Before earning the title “The Most Dangerous Man in AEW,” Swerve Strickland made a name for himself on the independent wrestling circuit throughout the 2010s. He regularly stole the spotlight at Defy Wrestling events in Washington, pushed his limits in hardcore deathmatches with CZW, and adopted the persona of Killshot while competing for Lucha Underground in Boyle Heights, California.
Killshot was portrayed as a military veteran who kept the dog tags of fallen comrades close, until he received a letter from Dante Fox (better known in wrestling circles as AR Fox), a man he thought had died during the war. Their rivalry spanned all of Lucha Underground’s third season and culminated in a brutal “War from Hell” match, also known to some as “Three Stages of Hell.” Despite the fierce battles, Killshot and Dante Fox faced off one final time to settle deeply personal scores, both willing to endure hellish conditions to prove their dominance.
Calling this match violent barely scratches the surface. It stands as one of the most savage wrestling bouts ever broadcast nationally, rivaling the intensity of their individual CZW deathmatches. This is deathmatch wrestling in its purest, most extreme form, yet it’s also hailed as one of the best modern wrestling matches ever. While its graphic brutality may not be for everyone, skipping this match means missing out on a significant piece of wrestling history.
The first fall was a First Blood match, with Fox applying a brutal strategy: surrounding the ring with a massive glass pane. Anyone who breaks through it immediately loses the fall — a fate that ultimately befalls Killshot. The second fall was a no-disqualification bout ramping up the chaos, allowing each man to assault the other in any way they pleased. Fox’s back was sliced open over broken glass and barbed wire boards, resembling a violent work of art, but Killshot managed to win this round.
The final fall was a Medical Evac match, an even more extreme variant of the Ambulance match. This was where the stakes hit their absolute peak — a piece of Fox’s back literally tore away, showcasing the brutal intensity that defined the fight. Widely regarded as Lucha Underground’s finest match, Killshot and Dante Fox endured unimaginable pain and devastation, emerging forever changed by their war in the ring.
Fan Take: This match is essential viewing for AEW fans because it highlights the blend of storytelling and extreme physicality that can elevate wrestling to an art form. Seeing Swerve Strickland’s brutal past reminds us how his toughness and resilience shape the electrifying performances AEW delivers today, pushing the sport forward with fresh intensity and compelling narratives.
