Swerve Strickland Successfully Undergoes Surgery for Knee Injury

Former AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland has begun his recovery journey following successful surgery on a torn meniscus. Strickland shared details of the procedure through a recent post on his Instagram Story, showcasing his bandaged knee. This injury has been a long-standing issue for Strickland, reportedly dating back to his time with the NXT roster.

The surgery comes after Strickland had planned to take a significant break from AEW television following the major event Forbidden Door. Reports from Bodyslam indicated that he was scheduled for the operation this week. His last appearance in AEW was a Unified Championship match against Kazuchika Okada at Forbidden Door in London, where he suffered a loss. Following the match, Okada viciously attacked Strickland’s already injured knee using the ring post, steel steps, and a steel chair.

During this turbulent period, Strickland’s manager, Prince Nana, also faced setbacks after being ambushed by Wardlow, a new member of the Don Callis Family.

Impact on AEW’s Main Event Scene

Strickland’s absence creates a notable gap in AEW’s main event landscape. Since joining AEW, he has made significant strides, becoming the first Black AEW World Champion in 2024 and previously holding the AEW World Tag Team Championship in 2022. Strickland has headlined several major pay-per-view events, including the prestigious All In London 2024 at Wembley Stadium.

With Strickland sidelined and fellow AEW star Will Ospreay also out due to injury, the question remains as to who will rise to the challenge in the current AEW landscape. A potential candidate for a return is Orange Cassidy, who is reportedly nearing his comeback after being sidelined with a torn labrum for most of the year.

In recent weeks, AEW World Trios Champion Samoa Joe has made his return after a hiatus to promote the second season of the Peacock series, Twisted Metal. Additionally, Konosuke Takeshita recently returned from Japan after winning the G1 Climax tournament, adding further depth to the roster.

Strickland’s recovery will be closely monitored by fans and the AEW community as the organization navigates this challenging period. With the return of top talent and the emergence of new contenders, the dynamics within AEW are sure to shift in the coming months.