AEW: Swerve Strickland on AEW’s Continental Classic Tournament, More on Dana Massie’s Departure, AEW Pays Homage to Brodie Lee

Swerve Strickland Comments on AEW’s Continental Classic Being “Shot In The Arm Wrestling Needed”

The Miami Herald held a recent interview with Swerve Strickland. One of the topics discussed included Strickland’s thoughts about his belief of how AEW’s Continental Classic tournament has been the “shot in the arm wrestling needed.”

“The Classic has been a shot in the arm of what the pro wrestling industry needed. Introducing a new style of tournament bracketing with the classic round-robin style of blocks and scoring points. The usual tournament, you see [the seeding] and sometimes those guys don’t cross paths and they don’t face each other. In round robin, everyone has to face everyone, and that’s what made it so special. Everyone in the block was like, ‘I get to see these matchups. That’s going to be cool. I don’t know who is going to win here, this could be a draw.’ A lot of fans had a lot of fun with the scoring. Whoever is truly a wrestling connoisseur can have a lot of fun with those things. Me being part of the first one, we had to set the tone for the first-ever Continental Classic. Me being a finalist and going against Jay White and Jon Moxley, who is going to go down as a Hall of Famer and all-time great, being able to not face him once, but face him twice, means a lot. I get redemption for myself. Jay White, one of the pioneers of New Japan for the last three or four years, coming over here, he is new and being integrated to the national audience on-screen. I have a victory over him, and that means something, and it means something to him. He wants his redemption on me. Everyone is after something and we want to take it out on each other.”

Transcript h/t: Fightful.com

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More on AEW Chief Marketing & Merchandising Officer Dana Massie Leaving AEW

As noted before, AEW Chief Marketing & Merchandising Officer Dana Massie will be leaving the company following the expiration of her contract.

Dave Meltzer reported in a recent episode of the Wrestling Observer Radio that his sources stated that AEW officials had tried to sign Massie to a new deal with the company for her to stay but she decided against it due to lingering issues related to AEW’s infamous All Out 2022 brawl incident.

Meltzer reported that Massie’s decision is believed to be a combination of her belief about everything that has happened over the past year with her husband Matt Jackson and brother-in-law Nick Jackson being vilified, the Young Bucks never being allowed to defend themselves due to the NDAs, and the company never defending them due to similar reasons.

Another factor influencing Massie’s decision reportedly was an incident involving CM Punk over Punk ridiculing her online over a misprint for a ROH merchandise shirt that was set to go on sale before it was fixed but did not lead to AEW officials defending her over the matter.

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AEW, Tony Khan, & Amanda Huber Pays Tribute to the Late Brodie Lee

Tuesday was the three-year anniversary of the passing of Brodie Lee, real name Jon Huber.

AEW, AEW CEO Tony Khan, and Lee’s wife Amanda Huber all reflected and paid tribute to the life and legacy of Lee.

Today marks three years since the world lost Jon Huber, Mr. Brodie Lee.
Please join us in celebrating Big Rig by sharing your favorite memories. #BrodieLeeForever pic.twitter.com/lFrQxYfq7B

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) December 26, 2023

3 years ago today, Jon Huber, or Mr. Brodie Lee, ascended.
Everyone who crossed paths with Jon shared the belief that he is a great man who loves his amazing family above all + he also loves wrestling.
I was fortunate to work with him, and like so many, I will always miss him. pic.twitter.com/QKOMQsU9O6

— Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) December 27, 2023

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A post shared by 🐼MandaHuber🐼 (@mandahuber)