Swerve Strickland made headlines this past weekend in Texas by teaming up with Will Ospreay to defeat the Young Bucks at the All In event, signaling a major shift in All Elite Wrestling’s dynamics. After the victory, Swerve boldly declared his new AEW identity as “Pharaoh” through a post on his X account, capturing the attention of fans and wrestlers alike.
The duo’s triumph not only ended the reign of the former Executive Vice Presidents but also led to Swerve’s involvement in the main event by assisting Hangman Adam Page. Following the match, Swerve confronted AEW Unified Champion Kazuchika Okada on the Dynamite show, adding further intensity to ongoing rivalries inside the promotion.
The Aftermath of the Young Bucks’ Loss and Swerve’s Role on AEW Dynamite
On this week’s episode of Dynamite, tensions escalated as Swerve engaged with the Rainmaker, Kazuchika Okada, a key member of The Elite faction together with the Young Bucks. Okada expressed anger toward Swerve, holding him responsible for the Bucks losing their EVP positions in AEW. In response, Swerve posted photos from Dynamite on Instagram, captioning one “UNIFIED,” emphasizing his new direction.
Later, Swerve made his new moniker official by stating simply on X: “Pharaoh.” This nickname aligns with his strong and commanding personality inside the ring. Interestingly, some fans observed that “Pharaoh” is also the name of Cody Rhodes‘ pet dog, adding an unexpected pop culture twist to the name choice.
Clarifying Swerve Strickland’s Status Regarding AEW Executive Vice President Rumors
The All In event featured a high-stakes match where Swerve and Ospreay challenged the Young Bucks, who were defending their EVP titles. The stipulation was clear: had Swerve and Ospreay lost, they would be barred from AEW World Championship contention for an entire year. However, their victory stripped the Bucks of their EVP titles, creating speculation about a leadership reshuffle within AEW.
During Dynamite, humorous commentary surfaced about the Young Bucks losing their EVP status, including the absence of pyro effects during their entrance and jokes about the EVP-related signature moves they could still use. Fans noticed that the All Elite Wrestling website reflected Swerve and Ospreay as new EVPs, increasing the buzz around their possible corporate roles.
Despite the rumors, Swerve addressed the speculation directly on X, writing:
“I’m not an EVP,” he wrote.
This statement clarifies that while Swerve has dramatically altered the power dynamics by dethroning the Young Bucks, he does not currently hold an executive position within AEW’s management structure.
Looking Ahead: The Future for Swerve “Pharaoh” Strickland in AEW
Swerve Strickland’s new persona as “Pharaoh” signals a fresh chapter in his AEW career, marked by a fierce individual identity separate from his previous alliances. His defiance against The Elite and confrontation with the AEW Unified Champion demonstrate his intent to carve out a prominent spot at the top of the roster.
With the Young Bucks dethroned and his EVP status denied, the wrestling world awaits how Swerve will capitalize on his momentum. His evolving relationship with stars like Kazuchika Okada and involvement in key storylines suggests that he will continue to be a central figure in AEW’s ongoing narrative.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What happened to Swerve Strickland?
A. On March 9, 2019, Strickland delivered a goodbye speech at a DEFY Wrestling event. He hinted that he would soon join a significant company. During Wrestle Summit 2019, he participated as a member of the PCW Ultra roster. At this event, he lost his PCW Ultra Heavyweight Championship to Mil Muertes.
