Cash Wheeler is the ring name of Daniel Marshall Wheeler, an American professional wrestler born on May 17, 1987, in Asheville, North Carolina. Currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), he competes primarily as one half of the tag team FTR alongside Dax Harwood, with whom he has captured multiple world tag team championships across major promotions, and is a member of the stable Top Gods.[1] Standing at 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) and weighing 223 lb (101 kg), Wheeler is renowned for his technical prowess, resilience, and contributions to modern tag team wrestling.Wheeler launched his professional wrestling career in 2005 on the independent circuit, initially performing under the ring name Steven Walters for promotions such as NWA Anarchy and NWA Wildside, where he secured early accolades including the Anarchy Tag Team Championship.[2] In 2014, he signed with WWE and joined its developmental brand NXT, adopting the persona Dash Wilder and partnering with Scott Dawson (now Dax Harwood) to form the tag team The Revival.[3] The duo quickly rose to prominence, capturing the NXT Tag Team Championship twice between 2015 and 2017, establishing themselves as cornerstone figures in NXT's tag division with their no-nonsense, old-school style.[4]Promoted to WWE's main roster in 2017, The Revival achieved further success by winning the Raw Tag Team Championship twice and the SmackDown Tag Team Championship once, completing the WWE Tag Team Triple Crown during their tenure until their release in April 2020.[4] Transitioning to AEW shortly thereafter, Wheeler rebranded as Cash Wheeler and, with Harwood as FTR, debuted on the May 27, 2020 episode of Dynamite before defeating The Young Bucks at All Out later that year to win the AEW World Tag Team Championship.[5] In AEW and its sister promotion Ring of Honor (ROH), FTR has since added a second AEW World Tag Team Championship reign and the ROH World Tag Team Championship, solidifying Wheeler's legacy as a multi-time world tag team titleholder and one of professional wrestling's most decorated tandem competitors.[4]
Early life and training
Early life
Daniel Marshall Wheeler, known professionally as Cash Wheeler, was born on May 17, 1987, in Asheville, North Carolina.[6] He was raised in a family environment marked by a history of addiction.[7][8]During his teenage years, Wheeler lived in Old Fort and Marion, North Carolina, where he developed interests in sports such as basketball and football.[7] He attended McDowell High School in Marion, participating in school activities that shaped his early athletic foundation.[7]
Wrestling training
Wheeler's interest in professional wrestling began during his teenage years in western North Carolina, where he participated in backyard wrestling matches with friends as an informal entry point into the sport.[7] These sessions, often held at each other's houses, provided his initial hands-on experience with basic maneuvers and match structures, though they lacked formal supervision or safety protocols typical of professional environments.[7] This self-taught approach in the rural setting of western North Carolina influenced his access to local wrestling scenes and built his foundational resilience before pursuing structured training.[9]To transition to professional levels, Wheeler sought formal instruction under veteran trainer George South in North Carolina, where he honed fundamentals through rigorous drills and repetitive practice sessions emphasizing technique and endurance.[7] South's guidance focused on essential skills like taking falls and executing holds, preparing Wheeler for the physical demands of ring competition without the glamour of larger academies. This informal yet dedicated training regimen bridged his backyard origins to legitimate opportunities on the independent circuit.Wheeler made his professional debut in 2005 under the ring name Steven Walters, marking his first sanctioned matches in a professional setting.[2] Early personas like Walters portrayed a straightforward, no-frills competitor, reflecting his grounded training background and allowing him to test basic in-ring storytelling against established independents. These initial outings emphasized learning pacing and crowdinteraction over elaborate characters, setting the stage for his development on the indie scene.
