Former WWE star declares himself as the leader of Team AEW against The Elite for Blood and Guts

A former WWE Superstar has joined Team AEW and voiced his intention to lead the group to victory against The Elite at Blood and Guts 2024. The talent in question is Swerve Strickland.

The New Flavor returned to the latest episode of Dynamite, making his entrance immediately after Bryan Danielson was officially crowned as the winner of the 2024 Men's Owen Hart Foundation Tournament by beating Hangman Adam Page in an incredibly physical bout. The two men are set to clash at All In 2024 next month.

Taking up a microphone, Swerve congratulated Danielson on his victory, voicing his respect for The American Dragon and his excitement about the opportunity to face him at Wembley Stadium. He reminded fans of their previous encounter on Dynamite in October last year in a TNT Title contender's match, in which Danielson came out on top and expressed his desire to balance that record.

Afterward, Strickland recalled being invited by The Young Bucks last month to join forces with The Elite as their fifth man for the 2024 iteration of Blood and Guts on July 24. He recounted how he had rejected that invitation before revealing that he did intend to participate in the grueling bout but to represent All Elite Wrestling and to lead the promotion's stars to victory against The Elite. Strickland thus joins ROH World Champion Mark Briscoe as the second member of Team AEW.

Furthermore, Swerve proceeded to challenge AEW Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada. The Rainmaker aligned himself with The Elite earlier this year and notably defeated Bryan Danielson at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 in January 2024.

It remains to be seen who the remaining members of Team AEW will turn out to be.