1 00:00:00,400 --> 00:00:06,640 Speaker 1: Ladies and gentlemen, it's no battle ground, battle ground. 2 00:00:07,800 --> 00:00:09,160 Speaker 2: Battle Brown podcast. 3 00:00:12,440 --> 00:00:15,760 Speaker 3: What's up you, guys? Welcome back into another episode of 4 00:00:15,840 --> 00:00:19,480 Speaker 3: the Battleground Podcast. What episode number is this? I've kind 5 00:00:19,480 --> 00:00:20,720 Speaker 3: of started to lose count. 6 00:00:21,840 --> 00:00:22,520 Speaker 2: Where are we at? 7 00:00:22,520 --> 00:00:22,759 Speaker 1: Three? 8 00:00:24,079 --> 00:00:28,760 Speaker 3: This is number three sixty? Wow, three hundred and sixty 9 00:00:29,000 --> 00:00:32,479 Speaker 3: episodes of this podcast, and we couldn't say thank you 10 00:00:32,720 --> 00:00:35,400 Speaker 3: enough for being a part of this journey with us. 11 00:00:35,400 --> 00:00:38,320 Speaker 3: For sure. If you're on social media, follow us on 12 00:00:38,440 --> 00:00:42,279 Speaker 3: Instagram Battleground Podcast. We're posting clips from this interview, we're 13 00:00:42,320 --> 00:00:45,720 Speaker 3: posting behind the scenes stuff, we're posting things at events, 14 00:00:46,080 --> 00:00:47,920 Speaker 3: so make sure you stay up to date with all 15 00:00:48,080 --> 00:00:52,199 Speaker 3: things professional wrestling. Follow us on Instagram Battleground Podcast. And 16 00:00:52,280 --> 00:00:55,880 Speaker 3: of course you can watch all of these interviews on YouTube. 17 00:00:56,440 --> 00:00:58,680 Speaker 3: Just go to YouTube search Battleground Podcast. 18 00:00:58,720 --> 00:00:59,639 Speaker 2: But without further. 19 00:00:59,440 --> 00:01:02,840 Speaker 3: Ado, let's get into it our interview today with Swerve 20 00:01:02,880 --> 00:01:05,720 Speaker 3: Strictl on the head of AW Revolution, Ring that bell. 21 00:01:07,040 --> 00:01:07,759 Speaker 2: What's up you guys? 22 00:01:07,760 --> 00:01:11,640 Speaker 3: Welcome back into Iheartrate is official wrestling podcast, the Battleground Podcast, 23 00:01:11,680 --> 00:01:16,200 Speaker 3: and AW Revolution is happening this weekend. And what better 24 00:01:16,280 --> 00:01:19,520 Speaker 3: way to celebrate AEW revolution than two gets who we 25 00:01:19,680 --> 00:01:23,800 Speaker 3: consider the MVP of AW give it up for swear 26 00:01:23,880 --> 00:01:24,920 Speaker 3: Strickling joining the show. 27 00:01:24,959 --> 00:01:25,760 Speaker 2: Swerve, how are you, sir? 28 00:01:25,920 --> 00:01:28,759 Speaker 1: I'm good, feeling dangerous today, just got a good workout 29 00:01:28,760 --> 00:01:30,399 Speaker 1: in and I'm ready to get back on the road 30 00:01:30,440 --> 00:01:31,199 Speaker 1: to the West Coast. 31 00:01:31,480 --> 00:01:31,680 Speaker 2: Man. 32 00:01:31,720 --> 00:01:33,840 Speaker 3: We are super excited, So let's go ahead and talk 33 00:01:33,880 --> 00:01:36,959 Speaker 3: about it. How's your mindset heading into this right now? 34 00:01:37,440 --> 00:01:41,080 Speaker 3: Into AW Revolution knowing you've got a physical, hard hitting 35 00:01:41,120 --> 00:01:43,160 Speaker 3: fight waiting for you with Brody King. 36 00:01:43,959 --> 00:01:47,960 Speaker 1: The mindset's always like two steps ahead, as you can see. 37 00:01:48,000 --> 00:01:51,040 Speaker 1: Like that's kind of how twenty twenty six has been 38 00:01:51,200 --> 00:01:53,240 Speaker 1: for me, you know what I mean, Like everything's been 39 00:01:53,320 --> 00:01:55,120 Speaker 1: like a step ahead. 40 00:01:55,080 --> 00:01:58,000 Speaker 2: Of not just the match, but just like of the program. 41 00:01:58,840 --> 00:02:01,960 Speaker 1: And so that's kind of like how I've always had 42 00:02:01,960 --> 00:02:04,560 Speaker 1: this step on my opponents, you know a little bit. 43 00:02:04,600 --> 00:02:06,440 Speaker 1: You know, I felt like the one person that got 44 00:02:06,480 --> 00:02:10,000 Speaker 1: past me that you know that I didn't have those 45 00:02:10,960 --> 00:02:14,160 Speaker 1: one step ahead all was undraughted this year. And you know, 46 00:02:14,200 --> 00:02:17,760 Speaker 1: he's he's he's been on a run this twenty twenty 47 00:02:17,800 --> 00:02:19,440 Speaker 1: six and him come back to the company. So it's 48 00:02:19,480 --> 00:02:21,920 Speaker 1: been great for him. But now it's time for things 49 00:02:21,960 --> 00:02:25,800 Speaker 1: to be great for me, And like This is one 50 00:02:25,840 --> 00:02:28,480 Speaker 1: of the years of putting the whole roster on notice. 51 00:02:28,800 --> 00:02:33,200 Speaker 1: You know, this is the year that like I showcased 52 00:02:33,200 --> 00:02:35,240 Speaker 1: why I am who I am, why I'm in the 53 00:02:35,280 --> 00:02:37,840 Speaker 1: position that I'm in, and it's not to be taken 54 00:02:37,880 --> 00:02:40,600 Speaker 1: for granted. My position, my star power will not be 55 00:02:40,639 --> 00:02:44,120 Speaker 1: taken for granted in aw and in professional wrestling business. 56 00:02:44,480 --> 00:02:46,240 Speaker 1: And there's a lot of people trying to talk down 57 00:02:46,240 --> 00:02:48,480 Speaker 1: on it. And this is the lessons that I'm teaching. 58 00:02:48,639 --> 00:02:49,600 Speaker 2: That's excellent answer. 