Add as a preferred source on Google Swerve Strickland added even more fuel to the fire surrounding a possible move by Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods to AEW following the duo’s departure from WWE earlier this month.
In an interview with Bootleg Kev, the former AEW World Champion said that “many wrestlers” would like to see The New Day join Tony Khan’s company. Strickland said he spoke with both men shortly after their exit and said they are motivated, happy, and feel like they are in control of their own narrative.
“There’s a lot of wrestlers that want to see them end up in AEW. I talked to them the same day. Kofi took another day to get back to me, but they’re in high spirits, they’re motivated, they’re happy. I feel like they have the ball in their court which is what they always wanted. They have the ball in their court and they honestly feel like they can control their own narrative, and Xavier is really good at that. “
“Kofi is walking [as a] free agent for the first time in his whole career. He was a Hall of Famer like five, six years ago. He was a Hall of Famer then, and to add the World Title match on top of that. He’s the only black wrestler to ever win the World Title at Mania. He’s the only one. That’s something you can’t take away from him. Never had any negative press on him, never had any issues, suspensions, fines, never any of this. So he’s walking out a role model to a whole generation of kids.”
The comments come at a time when AEW is already treating the duo as a major target. According to Fightful Select, there is strong internal support for signing Kingston and Woods, with several major names backing the arrival of the former champions once their non-compete clauses expire.
Kingston and Woods left WWE after a long run with the company. The New Day debuted in 2014 alongside Big E and became one of the most successful teams in WWE history, racking up 13 tag team title reigns in WWE. Kofi also won the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 35.