AEW star Shane ‘Swerve’ Strickland has said that Triple H refused to let him follow scripted word-for-word promos as part of WWE NXT.

Strickland joined WWE’s third brand in 2019, becoming a one-time NXT North American Champion, but was released weeks into his main-roster call up in November 2021.

Speaking on Talk is Jericho this week, Strickland discussed working with the Game, saying:

“We did Great American Bash and we [Strickland and Leon Ruff] had a blow-off match. That’s when Hit Row was introduced. I was cutting promos in the studio backstage and Triple H was like ‘Nope – take away the script. Don’t let him use the script anymore.’ So I was like ‘cool’.”

WWE’s policy is for promos to be written ahead of time by the creative team and for Superstars to recite these promos verbatim.

The company has been heavily criticized for this approach, with fans and wrestlers alike arguing that this stifles the creativity of the Superstars.

Triple H ran NXT until the show’s rebrand as NXT 2.0 in September 2021 and has recently been recovering from a cardiac event.

Strickland joined AEW at Revolution 2022 in March and most recently faced Darby Allin on last week’s Rampage in a losing effort.

In addition to WWE and AEW, Strickland has worked for Lucha Underground and MLW, and is a former World Heavyweight Champion of the latter.

“Swerve” Shane Strickland is All Elite as the former WWE star made AEW debut at Sunday’s Revolution pay-per-view event when Tony Schavione revealed a special free agent signing.

Strickland came out and said that he could talk about everyone he will get to wrestle and all the titles he plans to win, but he just wanted the fans to acknowledge whose house it is now. 

This was expected as it was first reported by Fightful that Swerve had signed with AEW and could be making his promotional debut as soon as this show. He was spotted at the AEW concert on Saturday. 

While in WWE NXT, Strickland held the Cruiserweight Title once and formed the Hit Row group alongside B-Fab, Top Dolla, and Ashantee Thee Adonis. They were later called up to the main roster and placed on SmackDown, but Vince McMahon didn’t do much with them before he let them go last November. 

When Strickland was first let go by WWE, it was reported there were multiple companies, including major ones such as AEW, who had shown interest in bringing him in. Since his release from WWE, Strickland had been booked for dates in GCW and numerous high-level independent companies, including NJPW.

AEW is bringing in another free agent. Former WWE Superstar Shane “Swerve” Strickland is expected to ink a deal with the promotion.

Fightful Select reported on Wednesday the former NXT North American Champion expected to sign the contract. He’s expected to start with AEW in early March, which is coincidentally when AEW Revolution takes place.

AEW has been interested in signing Shane Strickland since the company was formed in 2019. He wound up going to WWE/NXT instead, but things have come full circle. He began negotiating with AEW shortly after his 90-day non-compete ended.

Aside from him being a world class pro wrestler, people in AEW see Strickland as having ‘crossover’ potential that could see him getting involved with television and movie projects.

Swerve’s Road to AEW

Last November, Strickland and the rest of Hit Row (Top Dolla, B-Fab and Ashante “Thee” Adonis) were among the names to be let go just six weeks after the group was called up to the main roster as part of the 2021 WWE Draft. 

They formed in NXT and quickly got over as a top act. Strickland won the North American Title from Bronson Reed (JONAH) where he held it for over 100 days before losing it to Carmelo Hayes.

Strickland will be a busy man over the next few months as he’s booked for Thursday’s Terminus event as well as an upcoming DEFY match against prodigy Nick Wayne, and several matches during WrestleMania weekend.

• Hit Row Members Reuniting Without Shane “Swerve” Strickland

Shane Strickland says he lost motivation for his main roster run in WWE following his Hit Row stablemate B-Fab’s release. He made the below comments during an appearance on the Wrestling Classic podcast.

“Truth be told, after Briana [Brandy] got let go, it kind of, for me, I kind of lost the interest anyway. I’m a person that’s 100 percent go or not so they’re not 100 percent behind me, it’s like, okay, I can’t be 100 percent behind this project,” Strickland said on the project.

