In the media scrum after AEW WrestleDream 2024, Swerve Strickland shared his experiences about his in-ring segment with wrestling stars MVP, Shelton Benjamin, and Prince Nana.
Highlights from the post-event discussion are as follows:
Regarding sharing the ring with Shelton Benjamin: “Being with Shelton in the ring is kinda unreal. Over the last twelve months, I was in the ring with RVD and Jeff Hardy, both childhood idols, and Bryan Danielson at Wembley. These are all wrestlers I’ve admired since my early days. As for Shelton, we’ve had a match previously, but this time around, presenting it on a new platform like AEW, which does an excellent job of bringing in wrestling legends and reinvigorating their careers, was spectacular.”
In response to working with Shelton, he ensured it would be a special treat for AEW followers.
Discussing the significance of Defy Wrestling in his career: “It played an enormous role. I have a deep affection for Defy. It’s a banner I’ll always raise, and I never miss a chance to give a shout-out to them. Defy was the stepping stone that helped many of us move up to the next level, particularly from the independent scene. It gave birth to high-level wrestling, especially in the Pacific Northwest, where only a few have made their mark. Defy brought in a new generation of wrestlers like myself, Darby, Nick Wayne, Brody, and others. The matches that took place in Defy created a ripple effect of interest nationwide and even internationally in the UK. Collaborations with PROGRESS and New Japan started, which was pivotal. It was a significant learning curve in shaping me as a star.”
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