Backstage Response to WWE’s View on Swerve Strickland’s AEW Contract Being “Harmful to the Sport,” Featuring Daniel Garcia/AEW.

The expectation is that Daniel Garcia will stay with All Elite Wrestling.

After making a notable appearance at AEW All In: London 2024 during the MJF vs. Will Ospreay match at Wembley Stadium, Garcia has since engaged in a significant confrontation with MJF on AEW Dynamite, leading to a major match set for AEW All Out: Chicago 2024.

According to Fightful Select, backstage reports indicate that WWE reacted negatively to the news of Swerve Strickland’s new AEW contract, which ranks among the highest paid in wrestling. WWE allegedly views this as “bad for the sport” because his market value is perceived to be much lower than his current pay.

In response to this, an unnamed AEW insider pointed to a specific individual within WWE, though this has yet to be confirmed.

A WWE talent commented to Fightful on the rumors, saying, “I haven’t personally heard that, but whether or not it was said, expecting wrestlers to accept less money is unrealistic, especially when new TV deals are being announced, sellouts are happening, and record numbers are being celebrated.”

While exact details remain unclear, it’s believed that Swerve Strickland’s new contract is comparable to the lucrative deals AEW signed with Mercedes Mone and Kazuchika Okada. These deals reportedly approach what many longtime WWE veterans earn, with the added benefit for AEW talent of fewer required dates for their high-paying contracts.

It’s noted that the structure of contracts in both WWE and AEW has evolved since AEW’s launch, with significant increases in guarantees being offered in 2019 and again in 2024.

The backstage reaction to AEW retaining Swerve Strickland and Daniel Garcia is reportedly very positive.