This year, All Elite Wrestling superstar Swerve Strickland has become one of the breakout talents on the roster. He’s been featured on AEW TV and involved in big matches, notably against his rival “Hangman” Adam Page. That said, Strickland is looking to have a better year in 2024.
Strickland spoke with Jacksonville, Florida’s News Reporter Scott Johnson on Going Ringside about his plans for the new year. He shared that he’s looking to become an AEW World Champion and believes he could have been the champion if given the opportunity.
“…I said middle of this year, if I would’ve gotten the opportunities that Hangman Page would’ve gotten my first year, I would have been the first African American AEW world champion. And I do believe that. I can still do that. That is the only thing on my mind right now,” said Strickland.
While some fans may take Strickland’s confidence lightly, he has quickly become a superstar that AEW could decide to put the world title on. He’s coming off of the biggest rivalry of his career and won a highly praised Texas Deathmatch over Page at AEW Full Gear on November 18.
Strickland’s recent success and presence could give the company a reason to make him a title challenger in 2024. Currently, he is participating in the round-robin Continental Classic tournament. The winner of the tourney will become the inaugural AEW Triple Crown Champion. He has nine points in the Gold League division of the tournament and is in an excellent position to make it to the semi-finals. However, he needs to win his next match.
Preview Of Swerve Strickland vs. RUSH On AEW Dynamite
In tonight’s episode of AEW Dynamite, Strickland will take on RUSH in a Gold League matchup. RUSH has been eliminated from the tournament but likely wants to end the round with a big win.
For Strickland, a win over RUSH advances him to the Continental Classic Semi-Finals on the December 27 episode of AEW Dynamite. If he was to lose, he would have to hope that White, who is tied with him, is defeated by Jon Moxley. The former AEW World Champion is the current leader in the Gold League with 12 points and already has a spot in the next round.
Both matchups will occur on tonight, so fans will want to tune in to see who will advance.