Internal Reaction to WWE Allegedly Viewing Swerve Strickland’s AEW Deal As Bad for the Business

Swerve Strickland has been making waves in AEW with his exceptional wrestling abilities and commanding presence. Recently, he signed a new contract with AEW, which WWE views as a setback for the wrestling industry. Internal reactions from WWE and AEW to this move have since been revealed.

During the Zero Hour pre-show at AEW All In, it was revealed that Swerve Strickland had signed contract extension with AEW. The announcement was made in a segment where Strickland, alongside Prince Nana and Tony Khan, was seen signing the new deal.

It was then reported that Swerve Strickland’s new multi-year contract with AEW will keep him with the company until at least 2028, though the exact duration is not publicly known. This deal is seen as one of the most significant in AEW’s history.

Reports indicated that WWE is concerned that Swerve Strickland’s high-paying AEW contract could be harmful to the wrestling industry. They believe the contract’s value far exceeds what WWE would consider appropriate for a wrestler of his profile.

Fightful Select reports that in response to WWE allegedly viewing Strickland’s contract as detrimental to the business, an AEW insider pointed to one specific, unnamed WWE figure who might be behind these concerns.

A WWE talent shared with Fightful Select that while they haven’t heard the specific comments, it’s unrealistic to expect wrestlers to accept lower pay given the industry’s booming TV deals, sellouts, and record-breaking numbers.

“I myself haven’t heard that, but whether or not it was said, anyone thinking wrestlers will take less money is out of their minds when new TV deals are being announced, sellouts and record numbers are being bragged about.”

Strickland’s new contract reportedly matches the lucrative deals given to AEW stars like Mercedes Mone and Kazuchika Okada, which are comparable to what veteran WWE wrestlers earn. The AEW contracts typically require fewer appearances for their substantial guarantees.

Since AEW’s debut in 2019 and again in 2024, both companies have adjusted their contract structures to include higher guarantees. Swerve is now set to face Adam Page at All Out, so he is more focused on that since Swerve will be sticking with AEW for several years now and that’s all that matters to him.

Do you believe Swerve Strickland is one of the best hires AEW has ever made and fully deserves his contract? Let us know in the comments section below!