Summary

Swerve Strickland addressed the recent talk about Aleister Black potentially returning to AEW during an interview with Bootleg Kev, but he stopped short of adding anything firm to the rumor itself.

Instead, Strickland used the moment to speak about what Black, whom he also referred to as Tommy, has meant to him professionally. He said Black helped shape his thinking during Strickland's later independent run and credited him as one of the people who made an impression on him during Black's NXT rise.

Strickland has been especially open in recent interviews lately, including when he warned young wrestlers about virality before craft, and this latest appearance followed that same candid tone.

Quote from Swerve Strickland

Asked about the return rumors, Strickland said:

"I thought that was like [thumbs down gesture]. I thought I saw Sean Ross Sapp report that that was false. So I'll just leave that to the reports."

He later went on to say:

"I just hope that Aleister, I hope Tommy finds what he's looking for in this industry at this part of his career. [His wife is incredible too.] They're both very talented, incredible people, incredible talents in themselves.

I just hope they find something, whatever it is, that gives them the type of... I don't know what it is that he's really... whatever it is, I hope they find some place that gives them that.

You know what I mean? Because, like, he has so many great ideas. He's one of the guys that got me into NXT. Like, him talking with Terry Taylor, and he's like, 'This is a guy you got to watch out for.'

I did tape studies with him in 2017. My last indie run, he was the guy I was going to. He really helped my mind a lot at that stage in my career.

So, I just hope he finds the place that gives him whatever it is that can fulfill him in the industry again."

What Swerve Strickland's comments mean for Aleister Black

Swerve Strickland's comments reinforce that Aleister Black is still viewed by peers as a valuable creative mind, and that alone keeps attention on whatever his next move in wrestling turns out to be.

They also add some useful context to Strickland's own development. By naming Black as someone who helped him during his 2017 indie stretch and as a standout from NXT, Strickland made it clear this was not a throwaway endorsement. It was praise from someone who says Black directly influenced how he approached the business.

Sources

Swerve Strickland while speaking with Bootleg Kev