Swerve Strickland
Undoubtedly, Swerve Strickland’s AEW career best demonstrates how former WWE wrestlers can adapt to life in AEW and can make themselves undeniable. From day one, Strickland built a character hungry for success, resulting in the rise of a Mogul.
The call and response of “whose house” grew. Turning coolness chilled into coldness by betraying Keith Lee made Strickland a hot prospect. Commitment and self-belief allowed Strickland to elevate himself through thin material and an unresolved feud with Lee.
Strickland’s need for success meant that each big loss caused him to evolve in small but noticeable ways. From growing his hair long to adding dark circles beneath his eyes, to the change in relationships with friends and foes like Prince Nana, Will Ospreay, and Hangman Adam Page, showed nuance. Complex characterisation has made Strickland another protagonist in AEW’s story.
