Two years and one month since his debut at AEW Revolution 2022, Swerve Strickland ascended to the summit of AEW’s hierarchy last night at AEW Dynasty, triumphing over Samoa Joe to seize the mantle of the 11th AEW World Champion and etching his name in history as the inaugural African American to claim the title.
It marked a monumental occasion for both Strickland and the promotion, with the significance not lost on the newly crowned champion.
In the aftermath of his triumph, Strickland engaged in the post-Dynasty media scrum to reflect on his historic achievement as the first-ever black AEW World Champion.
Strickland, who had openly pursued this milestone, exuded immense pride in his accomplishment, asserting himself as the vanguard of the AEW “dynasty” and even dubbing himself the “face of the franchise.”
“A tremendous amount of hard work has culminated in this moment,” Strickland remarked. “There were no guarantees, no handouts. I underwent significant introspection to identify areas for improvement and muster the humility to acknowledge my shortcomings.
In my culture, excuses are not tolerated; they are pathways to stagnation or worse. I have too much at stake, too many people counting on me. That’s what propels me forward every single day.”
Later, when asked about the message he wished to impart to black fans, particularly the youth, who witnessed his historic victory, Strickland articulated that while it was challenging to distill into a single sentiment, his triumph served as a testament to the attainability of any aspiration through perseverance, diligence, and seizing opportunities rather than waiting for them to materialize.
“I’ve pondered this throughout the week, throughout numerous interviews and media engagements,”
Strickland reflected. “‘What if things hadn’t gone as planned? What if I hadn’t secured the championship?’ The common refrain was to postpone, to await a grander moment. But history has shown us the peril of postponement—a missed opportunity seldom resurfaces.”
“As a child, I witnessed countless instances where opportunities for us were deferred, promising grander futures that never came to fruition. Injuries intervened, other contenders emerged, and the timing evaporated.
The message I aim to convey is clear: when the moment arrives, we must seize it. This is why I stepped into the arena not to be bestowed the crown and throne, but to claim it. We must seize our destiny.”
