AEW's Swerve Strickland Says He's Learned Most From These Current & Former WWE Stars

Swerve Strickland has enjoyed a steady rise in the pro wrestling business and has credited a few WWE legends for helping him reach the position he is in today in AEW.

Strickland reached the top of the mountain in AEW in 2024 when he won the AEW World Championship, which came after years of hard work. He said in an interview with "Hot 97" that three legends of the business, Rey Mysterio, Shawn Michaels, and his fellow AEW star Adam Copeland, inspired him throughout his pro wrestling career. 

"Rey Mysterio is my number one, always. Yeah, Uncle Rey is like my guy. I would say Copeland or Edge, and then Shawn Michaels are my top three," said the AEW star.

Strickland then explained how each of the three WWE Hall of Famers influenced him and helped him grow as a wrestler.

"I was able to learn from all three of them. I wrestled Rey. Couldn't wrestle Shawn, [but] I learned from Shawn in NXT. Tape studies with him, like one-on-ones. Like, close the door. Boom. It's me and him locked in. Nobody else. That changed my mindset for wrestling and performing," said the former AEW World Champion. "And Copeland, I get to see him every week. And I'll be coming up with something for the match that night, and I'm like, I'm on the fence with this. And I go to him, and he'll be like, 'Nope, this is the one you should take.' And he always has the best interests of the performer, too, which always feels good to me."

Strickland couldn't wrestle Michaels, who had retired by the time he made it to WWE, and has yet to face Copeland in AEW, though their relationship and being in the same promotion make that a possibility. His friendship with Copeland began during the latter's days in WWE, where Copeland offered valuable advice and has been a mentor to him for several years.