Swerve Strickland knows there are big expectations tonight for his matchup with Bryan Danielson on AEW Dynamite.
All Elite Wrestling‘s Swerve Strickland recently sat down with Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated. When asked about his match tonight with Bryan Danielson on AEW Dynamite, Strickland said people will be surprised by the match they put on.
“The beauty of this is that there are big expectations for quality, but people are going to be surprised at the match we put on,” Swerve Strickland said. “Bryan is one of the greatest of our generation, and one of the greatest of all-time.
“I’m one of the biggest up-and-coming talents–and looking to be all-time. I’m one of the most unique performers. I hope to spawn new talents to follow my template. I’m laying that groundwork now. Bryan Danielson’s legacy is ever-growing, but I want to be the one to seal it. This is where it ends for him and begins with me.”
Swerve: Wait until you see what comes next
Swerve Strickland went on to speak about having to work harder to rise up the ranks in the world of professional wrestling because he’s an African American. Strickland mentions that he’s only 34 years old and tells fans to wait and see what comes next.
“I’m after the best this industry has to offer,” Swerve Strickland said. “I don’t want to accept anything less. For me, as an African American man, we can’t accept less. We have to strive to be exceptional in everything we do. I’ve got to go ten times harder because of that, and I want the absolute best because I deserve that–and I deserve that so our culture can see that.
“Being good enough is never good enough. I have to exceed others’ expectations. I want to make the biggest impact I can, I believe I can do that. 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.”
Pressure?
When asked if he is feeling any additional pressure heading into Dynamite tonight, Strickland said that’s not something he focuses on.
“I don’t focus on the pressure,” Swerve Strickland said. “I don’t even look at it as pressure, I look at it as my life. When it comes to doing music, a podcast, being a father of two girls about to be in high school, and being on the road, that’s not pressure to me. That’s what Swerve does. If I’m going to balance something, I want to juggle the absolute highest prizes you can have.”
READ MORE: Swerve Strickland Reflects On His Indy Success: It Was All About Networking
What do you make of Swerve Strickland’s comments? Are you looking forward to his match with Bryan Danielson tonight on AEW Dynamite? Let us know your thoughts by sounding off in the comments section below.