It was reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that there is interest from AEW in bringing Strickland in. He’s also been booked on 2 shows for GCW in April. He made his NJPW recently by answering Jay White’s Open Challenge.

“WWE is gonna WWE,” Strickland continued. “They’re gonna do what they do. They have what they want and they’re happy with what they got. I’m not necessarily happy with what I’m noticing with the product change but they’re happy with it. It’s their money, it’s their product.”

The members of Hit Row will reunite on March 19th on a show for MCW.

H/T To WrestlingNewsCO for the above transcriptions.

Two more wrestlers in WWE’s developmental system have received new names. The former MLW World Champion Shane Strickland and former X-Division Champion DJZ were both announced by their new gimmick names last night on an NXT house show in Largo, Florida.

Shane Strickland will now go by the name of Isaiah Scott in NXT. His real name is Shane Strickland and he has wrestled under the name Killshot in Lucha Underground as well.

DJZ will now be going by the name Joaquin Wilde in NXT. His real name is Michael Paris and he has wrestled under the names DJZ, DJ Zema, Shima Xion, and Zema Ion.

WWE also changed the names of 5 other NXT talents recently:

• 5 NXT Wrestlers Given New Names

Shane Strickland in NXT

Strickland has wrestled 4 official matches since signing with NXT. He dropped his first match to Trevor Lee on May 1st, lost to Roderick Strong on May 9th, defeated Trevor Lee on May 10th and then teamed with Brennan Williams and defeated Elliot Sexton and Jonah Rock last night in Largo.

DJZ In NXT

DJZ as Joaquin Wilde wrestled his first match in NXT last night. He defeated Kona Reeves in single’s action.

NXT House Show in Largo, Florida Results

Here are the full results from last night’s house show in Largo, Florida.

1. Joaquin Wilde defeated Kona Reeves
2. MJ Jenkins defeated Rachael Evers
3. Brennan Williams & Isaiah Scott defeated Elliot Sexton & Jonah Rock
4. Damian Priest defeated Cezar Bononi
5. WWE NXT Tag Team Title Match: Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) (c) defeated The Forgotten Sons (Steve Cutler & Wesley Blake) (w/Jaxson Ryker)
6. Albert Hardie Jr. (ACH) defeated Big Boa
7. Karen Q & Xia Li defeated Aliyah & Vanessa Bourne
8. WWE NXT Title Match: Adam Cole (c) defeated Keith Lee

WWE will add two more top indy talents to their ever-expanding roster.

Per a report from Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer, Garza Jr and Shane Strickland have both signed deals with WWE and will be reporting to the WWE Performance Center on April 9.

Garza was supposed to join the company last year but his deal fell through when he suffered a shoulder injury, which made him fail the WWE physical test. He was offered a new deal and this time was succesfully able to pass the test.

Garza will be making his last appearance at The Crash show on Saturday in Tijuana.

On March 8 at a DEFY Wrestling event, Shane Strickland said goodbye to fans and said it would be his last appearance, and said that he’s moving on for “better and bigger things.”

WWE has shown interest in the past for the former MLW Champion. He declared himself a free agent in January after being able to fulfill the rest of his Lucha Underground deal.

It would be interesting to see how these top indie stars fare in WWE and how the company handles them.

Former MLW World Heavyweight Champion Shane Strickland said goodbye to DEFY Wrestling on Friday night at an event when he told the fans in attendance that it would be his final appearance for the promotion. He added that he’s moving on to bigger and better things, according to PWInsider.

He’s giving a speech that this was his last match at Defy.

We chant “THANK YOU SIR!” pic.twitter.com/DC6CTL5aRP

— Jennifer Scheurle (@Gaohmee) March 9, 2019

All the other wrestlers are out now to thank him. It’s super emotional!!!! pic.twitter.com/FxCBjf1dRP

— Jennifer Scheurle (@Gaohmee) March 9, 2019

Back in January, he announced on his Twitter account that he’s now a free agent after being able to fulfill the rest of his Lucha Underground deal after season four.

