The wrestling world was turned upside down when Swerve Strickland made his explosive return to All Elite Wrestling, but nobody could have predicted what happened next. In a stunning turn of events, Strickland joined forces with his former rival “Hangman” Adam Page to deliver a bone-chilling statement to the newly crowned AEW World Champion Samoa Joe and his dominant faction, The Opps.
Joe’s Championship Celebration Gets Interrupted
Fresh off his shocking victory at Full Gear, Samoa Joe entered Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite ready to bask in championship glory. The Samoan Submission Machine had successfully dethroned Page in their brutal Steel Cage encounter, capturing his second AEW World Championship reign thanks to Hook’s devastating betrayal.
Accompanied by his expanded Opps faction – including Powerhouse Hobbs, the turncoat Hook, and Katsuyori Shibata – Joe commanded the ring like the dominant champion he believes himself to be. But celebrations in AEW have a way of being cut short, and this one would prove no different.
Strickland’s Game-Changing Return
The arena erupted when Swerve Strickland’s music hit, marking his highly anticipated return to AEW programming. Sporting a fresh entrance theme and updated presentation, Strickland wasted no time making his intentions clear. This wasn’t just a comeback – this was a declaration of war.
What caught everyone off guard was seeing the former bitter enemies Page and Strickland walking side by side toward the ring. Their previous feuds seemed like ancient history as they united against a common threat in Joe’s increasingly powerful faction.
The Opps’ Strategic Retreat
Recognizing the shift in momentum, Joe demonstrated the tactical awareness that makes him such a dangerous champion. Rather than engage in a potentially disadvantageous confrontation, the veteran ordered Shibata to gather additional “Scrubs” – Joe’s dismissive term for expendable backup wrestlers.
The core members of The Opps – Joe, Hobbs, Hook, and Shibata – strategically withdrew from ringside as Strickland and Page seized control of the battlefield. It was a calculated move that showed Joe’s willingness to pick his battles carefully.
A Disturbing Message Sent
What happened next will be remembered as one of the most unsettling moments in recent AEW history. Strickland and Page had come prepared with chains, and they put them to horrifying use against Joe’s so-called “Scrubs.”
In a display that sent shockwaves through the wrestling community, the unlikely allies wrapped chains around the necks of two enhancement talents and hung them over the ring ropes. The imagery was as powerful as it was disturbing – a clear message that they were willing to go to any lengths necessary.
What This Alliance Means Moving Forward
This partnership between Strickland and Page represents more than just a temporary alliance of convenience. Both men have legitimate grievances against Joe and The Opps, creating the foundation for a sustained assault on the faction’s dominance.
Page’s motivation is obvious – Joe took his championship with help from Hook’s betrayal. For Strickland, this represents an opportunity to immediately insert himself back into the main event picture while settling scores with a faction that grew in power during his absence.
The visual of chains and the ruthless message sent to Joe suggests this feud will embrace the darker, more intense storytelling that AEW does so well. With Strickland’s calculated aggression combined with Page’s desperate need for redemption, The Opps may have finally met their match.
The question now becomes whether this unholy alliance between former enemies can maintain their unity long enough to dethrone Joe, or will their own complicated history eventually tear them apart when the stakes get higher?