Swerve Strickland Describes AEW-NJPW Relationship As Being ‘In An Interesting Place Right Now’

With Forbidden Door on the horizon, Swerve Strickland is weighing in on the current state of the partnership between AEW and New Japan Pro-Wrestling — and his assessment is measured at best.

In a recent interview with Forbes, Strickland described the relationship between the two promotions as being “in an interesting place right now.” The comments come at a time when NJPW finds itself under increased scrutiny, with a growing chorus of criticism aimed at the Japanese promotion’s difficulty developing new top-level stars in recent years.

The timing of Strickland’s remarks is notable. Forbidden Door has served as the marquee event for the AEW-NJPW partnership since its debut in 2022, bringing together talent from both rosters for a pay-per-view that generated significant buzz in its early editions. As the companies gear up for another installment, questions about NJPW’s current roster depth and creative direction have become impossible to ignore heading into the event.

Strickland, who has been one of AEW’s most prominent figures over the past couple of years, is well-positioned to speak to how talent on the AEW side perceives the collaboration. His characterization of things being in an “interesting place” stops well short of a glowing endorsement, suggesting there may be some underlying tension or uncertainty surrounding how the two promotions move forward together.

Whether that translates to any changes in how Forbidden Door is structured or promoted remains to be seen, but Strickland’s candid framing adds another layer to the ongoing conversation about where NJPW stands in the modern wrestling landscape.