Swerve Strickland confirms major move amid AEW absence

Modified Sep 28, 2024 05:24 GMT

Swerve Strickland is a former AEW World Champion [Image Credits: Strickland's X profile]

Swerve Strickland has seemingly confirmed a major rumor pertaining to a potentially new AEW program. The former AEW World Champion has been absent from television for a number of weeks now, since his loss at AEW All Out.

All Elite Wrestling is seemingly on the verge of announcing the outcome of their ongoing media rights negotiations with their current broadcasting partner, Warner Brothers Discovery. Furthermore, reports emerged some time earlier suggesting that the Tony Khan-led promotion was in talks with FOX for a new television show, rumored to be called Shockwave.

Notably, Dave Meltzer speculated on a recent edition of the Wrestling Observer Radio that while a deal between FOX and AEW has not already been reached, both sides are "pretty close" to an agreement, given that the promotion has trademarked the name of the supposedly new program.

During an appearance on YouTuber Queenzflip's vlog from Sneaker Con NYC, former AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland seemingly confirmed the Jacksonville-based company's rumored upcoming move to FOX, in addition to its continued working relationship with WBD. He also referenced the freedom and opportunities afforded to him by the All Elite CEO.

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"We're about to move, we're about to get on FOX, cause SmackDown's leaving FOX, and then we're taking FOX. TNT, TBS and FOX, we got all three of them things. Tony Khan lets me do whatever the f*** I want." [18:40 - 18:55]

Swerve Strickland wants to stay in and help develop AEW

Swerve Strickland has been missing from All Elite Wrestling programming since his Unsanctioned Lights Out Steel Cage match against Hangman Page at All Out 2024.

The New Flavor signed a new high-value contract with the promotion recently, and rejected the notion of a WWE return during a recent interview with The Breakfast Club, instead declaring that his goal was to develop himself as a talent and as an entrepreneur while helping to build his current workplace to reach greater heights.

"Nah, I’m happy with building AEW and building myself in AEW. AEW's given me something that I don’t think WWE could ever give me. I’m really proud of that, and I wave the flag proudly. Because Tony Khan didn’t take a chance on me, he knew what he wanted from me, he put me in the position. He's like, ‘Now grow.' And I'm like, ‘Ok, what avenues do I have to grow?' And he's like, ‘Whatever you want.’ There was no parameters, no red tape, and I learned how to just become like a true businessman on top of a pro wrestler. That’s why 'The Mogul' persona is truly personified in AEW. It literally let me be my best self as a man and a professional," Swerve Strickland said. [From 10:54 to 11:37]