During a recent interview on “KOMO News,” Swerve Strickland, a star of All Elite Wrestling (AEW), shared his thoughts on what distinguishes wrestling shows from other sports events. Here are some key points from the podcast:
Regarding what makes wrestling unique from other sports, Strickland stated. “The passion from the performers and the fanbase is palpable. Friends of mine, who haven’t watched wrestling before or haven’t done so in years, feel the exciting atmosphere when they attend our shows. Our fans aren’t merely observers but feel part of the experience. Many even feel inspired.”
On the subject of fans, he noted, “Our fans are so passionate they often want to seek out events themselves. They take the initiative to bring others, including their children and other family members, to join them. This community spirit makes pro-wrestling special. Plus, fans are invested in the individuals in the ring and admire the innovation on display.”
In AEW, Strickland shared, pushing the envelope is encouraged. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without pushing boundaries. Tony Khan, our manager, encourages us to take risks, although there are certain limits. I urge all our roster and the wrestling and media industry to innovate.”
On another occasion, Eddie Kingston, the former AEW Continental Champion, discussed mental health issues on Cezar Bononi’s YouTube channel. Here are some highlights:
Talking about mental health, Kingston said, “Every emotion you feel, whether it’s depression, happiness, anger or anything else, it’s a form of energy.”
When referring to his detractors, Kingston quips, “I am on my own journey. If I inspire someone, that’s great. And if someone disapproves of my work or seeks to put me down, that’s fine too. I genuinely don’t care.”
Discussing his work ethic, Kingston explained, “I take pride in my work and I put in my all every time I step out there; that’s something that will never change.”
Talking about the stress he puts on himself, he said, “I put healthy pressure on myself, not just in the ring but backstage as well. My motivation stems from the greats like [Terry] Funk, [Mick] Foley, [Steve] Austin, and the Four Pillars of Misawa, [Akira] Taue, [Kenta] Kobashi, [Toshiaki] Kawada. My mother and girlfriend often ask me why I don’t do things for myself, but I think this pressure is good for me.”