Swerve Strickland on Hangman Feud, His Work Ethic, "What Up Turds) (Patreon)

Fightful Select caught up with All Elite Wrestling’s Swerve Strickland ahead of his upcoming Texas Death Match against “Hangman” Adam Page at AEW’s Full Gear Pay-Per-View on Saturday, November 18th.

The interview began with Swerve referencing his promo with “Hangman” Adam Page on the November 15th edition of AEW Dynamite. Swerve said he was “a little perturbed from last night, but I’ll get through this.”

Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp mentioned that “Hangman” brought up a few personal things in the promo and would ask Swerve how he felt about it. Swerve said, “I was a little blindsided, to say the least.” Swerve would add that it was different to be on the other side of that, considering how things began between the two at All Out. Swerve told us he was sure he said things that Hangman did not appreciate as well.

The former 3-time Defy World Champion added that Hangman now realizes how dirty he has to get to play this game. He noted that if you saw him in the past couple of weeks, Hangman had stopped wearing the butterfly jeans and the colorful jackets. His clothes are darker, and there is a spark of fire in his eyes. Swerve told us that he brings out the best in people but can also bring out their worst. Swerve said it was nice to see him get a little mud and added, “If he thinks he’s sending me to hell, I’m taking him with me at this point.”

Sean mentioned that Swerve did not get to respond to Hangman in the promo and asked what he would have said to him if he was given the chance. Swerve told him, “At this point, I had not much to say. It was more about what I was going to do. With that stipulation set for the night, I don’t want to lose my money.” He would add, “He needs that match against me, but I’m not trying to be suspended for the rest of the year and derail my legacy. The second I lose momentum, I might not get it back.”

Swerve told us, “He knows how much I need to beat him to cement my legacy in AEW and the wrestling industry.”

Sean asked Swerve if he was worried about backlash after appearing at Hangman’s home. Swerve said the second he worries about backlash is the day he stops creating. Swerve said he broke into Hangman's home to test him.

They moved on from the Hangman feud and brought up Swerve’s theme and how the audience likes it and is vocal. Swerve said he has taken much of his work ethic from [watching] Chris Jericho. Swerve said he has read Jericho’s books and listened to Jericho’s process of creating his band, Fozzy. Swerve talked about how hip-hop has had some influence on Pro Wrestling for many years. He told us that we wouldn’t have John Cena without Hip Hop. Swerve also mentioned the influence Ron Killings [R-Truth] has had.

The Mogul Embassy leader said Tony Khan gets the credit for putting him and Nana together. He said some people have criticized the screen time Prince Nana is getting, but Swerve compared it to them being teammates like Steph Curry and Klay Thompson.

The former NXT North American Champion says, “What up Turds” is from his days in the military. He said it’s kind of like a shout-out to his drill sergeant. He also mentioned that his drill sergeant is one of the most influential people he’s ever met. Swerve noted that he had not seen him in twenty years, but it was someone he would never forget.