Swerve Strickland’s AEW return delayed as Keith Lee retirement rumors swirl

Report: Keith Lee believed to have retired from pro wrestling

Swerve Strickland’s potential AEW return with Keith Lee is now uncertain after reports surfaced that Lee may have retired from professional wrestling.

What happened?

Keith Lee has not competed in an AEW ring since December 2023, and his last scheduled match with Swerve Strickland at Worlds End 2023 was scrapped with hours to go. Bryan Alvarez of Wrestling Observer Live said insiders now believe Lee is done, adding that retirement-not a move to another promotion-is the likely outcome.

Lee has battled undisclosed health issues for years, including double surgery in 2024. Though he told sources he felt healthy in Summer 2025, early-2026 talks of a Lee return to AEW never materialized.

Why it matters for Swerve Strickland

The news leaves Swerve Strickland’s future AEW program in doubt. The two formed a strong tag team in 2023 and were set for a marquee match before Lee vanished from TV. Strickland now faces an indefinite wait for the feud that many fans expected to headline AEW’s next major show.

Alvarez’s report also ties Lee’s personal life into the speculation. Lee and Mia Yim ended their relationship recently, adding pressure on the wrestler amid industry chatter about his future.

What comes next?

AEW has not commented on Lee’s status, and no replacement opponent has been named for Strickland. If Lee truly retires, Strickland may pivot to other rivals or pursue singles gold elsewhere. Until then, the question mark over Lee’s career leaves Strickland-and AEW’s booking team-without a clear path forward.