AEW star reacts after Swerve Strickland levels accusations against WWE - "OTHER SIDE REFUSED TO GIVE US OPPORTUNITIES"

AEW and WWE fans have been buzzing over Swerve Strickland in a major way today. The former World Champion just responded to recent reports on his contract status, and now others are weighing in. Another former WWE Superstar has just addressed the matter with his own viral statement.

The New Flavor recently inked a five-year AEW contract extension, reported to be a big-money deal worth what stars like Mercedes Moné and Kazuchika Okada earn. Sources later claimed that people in WWE were not thrilled with Strickland's AEW pay as they believe it's bad for business and hurts market value. Many within the industry have publicly reacted, including EJ Nduka.

The Judge was signed to WWE from August 15, 2019 - May 19, 2021. After eighteen months with MLW, Nduka debuted on AEW Dark in January 2023 with a loss to Konosuke Takeshita. He signed a contract in June, and while EJ is currently on the ROH roster, he is not on AEW's roster. Judge worked several AEW dark matches, the Takeshita loss was his only televised All Elite bout.

Nduka served as a member of Swerve's entourage for the pre-Forbidden Door weigh-in on Collision with Will Ospreay in late June. After Swerve mentioned his race in responding to the WWE rumors on The Breakfast Club this morning, Nduka took to X to offer his public support.

"SAY IT LOUDER FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE BACK. OTHER SIDE REFUSED TO GIVE US OPPORTUNITIES.. AND NOW LOOK THE CREAM ALWAYS RISES TO THE TOP. INDUSTRY SHAKERS," EJ Nduka wrote.

Nduka wrestled just two matches for WWE. The former football player and bodybuilder debuted on February 29, 2020 at a non-televised NXT live event in Jacksonville, losing to Dorian Mak. One week later, Nduka was defeated by Arturo Ruas at a NXT live event in Melbourne.

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Swerve Strickland's AEW return reportedly changed

Swerve Strickland had a rough end to his summer season, which was a successful period for the most part. After dropping the World Championship to Bryan Danielson at All In, Strickland lost a brutal Unsanctioned Lights Out Steel Cage match to Adam Page less than two weeks later at All Out.

Strickland took time off as soon as All Out ended, reported to be a hiatus that was known when he signed his new deal. It was reported that Strickland likely would not return in time to make WrestleDream in his hometown of Tacoma, WA on October 12, but Wrestling Observer's recent update claims he is scheduled to return earlier than originally expected, likely at the pay-per-view.

Strickland has not been announced for WrestleDream, but he did receive a recent offer from MVP. The only match confirmed for WrestleDream as of now is Jon Moxley vs. Danielson for the World Championship.