And New? Swerve and Thunder Rosa talk battling for top prizes at AEW Dynasty

Thunder Rosa could very well walk out of the Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis this Sunday as the new AEW Women’s Champion. It would be the perfect conclusion to an inspiring comeback story. The possibility also exists that she comes up short against Toni Storm who’s title reign may ultimately prove to be timeless.

At the end of the day, just being in a position to have this match is a rewarding victory all on its own.

The woman known as La Mera Mera considers it a blessing that she’s been able to wrestle once again after she lost more than a year of her career to a back injury.

Her return match this past December on AEW Collision was the culmination of a long recovery process. One that Thunder Rosa told Cageside Seats took patience, discipline and a complete reinvention of herself.

“The most important part is finding yourself again or even redefining yourself. And I’m talking about inside and out of the ring. It’s been beautiful,” Rosa said. “They say that when you are doing changes in your life and you’re working on yourself, it can be very, very difficult. I definitely can say that, but I am happy with the person that I see in the mirror every day. I’m very proud of her.”

The former AEW Women’s Champion recently divulged more details about her back problems to my iHeartMedia colleague Kidd Chris, saying she was dealing with multiple lower back tears as well as disk herniations.

Once Thunder Rosa was healthy enough to begin training again, it took her seven to eight months to figure out how she needed to do so properly to protect her back from future injury. As we speak surgery may be a possibility down the line, even though she was able to avoid going under the knife this time around.

If she was going to preserve her time in the ring, Rosa was going to have to change her entire approach to the business. Starting with her training regimen. Once an avid runner, that was quickly something she discovered was no longer on the table for her.

When it came time to get back in the ring, there would be other aspects of her game she’d have to say goodbye to as well. Her Fire Thunder Driver for example.

“I had to change my finisher. I can’t do that finisher anymore. Physically, I can’t. If I would do that, I would reduce the time that I can wrestle and I love wrestling. I’m going to wrestle until my body is like, ‘Yeah, you’ve had enough.’”

Thunder Rosa is not the first performer to adjust her in-ring style following a severe injury, and unfortunately, isn’t likely to be the last. It’s also something she’s not going to apologize for doing.

“Health comes first. We’re in a time where companies, especially AEW, have made a big effort to keep their athletes healthy. And when something like this happens, they really take this very serious. The medical team has been extremely supportive towards me.”

The last few months has served as a feeling out process for Thunder Rosa. Her confidence growing as she works her way back to putting on Championship level matches once again.

She may not be able to do everything inside the ring that fans have grown accustomed to watching over the years, but as we saw last Saturday on Collision, she can still cut a fire promo. And her most recent match against Mariah May, had La Mera Mera feeling like the Thunder Rosa of old once again.

“There’s always room for improvement,” Thunder said. “I learn a lot every time I get in the ring. I am not perfect. So when I watch myself back and I have a chance to get back in there, I [have to improve where] I feel like I didn’t perform.”

AEW Dynasty will be a full circle moment for Thunder Rosa. She will have the opportunity to complete her comeback and recapture the Women’s Championship in her first pay per view match since Forbidden Door 2022. That night at the United Center in Chicago, she successfully defended her title against the very woman she’ll attempt to take it back from this Sunday night in St. Louis — Toni Storm.

Whether her hand is raised at the end of the night is not meaningless by any stretch of the imagination, but Thunder Rosa has already proven that success isn’t just about winning matches and Championships.

“No matter what is thrown at you, if you are resilient and you are dedicated, you can achieve anything. I just wanna to inspire anyone that feels like they going through something difficult, that you just have to hang in there and work really hard to get back on top. And show yourself, more than anyone, what you are capable of.”

Heading into this Sunday’s PPV, Toni Storm is the betting favorite to retain her Championship. Boasting the same odds (as of this publishing) that Swerve Strickland experiences his crowning achievement.

“Break the mold. That’s what I’m here to do.”

Swerve Strickland’s X

Swerve Strickland is a three count or a submission away from making history by becoming the first Black man to capture the AEW World Championship. He has a daunting task in front of him in Samoa Joe, arguably the most physically imposing performer in the entire sport.

“There’s a lot of punishment that’s gonna be inflicted both ways,” Swerve said during our conversation on ESPN1530. ”I’ve been hit hard and I’ve gotten back up every single time. And that’s what I gotta continue to do. I gotta keep getting back up and keep jumping into this man’s face, showing him that I’m not afraid of him and that I’m willing to hit just as hard, if not harder.”

The Samoan Submission Machine is responsible for the single most punishing beat down in Swerve’s 15 year career, which Strickland said took place during their contract signing on Dynamite. And that came after the two had already battled for the title at AEW Revolution in a triple threat match with Hangman Adam Page.

Swerve will get his one-on-one shot at the champ at Dynasty, sans cowboy interference, and he’s more than ready to take the reigns as the flag bearer for All Elite Wrestling.

“When I first came to AEW, a lot of people didn’t look at me as being in the position that I’m in now. Consistency and growth and staying focused – and out of a lot of bull crap – really kept me going. Progressing and moving forward. Putting my ego aside. Following humility. Being a team player and understanding where my position is and where I want to go.”

When Swerve arrived in the company in the spring of 2022, AEW was all about pushing boundaries. Challenging the authority and structure of pro wrestling. Proving the naysayers wrong and finding a path to success paved by talent doing things their way.

Now, after all the years of hard work, the ups the downs, being let go from WWE and finding a new home where he could create his art and garner the affection of an entirely new audience — the AEW Championship is there for the taking.

In these final days ahead of AEW Dynasty, Swerve is focusing on keeping both his body and mind right with his dream so close to becoming a reality.

“There’s a lot of doubt and criticisms to face,” Swerve said. “I still face those things to this day. So, I can relate and see myself in what AEW is. I feel like that relationship is what’s bringing me to the forefront of pro wrestling right now, especially as an African American man. We already face certain criticisms with moving goalposts and certain things, which aren’t discussed about, but they are always there. Those little talks… we see it and hear it. And I feel it. To break the mold, that’s what I’m here to do.”

And the hard work only begins if Swerve is able to conquer Samoa Joe this weekend — a fact that Strickland is all too aware of already. He sees the bevy of young and hungry competitors ready to chase him down and take what he will have rightfully earned this weekend.

The bigger the prize, the bigger the challenge. And despite what anyone else may say or believe, Swerve Strickland knows that he’s ready.

Dynasty comes our way this Sun., April 20 at 8pm ET on Bleacher Report here in the United States, and around the world (including the U.S. this time) on Triller.TV. Cageside Seats will have you covered with everything you need before, during, and after the show.

You can follow Rick Ucchino on X/Twitter and stay tuned for more in depth interviews with WWE and AEW talent here on Cageside Seats. The Monday Morning Gorilla Position returns next week with our WWE Mock Draft!