AEW’s latest spectacle, Dynasty, will be remembered not just for its high-flying maneuvers and championship glories, but also for its sobering reminder of the perils prowling in the squared circle. While fans are still buzzing over Swerve Strickland and Willow Nightingale’s title wins, and the exhilarating showdown between Will Ospreay and Bryan Danielson, there’s a shadow cast over the event—a concussion suffered by Dax Harwood.
In what turned out to be a particularly brutal ladder match to crown new World Tag Team Champions, The Young Bucks and FTR threw caution to the wind. But it was Harwood, amid a bloody and tumultuous brawl, who took a spill that silenced the cheers. Dave Meltzer, the sage of wrestling lore, reported that Harwood endured a concussion during the match’s chaotic crescendo. This injury came at a pivotal moment when Jack Perry sent him tumbling down from the ladder, setting up The Young Bucks to snatch their third tag team championship.
Post-Dynasty, both Harwood and his partner Cash Wheeler were conspicuously absent from the following AEW Dynamite and aren’t on the bill for upcoming shows. AEW, tightening its concussion protocols in recent years, has shown they’re not taking any chances. Fans might recall the swift action taken during a “Rampage” match when Sammy Guevara faced repercussions for flouting these very protocols.
It’s a waiting game now. As Harwood’s return hangs in the balance, the wrestling community holds its breath, hoping for a safe comeback. AEW’s commitment to wrestler safety is clear, but so is the inherent risk of their craft—a stark reality that Dynasty brought into the glaring spotlight.