AEW: Swerve Strickland Mourns Passing Of His Original Wrestling Trainer, Mercedes Mone on Why She Feels Like A Leader In AEW, Ryohei Oiwa Says He’ll Come Storming Into AEW To Face MJF

Swerve Strickland Mourns Passing Of His Original Wrestling Trainer

Swerve Strickland announced on Friday on Twitter that Ron “The Pharoah” Cromartie had passed away over this week.

Strickland paid tribute stating that Cromartie was the person who had trained him for his pro wrestling career at the Ground Zero Wrestling Academy.

“R.I.P. Ron ‘The Pharaoh’ Cromartie

My original trainer passed over this past week. I just wanted everyone to know he was a great human and loved pro wrestling. He will be incredibly missed. I hope I made you proud 🙏🏾🙏🏾❤️🙏🏾❤️🙏🏾”

R.I.P. Ron “The Pharaoh” Cromartie

My original trainer passed over this past week. I just wanted everyone to know he was a great human and loved pro wrestling. He will be incredibly missed. I hope I made you proud 🙏🏾🙏🏾❤️🙏🏾❤️🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/ajhHXfvb1q

— Swerve Strickland (@swerveconfident) August 21, 2026

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Mercedes Mone Comments on Why She Feels Like A Leader In AEW

The Daily Star held a recent interview with Mercedes Mone. One of the topics discussed included Mone’s thoughts about how many in the AEW women’s locker room do not go to her for advice but she still feels like a leader in AEW.

“I feel like a lot of people really don’t. Maybe they get nervous, I don’t know. I feel like they have each other and there are a lot of people here that they can go to and they feel comfortable to go to. I feel like I’m just more of a leader. Follow the leader and see what she does. See how she shows up and brings it to the ring. I’m really just a leader in women’s wrestling, leading the next generation and the leading the pack. It’s showing up, showing out, and the people want to see what I do and how I’m successful, they show up, show out, and do the same thing. They go, ‘I see how she’s doing that, I have to step my game up and do the same thing. I have to work my ass off, look like a superstar and be the absolute best.’ Just follow the leader, girls.”

Mone also gave her thoughts about what would be her one piece of advice she would give to others to help out their wrestling careers.

“It’s not the one piece of advice. There is so much advice that I would give to the women’s locker room. I would say do not stop fighting. Keep on pushing.”

Transcript h/t: Fightful.com

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Ryohei Oiwa Says He’ll Come Storming Into AEW To Face MJF

As noted before, MJF and NJPW talent Ryohei Oiwa recently were involved in an online feud over MJF claiming that he was the superior headlock wrestler in response to Oiwa winning this year’s G1 Climax 2026 with his repeated headlock holds he used to wear down opponents throughout the tournament. Oiwa had invited MJF to participate in next year’s G1 Climax tournament to prove who was the better headlock wrestler, which MJF rejected and insulted him.

MJF recently praised Adam Brooks for his match against El Phantasmo at Ring of Honor’s Death Before Dishonor 2026 event on Friday while also taking another shot at Oiwa and NJPW.

“He’s much better than all new Japan talent. Especially Oiwa.”

He’s much better than all new Japan talent. Especially Oiwa.

— Maxwell Jacob Friedman™️ (@The_MJF) August 21, 2026

Oiwa responded back stating that if MJF is scared of stepping into the G1 next year, then he will come storming into AEW to face him.

“Don’t underestimate New Japan. If you’re scared of stepping into G1 next year, I’ll come storming into your ring myself. Let’s decide the No. 1 headlock wrestler”

新日本なめんな
来年のG1に出るのが怖いなら、俺がそっちのリングまで乗り込んでやる

No. 1ヘッドロックレスラー決めようや https://t.co/qCPqHXiaO1

— 大岩陵平　Ryohei Oiwa (@njpw_ryoheioiwa) August 21, 2026

MJF responded back on Twitter insulting Oiwa again and claimed that he would fight Oiwa anywhere and would beat him with a headlock takeover.

“Nobody knows who you are in America, chief. You’re a boy talking to a man who is the best professional wrestler in the WORLD. Don’t chat me up about your shitty little mark tournament. I’ll fight you anywhere, and I’ll beat you with a headlock takeover.”

Nobody knows who you are in America, chief.

You’re a boy talking to a man who is the best professional wrestler in the WORLD.

Don’t chat me up about your shitty little mark tournament.

I’ll fight you anywhere.

And I’ll beat you with a headlock takeover. https://t.co/cGL3bwz7i5

— Maxwell Jacob Friedman™️ (@The_MJF) August 22, 2026