Swerve Strickland’s AEW Dynasty foremost occasion loss to Jon Moxley may’ve harm, however it’s what occurred after the cameras stopped rolling that sparked the most important backlash.
Because the Philadelphia crowd started to file out of the Liacouras Middle, Swerve took the mic and delivered a direct and sudden shot at WWE Corridor of Famer Booker T, shouting: “F** Booker T.”*
It was a transparent response to Booker’s previous feedback questioning Swerve’s marketability as a high star. That subject resurfaced in Swerve’s interview with VladTV weeks in the past, and tensions between them have been simmering ever since. Nevertheless, followers throughout social media are making it clear—they assume Swerve picked the unsuitable goal.
After the occasion, Swerve posted a photograph of himself from his entrance, with no caption. The replies have been swift and ruthless, calling him out for deflecting blame.
One fan slammed him for letting his feelings get one of the best of him, writing: “Acquired Booker T all in your head dropping the match and he’s the primary one you consider 😂.”
One other critic mocked the loss itself: “You misplaced to Jon Moxley, man. The aura is useless.”
A standard theme within the replies was Swerve aiming at WWE’s Booker T as an alternative of AEW’s booker, Tony Khan. “The unsuitable Booker received known as out final evening lmao,” one fan posted. One other echoed that sentiment with, “You’re nervous concerning the unsuitable Booker.”
The backlash turned much more private as some followers accused Swerve of failing to face behind his personal message about Black illustration. “You converse on Black illustration however you let one other white man pin you 1 2 3 once more,” one consumer commented. “Tony actually had you hype your self up simply to lose to a white man once more and get screwed by two different white males.”
Others have been livid over Swerve dragging one other Black icon into the scenario. “You let the crackas flip you towards one other Black man 🤦🏾♂️ I do know what you’re,” one fan wrote. One other added, “That’s not it, my man. Booker T not your enemy.”
There have been additionally these calling his post-match promo outright embarrassing: “That was some corny ass s** you mentioned to Booker T,”* and “You misplaced… and nonetheless known as out Booker T, who’s constructed a platform for males like your self 😂.”
Even followers who as soon as supported Swerve are turning away. One consumer acknowledged: “Bro, your real-life perspective and entitlement is a disappointment. BP and Shock can be ashamed. You don’t should rep these sorts of outfits once you’re at all times appearing just like the antithesis of what they stand for.”
The criticism has solely grown louder as Tony Khan himself caught warmth for avoiding any point out of the primary occasion on social media. As a substitute, his final tweet celebrated the AEW Worldwide Title match, which followers hijacked with complaints over the primary occasion’s chaotic end and lack of decision.
Whereas Swerve left all of it within the ring, it’s clear followers weren’t shopping for his post-match deflection. He may need had Booker T on his thoughts—however the followers? They’re holding him and AEW’s artistic route accountable.
Do you assume Swerve ought to’ve known as out Tony Khan as an alternative of Booker T? Is that this backlash justified or over the road? Please share your ideas and suggestions within the remark part beneath.