Professional wrestling career
Independent circuit (2005–2014)
Wheeler began his professional wrestling career on the independent circuit in 2005, debuting under the ring name Steven Walters on January 21 in a match for a local North Carolina promotion. Early on, he focused on building experience through singles competition and occasional tag team bouts in the southeastern United States, wrestling in small venues to hone his technical and brawling skills. His initial runs emphasized high-energy matches against regional talents, establishing a reputation for resilience in grueling environments.[2]By 2007, Walters had expanded to more prominent promotions, including IWA Mid-South, where he competed in hardcore-style events and pursued opportunities in the promotion's King of the Deathmatch tournament, facing off against established names like Toby Klein and Brandon Espinosa in multi-man scrambles. He also ventured into Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW), participating in deathmatch tournaments and singles feuds that highlighted his adaptability to extreme rules, such as bouts involving weapons and high-risk spots against wrestlers like Greg Excellent. In Full Impact Pro (FIP), Walters engaged in title pursuits for the FIP World Heavyweight Championship, clashing with heavy hitters like Jon Davis in hard-fought main events that showcased his striking and submission work. Other promotions like NWA Anarchy saw him in tag team action, often partnering with Derrick Driver against duos such as Andrew Alexander and Brandon Phoenix.[2]Around 2009–2010, Walters transitioned to the ring name Dash Wilder, refreshing his persona while continuing singles runs across the circuit, including notable feuds in EVOLVE Wrestling against Austin Aries and Ricochet that emphasized athletic storytelling over gimmicks. His independent tenure featured consistent title chases, such as challenging for the IWA Mid-South Heavyweight Championship in intense rivalries with Chris Hero, though he often fell short in finals or multi-person eliminations. Wilder also built momentum through undercard victories in CZW's Cage of Death events, solidifying his status as a reliable performer in ultraviolent settings.[1][2]In 2012, Wilder formed a pivotal tag team partnership with Scott Dawson (later Dax Harwood), debuting as The Gatecrashers in FIP with a focus on old-school tag wrestling infused with stiff strikes and tandem offense. The duo quickly gained traction, feuding with teams like The Franchise (Jason Jordan and Ryan Eisenhart) in FIP and entering CZW's Tag World Grand Prix, where they delivered acclaimed matches against international competitors. Their chemistry propelled pursuits of tag team gold across promotions, including standout performances against The Young Bucks in non-title bouts that highlighted their ground-based psychology and avoidance of high-flying excess. This era marked Wheeler's evolution into a tag specialist, setting the stage for greater recognition before major contracts.[2]
WWE (2014–2020)
In 2014, Daniel Wheeler signed a developmental contract with WWE and reported to the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, adopting the ring name Dash Wilder.[10] He quickly formed a tag team partnership with fellow NXT talent Scott Dawson, initially competing under the name The Mechanics at house shows and untelevised events.[11] The duo's on-screen debut occurred on the July 17, 2014, episode of NXT, where they lost to Bull Dempsey and Mojo Rawley.[12] Drawing from their prior independent circuit collaboration, Wilder and Dawson emphasized technical, old-school tag team wrestling, which caught the attention of NXT creative head Triple H.[13]By early 2015, the team rebranded as The Revival, positioning themselves as throwbacks to professional wrestling's gritty roots with the motto "the best tag team in the world."[12] They captured the NXT Tag Team Championship for the first time in August 2015, but their reign ended in a high-profile feud with American Alpha (Chad Gable and Jason Jordan), culminating in a loss at NXT TakeOver: Dallas on April 1, 2016.[13] The Revival regained the titles two months later at NXT TakeOver: The End on June 8, 2016, in a rematch against American Alpha, becoming the first team to win the NXT Tag Team Championship twice.[13] This period also saw intense rivalries with #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa), highlighted by a critically acclaimed two-out-of-three-falls match for the titles at NXT TakeOver: Toronto on November 19, 2016, where The Revival retained via controversial tactics.[14] Another notable storyline involved Sanity (Eric Young, Alexander Wolfe, and Sawyer Fulton), with chaotic brawls escalating to multi-man matches that showcased The Revival's resilience amid the group's unorthodox style.[15]The Revival's NXT tenure ended with their main roster call-up to Raw on April 3, 2017, where they defeated The New Day in their debut match, answering an open challenge.