Matt Hardy takes issue with Dax Harwood’s comments on ‘5-star matches’
Matt Hardy and Dax Harwood got into an exchange on social media recently.
The root of the issue appears to be comments Hardy made on his podcast, saying that TNA needs to focus on stories rather than “five-star matches.” On the same day that story circulated, Harwood posted the below statement to X:
“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.”
When someone suggested Harwood stop listening to our own Dave Meltzer, Harwood responded:
“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 fuck? As long as we all enjoy wrestling!”
On Wednesday, Hardy responded to Harwood, believing his comments about five-star matches were related to Hardy’s podcast remarks.
Hardy wrote:
“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 responded to Hardy:
“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.”
As of this writing, that is the last public message between the two of them.
While several of The Hardys’ matches against Edge & Christian and The Dudley Boyz were rated four and three-quarter stars or four and one-half stars, Matt Hardy has never had a five-star match. Harwood has had seven matches ranked five-stars or greater, including FTR’s dog collar match against The Briscoes that was given five and one-half stars.
Hardy and Harwood’s posts are below:
Ian Carey is a writer from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, whose work has been featured in NOW Magazine, The Huffington Post, and more. A lifelong wrestling aficionado born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, he has covered the industry for a decade and a half. He joined the f4wonline.com team in 2019.