Swerve Strickland opened up about his significant bulking process while preparing for his comeback in All Elite Wrestling (AEW). After being sidelined post-Forbidden Door on August 24, 2025, he made his return on the December 10 episode of AEW Dynamite titled Winter Is Coming, having increased his weight to 240 pounds.
Strickland’s deliberate gain in size was a key factor in his approach to wrestling following his hiatus and was revealed during a detailed interview with Rich Latta.
Adjusting to New Physical Challenges After Weight Gain
When asked about his experience in the ring since bulking up, Strickland described how his increased mass affected his performance. Reflecting on his initial return at 240 pounds, he explained,
“When I came back at 240. I was like, ‘Oh, everything is just like harder to do.’”
He further elaborated on the toll this took on his movements, stating,
“Getting up and getting down. It’s like that exhausts you way more than when you’re agile.”
These changes meant adapting his style to sustain his endurance in the ring.
Finding Balance Between Size and Agility
Currently maintaining a weight around 232 to 233 pounds, Strickland believes this range keeps him both agile and physically imposing.
“This is like 232, 233. That’s a good weight of still agile. I don’t get blown up. I still look physically imposing. And that’s mainly why I bulked up. I just wanted to look like an evolution of Swerve again,”
he said.
He emphasized his continual transformation, sharing,
“I’ve evolved like three times a year. So everything’s another evolution to something. And going to the extreme lengths of expanding the body is another evolution of it.”
This ever-changing identity plays a critical role in his wrestling career.
Upcoming Match and Wrestling Connections
Looking ahead, Strickland will face Brody King at AEW Revolution on Sunday, March 15. Recently, he competed against Gravity on AEW Collision in Tucson. Gravity is notably the brother of Bandido, who partners with Brody King in tag team competition, underscoring the intertwined relationships in AEW’s roster.
Significance of the Physical Evolution
Swerve Strickland’s weight changes illustrate the lengths to which professional wrestlers go to adapt their physicality in pursuit of performance and presence in the ring. His focused bulking reflects not only a physical transformation but also a strategic evolution aimed at enhancing his role within AEW’s competitive landscape. Fans and analysts alike will watch closely to see how this new version of Strickland impacts his upcoming matches and overall career trajectory.