[12] However, an injury to Wilder shortly after—a broken jaw sustained in a match—sidelined the team for months, stalling their momentum.[16] Upon returning, they pursued the Raw Tag Team Championship unsuccessfully in multi-team bouts, including a fatal four-way ladder match at WrestleMania 33 on April 2, 2017.[17] The duo shifted to SmackDown in 2019 via the Superstar Shake-up, aligning briefly with Randy Orton before focusing on tag division dominance, challenging teams like Heavy Machinery and The Usos in hard-fought contests.[18] Their SmackDown run included a successful title pursuit at Clash of Champions on September 15, 2019, against The New Day, and a ladder match stipulation added to their TLC defense on December 15, 2019, emphasizing high-risk athleticism.[19]Amid growing frustrations over creative direction and limited singles opportunities, The Revival requested their release in January 2019, rejecting WWE's offer of a five-year extension worth $500,000 annually per member.[20] Tensions escalated publicly through social media and interviews, with the team expressing dissatisfaction with their booking as a comedy act rather than serious competitors.[21] On April 10, 2020, WWE announced a mutual agreement for their immediate release, ending their six-year tenure after multiple tag team title reigns across NXT and the main roster.[22]
All Elite Wrestling / Ring of Honor (2020–present)
Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood, collectively known as FTR, signed with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in May 2020 following their release from WWE, debuting as a tag team on the May 27 episode of Dynamite where they intervened to save The Young Bucks from an attack by The Butcher and The Blade.[23] Their in-ring debut came shortly after at Fyter Fest, establishing them as a dominant force with a classic wrestling style influenced by their WWE tenure as The Revival. FTR quickly positioned themselves as top contenders, feuding intensely with The Young Bucks over the AEW World Tag Team Championship, culminating in a high-profile ladder match at Full Gear 2020.[24]FTR captured the AEW World Tag Team Championship for the first time on September 5, 2020, at All Out, defeating defending champions Kenny Omega and "Hangman" Adam Page in a critically acclaimed match that highlighted their technical prowess and storytelling.[5] They lost the titles to The Young Bucks on November 7, 2020, at Full Gear, but continued their rivalry with the Bucks and expanded into feuds with the Lucha Brothers (Penta El Zero Miedo and Rey Fénix), including a standout six-man tag match at Fyter Fest 2020 alongside The Young Bucks against the Lucha Brothers, The Butcher, and The Blade.[25] FTR began pursuing the ROH World Tag Team Championship in late 2021, interrupting the Briscoe Brothers' celebration after their title win at Final Battle. Following AEW's acquisition of ROH in March 2022, FTR won the titles for the first time on April 1 at Supercard of Honor by defeating the Briscoe Brothers (Jay and Mark) in an emotional winner-takes-all match that also involved their AAA Reina de Reinas Championship.[26] This victory made them double champions across AEW-affiliated promotions, emphasizing their pursuit of tag team supremacy. They defended the ROH titles successfully multiple times before vacating them later that year to focus on AEW storylines, including renewed clashes with The Young Bucks. In 2023, FTR won the AEW World Tag Team Championship on April 5 at Dynamite, defeating The Gunns (Austin and Colten Gunn) in a career vs. titles match, holding the belts for 185 days until losing them to Ricky Starks and Big Bill on October 7 at Collision.[5][27][28]By 2025, FTR expanded into the trios division as part of Rated FTR, aligning with Adam Copeland to challenge the Death Riders (Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, and Wheeler Yuta) for the AEW World Trios Championship at Dynasty on April 6, but they were defeated in the match.[29] Immediately after, FTR turned heel in a ruthless betrayal, attacking Copeland and leaving him bloodied, marking a shift to self-serving aggression that contrasted their previous honorable persona.[30] This heel turn integrated manager Stokely Hathaway, who joined Rated FTR on the April 23 episode of Dynamite, providing mouthpiece duties and strategic interference to amplify their ruthless edge.[31]The heel incarnation propelled FTR back into the tag team spotlight, as they won a fatal four-way match to earn No. 1 contender status for the AEW World Tag Team Championship—held by Brodido (Bandido and Brody King)—on the November 5, 2025, episode of Dynamite, where Wheeler and Harwood cut a defiant promo demanding the champions appear.[32] This set up a title challenge at Full Gear on November 22, 2025, building on their ongoing feud with Death Riders elements and positioning Rated FTR as unrelenting heels seeking to reclaim gold through any means necessary.[33]
