Ranking Top Contenders to Take AEW World Title from Swerve Strickland

Dynasty was one of the best AEW pay-per-views in history, and the crowning achievement was Swerve Strickland fulfilling his destiny and beating Samoa Joe for the AEW World Championship.

Strickland is one of the best all-around talents in professional wrestling, and earning AEW's top prize was a monumental moment. While Swerve could be in store for a long run at the top of the card, starting with a successful defense against Christian Cage, several performers are aiming to take his newfound gold.

Here are the top contenders to eventually take the world title from Strickland.

1. Kazuchika Okada

While Strickland winning the title was a massive moment for the company, as he became the first African-American world champion in AEW history, the biggest storyline going right now is the power struggle between Tony Khan and the revamped Elite.

All eyes may be on Matthew and Nicholas Jackson as they take the lead as Executive Vice Presidents in their quest to destroy Khan for how he treated Jungle Boy Jack Perry, but the true ace in that stable is Kazuchika Okada.

As wrestling fans know from the battle between Stone Cold Steve Austin and Vince McMahon during the Attitude Era, the person who holds the world championship holds the true power in the company.

As part of the hostile takeover efforts, Okada will be sent after Strickland to steal the gold and take even more control of the company. As a result, Swerve acting as the hero trying to hold off the heel stable would be incredible storytelling.

Okada would need to eventually beat Strickland for the title, resulting in a shorter-than-expected reign, but it would be the best course of action for the company moving forward.

2. Kenny Omega

Another major option would be for Kenny Omega to return to the side with Khan and against his old friends, the Young Bucks, and ultimately hand Swerve the loss. With Okada and the heels failing to beat Strickland, Omega would be the man to bring the gold back home to Khan.

Swerve should remain an outlier, not giving into temptation from either side in their squabble. For the most part, the current champion should avoid the company's main storyline and compete in several stories he ultimately wins.

Eventually, though, the battle for control of the company inevitably needs the world title. Okada coming up short, only for a returning Omega to steal the title and give the AEW owner the upper hand, would provide a series of unforgettable moments.

Swerve will play an essential role in the company's most important stories, but Omega could be the man who takes AEW to the next level in this marquee angle.

3. MJF

Another viable option would be to have Khan recruit Strickland into his makeshift stable, trying to save AEW. With Khan's crew eventually outnumbering The Young Bucks, Okada, Perry, and their group, it would be time for the EVPs to flex their muscle.

The Jackson brothers should bring back Maxwell Jacob Friedman when his injury is healed.

MJF is one of the company's cornerstones, but his role as a top heel is unquestionable. With the bad guys needing an ace in the hole to steal the belt away from Swerve, MJF could return from his injury and tease which side of the war he will join.

After teasing for months that he could join Khan and the faces, MJF could turn his back on the champion and beat Strickland for the world title, giving the heel stable the company's ultimate prize.

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