Top AEW Star Shoots On 'Bad Morale' Backstage

One of AEW's major players discusses what life is like behind the curtain.

by Jamie Kennedy
Swerve Strickland
AEW

Swerve Strickland says overall morale behind the scenes in AEW has "been excellent", and challenges anyone to find a workplace without some issues.

The rising AEW star told the Smooth Vega podcast that pro wrestling is a competitive environment, so it's only natural there will be some problems here or there:

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"People want to get better and move up the card. People want to get more TV time and to be the champion. People want a match with him or a match with her. That’s everywhere.".

All Elite's roster morale has been a hot topic since a fiery locker room brawl broke out backstage after All Out 2022. That eventually led to CM Punk's departure from the company, but also raised questions about everything from The Elite's behaviour to Tony Khan's leadership qualities as boss.

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Strickland insists he "[hasn't] seen any issues" behind the curtain recently. In fact, AEW's overall atmosphere has been positive, and he's looking forward to more of that as everyone sinks deeper into 2024.

On recent matches, he added: "I had a good time. The people I worked with had a great time!".

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.