The soap opera between Roderick Strong and the Conglomeration continues like sands through the hourglass. The last time we saw saw Strong on AEW television was ditching tag team partner Orange Cassidy in the middle of a match.
Strong’s absence has been conspicuous. So much so that Orange Cassidy posted a lost reward flier on his entrance screen last night during Dynamite.
Cassidy must not have seen Strong’s Close Up interview with Renee Paquette released earlier in the week. We can’t fault the man. Cassidy is notoriously lazy. There was an interesting nugget shared by Strong, and it sounds like a tease that he is interested in the Death Riders over the Conglomeration.
Renee was blunt in her line of questioning about Strong being difficult with a lack of desire to conglomerate. He accepted the blame. Strong explained how Kyle O’Reilly and he were lost after the injury to Adam Cole. Kyle’s suggestion was to hang with his other friends in the Conglomeration. The happy-go-lucky vibe hasn’t resulted in a record to Strong’s liking.
Strong isn’t content just to be on the AEW roster. He wants to win. Strong prefers to be around people that push him to improve. He thinks Cassidy is satisfied with participation trophies. Renee asked if Strong is considering going solo or joining another group. Strong teased that he knows people who push each other when necessary, and that quality is very attractive. It sounds like Strong was referencing the Death Riders dynamic of leadership, which he experiences firsthand at home as husband to Marina Shafir. Strong mentioned how Shafir’s work ethic is an example of a necessary change needed for success.
This interview felt in character with elements of real life, such as Renee openly mentioning Strong’s marriage which is not canon on television. The marriage is one of those ‘wink wink’ things for the fans that know when Strong and Shafir have engaged in physicality on screen. Strong’s answers were more flow of thought than a sharp angle in motion. He left himself wiggle room at the end to stick with the Conglomeration. Strong confessed that maybe he is just a difficult human to be around. He wants to win first, then hang out second. Winning could solve any issues he has in conglomerating.
Strong’s temperament seems like a good fit for the Death Riders. His wrestling style also suits well alongside their technician skills. This makes me wonder if the injury to Kyle O’Reilly has put the story on pause. The injury came during a feud against Jon Moxley. From a drama standpoint, there is a moment to be had of Strong either betraying O’Reilly to become a Death Rider or solidifying his friendship by sticking with his homeboy through thick and thin. Strong and O’Reilly are former tag team champions in NXT, so that division could be his next path to gold.
Would you prefer to see Roderick Strong officially join the Conglomeration or defect to the Death Riders?