AEW star Nick Wayne has opened up about a highly distressing AEW incident traumatic experience with Swerve Strickland that occurred in 2023 at his wrestling school, describing its lasting emotional impact and explaining why he avoids revisiting the memory. Wayne talked about the harrowing event, emphasizing the severity of the situation and his ongoing discomfort whenever it is mentioned.
Nick Wayne recounts a violent confrontation at wrestling school
Nick Wayne, who is now a well-known figure in AEW, reflected on a period earlier in his career when he was just emerging as a rookie. In 2023, while at his wrestling school, Wayne became the victim of a brutal attack involving Swerve Strickland and AR Fox. During this incident, he was assaulted and left covered in blood, an event that has left lasting emotional scars.
While sharing the details on AEW Unrestricted, Wayne made it clear that the experience was profoundly disturbing. He recounted the reactions of those around him, particularly recalling the shock his mother displayed upon seeing the severity of his injuries:
“A lot of people were very like, like disturbed by how much like blood I bled, and I remember when my mom first saw me, she like gasped so crazy and screamed at like, you would just guess you saw like a murder. It was so crazy. But yeah, unreal. I don’t, I don’t even want to think about it. I don’t like reliving the moment.”
—Nick Wayne, AEW Star
The cause and chaotic aftermath of the incident
Wayne provided further insight into how the situation escalated. He explained that Strickland and AR Fox were the only individuals left with him during the altercation, which turned violent when a picture frame featuring Wayne and his father was smashed over his head. This act resulted in a sharp piece of glass causing a deep cut that led to significant blood loss:
“It was down to just them two and me… took a picture of, me and my father that is hung up in the school, bashed the picture frame over my head. A piece of the glass slit the top of my head so deep. I was drenched in blood. The mat was drenched in blood. There was glass everywhere. It was insane. The scar I have on my head, the laceration on my head was unreal. I’ve never lost so much blood in my life. It was terrible. It was terrible.”
—Nick Wayne, AEW Star
The aftermath saw both Wayne and his environment left in chaos, with blood and shards of glass scattered throughout the wrestling school. The consequences of the attack were not only physical but deeply emotional for Wayne and his family, especially given how disturbing the scene was for his mother and for those who witnessed the aftermath.
Wayne’s career after the traumatic encounter
Despite enduring such a traumatic episode, Nick Wayne has managed to continue moving forward in his professional wrestling journey. He has since become the Ring of Honor World Television Champion, a testament to his resilience and dedication in the face of adversity that could have easily derailed his career. Although the incident with Swerve Strickland and AR Fox remains a distressing memory for Wayne, his current achievements underscore his ability to overcome emotional turmoil and emerge stronger within the highly competitive world of AEW wrestling.
This AEW incident traumatic experience with Swerve Strickland remains an influential episode in Wayne’s narrative, serving as both a reminder of the physical dangers present in professional wrestling and of the mental fortitude required to excel in the industry. Wayne’s ability to discuss the ordeal openly may resonate with fans and fellow wrestlers who have faced adversity, highlighting the ongoing challenges that athletes endure both inside and outside the ring.
