Swerve Strickland made a stunning comeback at AEW Full Gear on Saturday night, much to the delight of fans who couldn’t help but draw comparisons to WWE. During the event, Strickland came to Hangman Adam Page’s aid after Page lost the AEW World Championship to Samoa Joe. Fans in Newark’s Prudential Center were already stunned when Hook turned on Page, revealing his allegiance to The Opps and aiding Joe’s win. However, midway through Joe’s entrance, the lights went out, Prince Nana appeared, and Strickland made a triumphant return with a new theme song and a "Whose house?" chant on the Titantron, receiving a massive ovation as he joined Page on stage while Joe and The Opps exited.
Strickland’s return was widely praised, hailed by many as a rare talent appreciated by both AEW and WWE audiences. He was released from WWE in 2021 after leading the Hit Row faction, and many fans believe WWE missed a major opportunity. Comments like "Swerve is a perfect example of WWE fumbling with the bag" reflected fans’ sentiments. Some even declared Strickland as one of the most popular wrestlers in the industry, noting that no active WWE or AEW wrestler could generate as much excitement as he did that night. Though his new entrance theme sparked mixed reviews, with comparisons to WWE’s criticized music team Def Rebel, the overall reaction to his presence was overwhelmingly positive.
Strickland had been out of action after undergoing surgery for a torn meniscus, returning to AEW in August. Since joining AEW in March 2022, he has become one of the promotion’s top stars, winning the AEW World Championship in April 2024 against none other than Samoa Joe. Despite WWE reaching out to bring him back following his AEW success, Strickland chose to stay, valuing the creative freedom AEW offers, including control over his music and overall presentation. In an interview, he shared how WWE’s rigid creative environment didn’t align with his vision, leading him to decline their offers.
Now under contract with AEW until 2029, Strickland represents a key figure for the company’s future. His strong fan reception at Full Gear signals that he’s poised to continue climbing the ranks and potentially reclaim the world title soon.
Fan Take: This news underscores how WWE’s handling of talent like Swerve Strickland can result in missed opportunities that benefit rival promotions like AEW. For WWE fans, it’s a reminder of the importance of creative freedom in unlocking a wrestler’s full potential, which ultimately shapes the future competitiveness and storytelling in professional wrestling.