59 00:02:50,320 --> 00:02:52,960 Speaker 4: You know, You've you've talked in the past about you know, 60 00:02:53,000 --> 00:02:55,600 Speaker 4: growing up on a US military base in Germany and 61 00:02:56,080 --> 00:02:59,920 Speaker 4: listing at seventeen for twenty twenty six swerve. I mean, 62 00:03:00,240 --> 00:03:03,400 Speaker 4: how much of that discipline and mindset do you fall 63 00:03:03,400 --> 00:03:05,160 Speaker 4: back on, Like how much of that is influence in 64 00:03:05,400 --> 00:03:07,200 Speaker 4: the twenty twenty six versions. 65 00:03:06,840 --> 00:03:10,240 Speaker 2: Were It's always influenced me, like throughout my entire career. 66 00:03:10,320 --> 00:03:11,520 Speaker 2: That's kind of why I got here. 67 00:03:11,919 --> 00:03:14,919 Speaker 1: I got here to where I am because that discipline 68 00:03:14,919 --> 00:03:16,880 Speaker 1: that's been invoked to me since I was like I 69 00:03:16,919 --> 00:03:19,520 Speaker 1: would say, eight years old, all the way to me 70 00:03:19,600 --> 00:03:22,200 Speaker 1: going to the military at seventeen years old, all the 71 00:03:22,240 --> 00:03:25,040 Speaker 1: way to like where I'm at thirty six. You know, 72 00:03:25,120 --> 00:03:29,960 Speaker 1: it's it's the drive and the way of adapting to 73 00:03:30,280 --> 00:03:35,320 Speaker 1: situations that don't always favor you. It's about finding ways 74 00:03:35,760 --> 00:03:39,160 Speaker 1: to maneuver around those things when you are like especially, 75 00:03:39,360 --> 00:03:41,480 Speaker 1: you know, when you're not considered the one to be 76 00:03:41,600 --> 00:03:44,440 Speaker 1: favored in the position that you're in, you always got 77 00:03:44,440 --> 00:03:46,440 Speaker 1: to find a way to take what you have, the 78 00:03:46,520 --> 00:03:48,360 Speaker 1: little that you have, and make the most out of it. 79 00:03:48,840 --> 00:03:50,920 Speaker 2: And that's what's been my wrestling career. 80 00:03:50,960 --> 00:03:53,640 Speaker 1: That's what I learned in the military or not afforded 81 00:03:53,760 --> 00:03:57,920 Speaker 1: all the you know, the amenities, all the accessories to 82 00:03:58,040 --> 00:04:00,360 Speaker 1: get the job done. But the task is still to 83 00:04:00,400 --> 00:04:03,520 Speaker 1: get the job done. And that's what my professional wrestling 84 00:04:03,520 --> 00:04:05,720 Speaker 1: careers and that's what twenty twenty six is. Now I 85 00:04:05,760 --> 00:04:08,800 Speaker 1: have everything I might just spose, so now nothing is 86 00:04:08,840 --> 00:04:11,160 Speaker 1: off the table. Now there's very little I can't do 87 00:04:11,560 --> 00:04:13,800 Speaker 1: with all that I have around me, and I'm going 88 00:04:13,840 --> 00:04:14,760 Speaker 1: to utilize all of it. 89 00:04:14,880 --> 00:04:18,160 Speaker 3: Yeah, absolutely for sure. Now you talk about your career 90 00:04:18,360 --> 00:04:21,400 Speaker 3: and a lot of people have known you over many years, 91 00:04:21,400 --> 00:04:22,159 Speaker 3: one of them being. 92 00:04:22,120 --> 00:04:23,520 Speaker 2: Kill shot in Lucha Underground. 93 00:04:23,800 --> 00:04:25,640 Speaker 3: I want to know from you, what did it feel 94 00:04:25,680 --> 00:04:28,080 Speaker 3: like to kind of bury that persona and bet on 95 00:04:28,279 --> 00:04:30,960 Speaker 3: Swerve Strickland as the name that was going. 96 00:04:30,800 --> 00:04:31,240 Speaker 2: To make it. 97 00:04:31,640 --> 00:04:33,440 Speaker 1: I feel like at the time, I learned all that 98 00:04:33,520 --> 00:04:36,560 Speaker 1: I could at that level with Lucha Underground, and that's 99 00:04:36,560 --> 00:04:39,520 Speaker 1: what gave me the confidence to become Swerve. I needed 100 00:04:39,520 --> 00:04:44,040 Speaker 1: to take the kill Shot, not the name, but everything, 101 00:04:44,320 --> 00:04:48,360 Speaker 1: the education, the skill set, the knowledge, and the and 102 00:04:48,520 --> 00:04:52,799 Speaker 1: the new Like I would say that instinct, the confidence 103 00:04:52,839 --> 00:04:55,960 Speaker 1: that I grew becoming you know, kill Shot in the 104 00:04:56,760 --> 00:04:58,920 Speaker 1: temple of Lucha Underground. You know, I had to take 105 00:04:58,960 --> 00:05:02,600 Speaker 1: that confidence and put that towards Swerve and make Swerve 106 00:05:03,279 --> 00:05:07,400 Speaker 1: that performer that kill Shot was. And then that grew immensely. 107 00:05:07,680 --> 00:05:10,919 Speaker 1: When I got into aw the confidence grew again. And 108 00:05:10,960 --> 00:05:13,520 Speaker 1: then but there's still like like little images I paid 109 00:05:13,520 --> 00:05:16,520 Speaker 1: to the kill Shot character. But it wasn't like a 110 00:05:16,560 --> 00:05:18,560 Speaker 1: fear of mine. It was just like, no, now I 111 00:05:19,040 --> 00:05:21,000 Speaker 1: know what I need to do. It's like I know 112 00:05:21,600 --> 00:05:24,760 Speaker 1: basically off of these things, all these elements that you know, 113 00:05:25,040 --> 00:05:27,760 Speaker 1: I kind of cracked that fear of becoming a top 114 00:05:27,760 --> 00:05:31,520 Speaker 1: performer in the wrestling world after Lucia Underground because of 115 00:05:31,600 --> 00:05:34,320 Speaker 1: like I wasn't expecting to become a top performer. I 116 00:05:34,360 --> 00:05:37,400 Speaker 1: was just expecting to just try to become like an 117 00:05:37,520 --> 00:05:40,599 Speaker 1: entity on the show. And