Swerve Strickland defeated Samoa Joe in the main event of AEW Dynasty 2024 to capture the AEW World Championship, and he recently spoke with “River City Live” to reveal how much the title win means to him.
You can check out some highlights from the interview below:
On the title win: “I’ve held a lot of championships in my career. This one is just at the very, very top. It’s not even close. The moment, the championship, the match, the pay-per-view, the headline, the opponent, all that means so much because of this championship.”
On why it’s so special to him: “Being the first of anything is gonna hold significance to me, not only just the performer, but the company. Going through the airport the day afterwards, like I took pictures with fans that literally flew from other states and sides of the country to come see this event happen because they just felt like this is the moment, this is the coronation of something historic, and people were crying in the crowd, in the front row, after the victory. People were shaking [while] I’m shaking their hands. I’ve never had that experience before.
“Seeing how much that means to everybody, it felt like we won. That’s what you kind of want from your fan base, and I feel like that’s what made the main event special. Hat’s off to Ospreay and Bryan Danielson having a classic banger out there, which I knew they would. But this one hit home a little differently because it was to the heart, it was to the sentiment. It was something special.”
The National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) sent out a press release on Tuesday to announce that they’ll be holding their “Back To The Territories” taping in Knoxville, TN on June 1st.
You can check out the official announcement below:
One of the coolest parts about the National Wrestling Alliance has always been the legacy that comes with it, and big part of that was the territory system that the Alliance was made of. No matter where you were, you were part of a special community full of its own established stars, local talent, and even your own regional champions.
Over the last several months, we here at the NWA have been working hard to rebuild that system and in doing so, we’ve already been taken aback by the new stars we’ve seen and the incredible excitement that the #NWAFam has had for this project.
That’s why we decided, if it’s true the territories are on the rise, it’s time to showcase them!
In this show alone, you’re going to see representation from all of the NWA territories as well as NWA affiliate promotions
You’ll see stars from:
NWA Exodus Pro – (World Heavyweight Champion EC3’s home terrirtory)
NWA JCP – (Joe Cazana Promotions – home of The Country Gentlemen & Southern 6)
NWA Chicago – (William Patrick Corgan’s home territory)
FTW (Fight The World Wrestling – run by Bryan Idol)
WLW (World League Wrestling – started by the legendary Harley Race)
KFW (Kross Fire Wrestling – the home territory of World Women’s Champion Kenzie Paige and her sister Kylie Paige)
But the event isn’t just about talent alone, we’re going all the back to the territory days!
We’re talking high school gym, rowdy fans and the old school school mentality we just can’t shake no matter how much the time’s change!
It’s also for a good cause as portion of the proceeds go to the Karns Football team
If you’re a fan of the way things used to be, this is a show you don’t want to miss!
We hope you join us in Knoxville as we go BACK TO THE TERRITORIES!
Swerve Strickland, also known as Shane Strickland, recently made history by defeating Samoa Joe in the main event of AEW Dynasty 2024 to capture the AEW World Championship. In a recent interview with “River City Live,” Strickland opened up about the significance of this title win and how it has impacted him.
Strickland expressed that this championship win is the pinnacle of his career, surpassing all the other championships he has held. He emphasized that the moment, the championship itself, the match, the pay-per-view, the headline, and the opponent all hold immense importance to him because of the AEW World Championship.
What makes this victory even more special for Strickland is being the first to achieve this feat. He acknowledged that being the first of anything holds great significance not only for him as a performer but also for the company. The impact of this win was evident when Strickland interacted with fans at the airport after the event. He mentioned that fans had flown from different states and parts of the country just to witness this historic moment. People were emotionally moved, with some even shedding tears in the front row. Strickland described how fans were shaking with excitement while he shook their hands, an experience he had never encountered before.
The overwhelming response from the fans made Strickland feel like they had all won together. He expressed his gratitude towards the fan base, stating that their support and emotional investment made the main event truly special. Strickland also commended Will Ospreay and Bryan Danielson for their outstanding performance in a classic match earlier in the event.
In addition to Strickland’s triumph, the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) announced their upcoming event titled “Back To The Territories.” The event will take place in Knoxville, TN on June 1st. The NWA aims to showcase the legacy and community associated with the territory system, which was a significant part of the Alliance’s history.
The NWA has been working diligently to rebuild the territory system and has been amazed by the emergence of new stars and the enthusiasm of the #NWAFam. The “Back To The Territories” event will feature representation from all NWA territories as well as NWA affiliate promotions. Stars from various territories, including NWA Exodus Pro, NWA JCP, NWA Chicago, FTW, WLW, and KFW, will be present.
The event aims to recreate the atmosphere of the territory days, with high school gym venues and passionate fans. The NWA also plans to contribute a portion of the proceeds to the Karns Football team, making it a show that not only celebrates the past but also supports a good cause.
For fans who appreciate the nostalgia and traditions of professional wrestling, the “Back To The Territories” event in Knoxville is a must-see. It promises to transport attendees back to a time when wrestling was raw, intense, and deeply rooted in local communities.
As Swerve Strickland basks in the glory of his AEW World Championship win, and the NWA prepares for their “Back To The Territories” event, the wrestling world continues to evolve while paying homage to its rich history.