There have been rumors that he could be headed to the WWE as the company has an interest in signing him. Strickland is also a former EVOLVE Champion and it’s no secret that WWE and EVOLVE have a working relationship.

Strickland will be working the next two EVOLVE shows. EVOLVE Tag Team Champions The Street Profits vs. two members of The Unwanted (Eddie Kingston, Joe Gacy, Colby Corino & Strickland) will take place at EVOLVE 123 on March 15th at the Melrose Memorial Hall in Melrose, Mass.

At EVOLVE 124, Strickland, Kingston & Gacy will take on Dream & The Street Profits the following night at the La Boom in Queens, N.Y.

Shane Strickland announced on Tuesday that he is officially a free agent. With WWE, NJPW, AEW, ROH and MLW signing up talent left and right, don’t expect “Swerve” to remain on the sidelines for long.

Officially a free agent again

— The Realest Swerve Strickland (@swerveconfident) January 15, 2019

Shane Strickland – WWE Interest?

A report from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter in August suggested WWE had interest in Strickland.

“Shane Strickland is another name (WWE) are looking at and will be coming in for a future look,” Dave Meltzer wrote. At the time, however, Strickland was under contract to Major League Wrestling. He had been the promotion’s World Champion from April to July last year.

It was then announced last November that Strickland would be finishing up with MLW at their Miami tapings in December. Strickland also lost the DEFY championship last month.

Shane Strickland’s Career Thus Far

Strickland got his first break in the wrestling business with CZW in 2012. Lucha Underground then cast him as Killshot in 2015. He was involved in a heavily praised storyline along with AR Fox on the show.

Beginning in 2018, Strickland competed with EVOLVE, AAA, PCW, and Major League Wrestling. He became the first man since Steve Corino in 2004 to hold the Major League Wrestling World Championship when he defeated Matt Riddle in the finals of a tournament at Gilt Nightclub in Orlando on April 12th, 2018.

Former MLW Champion, Shane Strickland, will be finishing up with the company next month. There is rumored interest from WWE for Strickland as well. WWE is expected to announce several new signings in January and Strickland could potentially be one of them.

According to a report from PW Insider, Strickland’s last shows with MLW will be the 2-night Fusion tapings in Miami on December 13th to 14th.

WWE’s interest in Strickland was first reported in August. “Shane Strickland is another name (WWE) are looking at and will be coming in for a future look,” Dave Meltzer wrote this summer. Low-Ki defeated Strickland for the MLW World title just weeks before the report was published on July 12th.

Shane Strickland To WWE?

The 30-year-old Strickland’s first breakthrough in wrestling came as a member of the CZW roster in 2012. He later joined the Lucha Underground roster under the name “Killshot” in 2015. While in Lucha Underground, he took part in a well-reviewed angle with AR Fox that culminated in a Weapons of Mass Destruction match.

In 2018, Strickland has debuted for MLW, AAA, and EVOLVE earlier this year. He’s a former CZW Champion, MLW Champion, EVOLVE Champion, and was ranked #221 by Pro Wrestling Illustrated this year.

Strickland faced Low-Ki in a rematch for the MLW title at MLW: Fightland. The match will air in the coming weeks on Fusion.

Major League Wrestling announced on Thursday that Shane Strickland has optioned his rematch clause against MLW World Heavyweight Champion Low Ki. Four months after Low Ki throned the champ, “Swerve” will get a shot at redemption at MLW Fightland on Thursday, November 8th from Chicago, IL.

It’s expected that Strickland will be facing Low Ki at Fightland, but Low Ki first has to get through his title defense against Daga tonight in New York City at MLW: Fury Road.

Both Fury Road and Fightland will be TV tapings for MLW Fusion, which airs every Friday night on beIN SPORTS.

Strickland’s MLW World Championship rematch is the second title match announced for Fightland. Earlier this week, the company announced the main event will see Pentagon Jr. & Rey Fenix (cornered by Konnan) defend the MLW World Tag Team Championships against LA Park & Hijo de LA Park (presented by Salina de la Renta).