once I did the Weapons 118 00:05:40,640 --> 00:05:42,840 Speaker 1: of Mass Destruction match that took me over the top, 119 00:05:42,920 --> 00:05:46,240 Speaker 1: and then the Hell of War match with ar Fox 120 00:05:46,320 --> 00:05:49,719 Speaker 1: Dante Fox on the show, that was what sealed the deal. 121 00:05:49,760 --> 00:05:52,600 Speaker 1: It's like, Okay, this guy's a top performer, and now 122 00:05:52,640 --> 00:05:54,440 Speaker 1: I had to take that top performer and put it 123 00:05:54,480 --> 00:05:57,480 Speaker 1: on the Swerve of Strickland onto television in a whole 124 00:05:57,480 --> 00:05:59,200 Speaker 1: new web, a whole new way. 125 00:05:59,520 --> 00:06:02,159 Speaker 4: This sounds funny, but I think if Kill Shot and 126 00:06:02,200 --> 00:06:04,679 Speaker 4: then Swerve Strickland met in an alley, I think Swerve 127 00:06:04,680 --> 00:06:05,400 Speaker 4: would be making. 128 00:06:05,240 --> 00:06:05,800 Speaker 2: Its way out. 129 00:06:06,160 --> 00:06:10,440 Speaker 4: I'm not sure, yeah, for sure. You know, speaking of 130 00:06:10,480 --> 00:06:12,760 Speaker 4: you just got out of the gym and it's dangerous day. 131 00:06:13,480 --> 00:06:15,520 Speaker 4: You've bulked up quite a bit over the last couple 132 00:06:15,560 --> 00:06:17,920 Speaker 4: of years, and I mean you physically are. 133 00:06:18,000 --> 00:06:19,640 Speaker 2: Way more obviously more dominant. 134 00:06:20,200 --> 00:06:21,560 Speaker 4: You know a lot of guys when they come back 135 00:06:21,560 --> 00:06:23,280 Speaker 4: from injury or time off, they just kind of pick 136 00:06:23,360 --> 00:06:25,400 Speaker 4: up where they left off. What made you decide the 137 00:06:25,440 --> 00:06:27,800 Speaker 4: old version wasn't enough and you really had to like 138 00:06:27,920 --> 00:06:29,640 Speaker 4: reconstruct yourself from the ground up. 139 00:06:29,960 --> 00:06:37,200 Speaker 1: It wasn't necessarily a reconstruction. I never like necessarily start over, 140 00:06:37,720 --> 00:06:39,080 Speaker 1: because a lot of people think they have to start 141 00:06:39,120 --> 00:06:41,960 Speaker 1: from scratch, or like in picking up where you left off. 142 00:06:42,040 --> 00:06:43,120 Speaker 2: I never liked that either. 143 00:06:43,720 --> 00:06:46,119 Speaker 1: Every time there's a return or of me coming back, 144 00:06:47,360 --> 00:06:48,480 Speaker 1: there's an evolution of me. 145 00:06:50,680 --> 00:06:53,080 Speaker 2: I always put it as like bodybuilding. 146 00:06:53,120 --> 00:06:55,240 Speaker 1: You know, you built, you bulke up, you bulke up, 147 00:06:55,240 --> 00:06:57,720 Speaker 1: you buke up, you add all these things onto you. 148 00:06:57,880 --> 00:07:00,159 Speaker 1: That's where you get to, like the big weight, and 149 00:07:00,200 --> 00:07:02,640 Speaker 1: then after a while you realize you don't need that 150 00:07:02,680 --> 00:07:03,280 Speaker 1: weight anymore. 151 00:07:03,279 --> 00:07:04,840 Speaker 2: So you cut, and you cut and you cut. 152 00:07:04,960 --> 00:07:08,040 Speaker 1: So it was getting removing certain things that I just 153 00:07:08,080 --> 00:07:10,920 Speaker 1: didn't need anymore, like the mobile embassy that got removed, 154 00:07:11,200 --> 00:07:14,320 Speaker 1: and then you know the dark eyes that got removed, 155 00:07:14,400 --> 00:07:17,120 Speaker 1: the gold teeth that got removed, you know the big 156 00:07:17,160 --> 00:07:18,760 Speaker 1: fur coats that got removed. 157 00:07:18,880 --> 00:07:20,600 Speaker 2: So it was just cutting and cutting and cutting. 158 00:07:20,680 --> 00:07:23,520 Speaker 1: To now is just like the frame of Swerve right 159 00:07:23,560 --> 00:07:27,120 Speaker 1: now is just leather and a tank top, because that's 160 00:07:27,160 --> 00:07:29,320 Speaker 1: the core. Now you see the core of what Swerve 161 00:07:29,760 --> 00:07:31,960 Speaker 1: initially is. I don't need all the pizzave. I don't 162 00:07:31,960 --> 00:07:33,960 Speaker 1: need all these things because those are the things that 163 00:07:34,000 --> 00:07:35,920 Speaker 1: people said that got me over in the first place. 164 00:07:36,120 --> 00:07:38,040 Speaker 2: Now I don't have them, So what's the reason for 165 00:07:38,120 --> 00:07:39,160 Speaker 2: me being where I am now? 166 00:07:39,920 --> 00:07:44,120 Speaker 1: But now like but now I'm evolving into more of 167 00:07:44,160 --> 00:07:47,360 Speaker 1: an adult version of the kids swerve that you saw 168 00:07:47,400 --> 00:07:49,920 Speaker 1: come in, you know, like all the way that then 169 00:07:49,960 --> 00:07:52,800 Speaker 1: that carried all the way over from back to NXT, 170 00:07:52,960 --> 00:07:55,920 Speaker 1: you know, like that that persona was like me playing 171 00:07:55,960 --> 00:07:59,320 Speaker 1: around in that universe. Now it took that same element 172 00:07:59,640 --> 00:08:02,440 Speaker 1: from that universe and brought over to AW, and now 173 00:08:02,720 --> 00:08:04,920 Speaker 1: it grew into something more and evolved. 174 00:08:05,040 --> 00:08:07,240 Speaker 2: So it's just a constant, ever. 175 00:08:08,280 --> 00:08:12,000 Speaker 1: Ever evolving, like portrayal that you're seeing live on television. 