Swerve Strickland Explains His Viral Syringe Spot in AEW Cage Match

Swerve Strickland has never shied away from violence in the ring, but his now-infamous syringe spot during an AEW steel cage match with Hangman Adam Page took things to a whole new level—and now he’s revealing exactly why he did it.

During his appearance on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Strickland opened up about the sickening moment in which a syringe was shoved through his cheek during the unsanctioned cage match. The graphic visual set social media on fire, and it wasn’t lost on Swerve why fans reacted the way they did.

“It was just something that I don’t think has been seen on American soil, television-wise, in a major promotion like that in a while, because it’s something that’s like, why would you do that? Why would anybody do that? Good, that’s why I’m doing it.”

The visual of the needle piercing his face was meant to make viewers uncomfortable—and that’s exactly what he wanted.

“That’s the point. If you’re sitting at home, you’re already getting uneasy, which we have so many little, small things that make people uneasy. I knew a syringe would make people feel uneasy.”

And for those wondering if it was just for show? Strickland made it clear this wasn’t a gimmick or trick prop.

“Yeah, all the way through. I think I still have the needle.”

The moment came late in the match after Strickland had already been powerbombed onto a cinder block. He explained that by that point, they had already gone to extreme lengths—and the syringe was just the next escalation in their war.

“We’ve already took it so far. He already burned down my house. Where else further do you go with someone that you hate?”

In Strickland’s mind, it made sense for Hangman to unleash that level of violence.

“He hates me that much to just do something like that. That came out of his boot, he had that. So that was something he just wanted to punish me with.”

The entire feud between Strickland and Hangman has been defined by psychological warfare and physical brutality—from home invasions to flaming revenge. But the syringe moment instantly became one of the most talked-about images AEW has produced in years.