Swerve Strickland Reveals How Shawn Michaels And Adam Copeland Changed His Career

Swerve Strickland Names Three WWE Legends Who Shaped His AEW Success

Former AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland has opened up about his steady ascent to the top of professional wrestling, attributing much of his growth and mentality to three major WWE legends.

Speaking during an interview on Hot 97, Strickland reflected on his historic AEW World Championship reign in 2024, noting that WWE Hall of Famers Rey Mysterio, Shawn Michaels, and fellow AEW star Adam Copeland served as his primary inspirations and mentors.

Learning From Hall of Fame Mentors

When asked about the figures who impacted his career most, Strickland placed Mysterio at the top of his list while detailing his core influences:

“Rey Mysterio is my number one, always. Yeah, Uncle Rey is like my guy. I would say Copeland or Edge, and then Shawn Michaels are my top three,” Strickland stated.

Strickland went on to break down the direct personal interactions he had with each legend, explaining how their guidance reshaped his approach to performing:

“I was able to learn from all three of them. I wrestled Rey. Couldn’t wrestle Shawn, [but] I learned from Shawn in NXT. Tape studies with him, like one-on-ones. Like, close the door. Boom. It’s me and him locked in. Nobody else. That changed my mindset for wrestling and performing,” the former champion explained.

Adam Copeland’s Continued Presence in AEW

While Strickland worked with Mysterio inside the ring and studied under Michaels in NXT, his bond with Adam Copeland remains an active asset in the AEW locker room:

“And Copeland, I get to see him every week. And I’ll be coming up with something for the match that night, and I’m like, I’m on the fence with this. And I go to him, and he’ll be like, ‘Nope, this is the one you should take.’ And he always has the best interests of the performer, too, which always feels good to me.”

Though Strickland and Copeland have yet to lock horns in an AEW ring, their mentor-student dynamic began during Copeland’s final WWE run and continues to influence Strickland’s big-match decision-making today.