The MLW World title shot at Fightland is being seen by many as Strickland’s best chance to climb back to the top of the mountain in MLW. Tonight at Fury Road, he’ll face “Filthy” Tom Lawlor, who has his own championship opportunity waiting for him as the winner of MLW Battle Riot.

If you’re in the Chicago area, check out MLWTickets.com for details on how you can attend MLW Fightland!

WWE is said to be interested in several talents currently competing for major indie promotions at the moment. One of those talents is said to be former MLW World Champion, Shane Strickland.

“Shane Strickland is another name they are looking at and will be coming in for a future look,” Dave Meltzer wrote in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter concerning WWE’s interest in Strickland.

Strickland recently lost the MLW World Championship to Low-Ki. A $60K bounty which was placed on his head played a role in this.

Shane Strickland Contract Situation

Strickland was one of many wrestlers MLW signed to contracts following the promotion’s deal with BeIN Sports this spring. MLW Fusion features many wrestlers under contract with MLW who are also allowed to work for independent promotions.

Strickland in particular, however, was signed to a new long-term deal recently. His contract is thought to prevent him from jumping ship to WWE.

WWE Interest in Pentagon and Fenix

Last week, it was also reported that WWE was interested in both Lucha Bros, Pentagon, and Fenix. There are signs the brothers are freeing up their schedule to possibly make a jump. The brothers are currently believed to be locked into deals with Lucha Underground.

“Pentagon Jr. and Fenix have told promoters who they’ve booked dates for in 2019 that those dates are in question,” Meltzer wrote in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Their contracts were thought to be for 7-seasons of LU but the promotion’s contracts recently loosened their exclusivity rules.

MLW was supposed to be “Swerve’s House” but a $60,000 bounty was eventually too much for him. Low-Ki not only cashed-in on the bounty but he took the MLW Heavyweight Championship from Strickland in the process.

The title changed happened last night from the Gilt nightclub in Orlando, FL. As per MLW rules, Low-Ki now must defend the title against any opponents Strickland had been scheduled against.

Low-Ki will defend his newly won title against John Hennigan next Thursday in Queen’s NY.

https://twitter.com/MLW/status/1017620820649218048

Low-Ki MLW World Heavyweight Champion

Low-Ki becomes just the second champion since the title was brought back into existence earlier this year. Strickland defeated Matt Riddle in the finals of a tournament on April 12th, 2018 in Orlando.

Low-Ki is now the 6th champion in MLW history. Champions 1-4 in the title’s lineage are Shane Douglas, Satoshi Kojima, Mike Awesome, and Steve Corino.

Other MLW Announcements

MLW Battle Riot July 19th

The promotion also plans to air their upcoming Battle Riot event on July 19 for free on BeIN Sports.

The promotion defines a Battle Riot match as:

“A mash-up of a battle royal, royal rumble and anything goes street fight, this super-sized main event will feature 40 wrestlers with new participants entering the ring every 60 seconds.”

The winner will receive a title shot against the MLW World Heavyweight Champion.

MLW War Games Returns

Earlier this week, MLW announced they will be holding a War Games match at the Fort Lauderdale’s War Memorial Auditorium on Thursday, September 6, 2018. The original inception of the promotion also featured a War Games match between Steve Corino’s Extreme Horsemen and Terry Funk’s “Funkin Army.”

Major League Wrestling owns the trademark to the name War Games for the following purposes:

“Entertainment services in the nature of organizing and arranging professional wrestling exhibitions for entertainment purposes; providing information and news about professional wrestling via a global computer network; presentation of live wrestling show performances.”

On July 19th, 2018, Major League Wrestling will air a special 2-hour event on BeIN Sports.

The featured match of the evening will be the 40-person Battle Riot match itself but the promotion recently announced 2 new championship matches to take place on the card.

MLW World Heavyweight Champion, Shane “Swerve” Strickland, will defend his title against Sami Callihan.

https://twitter.com/MLW/status/1014142652231667712

Callihan may also have members of his Death Machines present for the match.

