After years of hard work, damage to his body, and miles on the road, Swerve Strickland was paid big by AEW.
AEW announced during the All In Zero Hour pre-show that he had signed a new deal with the promotion. Fightful Select reported that Strickland’s previous deal was set to run through next March. However, both sides felt he had outgrown the deal terms with his recent rise.
Swerve is believed to have signed a multi-year deal that will see him remain in the promotion until at least 2028. it is considered one of the biggest contracts in the company’s history.
In the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported that he was told the deal runs through September 2019. It was agreed to a few weeks ago and is said to be among the biggest deals in pro wrestling. While it’s below the Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, and Randy Orton level, it is in the range of Kazuchika Okada and Mercedes Mone.
Meltzer wrote, “The deal, and the offer to Daniel Garcia, were told to us by someone on the WWE side for Garcia and more than one on Strickland, as being bad for the sport because they are so far over what would WWE would perceive the market value for both to be, with the idea he’s spending more than he needs to and raising salaries.”
Strickland is slated to meet Hangman Page in a Steel Cage Match at AEW All Out next Saturday.
