For the first time ever, Swerve Strickland can call himself AEW World Champion after he defeated Samoa Joe in the main event of Sunday's AEW Dynasty pay-per-view.
The end came when Strickland hit a second Swerve Stomp off the top rope for the pin, getting emotional before he took flight.
As noted on commentary, Strickland becomes their first African-American World Champion and the 11th overall champion and eighth unique in AEW history.
His run toward the title began after he failed to advance to the finals of the first-ever Continental Classic last December. After six straight wins, he went to a 30-minute draw with blood rival Hangman Page this past February. Somehow, he found his way into a three-way with Page and Joe for the title at March's Revolution only to have his title win opportunity robbed by Page who didn't make an appearance at Dynasty.
Strickland then defeated Konosuke Takeshita in late-March to earn the shot.
Joe's 113-day run with the title ends with three successful title defenses dating back to last December's Worlds End when he defeated MJF for the title.
Strickland, who came out in full Black Panther garb for his entrance, survived the physical Joe who hit a Muscle Buster on the outside of the ring and later inside the ring.
Strickland set up the ending by jumping over Joe while on the top rope, hitting a power bomb and then the second Stomp for the win.
More must-reads: