The next challenger in line for the AEW World Championship will be decided in Los Angeles next month.
Former champ Swerve Strickland and rival Ricochet will meet in a #1 contenders bout as part of AEW Revolution on March 9. The bout is the latest to join the pay-per-view lineup from the Crypto.com Arena in LA.
The matchup between Ricochet and Strickland was made official on Wednesday’s episode of Dynamite.
Ricochet originally denied a match to Strickland, citing that he already had a chance to beat him when they met in the main event of the February 5 episode of Dynamite.
However, Ricochet had a change of heart once it was mentioned by Strickland that Tony Khan was willing to add a #1 contenders stipulation to the contest.
It might not only be a title opportunity on the line for Strickland, as revealed on Wednesday. Strickland’s manager, Prince Nana, warned him that a loss to Ricochet could hurt his legacy and possibly cause the end of their partnership.
A win for Strickland at Revolution could put him on the road to becoming just the third-ever two-time AEW World Champion. His previous reign with the belt started at Dynasty last year, continuing until his main event defeat against Bryan Danielson at All In London 2024.
Ricochet has yet to capture gold since he joined the AEW roster last August. However, a win next month could get him closer to changing that.
Revolution will also feature Kenny Omega vs. Konosuke Takeshita, as confirmed on Wednesday night. Takeshita overcame Orange Cassidy on Dynamite, concluding a gauntlet to determine who would head into the PPV with the AEW International Championship and face Omega.
Here’s an updated look at the lineup:
- Jon Moxley vs. Cope (AEW World Championship)
- Toni Storm vs. Mariah May (AEW Women’s World Championship)
- Adam Page vs. MJF
- Mercedes Moné vs. Momo Watanabe (TBS Championship)
- Will Ospreay vs. Kyle Fletcher (Steel Cage Match)
- Swerve Strickland vs. Ricochet (AEW World Championship #1 Contenders Match)
- Konosuke Takeshita vs. Kenny Omega (AEW International Championship)
