7 AEW Stars To Join New Swerve Strickland Faction

AEW

On the August 12 episode of AEW Dynamite, Swerve Strickland made his return to the company for the first time since AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2026.

After losing to Will Ospreay in the Owen Hart Foundation Men’s Tournament Finals nearly two months ago, Strickland returned and confronted new AEW World Trios Champions “Hangman” Adam Page and Brodido.

With this tense confrontation with three former rivals as well as having The Demand and Lethal Twist try to intimidate him, it seems like Swerve needs some backup and may need to assemble his own group.

Here are seven AEW stars to potentially join a new Swerve Strickland faction.

7. The Rascalz (Dezmond Xavier, Zachary Wentz & Myron Reed)

Since signing with All Elite Wrestling in January 2026, The Rascalz have become a highlight of AEW TV.

With their infectious high energy style and stunning high-flying exploits, there is no denying what The Rascalz have to offer.

While they have had plenty of great matches, Dezmond Xavier, Zachary Wentz and Myron Reed have been unable to have sustained success in the company when it comes to wins.

Wanting to regain momentum, The Rascalz could see joining Swerve Strickland as their chance to be elevated in AEW.

6. AR Fox

One AEW star who has plenty of experience alongside Swerve Strickland is AR Fox.

Back in 2023, Fox aligned himself with Strickland and was set to team with the then-Mogul Embassy leader to face Sting and Darby Allin in a Coffin Match at AEW All In London that year.

However, Swerve and Mogul Embassy turned heel on Fox for showing weakness and they split.

All these years later, Fox could reunite with Strickland to be part of his new unit to go after the AEW World Trios Titles.

5. “Blackheart” Lio Rush

“Blackheart” Lio Rush has become one of the most popular stars on the AEW roster today.

Tapping into this new side to himself, the current ROH World TV Champion has showcased this deranged, disturbed character that has captured the imagination of the AEW fans.

Looking at the AEW roster, Swerve Strickland would be hard-pressed to find anyone who can meet him on a sadistic level quite like Lio.

“Blackheart” joining forces with “The Most Dangerous Man in AEW” would be interesting and make for a formidable combination in the company.

4. Chris Jericho

After making his AEW return in April, Chris Jericho has been working hard to prove that he “still has it.”

On the August 12 edition of AEW Dynamite, Jericho lost to “The Jet” Kevin Knight for the TNT Championship.

Coming off the heels of this loss, Jericho finds himself without a pathway heading into AEW All In London 2026.

Jericho aligning with Swerve Strickland would bring together two former AEW World Champions in what would be a powerful pairing.

3. Kevin Knight

One of the big breakout stars for All Elite Wrestling in 2026 is Kevin Knight.

The current TNT Champion has garnered the spotlight thanks to his recent heel turn and joining the Don Callis Family.

At the start of 2026, Knight interacted with Swerve Strickland a lot in backstage segments and even faced him back in January.

Following all the teases of an alliance, Swerve could recruit “The Jet” to leave the DCF and join his new faction in AEW.

2. The Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin & MVP)

In 2024, MVP, Shelton Benjamin and Bobby Lashley joined All Elite Wrestling and created The Hurt Syndicate faction.

When they first arrived in the company, The Hurt Syndicate’s initial rival in AEW was Swerve Strickland.

Strickland and The Hurt Syndicate traded barbs on the mic and have stepped in the ring with one another.

Now that the group have announced they will take anyone’s money to “hurt people,” Swerve could make an investment in The Hurt Syndicate to help his quest to end the partnership between “Hangman” Adam Page and Brodido.

1. The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods)

There are no bigger free agents that has been talked about more in wrestling than The New Day.

Many fans were shocked to see The New Day leave WWE after the company asked them to take a pay-cut.

Since their WWE exit, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods have long been rumored to eventually sign with All Elite Wrestling.

Based on their friendship outside the ring, The New Day feel like a no-brainer choice for Swerve’s new faction.

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• AEW
• Swerve Strickland

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