One Big Thing
Swerve Strickland, the newly crowned AEW World Champion, recently addressed his first appearance on AEW Dynamite after winning the title at Dynasty on April 21.
Key Points
- Strickland has been on a winning streak since becoming champion, defeating Claudio Castagnoli, Brian Cage, and The Patriarchy
- He kicked off his reign with a victory over Kyle Fletcher on the April 24 “AEW Dynamite”
- WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray questioned Strickland’s decision to wrestle a match instead of cutting a promo on his first televised appearance as champion
- Strickland explained that while he would have liked to do something different, he had no issue with wrestling Fletcher
Strickland’s Perspective
“That’s the element of being now and getting back the next show, getting back the following week,” Strickland said. “You’ve got to constantly grow, you grow and get more opportunities. For me, this championship reign is always going to keep ascending and going up. Next week is always going to be better than the week before, and then the next week’s going to be better than the week before, it’s going to keep going up. I’d rather keep going up than going down, and the people are growing with me as a champion.”
What’s Next for Swerve Strickland
- Strickland is set to defend his AEW World Championship against Roderick Strong on the June 5 “Dynamite”
- If victorious, he will face International Champion Will Ospreay at Forbidden Door on June 30
- Ospreay became the number one contender to the title on the May 29 “Dynamite”
Why It Matters
Swerve Strickland’s first appearance as AEW World Champion on Dynamite has sparked discussions about how champions should be presented on television. While some believe a promo would have been more impactful, Strickland’s decision to wrestle showcases his commitment to constantly improving and growing as a champion. As he embarks on a busy month of title defenses, Strickland’s reign promises to be an exciting one for AEW fans.
What do you think about Swerve Strickland’s approach to his championship reign? Leave a comment and share your thoughts!
