Another top free agent signing with AEW (Patreon)

Please do not read this if you'd like to avoid potential Spoilers.

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All Elite Wrestling is set to land another big free agent.

After weeks of rumors, Fightful has learned that All Elite Wrestling is signing Shane "Swerve" Strickland. Wrestling Observer noted last week,that Swerve was expected to come to AEW, but later noted it wasn't made clear if Strickland is AEW bound, and said "there's a very good chance he's coming in." Fightful has been told that since January, many within AEW were operating on the assumption that the deal was going forward, and that the deal is in effect starting the first week of March. Those that we spoke to said AEW inquired very early after his release about potentially bringing Swerve in.

We've also heard a lot of talk that AEW views Strickland as a potential crossover star. There have been numerous talent discussed over the past year for additional WarnerMedia shows, though nothing is a given. In regards to Strickland's interest from outside companies that we've reported, he's already been booked for GCW dates, and appeared for numerous high level indies. While he's appeared for NJPW, we're told he doesn't have a contract with them. Also, ROH has had interest in booking him for dates for their reboot, though that hasn't been announced and likely won't happen now. 

Strickland was a top talent in NXT, and was released by WWE along with the rest of Hit Row shortly after their Smackdown debuts.