Swerve Strickland Signs Lucrative AEW Contract, Sparks Industry-Wide Pay Discussions

Swerve Strickland has signed a new contract with All Elite Wrestling (AEW), keeping him with the company until September 2029. The deal, signed during the AEW All In pre-show, is reported to make Strickland one of the highest-paid performers in professional wrestling, comparable to top stars in both AEW and WWE. This contract has sparked discussions about wrestler pay, with some WWE sources suggesting it could inflate the industry’s pay structure.

Former WWE star Raj Dhesi, known as Jinder Mahal, has publicly supported the move, stating that wrestlers should be paid what they deserve. He argued that the market dictates pay rates, and in this case, it has worked in Strickland’s favor. The news has generated reactions from various wrestlers across the industry, highlighting the ongoing conversation about fair compensation in professional wrestling.

While WWE reportedly attempted to sign Strickland and his associate Prince Nana, the former AEW World Champion chose to remain with AEW. As for Dhesi, he has been a free agent since April and has returned to independent wrestling, recently winning a championship in AAA alongside AEW star Satnam Singh.

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