176 00:08:12,680 --> 00:08:13,559 Speaker 2: Yeah, for sure. 177 00:08:13,880 --> 00:08:15,840 Speaker 3: And you know, one thing that a lot of people 178 00:08:16,080 --> 00:08:20,480 Speaker 3: really enjoyed with AW is your feud with Hangman Page 179 00:08:20,560 --> 00:08:24,680 Speaker 3: with some of the most personal, violent stories that AW 180 00:08:24,760 --> 00:08:27,720 Speaker 3: has told since it's you know beginning. What was it 181 00:08:27,840 --> 00:08:32,160 Speaker 3: like carrying that story knowing that fans wanted you to lose, 182 00:08:32,200 --> 00:08:34,960 Speaker 3: and how violent and how brutal it got it was. 183 00:08:35,080 --> 00:08:37,280 Speaker 1: It was the whole purpose of it was taken it 184 00:08:37,320 --> 00:08:41,280 Speaker 1: to the edge, taking it to like breaking the pretty 185 00:08:41,320 --> 00:08:45,040 Speaker 1: much the barrier of like what is deemed like too far. 186 00:08:46,040 --> 00:08:47,920 Speaker 1: The whole purpose of it was to go as far 187 00:08:47,920 --> 00:08:50,320 Speaker 1: as we could and then push further and then to 188 00:08:50,360 --> 00:08:53,080 Speaker 1: push further again. So now we have this element of 189 00:08:53,120 --> 00:08:55,600 Speaker 1: every time we're both in the ring together, anything can happen, 190 00:08:55,960 --> 00:08:58,280 Speaker 1: because we've seen it go so far. We've seen a 191 00:08:58,320 --> 00:09:00,600 Speaker 1: house being burnt down, you know, We've seen me entering 192 00:09:00,600 --> 00:09:03,880 Speaker 1: someone's house. We've seen syringes, we've seen cinder blocks, we've 193 00:09:03,880 --> 00:09:07,880 Speaker 1: seen blood drinking, We've seen all these different elements that 194 00:09:07,960 --> 00:09:10,720 Speaker 1: were just way too much dropping on the cinder block, 195 00:09:11,040 --> 00:09:14,960 Speaker 1: you know, things like that. It's gone so far that 196 00:09:15,679 --> 00:09:19,960 Speaker 1: now we're at a place where like it's like nitrogen 197 00:09:20,360 --> 00:09:23,600 Speaker 1: and a match and a lighter are in a ring 198 00:09:23,720 --> 00:09:26,880 Speaker 1: now and people are watching to see if they get 199 00:09:26,920 --> 00:09:30,160 Speaker 1: close enough, if it'll blow up. So every time we 200 00:09:30,400 --> 00:09:32,840 Speaker 1: get on screen together, whether it's to have a conversation, 201 00:09:33,480 --> 00:09:37,240 Speaker 1: whether we're side by side, or whether across from each other, 202 00:09:37,520 --> 00:09:40,400 Speaker 1: which you've seen all of that since World's End, you've 203 00:09:40,400 --> 00:09:44,640 Speaker 1: seen both elements people pay attention to a little more, People 204 00:09:44,679 --> 00:09:49,600 Speaker 1: stand up like just by our you know. So that's 205 00:09:49,640 --> 00:09:52,360 Speaker 1: what we that's really where it was where we are 206 00:09:52,400 --> 00:09:54,600 Speaker 1: both mindset would just take it as far as we 207 00:09:54,640 --> 00:09:57,679 Speaker 1: can and push the boundaries as far as we can 208 00:09:57,760 --> 00:10:00,240 Speaker 1: to the point that people get upset about it. People 209 00:10:00,240 --> 00:10:04,480 Speaker 1: will get uncomfortable about it. People like start debating whether 210 00:10:04,559 --> 00:10:08,360 Speaker 1: it's this belongs in wrestling, whether it should be on television, 211 00:10:08,640 --> 00:10:11,280 Speaker 1: whether we're pushing the boundaries. I'm like, the boundaries were 212 00:10:11,280 --> 00:10:15,080 Speaker 1: pushed back in the nineties, so like that's not us 213 00:10:15,120 --> 00:10:16,960 Speaker 1: that pushed it that far. It was like, you know, 214 00:10:17,000 --> 00:10:19,720 Speaker 1: we grew up watching the boundaries being pushed, So now 215 00:10:19,920 --> 00:10:22,960 Speaker 1: we're in twenty years later, we're pushing the boundaries again, 216 00:10:23,640 --> 00:10:27,480 Speaker 1: and you know, so now it's like that's the evolution 217 00:10:27,520 --> 00:10:29,880 Speaker 1: of where aw really took the next step. And then 218 00:10:29,920 --> 00:10:31,840 Speaker 1: I feel like the next step was like, well, Osprey 219 00:10:31,920 --> 00:10:35,040 Speaker 1: coming in and he took the main event scene and 220 00:10:35,160 --> 00:10:39,520 Speaker 1: took like those high caliber matches to the next level 221 00:10:39,520 --> 00:10:42,360 Speaker 1: and raised the bar again. So it's just like we're 222 00:10:42,400 --> 00:10:44,560 Speaker 1: all trying to find our ways to like raise the bar. 223 00:10:44,640 --> 00:10:47,960 Speaker 1: Tony Storm and Mariah May took the bar for women's 224 00:10:47,960 --> 00:10:51,200 Speaker 1: wrestling and raised it again. Mercedes Monette took the bar 225 00:10:51,240 --> 00:10:54,160 Speaker 1: of women's wrestling as a champion and going all around 226 00:10:54,160 --> 00:10:56,200 Speaker 1: the world belt collecting. She took the bar and raised 227 00:10:56,200 --> 00:10:58,760 Speaker 1: it again. So all of us are about raising the 228 00:10:58,800 --> 00:11:02,199 Speaker 1: bar again until point that everybody else has to compete 229 00:11:02,200 --> 00:11:04,680 Speaker 1: with us because everybody has to watch us. Now you 230 00:11:04,800 --> 00:11:07,880 Speaker 1: have to watch us because we are not just setting 231 00:11:07,960 --> 00:11:09,200 Speaker 1: the standard, we're moving it up. 232 00:11:09,320 --> 00:11:09,600 Speaker 2: Yeah. 233 00:11:09,640 --> 00:11:12,400 Speaker 4: Absolutely, And I mean, like just in the last month, 234 00:11:12,720 --> 00:11:16,480 Speaker 4: I mean, aw, the TV on AW has been unreal. 