Swerve Strickland Says AEW Pays Better Than WWE

Swerve Strickland Says AEW Pays Better Than WWE – Swerve Strickland shared his perspective on the differences between All Elite Wrestling and WWE, particularly when it comes to compensation and management style.

Speaking during an appearance on Baller Talk, Strickland claimed that AEW currently offers stronger pay opportunities compared to WWE.

“AEW by far. Cause it’s guaranteed, and they got their select few up top that like top, top, top,” Strickland explained. “Like they’re just like untouchables. But a lot of those guys are starting to retire now so that’s starting to like—Cena just retired. AJ Styles just retired. Those are like the top top earners, like Taker can’t go no more. So that pyramid is starting to really get really pointy and small at the top.”

Strickland also spoke about his working relationship with AEW President Tony Khan, describing him as someone who approaches running the promotion similarly to how professional sports organizations operate.

Khan is also involved in traditional sports through his roles with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Fulham FC, something Strickland believes influences how he structures AEW’s system.

“Tony Khan owns AEW. He’s also a part owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Fulham soccer team in the UK,” Strickland said. “He treats the roster like talent, like not talent, but like athletes. You know, there’s player coaches, there’s organization, there’s system coaches. He’s a player’s booker. He’s in tune with his talent and his roster and where to put those guys and like, he utilizes us very well, and it’s like a scheme on a football team.”

According to Strickland, that structure helps ensure that performers are placed in positions that best match their abilities and strengths.

“Me and him gel very, very, very, very well because he knows my strengths,” Strickland added. “He knows where I belong. He knows how to utilize all his players in the right way. So, therefore, he knows how to pay them too and motivate them in certain ways.”

Strickland also pointed to AEW’s growth since launching in 2019, noting the promotion’s ability to stage major events, including its record-setting show at Wembley Stadium in London, which drew roughly 80,000 fans.

“Especially we’re only in year seven of the company… We did 80,000 seats in Wembley Stadium and we filled it.”