On a recent episode of the Battleground Podcast, AEW star Swerve Strickland delivered a compelling message to wrestling free agents, urging them to seize control of their future and shape their own value. This Swerve Strickland message to free agents comes at a key moment, as more wrestlers weigh their next steps amid industry changes.
Strickland Reflects on the Struggles Faced by Wrestlers
Strickland, who has himself moved from overlooked performer to main-event fixture, spoke candidly about the frustrations many wrestlers experience while contracted to major promotions. He highlighted how numerous athletes feel held back and denied opportunities they believed were within reach.
“A lot of those guys have had their gripes about how they’ve been used for the last several years,”
—Strickland, AEW Star
“All the opportunities they thought they had that were taken away from them. They felt short-handed and short-changed in a lot of different ways.”
—Strickland, AEW Star
Addressing the Shift in Power for Free Agents
According to Strickland, the dynamics within professional wrestling have shifted. He encouraged current and aspiring free agents to take advantage of newfound independence and actively pursue the projects they have long desired but previously could not accomplish.
“All the things you weren’t allowed to do — now you have the chance to create it for yourself. There’s nobody to tell you no. No one to say, ‘We’ll get back to you,’ and then you hear nothing for six months. No one’s taking your time away anymore. The time is now, not later. And it’s yours.”
—Strickland, AEW Star
Emphasizing the Value of Time and Leverage
One of the central themes of the Swerve Strickland message to free agents was the necessity of valuing personal time and leveraging it to command respect within the industry. Strickland reminded listeners that time is irreplaceable and should be protected at all costs.
“Take that time and cherish it. Now you get other people to respect your time — because that’s something nobody can pay you for. You can’t buy time.”
—Strickland, AEW Star
A Call to Action for Wrestling’s Next Generation
Strickland’s words culminated in a rallying call for wrestlers to be proactive in making themselves indispensable and to avoid settling for less than they deserve. He stressed the importance of initiative and the art of regaining leverage — a challenging but vital aspect of career growth in wrestling.
“Don’t wait around for anybody or anything. Make people come to you. Don’t run for somebody else — make them chase you. Be so good that they need you. Build your leverage back, because that’s the hardest thing in this industry to truly gain — and once you’ve got it, protect it.”
—Strickland, AEW Star
The Impact of Strickland’s Journey and Message
Swerve Strickland’s progression to the upper echelon of AEW highlights the effectiveness of his philosophy. His guidance not only speaks to those navigating a changing wrestling environment but also resonates with others reconsidering their careers. With more talent seeking control and recognition, Strickland’s advice might shape how wrestlers, free agents, and even major organizations approach the next era in professional wrestling.