235 00:11:16,679 --> 00:11:18,720 Speaker 4: I mean, like even you you against Gravity the other 236 00:11:18,800 --> 00:11:21,000 Speaker 4: night on Collision, just like you make quick work of it. 237 00:11:21,040 --> 00:11:24,000 Speaker 4: But it was just solid television wrestling. I mean, it's 238 00:11:24,040 --> 00:11:26,480 Speaker 4: just you guys have been on a tear last six month, 239 00:11:26,600 --> 00:11:30,000 Speaker 4: especially twenty twenty six specifically. But a little bit of 240 00:11:30,040 --> 00:11:32,880 Speaker 4: a side question here, some things that have been kind 241 00:11:32,880 --> 00:11:35,240 Speaker 4: of catching wind online and on X or whatever you 242 00:11:35,280 --> 00:11:38,040 Speaker 4: want to call it. Is this the whole pro wrestler 243 00:11:38,120 --> 00:11:42,640 Speaker 4: versus NFL debate? You know, can wrestlers do what they whatever? 244 00:11:43,040 --> 00:11:43,400 Speaker 2: Do you have? 245 00:11:43,679 --> 00:11:45,200 Speaker 4: Do you weigh in on any of that? Do you 246 00:11:45,240 --> 00:11:46,640 Speaker 4: do you have an opinion? I'm sure you have an 247 00:11:46,640 --> 00:11:47,760 Speaker 4: opinion on that site. 248 00:11:47,760 --> 00:11:50,000 Speaker 1: I think both are some of the greatest athletes you'll 249 00:11:50,000 --> 00:11:53,080 Speaker 1: ever see in the world on both sides. You know, 250 00:11:53,600 --> 00:11:56,480 Speaker 1: I think there's different levels and tiers of it as well. Oh, 251 00:11:56,559 --> 00:11:59,560 Speaker 1: you know, there's there's there's there's. 252 00:11:59,360 --> 00:12:03,199 Speaker 2: Been Olympic athletes that got into pro wrestling. 253 00:12:03,240 --> 00:12:06,880 Speaker 1: As well that never touched the football field, you know, 254 00:12:07,320 --> 00:12:11,400 Speaker 1: and there's like the I think there's been like Olympic 255 00:12:11,440 --> 00:12:13,640 Speaker 1: athletes that gone into NFL. 256 00:12:14,360 --> 00:12:16,319 Speaker 2: You know, they're both top tier athletes. 257 00:12:16,679 --> 00:12:18,640 Speaker 1: I feel like there's a lot of NFL players that 258 00:12:18,720 --> 00:12:21,400 Speaker 1: are great cross at cross sport players too. A lot 259 00:12:21,440 --> 00:12:23,840 Speaker 1: of NFL players could have played pro basketball, you know, 260 00:12:24,559 --> 00:12:27,440 Speaker 1: Kyler Murray could have went to Major League Baseball. He 261 00:12:27,480 --> 00:12:30,280 Speaker 1: was drafted, you know. Well, same with Russell Wilson. So 262 00:12:30,840 --> 00:12:33,439 Speaker 1: I feel like there's a lot of like crossover sports 263 00:12:33,520 --> 00:12:35,960 Speaker 1: as well. So like it's hard to tell. You can't 264 00:12:36,040 --> 00:12:38,840 Speaker 1: narrow it down to just a blank slate of like 265 00:12:39,960 --> 00:12:42,880 Speaker 1: this sport and this person this athlete. I feel like 266 00:12:42,920 --> 00:12:45,440 Speaker 1: it's just all over the place, you know. You know, 267 00:12:45,559 --> 00:12:49,120 Speaker 1: he had like a Bishop Dyer who was a boxer, 268 00:12:49,400 --> 00:12:52,319 Speaker 1: you know, play played ball as well. So there's a 269 00:12:52,360 --> 00:12:54,079 Speaker 1: little I think that's the beauty of it. I think 270 00:12:54,080 --> 00:12:56,760 Speaker 1: both need each other to succeed. You know, without like 271 00:12:56,840 --> 00:13:00,000 Speaker 1: the NFL and stuff, you don't get like a role 272 00:13:00,120 --> 00:13:02,160 Speaker 1: and rains, you don't get like a Goldberg. You don't 273 00:13:02,160 --> 00:13:04,840 Speaker 1: get these guys as well, you know, So I think 274 00:13:05,080 --> 00:13:06,880 Speaker 1: both is needed, both of it. 275 00:13:07,200 --> 00:13:09,600 Speaker 3: Yeah, and I go to what you're talking about, Like 276 00:13:09,760 --> 00:13:12,400 Speaker 3: this player in NBA could play in this Ward this 277 00:13:12,520 --> 00:13:14,960 Speaker 3: vice versa. I mean, look at Rajon Rondo right now. 278 00:13:15,000 --> 00:13:17,319 Speaker 3: I think what is the number one quarterback in flag 279 00:13:17,360 --> 00:13:18,120 Speaker 3: football right now? 280 00:13:19,320 --> 00:13:21,720 Speaker 4: Yeah, Charlie Ward, you know, won the Heisman then he 281 00:13:21,720 --> 00:13:22,960 Speaker 4: played basketball. 282 00:13:22,559 --> 00:13:25,240 Speaker 2: So yeah, like this, it's that's the beauty of the 283 00:13:25,480 --> 00:13:26,280 Speaker 2: of sports. 284 00:13:26,320 --> 00:13:28,880 Speaker 1: In athleticism in general, I will say there's a there's 285 00:13:28,920 --> 00:13:35,000 Speaker 1: a difference between performers being athletic and being athletes, right 286 00:13:35,400 --> 00:13:38,160 Speaker 1: I will say there is a difference, Like I'm athletic, 287 00:13:38,559 --> 00:13:40,360 Speaker 1: but I don't know if I'm the tier of athlete 288 00:13:40,360 --> 00:13:43,240 Speaker 1: to go in the NFL, especially at my aleeage. Even 289 00:13:43,280 --> 00:13:46,440 Speaker 1: when I was like in my twenties nineteen, I wasn't 290 00:13:46,440 --> 00:13:49,800 Speaker 1: at that level of athlete, but I was always athletic 291 00:13:50,440 --> 00:13:52,400 Speaker 1: to be able to perform, you know. So there are 292 00:13:52,440 --> 00:13:55,080 Speaker 1: different tiers in different ways to look at it, but 293 00:13:55,160 --> 00:13:58,880 Speaker 1: I feel like both can do both in different ways. 294 00:13:59,520 --> 00:14:00,000 Speaker 2: Absolutely. 