Posted on 4/22/124 by Colin Vassallo
It was a long journey for the 33-year-old Swerve Strickland
but it finally happened! At last night’s Dynasty pay-per-
view, Strickland defeated Samoa Joe to win the AEW World
title, his first-ever world championship in his 13-year
wrestling career.
Strickland pinned Joe clean after hitting the Swerve Stomp
finisher and the new champion celebrated in style with the
fans and Price Nana as pyro went off and streamers filled
the ring. A very emotional Strickland closed the show with
tears in his eyes and his AEW World title held high.
In the post-show press conference, Strickland said that Kofi
Kingston winning the WWE title at WrestleMania 35 was for
him one of the most inspiring things ever and motivated him
to do the same.
Just a couple of years ago, Strickland was wrestling as
Isiah “Swerve” Scott as part of Hit Row in WWE but getting
released from the company was the best thing that could ever
happen to the Tacoma native.
Strickland, who joined AEW in 2022, quickly rose to fame and
made a name for himself by being involved in some classic
matches and it all paid off after yesterday he also made
history for AEW by becoming the first African American World
champion for the promotion.
Samoa Joe ends his title reign after 113 days, having won it
at Worlds End last year from MJF.