Swerve Strickland on Reports of WWE’s Negative Reaction Over Their Belief AEW Overpaid Him

As noted before, Swerve Strickland signed a new contract with AEW during this past August’s All In 2024 event that is currently believed to make him among the highest paid wrestlers in the wrestling industry. WWE had a negative reaction over Strickland’s new deal claiming that it was “bad for the sport” over their view of AEW paying him way more than what they perceived his market value is.

A recent episode of Power 105.1 FM’s The Breakfast Club show featured Strickland as the guest. One of the topics discussed included Strickland’s thoughts about the reports of WWE’s negative reaction over the monetary amount for his new contract with AEW.

“They only complain when a black person gets paid, I will say that — when he gets paid. Once again, we shake the foundation of things like that. Because it’s like, “Oh, snap, wait. It’s not what we would pay.”

I’m like, “Then why are you calling me? Why are you asking me?” You know, like, “If I’m not your concern, don’t worry about it. Don’t worry about my pockets and our money. We’re good. You have your talent. You made your decision with me two years ago.”

No hard feelings from me. Boom. I keep it moving. I’m gonna figure my way out and I’m gonna build myself up.”

Strickland also gave his thoughts about if WWE had shown interest in potentially signing him to a deal to bring him back to their company.

“They asked about my availability, so that came up, but they never contacted me; they contacted my representation. And I’m at a stage now, which I enjoy, the fact that I don’t have that direct contact when you are progressing and getting higher…

You’ve got to kind of keep a little bit of a space in between these types of conversations because, it’s like, you can check my phone; it’s never been there. I never had direct contact. It’s always that I want to keep that little space. But communication has been reached out.”

Strickland also gave his thoughts about him attending a recent Sneaker Con event in New York City and the real-life interactions with fans as well as businesspeople showing what his market value is.

“You can’t see that kind of interaction on social media. Twitter interactions and comments are never going to show you the impact of an actual person and giving you that type of love. And I appreciate that.

That’s my market value right there. That explains it to me…These people are here with you in person. These people are going to show up wherever you go. These people are going to buy your product and are going to wear it with pride and show like, “Yo, this is my guy. I’m rooting for him. No matter what he does, I’m going to be there.”

Transcript h/t: PostWrestling.com