295 00:14:00,200 --> 00:14:02,160 Speaker 3: Of course, swear Stricton is our guests on the show 296 00:14:02,200 --> 00:14:06,120 Speaker 3: right now aw Revolution this weekend on pay per view. 297 00:14:06,840 --> 00:14:10,160 Speaker 3: There's always those fun questions when you get asked, like 298 00:14:10,400 --> 00:14:13,120 Speaker 3: who's that person right out there now that you want 299 00:14:13,120 --> 00:14:15,400 Speaker 3: to step in the ring with that, you haven't got 300 00:14:15,400 --> 00:14:17,800 Speaker 3: the chance to have a match with it, you'd think 301 00:14:17,840 --> 00:14:20,400 Speaker 3: would be an awesome match. Is there anybody out there 302 00:14:20,400 --> 00:14:22,160 Speaker 3: that you're kind of looking at right now of like, hey, 303 00:14:22,200 --> 00:14:24,680 Speaker 3: we could put on a five star match. 304 00:14:25,840 --> 00:14:28,560 Speaker 1: Honestly, I'm waiting for one of the probably one of 305 00:14:28,560 --> 00:14:31,520 Speaker 1: the best talents like all around in the business to 306 00:14:31,720 --> 00:14:34,880 Speaker 1: come back. You know, hopefully he's healthy and hopefully he 307 00:14:34,920 --> 00:14:38,320 Speaker 1: can like like do even better than what he was 308 00:14:38,360 --> 00:14:42,200 Speaker 1: he was giving before. Buddy Matthews shout out to him. 309 00:14:42,600 --> 00:14:45,240 Speaker 1: He's one of those guys that's just like a dog 310 00:14:45,320 --> 00:14:47,120 Speaker 1: in the rain. I think me and him could do 311 00:14:47,200 --> 00:14:49,240 Speaker 1: some great work, and I looked look forward to seeing 312 00:14:49,280 --> 00:14:52,640 Speaker 1: him back doing his own thing and doing like you know, 313 00:14:53,200 --> 00:14:55,080 Speaker 1: like I think he has a lot to offer in 314 00:14:55,120 --> 00:14:56,720 Speaker 1: the wrestling world, and I would like to see him 315 00:14:56,720 --> 00:14:57,400 Speaker 1: back healthy again. 316 00:14:58,040 --> 00:15:01,280 Speaker 3: Yeah'd be a solid one for sure. You know, as 317 00:15:01,320 --> 00:15:03,280 Speaker 3: we get closer towards the end of our show, we 318 00:15:03,360 --> 00:15:07,000 Speaker 3: always like to have some fun here. And you know, 319 00:15:07,840 --> 00:15:10,840 Speaker 3: when it comes to the theme song, I know that 320 00:15:10,920 --> 00:15:12,800 Speaker 3: you have your own theme song you perform and everything 321 00:15:12,840 --> 00:15:15,800 Speaker 3: else in between, but if you had to pick maybe 322 00:15:15,840 --> 00:15:18,320 Speaker 3: a different artist to come out one night for your 323 00:15:18,400 --> 00:15:18,920 Speaker 3: theme song. 324 00:15:19,680 --> 00:15:20,360 Speaker 2: Where are you picking? 325 00:15:22,520 --> 00:15:24,800 Speaker 1: I think Asap Rocky is one of my favorite guys 326 00:15:25,280 --> 00:15:29,920 Speaker 1: I would love to have like and like he's the 327 00:15:30,000 --> 00:15:32,600 Speaker 1: Asap Mob has always dabbled in wrestling throughout the years. 328 00:15:32,600 --> 00:15:35,320 Speaker 1: They've put on shows, you know, in Miami and stuff 329 00:15:35,720 --> 00:15:39,640 Speaker 1: in wrestling rings, you know, so like I've always appreciated that, 330 00:15:39,720 --> 00:15:43,000 Speaker 1: like uh, I think Travis Scott is always one of them. 331 00:15:43,000 --> 00:15:44,160 Speaker 2: He always has great energy. 332 00:15:44,160 --> 00:15:46,600 Speaker 1: But I feel like, you know, the sound is like 333 00:15:47,160 --> 00:15:50,520 Speaker 1: more predicated to WW at this moment. So I'm always 334 00:15:50,560 --> 00:15:53,160 Speaker 1: about finding that unique sound that would stick with us. 335 00:15:53,280 --> 00:15:56,120 Speaker 1: I feel like Asap has such a unique sound, that 336 00:15:56,160 --> 00:16:01,000 Speaker 1: distortion sound would be really cool for an aw Yeah. 337 00:16:00,840 --> 00:16:03,080 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean that would be that would be awesome 338 00:16:03,080 --> 00:16:03,400 Speaker 2: for sure. 339 00:16:03,400 --> 00:16:07,600 Speaker 3: Maybe maybe Asap is can be in Revolution this Sunday. 340 00:16:07,600 --> 00:16:07,880 Speaker 3: I don't know. 341 00:16:07,920 --> 00:16:10,640 Speaker 2: We'll see what happened. I didn't find a way to 342 00:16:10,680 --> 00:16:12,320 Speaker 2: throw out the invite. I can find a way. 343 00:16:12,640 --> 00:16:14,960 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean that would be already dope, you're sitting there, 344 00:16:15,000 --> 00:16:16,040 Speaker 3: all of a sudden he comes out with you. 345 00:16:16,080 --> 00:16:18,440 Speaker 2: It would be awesome for sure, at least at least 346 00:16:18,440 --> 00:16:19,560 Speaker 2: double or nothing for sure. 347 00:16:19,840 --> 00:16:22,240 Speaker 3: Oh yeah, yeah, let's let's make it happen. I don't 348 00:16:22,240 --> 00:16:24,680 Speaker 3: know if we need to. I mean, you've got the connections, Tony. 349 00:16:26,000 --> 00:16:28,440 Speaker 3: Do it now, Let's make history. Let's make a pop 350 00:16:28,440 --> 00:16:32,000 Speaker 3: culture moment for sure. As as we wrap things up, 351 00:16:32,160 --> 00:16:34,560 Speaker 3: I I know you've said publicly that you plan to 352 00:16:34,680 --> 00:16:39,240 Speaker 3: retire when your AW contract ends. When you think about that, 353 00:16:39,920 --> 00:16:44,880 Speaker 3: what Swerve Strickland's legacy, uh look like when that day comes? 