Swerve Strickland defeats ex-WWE star; ends lucky streak before being attacked 

Swerve Strickland ended an ex-WWE Superstar's winning streak in AEW on Fright Night Dynamite. The New Flavor was also attacked at the end of the show by a former champion from the Stamford-based company.

Strickland made his return to the squared circle for the first time since All Out 2024 on the October 30 edition of Dynamite against a world-class athlete in the form of Shelton Benjamin. The bout stemmed after the former AEW World Champion refused to join forces with The Hurt Syndicate at WrestleDream 2024.

Strickland's rejection had led to a scuffle between him and Benjamin at the pay-per-view. Following the 49-year-old veteran's dominant AEW in-ring debut against Lio Rush, MVP warned The Realest to reconsider their offer in order to not suffer the same fate as Rush. Strickland did not flinch at the prospect of wrestling Shelton, however, which led to a match being scheduled between the two.

In their match in the main event of Fright Night Dynamite, Benjamin utilized his strength and grappling expertise to dominate Swerve. The latter attempted to fight back by employing his agility and various counter-strikes against the former WWE Intercontinental Champion.

Towards the end of the bout, Strickland parried an attempted top-rope throw from Benjamin by slipping out and hitting a Liger Bomb on the latter. He followed up with a Swerve Stomp on The Standard of Excellence to secure the victory and hand the former WWE Superstar his first loss in All Elite Wrestling.

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Swerve's victory celebration did not last long, however, as he and Prince Nana were attacked post-match by MVP, Benjamin, and a debuting Bobby Lashley.

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