Report: Update on Swerve Strickland’s AEW return
A new update on Swerve Strickland’s AEW return has emerged.
Last seen at AEW X NJPW: Forbidden Door in London, former World Champion Swerve Strickland is now expected to be back very soon. As per the latest update from Fightful Select, Strickland is now expected to return ‘next month’, barring any setbacks.
Fightful Select also reported that Strickland was originally scheduled to take time off after All In 2025, but that break was pushed back later. A few months back in London, Strickland fought Kazuchika Okada for the Unified Championship, which he unfortunately lost. Soon after the match, Strickland was surprisingly attacked by the returning Wardlow, seemingly writing him off television.
It should also be noted that Strickland was dealing with a torn meniscus, which he underwent surgery for. Recently, just ahead of Full Gear, Strickland uploaded a cryptic post on social media hyping up the fans about his much-awaited return.
Swerve Strickland addresses the meaning of five-star matches in wrestling
Star ratings have long been a popular system for evaluating the quality of professional wrestling matches. A couple of months ago, Swerve Strickland appeared for an interview with Complex Sports, where he opened up on the meaning of five-star wrestling matches.
“I didn’t really have a five-star match until I got to All Elite Wrestling. So that’s just three years I’ve really been getting that kind of recognition. I’ve heard, like, I’m the one Black wrestler with the most in history. So it’s something that I pride myself in — just putting on something that’s like a classic. I wouldn’t necessarily put stars next to it, but I do appreciate putting on something that people are just going to remember for a very, very long time. And if the stars come with that, that’s awesome. But I just want to make sure, like, when I leave the ring [I] put on a great performance and a great match.”
Strickland’s tag-team match with Will Ospreay at All In: Texas received a positive five-star rating from Dave Meltzer.
