Wrestler Swerve Strickland has disclosed that his approach to working with AEW owner Tony Khan was shaped by John Cena’s mindset. Strickland, who signed a significant contract with AEW last August—one of the largest in the company’s history—shared on the podcast Insight with Chris Van Vlitt that Paul Wight (Big Show) told him a story about how Cena built trust with Vince McMahon by understanding exactly what Vince wanted and delivering it. Inspired by this, Strickland decided to focus on understanding Tony Khan’s vision and needs rather than insisting on his own ideas, which helped him earn Khan’s trust beyond just being allowed creative freedom on TV.
Strickland explained that this trust is about delivering what works best for AEW, not just doing whatever he wants in the ring. He recounted how he and Tony openly discussed what was required for the promotion, allowing for mutual understanding and collaboration. This new mindset helped Strickland secure a contract extension reportedly surpassing his previous deal and keeping him with AEW until 2029. He emphasized his satisfaction with the promotion, saying there is nowhere else he’d rather be.
Fan Take: This insight into how Swerve Strickland built trust with Tony Khan shows a mature, strategic mindset that could elevate AEW’s storytelling and in-ring results. For fans, it signals a deepening commitment to quality and collaboration, potentially leading to some of the best wrestling experiences yet as AEW grows and evolves.
