Swerve Strickland Says WWE’s Je’Von Evans Is Already Better Than He Was at 30

AEW’s Swerve Strickland isn’t losing sleep over comparisons to NXT standout Je’Von Evans—in fact, he welcomes them.

During a sit-down on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, the 35-year-old AEW star made it clear he wants the next generation to surpass him. Strickland took a direct approach when asked about fans saying Je’Von Evans is already better than him at just 21 years old. For Strickland, that’s the whole point of progress.

“I’m always in favor of the next guys. Always,” he said. “Some people, because we do this comparison game, ‘So and so is better than so and so.’ I’m like, ‘He’s supposed to be. He’s supposed to be.’ That’s how evolution works.”

Strickland pointed out that Evans is operating within WWE’s system at a younger age than he ever did—and that should naturally result in faster growth.

“It’s not an insult to say, ‘Je’Von Evans is better than Swerve.’ I’m like, yes, he is. At 21 years old, he is better than I was at 30. I have more intangibles, because I’ve learned those things on the indies. He’s in the [WWE NXT] system now at 21.”

The AEW star revealed that Evans has told him to his face that Strickland was a big influence, alongside other high-flyers like Lio Rush. That lineage is something Strickland takes pride in.

“He’s supposed to be better. That’s because — who is he watching? He was watching myself. He’s told me to my face. He’s watched me and Lio Rush and guys like that. And he took it to the next level, which is what we did,” Strickland said. “Ricochet watched the same guys. He watched Rey Mysterio and took it to the next level, because that’s what evolution is supposed to be.”

Strickland didn’t stop there. He praised Evans’ physical gifts and predicted that the young NXT star is only scratching the surface of what he’ll become.

“Of course [Evans is] better than me. He’s gonna be [terrifyingly good at 30]. Like, he’s gonna be scary in the next three years. You know what I mean?” Strickland said. “But the point is, it’s like, I have all these other intangibles that just make me me. I can’t wait to find the intangibles that he finds that makes Je’Von Je’Von… Is he better in-ring? Hell yeah, no sht. He’s taller too.”*

And while experience matters, Strickland warned against veterans who discourage the next wave of talent. In his eyes, wrestling should evolve and grow—and that means letting younger talent break barriers and earn more money than their predecessors.

Evans has already stepped onto the main roster stage, recently participating in WWE’s Last Time is Now tournament before falling to Gunther in the first round. But if Strickland is right, that was just the beginning. Strickland’s mindset sends a strong message: evolve or step aside.

Do you agree with Swerve’s take on wrestling evolution? Should veterans always support the new generation, even when they’re passed up? Sound off in the comments below.