Current AEW star claims WWE allegedly asked about his “availability”
A former AEW World Champion recently talked about how WWE allegedly tried reaching out regarding his availability. This happened before he re-signed his long-term deal with the Tony Khan-led promotion. This would be Swerve Strickland.
Last month, it was reported that the Stamford-based promotion had reached out to him, hoping to make a play for him and Prince Nana. However, at All In, he eventually re-signed a long-term deal with the company, which became one of the biggest contracts within the company.
During his appearance on The Breakfast Club a few days ago, Swerve Strickland revealed that WWE had asked about his availability, but he was not directly contacted, and they went straight to his "representation."
“Yeah. It wasn’t like the words ‘re-sign'. They ‘asked about my availability.' They never contacted me. They contacted my representation.”
He continued by mentioning how he enjoyed not having to talk to them directly and that he had a little space. But he confirmed that despite not having specific receipts to show for, there was communication between both sides.
“I’m at a stage now where I enjoy the fact that I don’t have that direct contact. When you are progressing and getting higher and you’re in rooms with people like [Charlamagne Tha God], you have to kind of keep space in between these types of conversations. You can check my phone. It’s never been there. I never had direct contact. I want to keep that little space. Communication has been reached out.” [H/T Fightful]
Swerve Strickland revealed whether he would return to WWE
During the same interview, Swerve was asked whether he considered possibly going back to WWE in the future.
He revealed that he had no plans, as he was happy with his current situation in AEW. He said that he was happy with what he built with the promotion and how he got to grow his brand.
"Nah, I’m happy with building AEW and building myself in AEW, which has given me something I don’t think WWE could ever give me. I’m really proud of that, I wave the flag proudly. Tony Khan didn’t take a chance on me, he knew what he wanted from me, he put me in the position, like, ‘Now grow.' And I'm like, ‘What avenues do I have to grow?' And he's like, ‘Whatever you want.’ There was no parameters, no red tape, I learned how to become a true businessman on top of a pro wrestler. That’s why 'The Mogul' persona is truly personified in AEW. It lets me be my best self as a man and a professional," Swerve Strickland said. [From 10:54 to 11:37]
As of now, the former AEW World Champion is sidelined following his gruesome bout with Hangman Adam Page at All Out. It remains to be seen when he'll return and bounce back from two major losses.