Swerve Strickland addresses meaning of five-star matches

When Swerve Strickland competes in the ring, his goal is to leave the fans with something they’ll remember for a long time.

The former AEW World Champion recently spoke with Complex Sports, where the topic of five-star matches was brought up. Strickland appreciates his work getting that kind of recognition and prides himself on delivering classic bouts, but star ratings are not the explicit aim for him — they’re the byproduct of his mission to give the audience something to remember.

“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,” Strickland said. “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 most recent Dave Meltzer-rated five star match was at All In: Texas this July. He teamed up with Will Ospreay to defeat The Young Bucks at that pay-per-view.

At the moment, Strickland is on the shelf after undergoing surgery last week to repair a torn meniscus. He’s already started physical therapy as he works his way back to fitness.