Kofi Kingston is "really happy" to see Swerve Strickland thriving in AEW.
At AEW Dynasty last month, Strickland made history by becoming the first Black men's World Champion in the five-year existence of the promotion. He won the title by defeating Samoa Joe in the main event of the pay-per-view.
Kingston took notice of the moment, posting a tweet acknowledging Strickland:
During an interview on the Battleground Podcast, Kingston was asked about how his WWE Championship victory from WrestleMania 35 has helped pave the way for current champions like Strickland, Trick Williams, and Oba Femi.
Kingston said he's happy to have been at the center of the KofiMania story, but there are a lot of people who contributed to making that moment happen. He thinks it's a "beautiful thing" to see the success Strickland, Williams, Femi, and Carmelo Hayes have had.
I'm fortunate and happy that I could be at the center of that moment. But like I've said a lot of times in a lot of different interviews, a lot of people came together to make that moment happen. [Xavier] Woods, [Big] E, you know what I mean? My wife, my kids, the WWE Universe, you know what I'm saying? Even, like I said, the people that came before me. The Ron Simmons', the Booker Ts, the Mark Henrys, all the people that put that work in and recognition to stand out. Like, it all culminated at that KofiMania moment.
So to see like, you know, Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes and Oba doing their thing, it really is a beautiful thing to see. I don't want to sit here and say, 'Oh, because I did this now they're doing their thing.' They, I think, were going to be successful regardless. But it is a beautiful thing to see people of color out there doing their thing.
And like you said, Swerve too, man. I've watched his career for a very, very long time. Gotten to know him very well over the years. And really, really happy for his success too. It is a beautiful thing and we are keeping it going. And I love it.
Strickland and Kingston never wrestled each other during Strickland's time in WWE.
Kingston said he believes the ultimate goal is to get to a point where diverse champions are commonplace and we can talk about them as individuals.
In the first round of WWE's King of the Ring tournament, Kingston will face off with Rey Mysterio. That match was originally planned for last night's Raw but will instead take place at a WWE house show this weekend. The winner advances to face Gunther in the quarterfinals.
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