Swerve Strickland is definitely probably the most talked about skilled wrestlers on the planet proper now.
Not solely has he constantly had wonderful matches in All Elite Wrestling (AEW), he has grow to be one of many promotion’s most charismatic and fashionable stars.
His most up-to-date feud with Hangman Adam Web page stays probably the most talked about on the planet, and his current contract signing with AEW reveals how a lot confidence the corporate has in him.
Nonetheless, there was an opportunity that he may have returned to WWE.
Michael Kovac/Getty Photographs for IMDb
Throughout a current look on Breakfast Club Power 105.1 FM, Strickland revealed that WWE had truly proven curiosity in him when his contract was practically up with AEW.
“Yeah. It wasn’t just like the phrases ‘re-sign,’” Strickland mentioned. “They ‘requested about my availability.’ They by no means contacted me. They contacted my illustration. I am at a stage now the place I take pleasure in the truth that I haven’t got that direct contact.”
“If you end up progressing and getting greater and also you’re in rooms with individuals like [Charlamagne Tha God], it’s a must to type of hold house in between a majority of these conversations,” Strickland mentioned.
“You possibly can test my cellphone. It is by no means been there. I by no means had direct contact. I wish to hold that little house. Communication has been reached out,” Strickland added.
Strickland went on to say that he has no urge to return to WWE and is past glad in AEW.
“I am pleased with constructing AEW. I am pleased with constructing myself,” Strickland mentioned. “AEW is giving me one thing that I do not assume WWE may ever give me. And I am actually pleased with that. I wave the flag proudly as a result of Tony Khan did not take an opportunity on me—he knew what he needed from me. He put me within the place and mentioned, ‘Now develop.’”
Swerve initially labored with WWE from 2019-2021 as a member of Hit Row alongside Ashante “Thee” Adonis, High Dolla, and B-FAB. With the secure, he’d go on to win the NXT North American Championship.
Nonetheless, the corporate would ultimately launch your complete group after they had been introduced as much as the primary roster, one thing present AEW World Champion Bryan Danielson could not perceive.
“You watch him and ask, ‘Who would ever let go of this man?’ He simply wasn’t given the chance to be his greatest self,” Danielson mentioned in an interview with Justin Barraso. “And that goes each methods – I do not need it to sound like, ‘Oh, evil WWE, they do not let their expertise be their greatest selves.’ Some individuals will thrive there. Some individuals will thrive right here.”
Whereas B-FAB, High Dolla, and Ashante “Thee” Adonis returned to WWE, Strickland went to AEW, the place he would go on to be one in every of their prime superstars.
In AEW, Strickland has gone on to win the AEW World Tag Staff Championship alongside Keith Lee and the AEW World Championship.
Strickland would maintain the latter title for 126 days. He would go on to be named by Professional Wrestling Illustrated because the No. 2 wrestler in the PWI 500 in 2024, solely behind present Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes.
For extra WWE, AEW, {and professional} wrestling information, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
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Primarily based in Los Angeles, Jeremy Hanna has been writing professionally about video video games, leisure, and sports activities since 2018. He now …
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