MLW has also announced that Pentagon and Ray Fenix will defend their tag-team titles against Aerostar and Drago.

https://twitter.com/MLW/status/1014141743124631554

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScXkWejH2jo

Updated MLW Battle Riot Card

• John Hennigan vs Low-Ki
• the New Hart Foundation (Teddy Hart & Davey Boy Smith Jr) w/ Brian Pillman II vs ACH & Rich Swann
• MLW World Middleweight Championship (Vacant)
  Maxwell Jacob Friedman vs Joey Ryan
• MLW Tag Team Championships
  Pentagon & Ray Fenix (c) vs Aerostar and Drago
• MLW Heavyweight Championship
  Shane “Swerve” Strickland vs Sami Callihan
• 40-Person Battle Riot Match
  The winner will receive an MLW World Title shot

Battle Riot Confirmed Participants

• Tom Lawler
• Pentagon Jr.
• Pierre Carl Ouellet
• Rich Swann
• Jason Cade
• Joey Ryan
• “Taskmaster” Kevin Sullivan
• ACH
• John Morrison
• Lance Anoa’i
• Swoggle
• Konnan
• Jake Hager
• “Worldwide Desperado” Sami Callihan
• Davey Boy Smith Jr.
• Teddy Hart
• Barrington Hughes
• Jimmy Yuta

“A mash-up of a battle royal, royal rumble and anything goes street fight, this super-sized main event will feature 40 wrestlers with new participants entering the ring every 60 seconds.

Elimination is by pinfall, submission or by throwing an individual over the top rope.”

Court Bauer on MLW Battle Riot Airing Live For Free

“I heavily considered pay per view, but I want to give the fans something special and do it for free,” Bauer said. “Some promoters put a price tag on everything and I could see the temptation here, but I want to reward fans that have been supporting us. Disruption is key for MLW, and a free two-hour special is the ultimate disruption. BeIN is a great partner and I’m glad they agree.”

Ahead of tonight’s MLW FUSION premiere on beIN SPORTS, beIN has uploaded the finals of the recent MLW World Heavyweight Championship tournament.

Below, watch “King of Bros” Matt Riddle and Shane “Swerve” Strickland battle it out to crown a new MLW World Heavyweight Champion.

It was the culmination of a months-long tournament, which saw Strickland defeat Brody King & Jimmy Havoc and Riddle best Jeff Cobb and ACH en route to the finals.

MLW FUSION is a new weekly 1-hour broadcast featuring Tony Schiavone and Rich Bocchini on commentary. As the name suggests, FUSION will feature a hybrid of pro wrestling styles bringing together some of the top talent from across the world.

In addition to Strickland and Riddle, MLW’s growing roster includes Jake Hager, MVP, Low Ki, “Filthy” Tom Lawlor, Jimmy Havoc, Barrington Hughes, Maxwell Jacob Friedman and many more.

FUSION will air each Friday night at 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT on beIN SPORTS.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=824a3k4asyM&feature=youtu.be

Shane “Swerve” Strickland became the new MLW World Heavyweight Champion by defeating Matt Riddle in the tournament finals at Thursday’s MLW show from Orlando, FL.

Strickland has been a fixture of Major League Wrestling since the promotion’s reboot back in October, when he defeated Ricochet in the main event of One-Shot. He defeated Brody King and Jimmy Haboc in the first two rounds of the championship tournament en route to the showdown with Riddle.

Also on the show, Pentagon El Zero M defeated Rey Fenix on the card to become the #1 contender.

It's @PENTAELZEROM on top after a great match that has fans throwing money into the ring #MLWFinals pic.twitter.com/XvjvniH2qe

— Jay Reddick (@runninjay) April 13, 2018

Tickets go on sale Friday morning for MLW’s next show – dubbed MLW: Intimidation Games on May 3rd from Orlando, FL.

Ready to crown the 1st @mlw champion #MLWFinals pic.twitter.com/YtzoIVTLEN

— Elder Sour (@ElderSour) April 13, 2018

https://twitter.com/StricklandShane/status/984625234904051713

Credit to Scott Fishman of the Miami Herald for the header image on this article