354 00:16:44,880 --> 00:16:47,040 Speaker 2: What's what's it looked like for you? Do you have 355 00:16:47,080 --> 00:16:47,840 Speaker 2: you already thought of that? 356 00:16:48,960 --> 00:16:51,400 Speaker 1: I would say my legacy that I was always trying 357 00:16:51,440 --> 00:16:54,160 Speaker 1: to push to do, always change and evolve. Once again, 358 00:16:54,160 --> 00:16:57,240 Speaker 1: it evolved over the years because I didn't know it 359 00:16:57,280 --> 00:17:01,200 Speaker 1: was possible to make it this far, you know, like 360 00:17:01,400 --> 00:17:06,000 Speaker 1: I felt like after twenty twenty four, I could have 361 00:17:06,040 --> 00:17:08,439 Speaker 1: retired right there after me and Brian Danielson at Wembley, 362 00:17:08,560 --> 00:17:10,320 Speaker 1: because I never in a million years would have thought 363 00:17:10,359 --> 00:17:15,159 Speaker 1: of main eventing a stadium show, you know, not not 364 00:17:16,040 --> 00:17:20,240 Speaker 1: like let alone main eventing it across from Brian Danielson, 365 00:17:20,320 --> 00:17:25,400 Speaker 1: another Washington born wrestler, let alone being the champion going 366 00:17:25,440 --> 00:17:28,840 Speaker 1: in man eventing, let alone going out there with Bud 367 00:17:28,920 --> 00:17:32,640 Speaker 1: be doing my entrance in Westside Gunn, you know, and 368 00:17:32,760 --> 00:17:33,359 Speaker 1: Prince Naan. 369 00:17:33,320 --> 00:17:35,639 Speaker 2: I was incredible, of course, yeah. 370 00:17:36,640 --> 00:17:38,480 Speaker 1: Let alone, Like you know, Prince Naann, I'd be in there, 371 00:17:38,520 --> 00:17:41,600 Speaker 1: who's I've been friends with since like twenty thirteen, you know, 372 00:17:42,400 --> 00:17:46,000 Speaker 1: and then let alone, just like I would say, like 373 00:17:47,040 --> 00:17:49,399 Speaker 1: giving him that moment. Brian Daison called that one of 374 00:17:49,400 --> 00:17:53,840 Speaker 1: his biggest moments in his career. You know them on 375 00:17:53,920 --> 00:17:56,879 Speaker 1: top of being breakout Wrestler of the Year by ESPN 376 00:17:56,920 --> 00:17:59,400 Speaker 1: and twenty twenty four, on top of being number two 377 00:17:59,440 --> 00:18:03,000 Speaker 1: in the PW why. You know, however, wide range, big 378 00:18:03,040 --> 00:18:06,639 Speaker 1: and small, those accomplishments to make mean to some people 379 00:18:06,640 --> 00:18:08,359 Speaker 1: out there. They meant a lot to me because it 380 00:18:08,400 --> 00:18:11,439 Speaker 1: all happened at the right time for me. But I 381 00:18:11,440 --> 00:18:15,440 Speaker 1: could never imagine that happening. So now, like I could 382 00:18:15,440 --> 00:18:17,600 Speaker 1: have retired right then and there, and I would I'd 383 00:18:17,640 --> 00:18:20,480 Speaker 1: be happy. Anything else after that is just let's like 384 00:18:20,680 --> 00:18:23,719 Speaker 1: add it on. I'm just I'm just doing DLC at 385 00:18:23,720 --> 00:18:26,240 Speaker 1: this moment. Everything else was to add on. The game 386 00:18:26,359 --> 00:18:29,320 Speaker 1: ended two years ago. So for me, at this point, 387 00:18:29,400 --> 00:18:30,880 Speaker 1: I wanted to go down as one of the most 388 00:18:30,880 --> 00:18:34,440 Speaker 1: well rounded wrestlers of all time, and I really feel 389 00:18:34,440 --> 00:18:35,840 Speaker 1: like I'm on that path. 390 00:18:36,160 --> 00:18:37,879 Speaker 2: I was like, there's nothing you can put me in 391 00:18:37,920 --> 00:18:41,120 Speaker 2: that I can't do. You put me into tags, I'm 392 00:18:41,160 --> 00:18:43,000 Speaker 2: gonna have one of the best tag matches ever. 393 00:18:43,240 --> 00:18:46,199 Speaker 1: You put me in hardcore matches, I'll probably have one 394 00:18:46,240 --> 00:18:48,159 Speaker 1: of the best hardcore matches ever. You can main event me, 395 00:18:48,240 --> 00:18:50,359 Speaker 1: you can open the show with me, you can like 396 00:18:50,600 --> 00:18:52,159 Speaker 1: have put me in a faction, you put me with 397 00:18:52,200 --> 00:18:54,520 Speaker 1: a manager, you can There's nothing you can't do with 398 00:18:54,560 --> 00:18:56,320 Speaker 1: me that I can't. 399 00:18:55,960 --> 00:18:57,320 Speaker 2: Maximize to the most. 400 00:18:57,680 --> 00:18:59,600 Speaker 1: And I feel like that's why I pride myself on 401 00:19:00,480 --> 00:19:03,560 Speaker 1: and I'll that's why I went out there and said, like, 402 00:19:03,560 --> 00:19:06,199 Speaker 1: there's nobody else like me in this industry or probably 403 00:19:06,200 --> 00:19:10,080 Speaker 1: in wrestling history. And I will wholeheartedly stand on that 404 00:19:10,480 --> 00:19:14,560 Speaker 1: because I made it a point to be as authentically 405 00:19:14,640 --> 00:19:19,280 Speaker 1: myself as possible. Whatever weird, like childlike wonder that ever 406 00:19:19,440 --> 00:19:21,800 Speaker 1: entered my mind in my head, I put it on screen. 