Bryan Danielson is very high on Swerve Strickland and has spoken glowingly of the fellow top AEW star.
Danielson beat Strickland in a career vs. title match that headlined the AEW All In London 2024 pay-per-view event from Wembley Stadium to capture the World Heavyweight Title. It had the stipulation that he would have to retire if he lost.
Strickland has come a long way in his pro wrestling career after working years on the independent scene. He made a name for himself in EVOLVE, went to WWE, and became a main event star in AEW. Strickland signed with AEW in 2022, becoming a Tag Team Champion that same year. In 2023, he broke out with a singles run, getting over with the fans.
While speaking with Justin Barrasso of Undisputed, Danielson praised Strickland. He said, “Swerve just signed a new contract with AEW, and that is one of the benefits of having two mainstream wrestling companies in the United States. WWE didn’t see value in him, and they let him go. You watch him and ask, ‘Who would ever let go of this guy?’ He just wasn’t given the opportunity to be his best self. And that goes both ways… I don’t want it to sound like, ‘Oh, evil WWE, they don’t let their talent be their best selves.’ Some people will thrive there. Some people will thrive here.”
Danielson stated that some people thrive in both places, and some will be underutilized. He sees the benefit of having two major companies in the US because it gives talent options.
Danielson stated that Strickland is the most professional of the professionals and has shown everyone how skilled he is as a professional wrestler. Danielson added he can’t say enough about him as a professional wrestler or a human being.
