Swerve Strickland, one of the standout performers in All Elite Wrestling (AEW), has confirmed when he intends to retire from in-ring competition. He is currently scheduled to face Kazuchika Okada for the Unified Championship at Forbidden Door 2025 in London, but has made it clear that his active wrestling career will conclude when his contract with AEW ends in 2029. Strickland, known for his recent reign as AEW World Champion before losing the title to Bryan Danielson at All In 2024, has expressed strong loyalty and appreciation for AEW as the exclusive platform for his talents and future ambitions.
Despite not being prominently featured as a top star during his WWE and NXT years, Strickland discovered his stride after joining AEW. His success included capturing the World title and establishing himself as a compelling figure within the promotion’s ranks. Now 34 years old, he shared his plans openly in an interview with Wrestle Figure News, emphasizing that AEW is where he intends to give his full dedication going forward.
“I meant every word. I’ve never lied to the fans about that kind of stuff. Honestly, I don’t want to give my talent, my ability, my mind, my body, or my soul to anyone else. I want to give all of that to AEW, because they’ve given me everything I need.I’ve shown loyalty, but not just that—I’ve shown dedication, appreciation, and that I’m not just in it for me. I want everyone to benefit from what AEW can offer, not just the wrestlers, but the fans too.”
—Swerve Strickland, AEW Wrestler
Plans for a Transition into a Backstage Role Within AEW
Beyond retirement from active competition, Strickland intends to shift his focus toward a backstage role that keeps him intimately involved with AEW’s operations. He expressed excitement about using his experience to enhance the company’s success, not just through typical backstage duties but by innovating and leading growth initiatives.
Strickland emphasized his intention to help AEW improve crucial areas such as ratings, ticket sales, and audience engagement. Unlike simply being part of the system, he aspires to influence the creative and business directions while remaining connected to the talent and fans.
“I’ve shown loyalty, but not just that—I’ve shown dedication, appreciation, and that I’m not just in it for me. I want everyone to benefit from what AEW can offer, not just the wrestlers, but the fans too.That’s what makes it fun—the challenge. If AEW is missing something, then let’s go get it. If something’s not where it should be, we raise it up. Ratings, ticket sales, audience draw—that’s the goal. That’s what motivates me.I don’t want to be just a part in the machine—I want to help run it. But the cool thing is, I can still be hands-on. I can still be with the people, helping, teaching, exploring new ideas. Not just repeating what’s always been done, but crafting new ways and exploring uncharted territory.AEW is in a place that’s never been seen before in wrestling history. Every hour that passes is something new—for AEW and for the entire business. That’s what makes it exciting, even when it’s stressful. That’s where I find the fun and the passion.”
—Swerve Strickland, AEW Wrestler
Strickland’s drive to contribute creatively behind the scenes aligns with AEW’s reputation for innovation and growth within the wrestling industry. He sees the company’s current position as an opportunity to push boundaries and explore new territory, making AEW not only a workplace but an evolving project in wrestling history.
Contract Length and Long-Term Engagement With AEW
Earlier in 2024, Strickland revealed details of his contract with AEW, noting it runs until 2029. Discussing his status beyond that date, he remained cautiously optimistic but non-committal about continuing with the company after his in-ring career concludes. He indicated that decisions about post-retirement involvement will be addressed when the time comes.
“That’s a discussion we’ll have in year five.”
—Swerve Strickland, AEW Wrestler
Tensions Emerge Between Swerve Strickland and Former WWE Teammate AJ Francis
Meanwhile, in a separate development, AJ Francis, a former WWE and Hit Row teammate of Strickland, publicly addressed their strained relationship during an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show. Francis described a fallout occurring roughly one week before the release of a recent interview, indicating that their friendship had cooled substantially. He clarified that he has made no attempts to discuss Strickland proactively in interviews since the conflict arose.
“Man, ask him. When you have him here, ask him. [Helwani: what’s happening?] You won’t find one interview with me bringing him up first. [Helwani: yeah, I know] You won’t find one. [Helwani: but you were cool right?] Yeah, we was cool until a couple months ago, apparently. We was cool until a week before his interview came out. Shout-out to Chris Bey, I saw him at Chris Bey’s benefit show, and everything was cool, no problems, everything was cool.Then the interview came out and I’m like, ‘Oh, I’m just gonna clear the record, say what actually happened.’ We’re not talking in innuendos, let’s talk about what actually happened, and I ain’t talked about him since unless somebody else bring him up, that’s just me. [Helwani: which I did, we’ll figure that out] It’s OK, I knew that you would.”
—AJ Francis, Former WWE Star
Upcoming Championship Match and Fan Expectations
Fans are eagerly anticipating Strickland’s next major match against NJPW star Kazuchika Okada for the Unified Championship at Forbidden Door 2025 in London. Although Strickland has been without a title for several months, many expect him to reclaim gold at this high-profile pay-per-view event, especially given his status as a former world champion and top AEW performer.
This contest is not only significant within AEW’s storyline but also represents a key moment in Strickland’s career before his eventual retirement. His commitment to AEW and involvement in landmark matches showcases his enduring importance to the promotion’s future.
Broader Wrestling World Updates: NJPW Star to Debut on SmackDown Ahead of SummerSlam 2025
In related wrestling news, a prominent New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) talent is confirmed to make their debut on WWE’s SmackDown roster in advance of SummerSlam 2025. This move reflects ongoing cross-promotional dynamics in the wrestling industry, generating additional excitement for fans as major events approach.
