During the post-AEW Revolution 2024 media scrum, Swerve Strickland commented on defeating Samoa Joe to capture the AEW World Title win, competing in World Title matches at back to back pay-per-view events, and more.
You can check out some highlights from the media scrum below:
On becoming the first Black AEW World Champion: “Ton of hard work went into this. Nothing was guaranteed at all. Nothing was handed out to me; I had to do a lot of inner searching to figure out what I needed to change up and what I needed to improve, and have a lot of humility. To be honest with myself and say, ‘Hey, you’re not great at here, you’re not the best in here.’ And figure it out and just like, work at it. No excuses, ’cause in my culture, where I come from we’re not awarded excuses. Excuses get us nowhere or killed, and I’m gonna stay alive. I’m gonna keep pushing.
“I have so many things to fight for, so many people to fight fore and that’s what drives me every day. I get up early, I stay late. I make the extra drives and I stay in the weight room. I stay disciplined, I do the things that a lot of other people don’t want to do. Get on the plane two days earlier than I gotta be there, because that’s what’s required in this. And I want that to be the standard for being a champion. Like, we’re not rewarded [with] rest. We’ve gotta be restless, because where AEW is and where we’re going, I want the fans to see how hard we’re working. I want the people who aren’t fans to see how hard we’re working to try and join us and be fans, and join this company, because this is special.”
On competing in World Title matches at back to back PPVs: “Two back-to-back amazing PPVs, Revolution and Dynasty tonight, and I was back-to-back championship matches in both of them. That’s never been done in this company as an African-American man. I don’t think it’s been done in any company really this big. Don’t quote me on that. Y’all want the sources, go find them. Tell me, tell the world, I don’t give a damn. But we’re doing something special here, and I’m just proud to be the face of the franchise, because this is a Dynasty we’re building.”
On becoming the first AEW World Champion: “I wasn’t going to settle for anything less. I think I was offered opportunities at the AEW International Title, and I turned it down. I’m like, no disrespect to what Orange Cassidy was doing at the time with the International Championship, but I can’t settle for less, and I want to shoot for the top, and that’s how everybody’s mindset should be in this business. That’s how everybody’s mind is in AEW. We want to shoot for the top. We want to go to the main event, we want to fight and grind. We’ve got five matches tonight that could’ve been the main event. That’s how competitive we are. That’s how special this roster is, and so, I’ve got to have that mindset to push even further. I can’t settle for less because nobody else is.”
On reporters asking about if an audible should’ve been called for his match at AEW All Out 2022: “It showed that, ‘Oh, we still got a lot of work to do.’ Simple, plain and simple. It shows just like, ‘OK. We can make those decisions on the fly, on the call, just on a whim just because,’ not knowing the ripple affects that has, you know? And that put a chip on my shoulder from that day forward. And we beat the hell out of each other, we put on the performance of a lifetime to be overshadowed by some bulls***. I stand with anybody who says that was the best match on that show, even this man here [Tony Khan]. And that put a chip on a shoulder to that’s how we get here. That’s how we turn negatives into positives. We don’t go online and talk about it. No, I put the work in, and I give you results.”
On his message to the kids who saw him win the title: “I think this one moment sends many messages to everybody. Primarily, it’s possible. It can be done, but it’s not easy. Like, I kept saying this throughout the week through all these media and interviews I was doing, ‘What happens if this doesn’t work out?’ I don’t win the championship. ‘Ah, well, push it down the road. We got to wait for a bigger moment. We got to push it down the road again.’ That’s happened several times in history, and pushing it down the road results to missed opportunities. It never happens, and I’ve seen that way too many times as a kid growing up. I’m sure you have too, and I’m sure a lot of other people have. They’ve seen opportunities for us pushed down the road, want to build it to something bigger around the corner, and boom, injuries. Boom, somebody else gets the opportunity in front of them. Boom, that person’s not as hot as they were before, and the timing was missed. And boom, that person, you never see or hear from them again. They’re — police, fired, gone somewhere else, and that moment just flickered. When it’s our moment, we have to take it. That’s the message I’ve been wanting to send. That’s why I came out in the outfit that I wore. I’m not coming to be rewarded with the crown and the throne. I’m here to take it. That’s what we have to do. We have to take it.”
Swerve Strickland Reflects on Historic AEW World Title Win and Back-to-Back Championship Matches
In a recent post-AEW Revolution 2024 media scrum, Swerve Strickland opened up about his monumental victory over Samoa Joe to become the first Black AEW World Champion. He also discussed the significance of competing in World Title matches at back-to-back pay-per-view events and shared his thoughts on the importance of seizing opportunities in the wrestling industry.
Strickland expressed his gratitude for the hard work that went into his championship win. He acknowledged that nothing was guaranteed and that he had to undergo a process of self-reflection and improvement. He emphasized the importance of humility and being honest with oneself about areas that need improvement. Strickland also highlighted the relentless work ethic required to succeed in the industry, stating that he goes above and beyond what is expected, including waking up early, staying late, and maintaining discipline.
As the first Black AEW World Champion, Strickland recognizes the significance of his achievement. He mentioned that being the face of the franchise is an honor and emphasized the importance of setting a high standard for future champions. Strickland wants fans and non-fans alike to witness the dedication and hard work put into AEW and hopes it will inspire others to join the company.
Reflecting on his back-to-back World Title matches at Revolution and Dynasty, Strickland acknowledged that this feat had never been accomplished by an African-American wrestler in AEW or any other major wrestling company. He expressed pride in being part of something special and referred to the company’s growth as a “Dynasty.”
Strickland also discussed his decision to aim for the AEW World Title instead of settling for lesser opportunities. While acknowledging the talent of other wrestlers, he emphasized the importance of striving for greatness and shooting for the top. He praised the competitiveness within AEW and the exceptional roster, stating that every match on the card could have been a main event.
During the media scrum, Strickland addressed a question about an audible that should have been called during his match at AEW All Out 2022. He expressed disappointment in the decision-making process and how it overshadowed the hard work and performance he and his opponent put into the match. This incident fueled his determination and added a chip on his shoulder, motivating him to turn negatives into positives through hard work and tangible results.
Finally, Strickland shared a powerful message for kids who witnessed his historic title win. He emphasized the importance of seizing opportunities when they arise, rather than waiting for a bigger moment that may never come. He stressed the need to take control of one’s destiny and not let opportunities slip away due to delays or missed timing.
Swerve Strickland’s victory as the first Black AEW World Champion serves as a powerful symbol of progress and opportunity within the wrestling industry. His determination, work ethic, and refusal to settle for less are qualities that inspire both fans and aspiring wrestlers alike. As AEW continues to grow, Strickland’s reign as champion sets a high standard for future talent and showcases the dedication and passion that drives the company forward.