Swerve Strickland defeated Will Ospreay to retain the AEW World Championship this past Sunday at AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door 2024.
Fightful Select has disclosed the rationale behind the confrontation between Ospreay and Strickland at AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door 2024.
According to the report, Ospreay, a longstanding friend and in-ring rival of Swerve, had been increasingly perturbed by the prevailing narrative that Swerve’s title reign existed only as a temporary holding ground for him to win the title at AEW All In 2024.
Eager to dispel this perception, Ospreay proactively approached AEW management with a proposition to elevate Swerve, intending to eradicate any “placeholder” conjecture.
With substantial creative efforts on the horizon, Ospreay needed to be more relaxed about the decision. His primary objective was to establish a precedent that the success of AEW is contingent upon a communal endeavor.
After securing the AEW International Title, Ospreay underscored the significance of modesty and collective effort. He emphasized that no wrestler should be averse to conceding to the AEW World Champion.
Contrary to previous assumptions, there were no plans for Ospreay and Swerve to contend against each other at AEW All In 2024, as both wrestlers have been designated separate opponents for the event.
Sources from AEW have praised Ospreay’s cooperative demeanor and openness to assisting his colleagues within the company.
