AEW Champ Swerve Strickland Reveals Influence Behind His Eye Makeup

One Big Thing

AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland has unveiled the inspiration behind his distinct on-screen persona, particularly his signature eye makeup. Strickland attributes his unique character to a blend of his love for horror films and hip-hop music.

Key Points

• Strickland wanted to create a unique character by combining his passions for horror and hip-hop
• His dark eye makeup is inspired by the character Sweeney Todd
• Strickland believes his distinct identity sets him apart from other wrestlers on the AEW roster

Swerve’s Evolution

Since forming The Mogul Embassy in late 2022, Strickland’s character has undergone a significant transformation. “After the All In match… I was like ‘I’m a big fan of Sweeney Todd,'” Strickland said. “Let me add a little darkness to the eyes … Let me sink a little deeper into the character and darken it up a little bit more to feel like, ‘All right, something’s different about Swerve than any other person on this roster.'”

Why It Matters

Strickland’s distinct identity has been instrumental in his success as AEW World Champion. While in-ring prowess is crucial, it’s his unique persona that has kept him at the top of the company, successfully defending his title against formidable opponents like Samoa Joe, Claudio Castagnoli, Christian Cage, and Roderick Strong.

Question for Readers

What do you think about Swerve Strickland’s unique character and eye makeup? Do you believe it sets him apart from other wrestlers in AEW? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!