It looks like Swerve Strickland has teased that his career could be over sooner than anybody expected.
The former WWE star made history last year as the first-ever Black AEW Champion. After winning the belt from Samoa Joe, he put on some incredible title defenses, most notably his match with Will Ospreay at Forbidden Door.
He lost the title to Bryan Danielson in the main event of All In at Wembley Stadium. That was one of many exciting moments for Swerve Strickland in wrestling, although there may not be too many more if a recent post is to be believed.
Speaking on Twitter, Swerve Strickland teased what could be the end of his career. He told fans to “enjoy” the next five years before hinting that he’d retire from wrestling before he’s even turned 40.
“Yall got these next 5 years with me then I’m [peace sign emoji]…… Enjoy the show” he wrote.
However, he could be simply hinting towards the end of his contract with AEW, although that would have required him to sign a one-year-extension to his deal that is set to end in 2029.
Yall got these next 5 years with me then I'm ✌?……
— The Realest Swerve Strickland (@swerveconfident) March 26, 2025
Enjoy the show
Swerve Strickland: Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, And Others Have More Value Because Of AEW
While speaking on the Bootleg Kev podcast, Swerve Strickland shared that AEW has helped a lot in adding more value to wrestlers such as Mercedes Moné, Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, and even Ricky Saints. He also hopes that by adding more value to these stars, more value will be added to professional wrestling.
“Sasha Banks had value. Mercedes [Moné] has more value now because of All Elite Wrestling existing. Same thing going the other way. Cody [Rhodes] had more value because of what All Elite Wrestling was able to do and perpetuate. Same with [CM] Punk. Same with [Jon] Moxley coming to AEW. This… Our value is increasing going back and forth. Ricky Starks to Saints. His value increased for them to draw that interest for him. And it’s just only powering everybody’s value to go up more. So… Hopefully, that increases the value of pro wrestling in general. So, everything goes up.
“And so, I still feel like Mercedes was the one that does to do that big for the women. Right now it makes Becky Lynch look like a little, ‘Hmmm.’ Or it makes the New Day go, ‘Hmmm. I wonder, maybe.’ And make Charlotte go, ‘Hmmm. I wonder, maybe.’ And makes all those top-level people that you thought would never in a million years abandon ship or look for somewhere else to go. It opens that door a little bit. That’s where competition lies in this industry. So, it did wonders for me too. It brought my value up to make history in Wembley, and then Dynasty,” Strickland said.
