Swerve Strickland AEW return update

It doesn’t look like Swerve Strickland will be away from AEW programming for very long.

Strickland has been off AEW television for two weeks after his loss to Hangman Page in an unsanctioned steel cage match at All Out. Though an exact return date has not been provided, Dave Meltzer writes in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Strickland will be back “sooner than originally expected.”

Swerve Strickland we were told will be back sooner than originally expected. It would make sense for him to be on the 10/12 [WrestleDream] PPV in Tacoma, since he’s from there, although we don’t have that confirmed. I don’t know where they go with Strickland vs. Page after the lights out cage match, but the feud definitely should continue.

The cage match between Strickland and Page headlined All Out on September 7. Both Strickland and Page were said to be fine health-wise after the match despite its violent nature. The finish was Page winning by referee stoppage after sticking a hypodermic needle into Strickland’s mouth and giving him a steel chair shot to the head.

Strickland was AEW World Champion prior to losing the title to Bryan Danielson at All In last month. Page — who has been Strickland’s archenemy in AEW — got involved in that match and distracted Strickland.

It was announced this August that Strickland has signed a new long-term contract with AEW.