Recent reports have emerged on Swerve Strickland’s new AEW contract.
On 25th August, Bryan Danielson defeated Strickland to win his first World Championship in the promotion. However, as Danielson celebrated the title victory with his family and friends, Strickland sulked in a corner.
Before the show, Tony Khan and Strickland announced his new contract signing at the Zero Hour. Soon enough, Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select dropped a major report on his contract length.
The report shared, that Strickland had signed a three-year deal in 2022 that would last him till March 2025. However, the former World Champion outperformed his contract and signed a new one on air. It was also reported that AEW prioritized his new contract signing despite time left in his previous one, to secure him in the promotion.
The reports further stated his new contract would keep him with the company till 2028, although the length was not confirmed. Reportedly one of the biggest contracts in the company’s history, AEW management is extremely happy with Stickland’s performance, and hopes to keep him a main-event star.
Bryan Danielson Opens Up Following His Victory Over Swerve Strickland At AEW All In 2024
At the All In media scrum, Bryan Danielson opened up on his victory over Swerve Strickland. Appearing with his daughter Birdie, the new champion discussed his future in the company.
So I honestly haven’t thought about my future at all past tonight. So I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I’ll be there in Champaign, Illinois on Wednesday. Between now and then, we’ll figure it out, and I’m sure I’ll have an announcement then.
Danielson did not reveal anything about his future in the promotion and asked fans to wait till the next episode of AEW Dynamite. Expecting retirement and neck surgery, fans wonder what this title victory means now.
Further information has been provided by Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, adding that the new deal is one of the highest paid in recent negotiations:
It was well known that WWE tried to make a play for the Strickland & Prince Nana act. The deal was reportedly agreed to a few weeks back but they saved the announcement for here. People were talking about how Strickland has become a rich man with the new deal, and it’s believed to be among the biggest deals in pro wrestling although would be well below the Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton level.
It’s probably in the range of the Kazuchika Okada and Mercedes Mone range based on what were hinted about regarding those deals (which are lower numbers than have been reported elsewhere–this deal is not at the numbers of what was reported for either of those two deals).
The deal, and the offer to Daniel Garcia, were told to us by someone on the WWE side for Garcia and more than one on Strickland, as being bad for the sport because they are so far over what would WWE would perceive the market value for both to be, with the idea he’s spending more than he needs to and raising salaries.
In other news: Wrestling legends came together to pay their tribute to the recently demised Sycho Sid.