AEW Dynamite: Fight For The Fallen was more than just a wrestling event for Asheville, North Carolina—it was a night of community and resilience.
Held at the Harrah’s Cherokee Center, the show doubled as a fundraiser for hurricane relief, and Asheville’s own Rated FTR (Cope, Dax Harwood, and Cash Wheeler) closed the event with a heartfelt message after their main event victory over The Death Riders (Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, and Wheeler Yuta).
Dax Harwood, who has strong ties to Asheville, took the mic to reflect on the journey leading to this special night. “Last time I was in this building, it was bleak. We had just about 1,000 people,” Harwood shared. “But tonight, you packed it out to see Rated FTR, and we love you guys. Thank you very much.”
He went on to emphasize the importance of helping the community recover from Hurricane Helene, crediting Tony Khan for elevating the idea from a live event to a televised AEW Dynamite special.
Cope, marking his return to the ring after a seven-month hiatus due to a fractured tibia, echoed Harwood’s sentiments and praised Asheville’s strength. “One more surgery, another plate, seven screws—don’t matter. Because guess what? I live in the 828. Here in the 828, we’re tough sons of b****es. We don’t let a hurricane keep us down, do we? No, we don’t.”
Cope kept the crowd energized, speaking about the community’s spirit and resilience. “We pick ourselves up, we dust ourselves off, we dig out, and we all come and have a good time. I cannot say enough about this community,” he said. Ending on a passionate note, Cope rallied the crowd to chant “828” in unison, showing love for their shared hometown pride.
AEW’s ability to merge entertainment with real-life impact was on full display, leaving fans with both unforgettable memories and a meaningful contribution to hurricane relief efforts.
What do you think about AEW using its platform for community-driven events like this? Share your thoughts and feedback in the comments below!