Strickland Suggests Lucha-Based Promotion Would Face Challenges in Today’s Scene

Swerve Strickland currently sits atop of the AEW mountain as its reigning World Champion. However, long back, before joining rivals, WWE in 2019 and eventually moving to AEW in 2022, Strickland had a notable career in various independent promotions worldwide.

From 2015 to 2018, Swerve was a prominent figure in Lucha Underground, performing under the ring name Killshot. The promotion was well-regarded for its unique and innovative approach to wrestling and Strickland was a huge part of the same.

In a recent interview on the WrestleChat podcast, Strickland was asked about the viability of a promotion like Lucha Underground in today’s wrestling scene, considering the competition and the fanbase.

The current AEW World Champion expressed doubt, stating that the current environment is highly critical and fragmented, making it difficult for new concepts to thrive. Strickland pointed out that even established promotions like AEW are still developing and face constant scrutiny over aspects such as attendance records, ratings, and booking decisions.

Furthermore, he emphasized that in today’s climate, the continuous criticism and debate hinder the growth and full potential of innovative wrestling presentations, similar to the challenges Lucha Underground faced during its highly dynamic run.

“Right now, I don’t think so because there’s always people pulling something apart because it really grows and blossoms into its full potential. Even All Elite Wrestling, it’s still blossoming into its full potential, it hasn’t even reached that yet and people are already trying to pull certain things apart. To create something new in the atmosphere that we’re in when people want to argue like attendance records, ratings, booking, and argue this and all of these things rather than just sit and watch and enjoy a product and certain things, I think it’s really tough. Even Lucha Underground for what it was never fully blossomed into its full potential either. So, now, in today’s climate, it’s really hard for anything new to really blossom.”

On his wrestling front, Swerve Strickland is set to defend his AEW World Championship against Christian Cage at Double or Nothing this weekend. This will mark his first major title defense since dethroning Samoa Joe at AEW Dynasty and will test his mantle and worthiness to carry the prestigious championship.

Do you agree with Swerve Strickland that new concepts in wrestling presentations are hard to fit in today’s scenario? Sound off in the comments!