Dax Harwood is half of one of the greatest tag teams of all time. He is just as familiar as finding himself on a list of top tag teams as he is being in a boiling online controversy. This time, he was brought the wrath of Matt Hardy.
A discussion about the meaning of “five-star matches” sparked an unexpected, and explosive, exchange between Dax Harwood and Matt Hardy. Naturally, this is a subject that has been the reason for many fights in the pro wrestling world over the years.
Dax Harwood started the conversation with a reflective post on how opinions evolve over time. This was a standalone post, and wasn’t in direct reply to anyone.
“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.”
Matt Hardy then stepped in with a direct reply, making it clear he felt the message warranted a tag. He pushed back against the idea that veteran wrestlers wish for five-star recognition.
“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 f*ck 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 emphasizes ‘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 f*ck? As long as we all enjoy wrestling! (Your words in this same thread)”
As part of that response, Hardy also referenced an earlier comment Dax made in defense of Dave Meltzer’s differing viewpoints, quoting it within his post. The FTR member didn’t tag Dave in his post, either.
“I think calling Dave a moron is insane. He’s probably wrestling’s most accurate historian. While I may not agree with some of his star ratings, that doesn’t mean he’s wrong. That means he has a different opinion than I do; which is absolutely ok!
To me, BrainBusters vs Hart Foundation SS 89 is a 5 star tag match. To Dave, it’s a 2. Who’s wrong? Who’s right? Who gives a f*ck? As long as we all enjoy wrestling!”
After Matt Hardy’s extended critique, Dax responded again. This time he sounded blindsided by the idea that his comments were aimed at the Broken One.
“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.”
We will keep our eyes peeled for any further developments in this story. You never know what can pop up on social media, especially in the pro wrestling world. Five-star matches are an aim for some, but others dismiss the idea as simply bias or an objective opinion. Obviously, this argument still has legs, because it’s ruffling feathers today.
What’s your take on this argument about five-star matches? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
December 10, 2025 11:22 am
