Swerve Strickland has expressed strong confidence in his AEW colleague Buddy Matthews, who has been sidelined since February 2025 due to an ankle injury that required surgery after complications. While Matthews is still on the path to recovery, Strickland shared his enthusiasm about Matthews’ eventual return to AEW and hopes to face him in the ring.
The Ongoing Recovery and Anticipated Return
Matthews’ ankle injury failed to heal properly, leading to surgery and an extended absence from competition. Although there is currently no confirmed timetable for his return, Strickland remains hopeful about seeing Matthews back performing at his peak. Discussing potential opponents on the Battleground Podcast, Strickland praised Matthews as an outstanding talent in the wrestling scene.
“Honestly, I’m waiting for probably one of the best talents, like, all around in the business to come back. Hopefully he’s healthy and hopefully he can do even better than what he was giving before — Buddy Matthews, shout out to him,”
Strickland said.
“He’s one of those guys that’s just like a dawg in the ring. I think me and him could do some great work, and I look forward to seeing him back doing his own thing. I think he has a lot to offer in the wrestling world, and I would like to see him back healthy again.”
Background on Matthews and AEW Alliances
Before his injury, Matthews was part of the House of Black faction, which dissolved when Aleister Black departed AEW for WWE. Despite this, Matthews continued teaming with Brody King as a tag duo. This connection adds anticipation to Strickland’s upcoming match against King scheduled for AEW Revolution.
Upcoming Match and Event Details
This Sunday, AEW Revolution will take place at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, featuring Swerve Strickland against Brody King in a singles contest. The event is expected to draw attention with this intriguing matchup, especially given the history between Matthews, King, and Strickland.
Significance of Matthews’ Return for AEW
Buddy Matthews’ comeback holds importance for AEW’s roster depth and fan enthusiasm, as he is regarded as a highly skilled and intense performer. Strickland’s eagerness to wrestle him signals strong confidence in Matthews’ capabilities post-recovery and highlights the interest in rejuvenating storylines connected to the House of Black legacy. Matthews’ health and return timeline remain key points for AEW followers and wrestling insiders alike.