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (2022–2023)
In June 2022, FTR, consisting of Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood, made their New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) debut at the inaugural AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door event in Chicago, where they competed in a winner-takes-all triple threat match for the ROH World Tag Team Championship and IWGP Tag Team Championship against United Empire (Great-O-Khan and Jeff Cobb) and Roppongi Vice (Rocky Romero and Trent Beretta).[34] During the bout, Harwood suffered an injury after a superplex from the top rope, leaving Wheeler to battle alone in a de facto handicap situation against the remaining opponents, yet FTR secured the victory when Wheeler hit Romero with a Shatter Machine assisted by the recovering Harwood, capturing the IWGP Tag Team Championship and unifying it under their ROH titles for a brief period.[35] This triumph marked FTR as the first American team to hold the IWGP Tag Team Championship since 2017, elevating their profile as international contenders.[36]Following their Forbidden Door success, FTR made their in-ring NJPW debut in Japan at Royal Quest II on October 2, 2022, in London, defending the IWGP titles in the main event against Aussie Open (Kyle Fletcher and Mark Davis), retaining via pinfall after executing their signature Big Rig maneuver on Fletcher.[37] They followed this with another successful defense on November 5, 2022, at NJPW Battle Autumn in Osaka against United Empire's Jeff Cobb and Great-O-Khan, overcoming intense power-based offense to win with a Shatter Machine on O-Khan, solidifying their status among NJPW's heavyweight tag division. These matches showcased FTR adapting to NJPW's strong-style emphasis, with Wheeler's technical precision and Harwood's brawling complementing the promotion's rigid, endurance-testing format, earning respect from Japanese audiences through post-match interactions like bow exchanges with opponents.FTR returned to NJPW in early 2023 for Wrestle Kingdom 17 on January 4 at the Tokyo Dome, defending the IWGP Tag Team Championship against 2022 World Tag League winners Bishamon (Hirooki Goto and YOSHI-HASHI) in a high-stakes opener.[38] Despite a competitive 20-minute clash featuring near-falls and signature strikes from both sides, Bishamon captured the titles with a double-team GTR on Wheeler, ending FTR's 192-day reign after two defenses and marking their only NJPW appearance that year.[39] This excursion, enabled by their AEW partnership, positioned FTR as global ambassadors for tag team wrestling, bridging U.S. and Japanese promotions while fostering cross-cultural rivalries that boosted their reputation as versatile champions capable of thriving in varied ring environments.[40]
Other media
Video games
Cash Wheeler debuted as a playable character in the WWE 2K series under his ring name Dash Wilder, appearing alongside Scott Dawson as members of The Revival in WWE 2K17.[41] In this game, Wilder was assigned an overall rating of 75, reflecting his status as an up-and-coming tag team competitor.[41]He returned in WWE 2K18 with an improved overall rating of 81, maintaining his tag team partnership and move set focused on technical wrestling.[42] Subsequent installments included WWE 2K19, where his rating dropped slightly to 77, and WWE 2K20, featuring his highest rating of 83 as part of the SmackDown roster.[43][44] These appearances included recreations of The Revival's entrance, complete with their signature tandem offense and attire from WWE programming.[1]Following his departure from WWE, Wheeler appeared as himself in AEW Fight Forever (2023), included as downloadable content in the FTR: Revival Pack alongside Dax Harwood.[45] This pack allows players to recreate FTR's dynamic entrances, signatures, and finishers, such as the Big Rig, within the game's arcade-style wrestling simulation.[45] The portrayal reflects his current AEW persona, emphasizing tag team synergy without overall numerical ratings akin to the WWE 2K series.[46]
DLC in FTR: Revival Pack; features AEW-specific entrance and finishers.[45]
Non-wrestling appearances
In October 2025, Cash Wheeler and his FTR tag team partner Dax Harwood appeared on TMZ Sports, hosted by Mojo Muhtadi, to discuss the group's evolving dynamics and future direction in professional wrestling.[47] During the interview, Wheeler highlighted the positive impact of Stokely Hathaway joining FTR as their manager, describing it as "a huge injection as far as enjoyment for us" and crediting Hathaway's charisma for enhancing their on-screen presence.[48]Wheeler has also participated in select podcasts that extend beyond in-ring topics, including a 2022 episode of The Sessions with Renee Paquette, where he shared emotional reflections on his family background and personal challenges.[49] These appearances underscore his occasional forays into broader media discussions on resilience and life experiences.
