Swerve Strickland, the former AEW World Champion, recently underwent surgery to address a long-standing torn meniscus, which has affected him for years despite delivering strong performances in the ring. Following the surgery, Strickland is expected to be sidelined for an extended period as part of his recovery process.
After falling short in his bid to claim the AEW Unified Championship from Kazuchika Okada at Forbidden Door 2025, Swerve was taken off television to focus on healing from his knee surgery. On August 27, he shared an image showing his knee post-operation, providing fans with a glimpse into his health status. Encouragingly, he has since posted a video on his Instagram story walking on a treadmill, signaling that he has returned to gym workouts and is progressing well in his recovery.
Background on Swerve Strickland’s Injury and Surgery
Despite maintaining high-level in-ring performances, Strickland was struggling with the torn meniscus for some time. This knee injury ultimately forced him to undergo surgery after his recent title match loss. The procedure required him to take a break from active competition to ensure proper healing and rehabilitation.
His social media updates have reassured fans that the surgery was successful, and he is already taking steps toward regaining full strength. Returning to the gym and engaging in controlled physical activity are positive signs that his recovery is moving faster than expected.
The Intense Rivalry Between Swerve Strickland and Hangman Page
Swerve Strickland has been locked in a bitter feud with the current AEW World Champion Hangman Page since 2023. Their conflict has been marked by intense matches and dramatic confrontations, including a brutal steel cage match at All Out 2024. Their rivalry even extended beyond the ring, with each attacking the other’s home as a personal message.
Discussing this rivalry on The Hashtag Show, Swerve emphasized the depth and impact of their story, claiming it stands out among wrestling’s great narratives:
“I put our story against any story in wrestling history… When Hangman’s in the ring, you hear, ‘Whose house? Swerve’s house’ chants. When Swerve’s in the ring, you hear ‘Cowboy S**t’ chants. Anytime he passes by the locker room and sees Swerve Strickland or little elements of, like, me holding a chain… your brain goes right to that man, and that’s just a testament to our vulnerability,” Swerve described.
For now, it remains uncertain when Swerve Strickland will return to competition and whether the heated feud with Hangman Page will continue upon his recovery.
What This Means for Swerve’s Future in AEW and WWE
Swerve Strickland’s commitment to recovering swiftly after surgery suggests he is determined to return to the ring as soon as possible. His ongoing rehabilitation and early gym activities indicate progress toward that goal. Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see if he resumes his rivalry with Hangman Page or pursues new storylines within AEW or potentially WWE in the future.
The success of this surgery and his rapid healing will likely influence how quickly he can re-enter top-tier wrestling competition and continue to showcase his talents on a major stage.
