Earlier this month, veteran wrestler Matt Hardy made some comments on his podcast referring how he wants to focus more on storytelling rather than having "five star matches", suggesting that such matches have been too overdone while directly referencing AEW.
"I want us to focus on story more than f*cking five-star matches, because that’s f*cking way too overdone now. I mean, in AEW, they can have all those. But like, the type of audience we’re looking for are people that are getting compelled by the storytelling in the characters. That is something I want to focus on. I’ll say that blatantly right out front."
The same day, Dax Harwood - whether coincidence or not - seemed to respond to the same topic on X by implying that older wrestlers secretly wish they could still pull off five-star matches.
"I think, in wrestling, the older you get, the more you complain about “5 star matches”.
I also think, the older you get, the more you (secretly) wish you had 5 star matches.
Whatever a 5 star match even is."
While Harwood never directly called out Hardy, Matt certainly felt his comments were about him and he quoted Harwood's tweet and responded to it with:
I think, on wrestling twitter, if you’re gonna decide to moan about someone’s take, you should @ them, @DaxFTR.
I also think, the older I get, I give less than a fuck about what someone on the internet thinks a 5 star match is. What I care about what our matches are drawing at the box office & how they make people feel. I enjoy FTR’s work ethic & talent. I also think
@AEW emphases "matches" more than "story/character/emotional investment" & it makes it challenging to grow your audience from a niche core - Which is MY opinion. I want AEW to succeed, it’s good for the industry. I love & enjoy great matches that get me emotionally invested. I don’t (secretly) wish I "had 5 stars matches."Whatever a 5 star match even is.
Who’s wrong? Who’s right? Who gives a fuck? As long as we all enjoy wrestling! (Your words in this same thread)
Harwood then replied claiming he has no idea why Matt would think he was talking about him:
Matt, I have no idea what you’re talking about, why you think this is about you, or why you’re so upset with me. I’ve only EVER had good things to say about you & your brother and what you’ve meant to tag team wrestling.
I thought, until today, we always had a great relationship.
Matt, I have no idea what you’re talking about, why you think this is about you, or why you’re so upset with me. I’ve only EVER had good things to say about you & your brother and what you’ve meant to tag team wrestling.
I thought, until today, we always had a great…— Dax FTR (@DaxFTR) December 10, 2025