Personal life
Family
Cash Wheeler hails from a family with deep roots in western North Carolina, where he was raised in the rural town of Old Fort, a close-knit community that profoundly influenced his upbringing and values. This small town environment, known for its strong familial bonds and resilient spirit, shaped Wheeler's early experiences and contributed to his grounded perspective amid the demands of professional wrestling.[50]In September 2024, Wheeler demonstrated his enduring connection to his family's North Carolina heritage by launching a GoFundMe campaign to aid recovery efforts in Old Fort and surrounding areas following the catastrophic damage from Hurricane Helene, highlighting the importance of community and family support in times of crisis.[51][52]Wheeler maintains a close relationship with the family of his longtime tag team partner Dax Harwood, often treating them as an extension of his own, which underscores the familial dynamics within his professional circle.[53]
Legal issues
In August 2023, Cash Wheeler, whose real name is Daniel Marshall Wheeler, was arrested in Orlando, Florida, on charges of aggravated assault with a firearm stemming from a road rage incident that occurred the previous month on Interstate 4.[54][55] According to the police report, Wheeler allegedly pointed a black semiautomatic handgun at another driver, who feared for his life and contacted authorities after noting Wheeler's license plate.[56]Wheeler turned himself in on August 18, 2023, and was released later that day after posting a $2,500 bond, with court conditions including no contact with the alleged victim and the surrender of any firearms in his possession.[57][58]Throughout 2024, Wheeler maintained his innocence, entering a formal not guilty plea and rejecting all plea deals offered by prosecutors, stating in a September interview that he refused to admit guilt to any charge as he believed he had done nothing wrong.[57][59] The case faced a trial date in May 2024, but prosecutors ultimately dropped the charges on May 14, 2024, citing insufficient evidence to proceed.[55]On May 5, 2025, a Florida court ruled to fully expunge the arrest and related records from Wheeler's criminal history, providing complete legal clearance as reported in June 2025.[60][61]The prolonged legal proceedings took a significant emotional toll on Wheeler personally, as he later described the uncertainty and potential five-year prisonsentence as consuming his daily life and leading him to contemplate major life changes amid heightened public scrutiny tied to his employment with All Elite Wrestling.[59][57]
Championships and accomplishments
Championships
Cash Wheeler has held multiple tag team championships across major promotions, primarily partnering with Scott Dawson (as The Revival) in WWE and Dax Harwood (as FTR) in AEW, ROH, and elsewhere. His reigns emphasize his role in elevating tag team wrestling, with a focus on technical prowess and endurance in defenses. All titles were co-held with partners, as Wheeler has competed almost exclusively in tag team formats.
