Swerve Strickland has had an incredibly successful 2024, holding the AEW World Championship and engaging in intense rivalries with Adam Page, Bryan Danielson, and Will Ospreay. In fact, he has now claimed credit for saving AEW and NJPWs partnership.
In a recent interview with OShea Jackson Jr. and TJ Jefferson on the No Contest, Swerve Strickland was asked about the moment that elevated his career in AEW. He mentioned the battle royal at Double or Nothing as a key turning point. According to him, if the match hadnt come down to him and Orange Cassidy, it might not have sparked the idea in Tony Khans mind to push him further. He believes that moment was crucial in his AEW journey.
Strickland also recalled when he felt Tony Khan began to place significant trust in him. He mentioned a match on Collision against Hiroshi Tanahashi, just before Forbidden Door. During the match, Tanahashi slipped while attempting his High Fly Flow finisher. Strickland reacted quickly, engaging Tanahashi and keeping the match flowing until Tanahashi successfully hit the move and won. This, Strickland believes, showed his ability to handle difficult situations and proved his reliability to Khan and Strickland claimed credit for saving AEW and NJPWs relationship.
Swerve Strickland is currently embroiled in a feud with MVP and Shelton Benjamin, but there is no doubt that he continues to be an integral part of AEWs current product. After all, AEW and NJPWs relationship continues to go strong as they will be holding the Forbidden Door event next year as well as Wrestle Dynasty, which fans are very excited about.
Do you believe Swerve Strickland was responsible for saving AEW and NJPWs relationship? Sound off in the comments section below!
