With a recent shift towards the dark side, Swerve Strickland could soon be at the helm of a brand new heel faction in AEW.
Potentially looking to link up with other AEW stars to create a brand new dominant force, Swerve Strickland could be recruiting.
Here are six AEW stars that could join a new Swerve Strickland heel faction.
6. Buddy Matthews
Buddy Matthews has been out of action since suffering a complex ankle injury back at AEW Grand Slam 2025, it has been over one year since he’s been in action but Swerve Strickland hasn’t forgotten about the impressive star.
Recently commenting on the Battleground Podcast that he felt that Matthews had “a lot to offer,” the compliments didn’t end there.
Swerve said he and Matthews could do “great work” together and he looked forward to seeing his former WWE colleague back inside an AEW ring.
Potentially linking up as opponents, another exceptional option would be to see Matthews join forces with Swerve Strickland in a brand new menacing faction.
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5. Tommaso Ciampa
A recent addition to the AEW roster who also recently turned heel is Tommaso Ciampa.
After turning heel on Mark Briscoe on AEW Collision, March 7, in a shocking attack that was seemingly meant to mirror Ciampa’s infamous attack on Johnny Gargano leading to DIY breaking up.
With a ROH history as a member of Prince Nana’s The Embassy in 2011, the foundation for a potential partnership has an interesting foundation.
Able to link up with Swerve Strickland to take his evil character to a new level, Ciampa could end up being the hired gun that is able to do all of the faction’s most disturbing attacks.
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4. Private Party (Isiah Kassidy & Marq Quen)
While other AEW stars who disappeared from TV have ended up signing with WWE, Isiah Kassidy & Marq Quen
After making a surprise return on the February 11th edition of AEW Dynamite, Private Party has officially returned to action in AEW.
However after they failed to capture victory in their return bout, the duo could return to screens with a brand new attitude.
Able to join forces with Swerve Strickland to join a brand new heel faction, Private Party could relaunch in a major way.
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3. Brody King
One possible unlikely addition to a heel faction helmed by Swerve Strickland could be Brody King.
After a memorable run-in on the March 11 edition of AEW Dynamite in which King actually broke free from Swerve Strickland’s choke hold by breaking his steel chain — it could be that they end up better friends than enemies.
Adding a dangerous additional element to Swerve’s heelish faction, King could certainly find himself riding the line between babyface and heel rather than become fully engaged in dastardly actions.
Able to eventually defect from the group if things become too evil, a future feud between Brody King and Swerve Strickland could be even better if it were layered with an alliance in between.
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2. Anthony Bowens
One AEW star that has been off screen since January 2026 is Anthony Bowens.
Able to showcase his in-ring skills with a brand new attitude, Bowens could be relaunched as a grittier and more vicious character that is a further departure from his past in AEW.
Potentially linking up with Swerve to create a cornerstone to his powerful new faction, there could be some in-ring magic from the powerhouse star.
With a lot of untapped potential, Bowens being cast in a more serious role could see him really stand out as a performer.
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1. Will Ospreay
A potential surprising heel turn could always be in the works that would see Will Ospreay and Swerve Strickland join forces when the former returns from rehabbing after neck surgery.
Able to certainly take on the biggest of challengers if they were united, the duo could create a brand new midline of professional wrestling character that is certainly not a squeaky clean babyface but that was still beloved by the audience.
With fan support for both, their characters could have the opportunity to do an intriguing pivot and try out a brand new storyline where they were at the helm of a faction together.
Inevitably breaking down of course, there could also be a legendary feud that spins off from the faction between two of AEW’s biggest stars.
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