First reign (October 7, 2015 – April 1, 2016; 162 days): Won by defeating The Vaudevillains (Aiden English and Simon Gotch) on NXT; lost to American Alpha (Chad Gable and Jason Jordan) at TakeOver: Dallas. The team made 8 successful defenses, including against The Hype Bros and Blake and Murphy, showcasing their no-frills style before the loss via Gable's ankle lock submission.[62]
Second reign (June 8, 2016 – November 19, 2016; 164 days): Won by defeating American Alpha (Chad Gable and Jason Jordan) at NXT TakeOver: The End; lost to #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) at TakeOver: Toronto. They made several successful defenses, including against The Hype Bros and Sanity, but the reign ended in a 2-out-of-3 falls match.[62]
Raw Tag Team Championship
Wheeler won the Raw Tag Team Championship twice with Dawson as The Revival, for a combined 104 days.[4]
First reign (February 11, 2019 – April 7, 2019; 55 days): Won by defeating Bobby Roode and Chad Gable on Raw; lost to The Usos (Jey and Jimmy Uso) at WrestleMania 35. No successful defenses occurred during the reign, which ended in a superkick-assisted pin.[63]
Second reign (June 10, 2019 – July 29, 2019; 49 days): Won in a triple threat match against The Usos and Zack Ryder & Curt Hawkins on Raw; lost to The OC (Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson) in a triple threat match also involving The Usos on Raw. The reign had no defenses and concluded via interference.[63]
First reign (September 5, 2020 – November 7, 2020; 63 days): Won by defeating Kenny Omega and Hangman Page at All Out; lost to The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson) at Full Gear. They defended successfully twice, against The Dark Order and SCU, highlighting big-match intensity before losing in a ladder match finish.[5]
Second reign (April 5, 2023 – October 7, 2023; 185 days): Won by defeating The Gunns (Austin and Colten Gunn) at Dynamite; lost to Big Bill and Ricky Starks on Collision. The team made 7 defenses, including against The Acclaimed and Blackpool Combat Club, establishing their veteran dominance until a roll-up loss.[5]
ROH World Tag Team Championship
Wheeler has won the ROH World Tag Team Championship twice with Harwood as FTR, for a combined 165 days.[4]
First reign (April 2, 2022 – July 23, 2022; 112 days): Won by defeating The Briscoe Brothers (Jay and Mark Briscoe) at Supercard of Honor; lost to The Briscoes in a 2-out-of-3 falls match at Death Before Dishonor. They defended 4 times, notably against The Kingdom, ending in a bloody tables match loss.[64]
Second reign (August 29, 2022 – October 21, 2022; 53 days): Won by defeating The Briscoes at Death Before Dishonor; lost to The Kingdom (Matt Taven and Mike Bennett) at TV tapings. The reign included 2 defenses against teams like The Infantry, concluding via Mindbreaker submission.[64]
Reign (October 16, 2021 – December 28, 2022): Won by defeating Lucha Brothers (Penta El Zero Miedo and Rey Fénix) on AEW Rampage; lost to Dragon Lee and Daga at AAA Noche de Campeones. The long reign featured defenses in AEW and international events, solidifying their status as global champions.[65]
IWGP Tag Team Championship
Wheeler won the IWGP Tag Team Championship once with Harwood as FTR, for 192 days.[4]
Reign (June 26, 2022 – January 4, 2023): Won in a triple threat match against Roppongi Rock City (Rocky Romero and Trent Beretta) and United Empire (Jeff Cobb and Great-O-Khan) at AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door; lost to Bishamon (Hirooki Goto and YOSHI-HASHI) at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17. They defended successfully multiple times, including against The Briscoe Brothers.[66]
Other independent championships
Early in his career, under the ring name Steven Walters, Wheeler captured indie titles, including the NWA Anarchy Tag Team Championship with Derrick Driver from 2008, defending it multiple times before vacating in 2009. These reigns totaled over 400 days combined and featured defenses against regional teams like The Lost Boys.[2]
Awards and honors
Cash Wheeler has earned numerous accolades throughout his career, primarily as part of the tag team FTR with Dax Harwood, recognizing their contributions to professional wrestling.[1]In Pro Wrestling Illustrated's annual rankings, FTR was voted Tag Team of the Year in 2022 and 2023, highlighting their dominance in tag team competition. The duo also topped the inaugural PWI Tag Team 50 list in 2020 and the PWI Tag Team 100 in 2023, establishing them as the premier tag team of those years.[67] Individually, Wheeler has appeared in the PWI 500 rankings multiple times, including No. 98 in 2019 and No. 166 in 2020, reflecting his standing among top singles competitors.[68]The Wrestling Observer Newsletter has similarly honored FTR as Best Tag Team for 2022 and 2023, praising their technical prowess and influence on the division.[69] In the 2024 awards, FTR placed third in the category, underscoring their consistent excellence.[70]No notable non-championship honors from independent promotions or lifetime achievement awards have been documented for Wheeler's early indie career from 2005 to 2014.[71]