Swerve Strickland addresses the creative decision to turn heel in AEW against Kenny Omega
In the main event of AEW Dynamite on February 18th 2026, Swerve Strickland turned heel during his match with Kenny Omega. While speaking to BleedingCool.com, Swerve addressed the creative decision…
“It was needed, and it was needed with the right person at the right time with Kenny Omega. There’s no more of a lightning rod of attention in AEW to get than Kenny Omega. Everybody’s always interested in what Kenny is doing when he’s on screen, when he’s active, and he’s very much healthy and at his best. There’s no more of a top performer in the industry than Kenny Omega.
So going over 25 minutes with him in the main event, taking him out at the end the way that I did, it sparked a lot of noise throughout the industry. It sparked a lot of noise throughout AEW.
That also woke up Nana in a lot of ways. In a lot of different ways, I’m able to navigate and move through AEW the way that I want to. The way I’m meant to, I would say.”