Swerve Strickland has detailed what he needed to do to change into the primary Black world champion in AEW.
The previous WWE star beat Samoa Joe at AEW Dynasty to win the AEW Championship for the primary time. He held the belt till dropping it to Bryan Danielson at AEW All In, and was one of the vital spectacular champions AEW have ever had.
Swerve Strickland appeared on the No-Contest Wrestling Podcast, the place he was requested about being the first-ever Black AEW Champion.
“I used to be relentless with it.” Swerve Strickland mentioned. “I didn’t need to essentially push Tony for it, as a result of that’s not how I work. I didn’t need to play the political recreation. My work at all times has to talk for me. I’ve to get higher in promos. Nevertheless it’s not nearly speaking like a wrestler. I wanted to search out my very own voice, I can’t sound like MJF, Christian, Copeland, or Kingston. I’ve to determine what Swerve feels like.”
“That’s what’s going to hold a title reign. If I give attention to this now, it would assist carry me by way of no matter feud comes subsequent. I needed to degree up in each approach—my promos, my physique, my accountability. Being on time, exhibiting up early, leaving late—I needed to be the man you at all times see. I wished to do the work outdoors the ring, outdoors the world. Put me on press, I wished to do media, promote, and gown the half. I wished to be probably the most well-rounded champion, not simply one of the best Black champion, however a champion, interval.”
Swerve Strickland: I Had To Study The Enterprise Earlier than Changing into Champion
Swerve Strickland continued, and defined all of the various things he needed to grasp earlier than even entering into the ring, if he wished to be the AEW Champion.
“So, I needed to be taught the enterprise, earn my hold, and converse extremely of the corporate—not simply in a PR approach, however genuinely. This place means one thing to me, and it ought to imply one thing to the followers, too. Whether or not they’re new or long-time followers, I would like them to understand what we have now and the place we’re going. I need to deliver individuals on that journey and educate them on the product. I need to be the face of why you tuned in and why you stayed.”
“All of that wanted to be taken care of earlier than we even get to the wrestling. Now that I’ve been given the ball, I do know issues will hold transferring upward. Lots of people have been pissed off, desirous to see extra and questioning why issues weren’t occurring. However to me, that’s good—it means individuals care.”
