Swerve Strickland, EJ Nduka and the glass ceiling in wrestling conversation

In many ways, professional wrestling is a mirror of what’s going on in the society where it exists. While some use it as escapism, it can be hard not to see situations that resonate with individuals based on their identities. That’s why it is important to celebrate aspects of wrestling that are for everyone, as the industry has fans who sit in all spectrums of identification. This is why it is important to listen to some of the criticisms across wrestling when it comes to representation. EJ Nduka had some strong words to say about his experience as a member of the WWE roster and his comments should not be ignored.

Before diving into Nduka’s exact comments on social media, it’s important to take a step back and highlight where the situation started. His comments are linked to Swerve Strickland, former AEW World Champion and former WWE performer. Strickland recently re-signed with All Elite Wrestling, and there were reports about WWE’s response to said contract. Wrestling Observer reported that WWE executives felt that the offer and others liked it were “bad for the sport.” Meaning that the individuals receiving those contracts were being paid above their value. According to Fightful Select on August 30, Swerve’s contract is “in the neighborhood of top wrestlers in AEW, including Okada and Mercedes’ [Mercedes Mone] recent deals.” That same report states that those deals are “near what many long-time WWE veterans made on their last deal, though AEW’s have significantly fewer dates that end up being applied.”

This starting point ties into Nduka’s comments as he started his Twitter thread on a snippet of a video where Swerve talks about the evolution of the Black quarterback in the NFL and ties that to the elevation of the Black Champion in professional wrestling.

“There was an article like a month ago about me getting my new contract, one of the highest contracts in wrestling recently, and I’m paid above market value. These are like 50 years apart and we are still having the same conversations,” Stickland said while speaking on The Breakfast Club. “That’s what AEW is beautiful for and that’s why I’m proud to be there. We’re shaking the foundation again like they did 50 years ago and we are doing it now with pro wrestling.”

Nduka’s thread picks up here, highlighting the opportunities he’s received as a part of AEW and Ring of Honor, but specifically calling out that the “other side refused to give us opportunities.” His thread touches upon his entry to WWE and when he was released by the company during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“They pulled the rug from underneath my family and I and many other wrestlers cause he [Vince McMahon] wanted to spend that money on hush money,” Nduka posted. “As far as I am concerned y’all can eat grass.”

The hush money comment speaks to the WWE board investigation of McMahon that found he paid hush money to past employees, and the eventual unveiling of the Janel Grant lawsuit against McMahon, John Laurinaitis, and WWE in January 2024.

Nduka also praised AEW and Tony Khan for his experience while being signed with the company.

“I’d rather work for a boss who is genuinely excited for your future and development,” Nduka posted. “Who waits at the end of the ramp for everyone to congratulate them instead of one who ignores you or buries you for trying to be different.”

Now, why does all this matter? This situation and conversation speak directly to the perception of a glass ceiling still existing in professional wrestling in some forms. Have Black men and women reached championship status? Of course, individuals like Bianca Belair, Nia Jax, Kofi Kingston, Swerve Strickland, Bobby Lashley, and others have captured championships along the way. Are there several names that fans look at and wonder if they will ever get their shot at the top? Yes, there’s a steadily growing list in that category. There’s an even bigger list of names of men and women who had all the abilities to be champions compared to their peers in the years but were never given the opportunity to run with the ball. Shelton Benjamin, please step the front.

This is just one aspect of the conversation. The other is the narrative that comes up every time these issues are pointed out. All too often, the response is met with excuses, conflation, ideas that the performers “aren’t ready,” or “just wait until.” There’s always a push for Black men and women to wait their turn when looking to get the same opportunities that their peers in wrestling enjoy. And even when some of those chances come, they are quickly derailed or treated less than, almost intentionally.

If professional wrestling is as “color blind” as some will argue, why are simple observations met with such disdain? Take the situation in which WWE Bad Blood will be the third WWE PLE that will not feature a Black man on the card in any match. Stating that clear fact on social media is met with widespread disgust and conflation in ways that are still mind-numbing.

Professional wrestling and sports entertainment are variety shows. A variety show that is best served by representing as many of those identities across the fanbase as possible. Unfortunately, there’s a continued pushback when Black wrestlers and fans push back on their experiences in the space. This proves that there’s still a lot of work to be done. Just like within the society that wrestling often mirrors.