the river arts district, we made it to the hospital. Ruby was eventually seen and we were able to get compassionate care. While at the hospital I was able to get WiFi. Ruby asked to use my phone and sent her Dad this text:
Phoenix’s post continues:
“Thank you to all of our essential workers, medical (of which my sister-in-law @shenanrice2015 is one), law enforcement, fire, Duke Energy, our water department, and all those pouring their hearts into our community in this time of need. I have no words for the gratitude I feel in my heart for what you are doing. #828Strong”
“So glad you guys are all safe!!” Renee Paquette responded to her post.
“So happy you guys are safe. You’ve been on my mind and in my heart. Ruby really put things in perspective,” wrote Natalya.
FTR’s Cash Wheeler also lives in the area. He has been sharing a GoFundMe for relief efforts. Tony Khan, Chris Jericho, and Nick Jackson have all donated to the campaign. Just under $57 thousand has been raised as of Wednesday.
An update was posted to the GoFundMe recently that reads:
*Update* We are so blown away by the generosity of everyone who has contributed, we continue to increase the goal. What originally was a hope to help deliver supplies has grown into a substantial relief initiative. We are so thankful and plan to distribute funds to as many outlets as we can. If you have any suggestions of local shelters, businesses or animal rescues, please leave on the comment board.”
As of this writing, 167 people are confirmed dead due to Hurricane Helene, with another 685 missing. It is already the deadliest storm in the United States since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
The company announced on Sunday that they will hold their television tapings on October 2 and October 3 at Skyway Studios in Nashville. Tickets will go on sale this Monday at 10 am ET at tnawrestling.com for $10 each. All proceeds from both shows will go to Hurricane Helene relief efforts in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
Fans will also have the opportunity to donate to relief efforts at the shows, and TNA will also auction off match-used and autographed memorabilia and other “unique collectibles.”
The tapings were originally scheduled for this past Friday and Saturday in Spartanburg, South Carolina but were then moved to Monday and Tuesday in the same venue. On Saturday, TNA announced they would have to cancel the shows due to the aftereffects of Hurricane Helene.
These tapings will serve as the final shows before Bound for Glory, which takes place on October 26 in Detroit. Those scheduled for matches at the tapings include Nic Nemeth, Jordynne Grace, Joe Hendry, The Hardy Boyz, Eric Young, Ash by Elegance, and Moose. Also scheduled to appear are Mike Santana, AJ Francis, Josh Alexander, Brian Myers, Eddie Edwards, Frankie Kazarian, Ace Austin & Chris Bey, Jake Something, Speedball Mike Bailey, PCO, and Xia Brookside.
The effects of Hurricane Helene in St. Petersburg, Florida, have prompted MLW to cancel a show scheduled for next weekend.
MLW was set to put on their annual Slaughterhouse show next Friday, October 4th at the Coliseum, but opted not to given the massive amount of flooding currently in the city.
There is no rescheduled date for the show, and ticket buyers will get a full refund.
“The safety of our staff, talent, crew, and fans in the Tampa/St Pete area is our top priority, and we believe this is the most responsible course of action given the current conditions,” MLW stated.
It’s not the only wrestling promotion forced to change things up as TNA Wrestling bumped two TV taping dates in Spartanburg, South Carolina, this weekend due to the storm, choosing to run on Sunday and Monday vs. Friday and Saturday instead.
WWE is set to run Saturday in Columbus, Georgia. As of this writing, the show is still on.
Due to impending severe weather, TNA Wrestling has announced a change to its television tapings in Spartanburg, South Carolina.
The tapings were scheduled to take place this Friday (September 27) and Saturday (September 28). But with Hurricane Helene scheduled to impact the area, the shows have been pushed back to Sunday (September 29) and Monday (September 30). Both nights are being held at the Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium.
“TNA will announce the start time for the re-scheduled shows on tnawrestling.com and all social media outlets,” the promotion wrote. “Tickets for the Friday show can be used on Sunday and tickets for the Saturday show can be used on Monday.”
Matches from the tapings will air on future episodes of TNA Impact. The promotion is currently building to its Bound for Glory pay-per-view that will take place from Detroit on Saturday, October 26.
Here’s what’s been announced for the Spartanburg tapings:
Joe Hendry in action
ABC (Ace Austin & Chris Bey) vs. The Hardys (Matt & Jeff Hardy)
The Rascalz (Zachary Wentz & Trey Miguel) vs. Jake Something & Hammerstone
Brian Myers vs. Mike Santana
Josh Alexander vs. Jonathan Gresham
Nic Nemeth vs. Matt Cardona
The System (Moose, Eddie Edwards, Brian Myers & Johnny “Dango” Curtis) vs. The Hardys & ABC
