Spend a little time in pro wrestling’s corner of social media and you’ll see Swerve Strickland mentioned fairly often as someone who could deliver as a world champion. But the AEW star knows he hasn’t won everyone over to that point of view just yet.
Formerly a fan favorite, Strickland has found his groove as the menacing, calculating frontman of the Mogul Embassy. He’s done a masterful job provoking Hangman Adam Page, explaining that he wants to beat the best version of Page when they face off Oct. 1 in Seattle at WrestleDream.
Still, Swerve told Under the Ring host Phil Strum it’s not the moment itself or even wrestling in front of fans in his home in the Pacific Northwest, but rather the fuel provided by the naysayers that drives him most.
“There’s still doubters out there in the social media world, in the media world, the podcast world and stuff like that,” Strickland said. “Because I listen to everything, I see and hear everything. I don’t always acknowledge everything, but I do see and hear everything that’s out there.
“That’s kind of what keeps the chip on my shoulder, you know? So now when I go out there Oct. 1 at WrestleDream in Seattle and I beat the brakes off of him while he’s saying he’s bringing his best, there better not be any more conversation about do I deserve this, did I live up to the hype or any of this other bullcrap that I hear.”
“As much as this is for the city of Seattle and as much as this is for AEW, for WrestleDream, and as much as this is for Hangman Page, it’s way more for me,” he added.
It was Strickland’s second appearance on Under the Ring, as he also was a guest in September 2022. Check out his full conversation with Strum above for more on what they discussed this time, including:
- Why Swerve finds speaking on the microphone to be the toughest part of pro wrestling
- His thoughts on The Elite and why they are “second to none” as talents
- Working with Brian Cage, who he calls one of the most underrated minds in the AEW locker room
- How great it’s been to see the career resurgence of Prince Nana, who he’s known for 15 years, and what a help Nana has been to him personally
- Much more on the wrestling scene in the Pacific Northwest and Swerve’s music career
Under the Ring drops new episodes every week, with Strum utilizing contacts gleaned from years of pro wrestling fandom and coverage to have an in-depth conversation with a wrestler or other notable personality. Recent guests have included NXT star Ilja Dragunov, AEW TBS Champion Kris Statlander and top free agent Richard Holliday
To make sure you don’t miss an episode, subscribe to Under the Ring on Apple Podcasts or your podcast provider of choice, or check out the Under the Ring YouTube channel to see all of the interviews in video form.