Swerve Stricklands AEW Dynasty main event loss to Jon Moxley mightve hurt, but its what happened after the cameras stopped rolling that sparked the biggest backlash.
As the Philadelphia crowd began to file out of the Liacouras Center, Swerve took the mic and delivered a direct and unexpected shot at WWE Hall of Famer Booker T, shouting: F** Booker T.*
It was a clear response to Bookers past comments questioning Swerves marketability as a top star. That topic resurfaced in Swerves interview with VladTV weeks ago, and tensions between them have been simmering ever since. However, fans across social media are making it clearthey think Swerve picked the wrong target.
After the event, Swerve posted a photo of himself from his entrance, with no caption. The replies were swift and ruthless, calling him out for deflecting blame.
One fan slammed him for letting his emotions get the best of him, writing: Got Booker T all in your head losing the match and hes the first one you think of .
Another critic mocked the loss itself: You lost to Jon Moxley, man. The aura is dead.
A common theme in the replies was Swerve aiming at WWEs Booker T instead of AEWs booker, Tony Khan. The wrong Booker got called out last night lmao, one fan posted. Another echoed that sentiment with, Youre worried about the wrong Booker.
The backlash turned even more personal as some fans accused Swerve of failing to stand behind his own message about Black representation. You speak on Black representation but you let another white man pin you 1 2 3 again, one user commented. Tony really had you hype yourself up just to lose to a white man again and get screwed by two other white men.
Others were furious over Swerve dragging another Black icon into the situation. You let the crackas turn you against another Black man I know what you are, one fan wrote. Another added, Thats not it, my guy. Booker T not your enemy.
There were also those calling his post-match promo outright embarrassing: That was some corny ass s** you said to Booker T,* and You lost and still called out Booker T, whos built a platform for men like yourself .
Even fans who once supported Swerve are turning away. One user stated: Bro, your real-life attitude and entitlement is a disappointment. BP and Shock would be ashamed. You dont deserve to rep those kinds of outfits when youre always acting like the antithesis of what they stand for.
The criticism has only grown louder as Tony Khan himself caught heat for avoiding any mention of the main event on social media. Instead, his last tweet celebrated the AEW International Title match, which fans hijacked with complaints over the main events chaotic finish and lack of resolution.
While Swerve left it all in the ring, its clear fans werent buying his post-match deflection. He might have had Booker T on his mindbut the fans? Theyre holding him and AEWs creative direction accountable.
Do you think Swerve shouldve called out Tony Khan instead of Booker T? Is this backlash justified or over the line? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
