It The sudden death of AEW star Pac something that fans, wrestlers and everyone in between are still trying to come to terms with. Everyone grieves in their own way and at different speeds, but for those in the AEW locker room like Swerve Strickland, moving on from such a devastating loss can be extremely difficult.
Strickland was asked how he was holding up during a recent interview.The Takedown on Sports Illustrated,“And the current AEW World Trios Champion revealed that what has helped him and some around him is as simple as being open and honest about his feelings.
“How I felt about it was like communicating, not shutting up, you know?” Strickland said. “I don’t mean talking on social media, (I mean) talking to your people, your peers, your friends and everything. Open up, let them know how you feel about those things, about how you feel inside, you know. Open up, express those things, let it out with your friends.”
Strickland said he heard the news through Darby Allin, who called him to confirm Pac’s death, which led to Strickland immediately calling both his and Pac’s good friend Ricochet to make sure he had someone to open up to. Strickland wasn’t the only person making phone calls in the immediate aftermath of Pac’s death, as communication has been one of the things that has helped the AEW locker room through this difficult time. “I think that was probably the most important and most powerful thing that we as an AEW locker room did to each other.”
Everyone in AEW respected Pac’s career and life A special tribute to AEW Dynamite on September 30thPaying a personal tribute to Pak during the broadcast with Strickland. He and The New Level also put their AEW World Triathlon Championship on the mat with one of Pac’s signature towels on them in honor of the late Englishman spending more time with the Triathlon titles than anyone in AEW history.
Remember the Good Times
There is something therapeutic about the sadness and grief that comes with the death of a loved one like Puck. share funny stories and anecdotes to keep their memory alive and celebrate their lives. That’s what many have done with Puck since his death, including Swerve Strickland, who noted that the one memory she always goes back to when she wants to think about a happy time with Puck was actually the first time she met him.
“I wouldn’t even say I met him, I was just in awe of him,” Strickland said. “2011 was like the Dragon Gate USA doubleheader with CZW at the ECW Arena in Philadelphia and it was Pac vs. Brody Lee and it’s so surreal and almost scary to know that they’re both not here anymore. But it was the first time I saw such a wrestling style.”
Strickland continued to congratulate both men on such a great match, but it wasn’t until years later that he crossed paths with Brody Lee again, this time at the WWE Performance Center, where he revealed that Lee’s match with Pac was what signed Lee to WWE. As for Puck, Strickland always reminded him of that fight and how important it was to him whenever he got the chance. “I always told Pac about that game. I was like “Yo man, that game was like… blew my mind then” and he was like “Oh really, thanks bro, thanks man, appreciate it.”
Strickland concluded by saying it was the last time he shared the ring with Pac Trios Roulette Royal at AEW All In London 2026and that he will always hold that moment close to him moving forward.
Please credit “The Takedown on Sports Illustrated” when using quotes from this article and give H/T to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.
