After AEW Dynasty 2025 concluded, Swerve Strickland addressed the live audience in Philadelphia, emphasizing his commitment to representation in wrestling and concluding with a pointed remark – “F**k Booker T!”
This comment is the latest development in an ongoing exchange between Strickland and WWE Hall of Famer Booker T. The tension began when Booker T stated that he had been treated fairly during his two-decade tenure with WWE. In response, during a “VladTV” interview, Strickland referenced a controversial 2005 WWE segment where Vince McMahon used a racial slur in front of Booker T, suggesting that such incidents contradicted Booker T’s claims of fair treatment.
Booker T addressed Strickland’s remarks on his “Hall of Fame” podcast, revealing that he confronted Strickland in person at an event in Richmond, Virginia. Booker T expressed disappointment in Strickland, stating, “You got played, bro,” and criticized VladTV for attempting to create conflict between them.
During the latest edition of his “Hall of Fame” podcast, the two-time WWE Hall of Famer issued a response. He said,
“Woke up this morning and I wondered, why is my name trending? I see the video of Swerve Strickland saying, ‘F Booker T’ at the end of Dynasty. I’m not gonna’ even get upset about it. I’m going to give Swerve Strickland a little bit of advice, just a little bit. That advice would be, don’t be talking about something other than the pay-per-view at the end of the night. That’s the main event and the last thing people are going to remember. The last people are going to remember is me, my name being said. I’m sure Tony Khan don’t appreciate the news, the headline not being what happened at Dynasty with all the matches. They’re talking about Booker T. That was a bad move. He’s got a lot of energy at the end of the show. I’m not that type. I’m from that school, if you got something to say to somebody, say it to their face. I’m gonna leave it at that. Hopefully, Swerve Strickland has a hell of a career, and he’ll do very well in this business. I’m going to keep stressing what I’ve talked about for a long time, go out there and get it on your talent and merit. Nobody will ever be able to say you got it because of, only for your talent. I’m gonna’ keep advocating for the young guys to go out there and perform at the highest level. Take what you want. It’s not gonna’ be given to you. You gotta’ take it. The only way to take it is through your performance and how good you really are inside the squared circle. That’s as much as I’m gonna’ say on that issue as far as Swerve Strickland goes.”
He continued, “The only one laughing is Vlad TV. He got all this stuff started and stirred up. I thought this thing was over with, I really did. The last thing I thought about was waking up this morning to a ‘F You.’ This generation, man. I’m an advocate for all young black talent to get into this business, but I’m an advocate for so many more young kids than just black kids. I’m an advocate for anybody who has the talent to actually make it to the next level. I’ll put a word in for them. I think my reputation has been solid. I don’t publicize a lot of things. The guys out there, they know. They know if I’ve been on the side of righteousness. They know what Booker T has done behind the scenes. I don’t have to talk about it on social media. I’m not trying to get extra brownie points for anything I’ve done, but they know. People like Swerve, we come from a different cloth, a totally different cloth. I wish nothing but the best for this dude. I want to see them succeed. Would I ever say anything positive about him, ever again? Probably not. Would I ever put him over as far as being a good worker and perhaps transform this business? I probably won’t do that again. I’ve learned my lesson. I ain’t gonna’ bring a personal beef to my job.”
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