Swerve Strickland signs AEW's "biggest" contract ever

Swerve Strickland is not an AEW original, but during the last year, he has established himself as one of the company's mainstays. Strickland debuted in the fall of 2023, when he feuded with Hangman Page, aiming to replace the former AEW World Champion on the program. Swerve advanced to the global title scene after defeating Hangman 2-0 and dethroning then-champion Samoa Joe to win the AEW championship.

Swerve successfully defended against Christian Cage, Will Ospreay, and Claudio Castagnoli over the following four months until losing the gold medal to Bryan Danielson at AEW ALL IN: London. Swerve Strickland's AEW future is now more assured than ever, even without championship gold. Swerve has signed a new contract with All Elite Wrestling, as was disclosed during the AEW ALL IN: London Zero Hour pre-show.

According to Fightful Select, Swerve Strickland's new deal, which is one of the largest in AEW history, would keep him with the firm until at least 2028. Swerve's prior contract was due to end in March of next year, but both parties believed he had outgrown the limitations of the agreement when he signed it for his March 2022 AEW debut.

Swerve and Hangman Page will resume their rivalry in AEW Dynamite

Although the exact amount Swerve signed for is unknown, it was probably in the seven-figure range considering the cost of elite AEW contracts. Main event talent is reportedly collecting millions of dollars a year from their contract, including MJF, AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada, and AEW TBS Champion Mercedes Mone. 

It seems almost like I've won the NBA Championship, but the fresh group of players entering the draft the next year is going to completely change what the NBA is going to be like. When questioned earlier this year about keeping his position at the top as AEW signs fresh free agents like Mone and Okada, Swerve said, "That's what it honestly feels like."

It is anticipated that Swerve and Hangman Page will resume their rivalry on Wednesday on AEW Dynamite, in anticipation of their potential match at AEW All Out on September 7.