It’s not every day that a pro wrestler makes the leap from suplexes to superheroics, but AEW’s Swerve Strickland has done just that—by getting his very own comic book feature in none other than Batman! That’s right, folks. Gotham City now has to deal with Swerve Strickland, and honestly, the Joker should be worried.
As part of AEW’s ongoing collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery (because wrestling and comic books are clearly a match made in marketing heaven), Swerve has made his debut in Batman #153, written by the talented Chip Zdarsky. In this issue, Strickland is featured in his own section, charmingly titled “House of Strickland,” giving him two whole story pages to show off why he’s the next big thing in both pro wrestling and comic books. If Batman needs a tag team partner, we know who to call.
From Suplexes to Superheroics
Strickland took to X (formerly Twitter, for those of you who are still in denial) to thank DC Comics and Warner Bros. Discovery for adding him to the DC Universe. Move over, Gotham’s elite—Swerve’s ready to shake things up!
This crossover comes hot on the heels of AEW’s blockbuster media rights deal with Warner Bros. Discovery, which, at over $150 million a year, is worth more than Bruce Wayne’s budget for Batarangs. AEW’s partnership with DC Comics was teased back in July during San Diego Comic-Con, with multiple AEW stars—like Toni Storm, Orange Cassidy, Britt Baker, Darby Allin, and even international sensation Will Ospreay—getting their own comic storylines. But for now, it’s Strickland who’s stepping into the Bat-limelight.
Meanwhile, Back in the Ring…
Swerve may be making waves in the world of comics, but his absence from AEW television has left fans wondering what’s next. After a devastating loss to “Hangman” Adam Page in a Lights Out Steel Cage match at All Out in September, Strickland has been MIA. However, that doesn’t mean he’s been forgotten.
During AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam, Strickland’s associate Prince Nana made an appearance, only to be interrupted by none other than MVP, who apparently has big plans for Strickland’s return. MVP, no stranger to managing top talent, slipped Nana his business card and said he’d be a “better representation” for Strickland. Talk about high-stakes recruitment!
And that’s not all—the buzz around MVP re-forming The Hurt Business (or Hurt Syndicate, based on some recent trademark filings) has been heating up. Last week, Shelton Benjamin made his AEW debut, and rumors are swirling that Bobby Lashley has signed with AEW, potentially setting the stage for a massive faction war.
In the end, whether it’s inside the ring or within the pages of Batman, Swerve Strickland is making sure everyone knows his name. Get ready for the House of Strickland to expand, both in wrestling and in Gotham City.