Ladies and gentlemen, buckle up because the Swerve Era has officially begun and it’s starting off with fireworks! Last night, on “AEW Collision,” Swerve Strickland not only talked the talk in his first promo as AEW World Champion but also walked the walk in a pulse-pounding title defense that’ll have folks buzzing faster than you can say “pinfall.”
Fresh off his coronation at AEW Dynasty, Strickland dubbed his reign “the Dynasty Era,” setting the tone with a fiery promo that was all hero, no zero. With the echoes of his words still ringing in the Jacksonville air, he threw down the gauntlet for an open title challenge, which was promptly snatched up by none other than the Blackpool Combat Club’s very own titan, Claudio Castagnoli.
What followed was not just a match, but a 21-minute epic saga. Strickland’s weapon of choice, the Swerve Stomp, was met with Castagnoli’s legendary resilience. Halfway through, when most of us would still be circling on what snack to pick, Castagnoli was kicking out of what seemed like a match-ending Stomp. The two titans traded their signature moves in a dance of destiny—Castagnoli with his Giant Swing and Strickland countering every European uppercut thrown his way.
In the climactic final moments, just as Castagnoli aimed to launch another aerial assault, Strickland turned the tables with a gravity-defying Stomp out of nowhere, followed by the knockout blow, a House Call, sealing the deal on his first title defense.
As the arena erupted and “Collision” wrapped, Strickland stood tall, not just as a champion, but as a harbinger of an era that promises high-octane, hold-your-breath action. If this match was any indication, Strickland’s reign as AEW World Champion is set to be a rollercoaster ride of exhilarating highs. The Dynasty Era isn’t just here; it’s ready to rewrite the history books!