AJ Types presumably leaping to AEW has already led to a variety of sturdy opinions — and now Swerve Strickland is weighing in.
Earlier this month, Ricochet took direct photographs at Types throughout an look on The Adrian Hernandez Present, questioning whether or not “The Phenomenal One” may even sustain in AEW and flat-out saying he didn’t suppose Types had “the heart” to make the soar.
However in a February 23, 2026 interview with Monopoly Occasions, Swerve Strickland provided a much more assured response when requested about the potential of Types becoming a member of AEW. When the interviewer introduced up dream matches and requested whether or not Swerve would wish to face Types in AEW, Swerve flipped the narrative instantly.
“At this level, I feel I’m turning into somebody that AJ Types desires to compete in opposition to as an alternative. I’m pushing myself to be on the prime of this recreation.”
As an alternative of chasing a marquee matchup, Swerve made it clear he sees himself because the vacation spot now. Nonetheless, there was no disrespect in his tone. In truth, Swerve went out of his technique to give Types his flowers.
“So I’m not chasing anyone’s matches. I need these matches to chase after me no. I’m glad for AJ. I’m happy with AJ. He’s somebody I studied endlessly — him alongside Bryan Danielson and guys from that period, like Nigel.”
He continued, crediting Types as one of many architects of the fashionable in-ring model that so many AEW stars now embody. Swerve even pointed to the ripple impact Types has had throughout a number of eras and firms.
“AJ has earned greater than sufficient in his profession to both stroll away or proceed on and do one thing completely different and distinctive with this technology of expertise that he’s influenced. Ospreay has all the time stated AJ influenced him. You’ll be able to see it in guys like Seth Rollins, in myself, in Mike Bailey — so many people studied AJ.”
Then got here the half followers have been ready for — would he welcome Types to AEW? In contrast to Ricochet’s laborious no, Swerve left the door large open.
“If he desires to take that likelihood and are available over to AEW — which he’s greater than able to doing, and he appears to be like wholesome and in nice form mentally and bodily from what I can see — then we’re all right here, open and ready if he decides to make that soar.”
As of now, there’s been no confirmed AEW supply, although Fightful Choose beforehand reported that many inside AEW count on the corporate would pursue Types if he grew to become out there. In the meantime, Types is about to obtain a tribute on the February 23, 2026 version of Monday Night time Uncooked, and past that, his future stays unclear.
One factor is definite: whereas Ricochet questioned whether or not AJ Types belongs in AEW, Swerve Strickland simply made it clear that if Types reveals up, he gained’t be chasing him — he’ll be ready for him.
If AJ Types reveals up in AEW, ought to Swerve Strickland be first in line — or is there a much bigger dream match ready? Tell us within the feedback.
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