The Continental Classic is currently taking place with twelve competitors fighting for the opportunity to become the ROH World and Strong Openweight Champion, along with the first AEW Continental Champion. The usual suspects are on top of the leaderboards at the moment: Jon Moxley, Bryan Danielson, and Jay White are doing well so far.

But Swerve Strickland is also tied with Jon Moxley in the Gold League. The former AEW World Tag Team Champion has been riding high since the ending of his Hangman Page feud, and it’s time to elevate Strickland to a high role in the AEW roster. With MJF busy with Wardlow, Samoa Joe, and Adam Cole, the chances of Swerve getting into the main event scene is pretty slim. Though with rumors circulating that MJF is injured, it’s possible that his title reign is coming to a close pretty soon. 

However, the AEW star has a golden opportunity here by winning the Continental Classic. Tony Khan NEEDS to keep up Swerve’s momentum by having him win the Continental Classic. 

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Swerve Strickland Has Been The MVP of 2023

Swerve’s rise within the AEW ranks may feel like it’s coming from his feud with Hangman Page, but the guy has been a workhorse who has refined his gimmick since he turned on Keith Lee last year. His most notable feud has definitely been with the former AEW World Champion, but Swerve’s work against Darby Allin, Orange Cassidy, Sting, and Nick Wayne showcased why this guy belongs in the main event. 

Though it’s odd that Swerve and Keith Lee have yet to have their first match against one another, that didn’t stop his momentum as the AEW star’s confidence and swagger feels different than everyone else on the roster. There’s also a cool factor about Strickland that makes him a likable presence. The 33-year-old has stated numerous times that he wants to become the first Black AEW World Champion, and following his rivalry with Hangman Page, it wouldn’t be an absurd notion for him to reach that status by Double or Nothing 2024. 

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Tony Khan NEEDS to Capitalize Of The Momentum That Swerve Strickland Has

Tony Khan has plenty of strengths when it comes to booking. However, the AEW President has numerous downfalls that can’t go unnoticed. One of the biggest is the inability to take advantage of big opportunities. A recent example is Konosuke Takeshita, who beat Kenny Omega at All Out clean. Kenny Omega was one of the longest-reigning world champions in the company so Takeshita getting a huge victory should’ve meant something. 

Sadly, Takeshita hasn’t been elevated off that huge victory. He’s floundering around in the middle with the entire Kalis family act, which is doing him no favors because he’s no longer a prominent feature. Swerve is the GUY right now. He has tremendous heat on him as a name and he deserves the spotlight because he feels ready.

It isn’t just because he feuded with Hangman Page. But the AEW star has been in the wrestling business for a good while now. He’s been in CZW (Combat Zone Wrestling), Lucha Underground, and WWE, and showcased that he’s a dynamic performer. He’s not known just for his thrilling high-flying spots as the former AEW Star can work a great technical match and of course, a strong hardcore one as well. He’s no Bryan Danielson or Sandman, but he’s certainly one of the best wrestlers on the roster and will do justice in carrying the AEW name moving forward. 

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It Won’t Be The End Of The World If Swerve Loses, But…

Should Swerve lose the continental classic then there’s a strong risk that fans won’t take him seriously as a main event player. Before the Hangman feud, Swerve was in high-profile matches, but he lost more often than not. It’s always possible that Swerve could move up the card should he lose the Continental Classic, but Tony’s track record is a bit spotty. 

Sure, there are names like Darby Allin and MJF who have broken through the glass ceiling, but Wardlow, Hook, Sammy Guevara, and Miro are some notable names that became hot for a good minute but then lost the momentum because Tony Khan didn’t properly build these men to maintain their momentum. Swerve NEEDS to win. Even if he has a short title run, keep him in the spotlight by letting him continue to develop his character and have incredible matches. 

It would be great if he moved one step closer to winning the AEW World title, but if there are no plans for him to be an AEW World Champion anytime soon, then Tony Khan would be a fool not to give him this tournament win.