During a recent appearance on the Battleground podcast, AEW star Swerve Strickland reflected on the landmark Grand Slam Mexico edition of AEW Dynamite, held in collaboration with CMLL, and the overwhelming response from the crowd in Arena México.
“It felt as — honestly, as remarkable as the fans allowed us to feel it, you know what I mean?” Strickland said. “The fans made it so much more of a big, monumental moment than we even expected it to be.”
Strickland praised the energy of the crowd and the way it elevated the show for both fans and performers.
“They took it over the edge, they made the show so much more enjoyable, from not only just the people in the arena, but it made it enjoyable for the people watching at home… Seeing Místico get the reception that he got, and the match with MJF was unworldly. It made you appreciate the superstars so much more.”
He also highlighted the significance of working with CMLL, emphasizing that the performers recognized the importance of being respectful guests in one of wrestling’s most iconic venues.
“It means that much more for the fans to really appreciate and understand the meaning and the moment that we created with All Elite Wrestling and CMLL doing what we did… Doing the Grand Slam like that.”
Shifting to one of his longtime rivals, Hangman Adam Page, Swerve made it clear that — despite their heated history — Page remains a cornerstone of AEW.
“Honestly, he was the right man for the job regardless if I was going to be World Champion going into All In or it was gonna be Jon Moxley. He was always gonna be the right man.”
He explained that his criticism of Hangman was never about underestimating him, but rather acknowledging his status as the company’s top guy.
“If you don’t think you’re good enough for that anymore, move out of the way and I’m gonna take that seat. As much as it was me coming at him… it was me acknowledging the fact that he is that guy. He’s always been that guy.”
Strickland also applauded Page’s gesture of opening Grand Slam Mexico with a full promo in Spanish — something he says speaks volumes about Page’s respect for the fans and his enduring place as AEW’s “main character.”
“That shows respect… that we’re not here to take over your company. We’re here to be guests in your home.”
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