3 Ways Swerve Strickland could return from suspension on AEW Dynamite this week 

After weeks of teases and speculation, Swerve Strickland finally turned heel on AEW Dynamite this past week. After beating Kenny Omega in a blockbuster singles match, the former fan-favorite star shockingly attacked The Cleaner, hanging him with a steel chain and then putting him through the commentary desk with a vertebreaker.

Days later, on Collision, it was revealed that Swerve had been levied a staggering hundred-thousand-dollar fine and was suspended from attending the show. Although he has not yet been announced for this Wednesday’s program, it is unlikely that he will not be featured, as the promotion will certainly be looking to capitalize on the momentum of The Mogul’s turn.

As such, let us consider three ways Strickland could return to TV this week on AEW Dynamite.

#1. Swerve Strickland could thin out the AEW World Title field by going after Brody King

Earlier this month, Brody King shocked the world when he squashed MJF in a Men’s World Championship Eliminator Match, thanks to interference from Hangman Adam Page, which earned him a shot at the title at Grand Slam Australia. Unfortunately, the former Hounds of Hell member was unable to repeat his feat in Sydney, as Friedman somehow retained his “Triple B” against the behemoth.

In the aftermath of Grand Slam, King declared that he would not be rattled by this setback and vowed to resume his hunt for the World Championship by returning to winning ways on the February 25 episode of AEW Dynamite this week, where he is scheduled to face the Don Callis Family’s Mark Davis. While a victory here could restore the former World Tag Team and Trios Champion to World Title contention, it could also put him at odds with Swerve Strickland.

Motivated by the desire to clear the playing field of other prospective World Title challengers, The Realest could attack “Big Bad” Brody after his match against “Dunkzilla” Mark Davis this week. King’s recent rise in popularity would make him a perfect target for a newly turned top heel like Swerve to go after. Furthermore, such an angle could lead to a first-time-ever singles bout between the two in All Elite Wrestling.

#2. Swerve Strickland could plant the seeds of a new faction

Factions have been a staple of pro-wrestling for several decades. As in most of its rival and partner promotions, the AEW locker room is also populated by a number of groups and stables, including the Death Riders, The Don Callis Family, The Elite, The Conglomeration, The Demand, The Hurt Syndicate, The Bang Bang Gang, The Opps, and The Triangle of Madness, just to name a few of the most prominent ones active right now.

Between 2023 and 2024, Swerve Strickland had a unit of his own, called The Mogul Embassy, a group comprising himself, Brian Cage, The Gates of Agony, and manager Prince Nana. The stable collapsed soon after Swerve became AEW World Champion, prompting The Machine and GOA to turn on him over frustrations of being overlooked and underutilized. Despite retaining Nana as his manager, Strickland has been more of a lone wolf since then.

Now that he has turned heel again, the “Franchise” of All Elite Wrestling could be contemplating the idea of a new faction, not only to further his own professional goals, but to dominate their competition in the promotion in general. To that end, Strickland could approach budding, hungry stars like Kevin Knight and Private Party this week on Dynamite and suggest that they join forces. Even if their alliance takes time to materialize, Tony Khan could plant the seeds for it this Wednesday itself.

#3. Swerve Strickland could lie to Hangman Page about his intentions

Earlier this month at Grand Slam Australia, Adam Page defeated Andrade El Idolo to earn his shot at the AEW Men’s World Title at Revolution 2026. On the following episode of Dynamite, The Cowboy came face-to-face with defending champion MJF and asked that the latter defend his strap against him at the pay-per-view in a Texas Death Match. When Friedman refused, Page sweetened the deal by promising that if he lost their match next month, he would never challenge for the World Championship again.

This condition intrigued the self-proclaimed “Devil,” who said he would take a week to consider The Hangman’s offer. The two stars are set to decide on the stipulation for their Revolution title match this week on AEW Dynamite. The so-called “Main Character” of All Elite Wrestling will very likely continue demanding a Texas Death Match in exchange for risking his ability to compete for the World Title in the future. Even if it is ill-advised, Swerve Strickland could encourage Page to stick to his decision backstage.

Swerve could even give Hangman his word that he will be watching his back at Revolution, to boost his confidence regarding his stipulation. However, this could later be revealed to be a ruse, leading to the “Most Dangerous Man of AEW” actually costing Page next month, effectively locking him out of the World Title picture, getting rid of a formidable contender/opponent, and establishing himself as a mega-heel in the process.