Swerve Strickland is ready to play dirty in pursuit of the AEW Championship.
Though he wasn’t able to capture the AEW World Championship from Samoa Joe in triple threat action at Revolution, Swerve Strickland isn’t backing down from his goal of winning the company’s top prize. The March 13th episode of Dynamite saw Joe successfully defend his championship against Wardlow, and after the match, Strickland tried to attack the champion with a chain. However, Joe was able to evade the attack.
Speaking in a digital exclusive backstage interview, Strickland and Prince Nana addressed the situation. Nana began, referencing Joe’s attack on Swerve the previous week.
“Samoa Joe, last week on Dynamite, you tried to make a spectacle of yourself by putting out hands on the neck of the boss. But you know what? [Laughs] As you know, from tonight’s Dynamite, what goes around comes around.”
“Playing Fair Doesn’t Work Around Here” – Swerve Strickland
Swerve Strickland then said his piece, saying that he’s willing to resort to dirty tactics in order to even the playing field.
“Now see, Joe, when you put hands on someone, you can’t be really surprised how they’re gonna retaliate or how they’re doing to react to things. It’s not always gonna be a fair fight. It’s not gonna be equal opportunity, no. When you slap someone, don’t be afraid and don’t be surprised when they come at you with a car, trying to mow you down, and that’s what it was.
“You choked me out last week on Dynamite, so I came at you with a chain that I was ready to wrap around your neck until your face turned blue and your head popped off. I realized playing fair just doesn’t work around here. I learned that a long time ago. So it’s not gonna be even. It’s never gonna be that even, fair fight with you, especially when it comes to that AEW World Championship.
“I’m gonna have to get a little more dirty, I’m gonna have to resort to some old tactics. You bring that out of me. The championship brings that out of me. I ain’t a killer, but don’t push me. No, I am a killa. I dare you to push me, Joe.”
h/t Fightful