407 00:19:22,359 --> 00:19:24,840 Speaker 1: I put it like I literally gave it to the people. 408 00:19:25,280 --> 00:19:28,200 Speaker 1: And it wasn't like it wasn't influenced by another wrestler. 409 00:19:28,200 --> 00:19:30,639 Speaker 1: It wasn't influenced by like something I seen in the 410 00:19:30,680 --> 00:19:35,399 Speaker 1: wrestling world or studying growing up. It was frankly from here, 411 00:19:35,480 --> 00:19:37,720 Speaker 1: and it was from here, and I think people that's 412 00:19:37,720 --> 00:19:40,840 Speaker 1: what's connected people so much to me because every time 413 00:19:40,880 --> 00:19:42,240 Speaker 1: I've come out, people's like, I've. 414 00:19:42,080 --> 00:19:42,920 Speaker 2: Never seen that before. 415 00:19:42,920 --> 00:19:45,000 Speaker 1: I never seen that before, because I'm giving a piece 416 00:19:45,000 --> 00:19:48,359 Speaker 1: of myself to the world, into the wrestling world time 417 00:19:48,400 --> 00:19:50,840 Speaker 1: and time again, whether it's wrestling, whether it's doing a 418 00:19:50,920 --> 00:19:58,480 Speaker 1: backstage interview, whether it's like like what I wear out into, 419 00:19:58,960 --> 00:20:00,720 Speaker 1: like as far as my attire to the ring, like 420 00:20:00,760 --> 00:20:05,200 Speaker 1: whether it's being green Lantern, whether I'm being the Predator, 421 00:20:05,520 --> 00:20:11,320 Speaker 1: whether I'm doing the a static you know, or or 422 00:20:11,359 --> 00:20:12,840 Speaker 1: if I'm coming out just like because I'm a fan 423 00:20:12,880 --> 00:20:13,480 Speaker 1: of the movie. 424 00:20:13,320 --> 00:20:15,760 Speaker 2: The Warriors from Double or Nothing two years ago. 425 00:20:15,840 --> 00:20:19,680 Speaker 1: You know, Like it's always been authentically myself in pieces 426 00:20:19,680 --> 00:20:22,720 Speaker 1: of me that I'm sharing to the people that I've 427 00:20:22,720 --> 00:20:27,119 Speaker 1: grew up loving. And that's the cool part about this 428 00:20:27,720 --> 00:20:31,000 Speaker 1: art form and this like professional wrestling. So that's why 429 00:20:31,000 --> 00:20:33,280 Speaker 1: I can honestly say I'm probably the most well rounded 430 00:20:33,280 --> 00:20:38,000 Speaker 1: wrestler out there in the world, and truly hopefully by 431 00:20:38,000 --> 00:20:39,600 Speaker 1: the end of my career it'll be of all time. 432 00:20:40,359 --> 00:20:43,160 Speaker 4: Yeah, I gotta say, with your entrance gear and stuff, 433 00:20:43,200 --> 00:20:45,960 Speaker 4: I mean, you're getting like mood a level with some 434 00:20:46,040 --> 00:20:48,080 Speaker 4: of that, like the Predator is like a top five 435 00:20:48,119 --> 00:20:50,960 Speaker 4: for me. I mean it's just unbelievable. So yeah, kudos, 436 00:20:51,040 --> 00:20:51,560 Speaker 4: kudos that. 437 00:20:52,280 --> 00:20:55,280 Speaker 3: Well, you know, I know time is of the essence 438 00:20:55,359 --> 00:20:56,919 Speaker 3: right now, and we don't have much time left with 439 00:20:56,960 --> 00:20:58,360 Speaker 3: you because you got to get ready for your big 440 00:20:58,359 --> 00:21:01,520 Speaker 3: match with Brody before we let you go. Anything you 441 00:21:01,560 --> 00:21:03,439 Speaker 3: want to say to the fans watching or listening to 442 00:21:03,440 --> 00:21:04,160 Speaker 3: this right now. 443 00:21:04,720 --> 00:21:07,680 Speaker 1: Check out Revolution man Mark Beeteenth. We're on the road 444 00:21:07,920 --> 00:21:10,600 Speaker 1: from the West Coast on right now. We're going into 445 00:21:10,640 --> 00:21:14,400 Speaker 1: Revolution to download Hit Different with Me Myself and Rake 446 00:21:14,760 --> 00:21:18,280 Speaker 1: Me Myself, Ray Kuan and Mantezi and Rest in Peace 447 00:21:18,280 --> 00:21:20,800 Speaker 1: Profit for doing the production on that. He passed away 448 00:21:21,680 --> 00:21:25,159 Speaker 1: early this year in January. So the last record we 449 00:21:25,200 --> 00:21:28,320 Speaker 1: did together was Hit Different. So and now we were 450 00:21:28,320 --> 00:21:30,439 Speaker 1: in the studio of Rakwan and he loved it, you 451 00:21:30,480 --> 00:21:32,600 Speaker 1: know from Wu Tang and shout out Wu Tang going 452 00:21:32,640 --> 00:21:35,280 Speaker 1: into the hip hop of the actually the rock and 453 00:21:35,359 --> 00:21:35,879 Speaker 1: roll Hall. 454 00:21:35,720 --> 00:21:36,600 Speaker 2: Of Famers here. 455 00:21:36,720 --> 00:21:40,000 Speaker 1: Yeah yeah, so you know, shout out to that great timing. 456 00:21:40,160 --> 00:21:45,600 Speaker 1: Like I said, authentically myself authentically likes It's just me, 457 00:21:45,920 --> 00:21:48,000 Speaker 1: whether you like it or not, I'm being myself and 458 00:21:48,320 --> 00:21:49,720 Speaker 1: you can't never take that away from me. 459 00:21:49,880 --> 00:21:53,800 Speaker 2: So check that out, download, hit different stream that play it. 460 00:21:53,920 --> 00:21:56,439 Speaker 2: No matter what, you're 461 00:21:56,440 --> 00:21:59,240 Speaker 1: Pushing the legacy not only myself but Ray Kwan and 462 00:21:59,280 --> 00:22:02,960 Speaker 1: Wu tang Matisi and Profit one of the best producers 463 00:22:03,040 --> 00:22:03,280 Speaker 1: ever