AEW’s Swerve Strickland firmly believes that he wasn’t adequately prepared for a significant challenge just a couple of years ago and is now on the verge of claiming the coveted title of international champion.
Recently featured on “Notsam Wrestling,” the former WWE star provided insights into why WWE’s decision not to release him was justified.
Reflecting on the opinions that WWE should have accelerated his career a year or two earlier, Strickland countered, stating, “No, they shouldn’t have. I’ll admit that. No, it wasn’t my time.” He attributed this realization to the wisdom expressed by Shawn, emphasizing the importance of being in the right position to handle challenges effectively.
Strickland envisions a more successful version of himself if WWE had chosen to make him a champion earlier, asserting that people wouldn’t perceive his personality with the same level of intimidation today. He confidently states that he is now in prime condition to pursue the world championship, highlighting the significant growth and development his character has undergone.
Expressing his ambition to become the first African American AEW World Champion, Strickland shared his belief that he would have secured the title had he been given the same opportunities as his rival, “Hangman” Adam Page. In a subsequent debate, he clarified that his statement wasn’t about race-baiting but rather a declaration of pride rooted in cultural identity.
Addressing the issue of pride in the context of his character, Strickland asserted, “Yeah, it is [about race]. So? It’s not about race-baiting, it’s about pride. It’s culture.” He questioned the stigma associated with a heel taking pride in their culture and argued that those engaging in questionable behavior often exhibit the most pride due to the challenges they face.
The Texas Deathmatch between Strickland and Adam Page garnered significant attention, with AEW superstar Matt Hardy recently publicly endorsing Strickland’s potential to become an AEW World Champion in the near future.
