Backstage News On Swerve Strickland’s New AEW Contract

Swerve Strickland has become one of AEW’s biggest stars over the past year, and it was recently confirmed ahead of All In that he’d signed a new contract that was believed to run for several years. And now during the latest issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter , it has been reported by Dave Melzer that the deal is for five more years and is “ believed to be among the biggest deals in pro wrestling. ”

Additionally, the update noted that this would put him at the same level as Kazuchika Okada and Mercedes Moné, which, considering they were both established maineventers elsewhere, shows how highly Tony Khan rates him.

“Based on what we’ve been told, this deal locks him up through September 2029. It was well known that WWE tried to make a play for the Strickland & Prince Nana act … it’s believed to be among the biggest deals in pro wrestling although would be well below the Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton level. It’s probably in the range of the Kazuchika Okada and Mercedes Mone range.”

33-year-old Strickland broke into the business 2008 and worked for multiple promotions before signing a developmental contract with WWE in 2019. However, he would be released just two years later due to budget cuts, and it appeared he could be set for a life as a journeyman performer.

Yet, thanks to Khan seeing potential in him, he was signed by AEW and proved any doubters he had wrong by becoming a prominent part of their roster. And while it’s alleged WWE engaged in contact tampering in an attempt to re-sign him, Strickland would make AEW aware and has subsequently been rewarded for his loyalty.