“I Thought I Was On Top Of The World – 24 Hours Later I Wasn’t” – Swerve Strickland Opens Up On WWE Release

Swerve Strickland has discussed his surprise at being let go by WWE, and having to tell his family what had happened.

Under the name Isaiah ‘Swerve’ Scott, Strickland seemed to be on the rise in NXT alongside Hit Row, and ended up being drafted to SmackDown in 2021. Whilst this was expected to be a further advancement of the push, it didn’t take long for things to turn sour.

A number of Strickland’s stablemates were released by WWE, and on 18th November he suffered the same fate. He made a fleeting return to the independent wrestling scene, but was soon snapped up by AEW.

In a discussion with Fannation via SI, Swerve Strickland has explained the emotions he went through at that moment in time.

I thought I was on top of the world–then, twenty-four later, I wasn’t. I had to tell my family that. That wasn’t easy. I needed time so I was not angry at myself or embarrassed, which I was for a 48-hour spell. I had to give myself a couple days to absorb it, feel it, understand it – see all the different corners and dimensions. Then I got to work.

“I’m Going To Have More Moments”

Continuing on, Swerve Strickland discussed his recent success in AEW, and how there is plenty more in the tank given the age some of his colleagues are performing at the moment.

People are starting to believe in what I can do. Over the last week, I’ve heard, ‘That is your moment.’ Woah–slow down. I’m going to have more moments. Maybe this was your first time seeing me. I’m only 34 years old. You’re seeing Christian having his resurgence in his late 40s. Sting is performing at 63, and he’s still going hard. Adam Copeland coming over, he’s having a resurgence. Chris Jericho is doing prime work. People are just seeing me. Wait until you see what comes next.