Swerve Strickland addresses live crowd after AEW Dynasty: ‘F–k Booker T’
Swerve Strickland had a message for Booker T following AEW Dynasty.
The former AEW World Champion addressed the live crowd in Philadelphia in an unaired segment after his loss to Jon Moxley in the main event. He spoke about representation in wrestling and performing in Philadelphia early in his career before closing with a message for Booker.
Strickland said:
“When I talk about representation, I mean it every single time I f–king speak on it. One year—this kid right here that you supported for these last 12, 13 years—one year, five main event pay-per-views for Swerve Strickland. I don’t just speak about representation—I go out there and prove the f–king thing. And I only make it this far because of you people right here chanting ‘Whose house?’ Every single city, every single arena, every stadium—whether it’s the United States or if it’s in London, in front of 50,000, 80,000, I don’t care if it’s 200—I always want to hear y’all chant ‘Whose house?’ Thank y’all for being here. Thank y’all for the merchandise. Get home safely. And one last thing, just for my amusement: f–k Booker T.”
Booker T and Strickland have clashed of late regarding Strickland’s criticism of WWE’s treatment of Black wrestlers. Strickland has said that WWE doesn’t market its Black athletes fairly and Booker responded on his podcast saying the company has treated him fairly for 20 years. During an appearance on VladTV, Strickland responded to Booker, saying that WWE didn’t treat him fairly during a 2005 Survivor Series segment when Vince McMahon used a racial slur in front of him.
In response, speaking on his “Hall of Fame” podcast, Booker T revealed that he confronted Strickland about his comments when they encountered each other at an event in Richmond, Virginia, saying he was disappointed in him.
Booker said:
“You may not hear about a lot of racial issues with Booker T because I handled racial issues head first. I opened doors, I broke down barriers for people like Swerve Strickland. Swerve Strickland perhaps would not even be here if it wasn’t for me. I have to apologize for nothing that I’ve done in this business.”