Close Menu

    Keeping Hangman Page Looking Strong: The Fatal Flaw in AEW Wrestling

    AEW

    All Elite Wrestling put on its inaugural WrestleDream Pay-Per-View commemorating 1 year since the passing of the Legendary Antonio Inoki. This Pay-Per-View unquestionably delivered.

    Bryan Danielson and Zack Sabre Jr. put on a masterpiece of a wrestling showcase.

    Christian Cage delivered brutality to Darby Allin on a level heretofore unseen (Those slams on the ring steps were uncomfortable to say the least).

    Nick Wayne turned heel by aligning with Christian against Darby.

    “The Rated R Superstar” Adam Copeland appeared, sharing a ring with Christian for the first time in years and shocking the crowd by saving Sting, and coming out to his most well-known theme song.

    The Young Bucks won a 4-Way Tag Match to earn a future opportunity to challenge for the AEW Tag Team Championships.

    Swerve Strickland picked up the biggest win in his AEW tenure.

    That last one brings up a huge point of contention amongst fans. The right person won this match, of that we have no question. But the Herculean effort required by Swerve to overcome…*checks notes*… Hangman Page baffles the mind.

    Hangman Page was the fourth AEW World Champion, second AEW Tag Team Champion, and 2-time and current Ring of Honor Six-Man Tag Team Champion. However, between his AEW World Championship reign and the ROH Six-Man Championship, Hangman has been adrift. Even capturing the ROH Six-Man Tag Titles came as a result of this feud.

    Page had a bloody feud with Jon Moxley that left him with a concussion and a few sporadic matches that gave him reason to reunite with The Elite, but not much else. Hangman’s match quality has been low to mid, and his matches seem to lack motivation or any sense of urgency. Hangman hasn’t cut a coherent promo in the 4 years of All Elite Wrestling. Swerve has even pointed out, Hangman’s been eating well, speaking about Page’s more “high calorie” look.

    However, at AEW WrestleDream, Swerve hit Page with so many finishers, underhanded tricks, limb attacks, and signature moves only to watch Hangman repeatedly kick out. The unofficial match time for this bout was 20:12. Swerve controlled the match for no less than 17 minutes.

    This match attempted to make Hangman look as strong as possible in defeat. But watching Swerve struggle to put away an unmotivated, out of shape Hangman strained the limits of credibility. This made Swerve look weak and ruined a ready-made Hangman comeback story. Hangman’s most important contribution to this feud was stabbing Swerve with a pen. 

    Hangman rediscovering his passion and finding the reason for wrestling is a long-term story. That kind of determination would push Hangman to the next level and make him more than just the 4th guy in The Elite.

    AEW needs to do better here.

    Subscribe
    Notify of
    guest
    0 Comments
    Oldest
    Newest Most Voted
    Inline Feedbacks
    View all comments

    Hot Topics