Former AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland stated in a recent interview that All Elite Wrestling offers higher pay than WWE due to guaranteed contracts. He contrasted AEW's approach with WWE's top-heavy structure, noting retirements among high earners. Strickland praised AEW owner Tony Khan for treating wrestlers like athletes.
Swerve Strickland, who wrestled in WWE from 2019 to 2021 before joining AEW in March 2022, discussed compensation differences between the promotions during an appearance on Baller Alert. He asserted that AEW pays its wrestlers better "by far" because the contracts are guaranteed, unlike WWE's model which favors a select few at the top.
"AEW by far because it’s guaranteed," Strickland said. "They [WWE] got their select few up top. They’re just like untouchables, but a lot of those guys are starting to retire now. Cena just retired, AJ Styles just retired. Those are like the top earners. [Undertaker] Taker can’t go no more. So that pyramid is starting to get really pointy and small up top."
Strickland highlighted Tony Khan's management style as a key factor. Khan owns AEW and is a part-owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Fulham soccer team in the UK. "He treats the roster not like talent, but athletes," Strickland explained. "He's a player's booker. He's in tune with his talent and his roster and where to put those guys. He utilized this very well, and it's like a scheme on a football team."
The wrestler noted his strong rapport with Khan, who knows his strengths and utilizes the roster effectively, leading to appropriate pay and motivation. In AEW, Strickland has held the World Championship and the Tag Team Championship with Keith Lee. Reports indicate WWE expressed interest in his return, but he has remained with AEW.
One source mentioned that WWE viewed Strickland's AEW deal as "bad for the sport." Currently a heel, Strickland is set to face Brody King at AEW Revolution on March 15, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California.
