Swerve Strickland’s candid chat with DJ Vlad didn’t just stir headlines—it reignited a simmering tension with WWE legend Booker T. Their year-long back-and-forth hinges on a core disagreement: how race shapes opportunity in wrestling, particularly in WWE. Booker T, a five-time WCW Champion, insists his career proves the company treated him justly. Swerve, however, sees a different reality—one where “fairness” isn’t just about getting a shot, but about being valued as much as white counterparts. And he’s got a point.
WWE’s past is riddled with moments that clash with any claim of colorblind equality—like that cringe-worthy 2005 segment where Vince McMahon dropped the N-word on live TV while John Cena and Booker T played along. Today, the company’s ties to Hulk Hogan, its silence on Black History Month in 2025, and Triple H’s “I don’t see race” stance raise eyebrows. Swerve’s critique isn’t about personal slights; it’s about a pattern where Black talent—like Kofi Kingston—get fleeting title runs, only to fade from the main event picture without a real chance to reclaim their spot.
Contrast that with Swerve’s AEW journey. He’s reportedly earning a contract on par with WWE’s top dogs—Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton—yet WWE balked at matching it when they had the chance to re-sign him. To Swerve, this isn’t just business; it’s a signal that WWE still caps Black wrestlers’ worth. Look back to 2003: Booker T’s feud with Triple H dripped with coded racism—“people like you” don’t win titles, Hunter sneered, even asking Booker to dance. At WrestleMania 19, the heel won, cementing a narrative that lingered. Booker later thrived, but that early humiliation echoes in today’s debates.
AEW isn’t spotless either. Despite its diversity hype, Swerve stands alone as its first Black men’s world champion. Talents like Ricky Starks and Keith Lee hover below the top tier, and Tony Khan’s clumsy clapback to Big Swole’s 2021 exit critique didn’t help. Swerve’s success cracked the glass ceiling—now AEW needs to let others climb through. Fairness, as Swerve sees it, starts with recognizing your own value and demanding it be matched. Until wrestling’s power players truly see color—or admit they always have—disparities will persist.
Fascinating Facts:
- Booker T’s WCW Legacy: Before WWE, Booker T won the WCW World Heavyweight Championship five times, a record that made him a cornerstone of the promotion’s final years.
- Swerve’s Indie Roots: Swerve Strickland honed his craft on the indie scene, winning titles in promotions like MLW and CZW before hitting the mainstream—proof of his grind.
- WWE’s 2005 Controversy: Vince McMahon’s N-word incident wasn’t scripted—it was an ad-libbed moment that stunned cast and crew, yet aired unedited.
- AEW’s Diversity Pitch: At its 2019 launch, AEW touted inclusivity, with founders like Cody Rhodes promising a roster reflecting the real world—yet progress has been slow.
- Kofi’s Moment: Kofi Kingston’s 2019 WWE Championship win at WrestleMania 35 ended an 11-year journey, but he lost the title in seconds six months later, sparking fan outrage over his booking.
Final Takeaway (Outro):
Swerve Strickland and Booker T’s clash isn’t just a personal spat—it’s a window into wrestling’s unresolved racial dynamics. Swerve’s fight for value challenges both WWE’s history and AEW’s promises, proving that fairness isn’t just about opportunity, but about sustained investment. Until the industry reckons with its blind spots, the ceiling stays intact.
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