Match Point is an ongoing series at Last Word on Pro Wrestling, where we look at intriguing matchups in indie wrestling and beyond. They may be dream matches, first-time matchups, or hotly anticipated rematches. At AEW Full Gear this Saturday, Hangman Page aims to realize a destiny as he challenges AEW World Champion Kenny Omega.
No matter how many matches take place throughout different squared circles, ultimately, professional wrestling aims to tell stories. Some stories span several weeks, months, and in certain cases, years. The latter are the ones that reward the fans most, allowing them to see how seemingly endless narratives come together to form resolutions. AEW Full Gear, which takes place on Saturday, will see one such resolution come to pass. On this night, Hangman Page challenges Kenny Omega for the AEW World Championship. As we will learn, this story is rich, steeped in history and the development of characters alike.
Kenny Omega vs. Hangman Page – What to Know
The Beginning of The Hangman’s Tale
On January 8, 2019, All Elite Wrestling held its first-ever press conference. Among the individuals involved was “Hangman” Adam Page, one of the company’s initial signees. Prior to this, Page saw modest success in Ring of Honor, New Japan Pro-Wrestling, and elsewhere, including alongside his allies in BULLET CLUB and The Elite alike. However, at this press conference, Page made a bold declaration: he would become the first AEW World Champion.
Initially, “The Hangman” was well on his way to doing exactly that. At Double or Nothing, AEW’s inaugural event in May 2019, Adam Page won the 21-Man Casino Battle Royale; this victory afforded him a spot in the future AEW world title match. From there, Page picked up victories at the following events AEW held, Fyter Fest and Fight for the Fallen. In August, the stage was set for All Out. The main event would see Page challenge Chris Jericho to become the history-making first AEW World Champion. The stars seemed aligned and Page’s outlook appeared optimistic. That was, however, until the final bell rang.
Though Page put forth a valiant effort, it was “The Painmaker” that won the gold. As Jericho’s star rose, Page’s dimmed. Following this loss, “The Hangman’s” confidence waned. Not only did he appear less enthusiastic about his matches, evidently more interested in throwing back a cold one or two, but his friendship with The Elite, specifically The Young Bucks and Kenny Omega, became strained. Even when Omega and Page won the World Tag Team Championship from SCU in January 2020, AEW’s “Anxious Millennial Cowboy” kept his distance from others.
The Impact of the AEW World Championship Tournament
The following September, shortly after Page and Omega lost the AEW World Tag Team Championship to FTR, the company announced a tournament to crown a new contender for the AEW World Championship. Two of the men involved in the AEW World Title Eliminator Tournament were Page and Omega who, following several contests, met in the finals at Full Gear 2020. An exhausted “Hangman” gave this match everything he had. Despite this, a victory wasn’t meant to be, as “The Best Bout Machine” punched his ticket to a future AEW world title match. If their friendship wasn’t strained before, it certainly was after this contest.
The changing of the tides, for lack of better terms, can be traced back to the tournament finals. From there, Omega’s ego intensified and his new alliance with Don Callis didn’t help matters. Once he defeated Jon Moxley for the AEW world title in December, Omega’s modest, humble approach was fully replaced by an eccentric, self-important personality. He was at the top of the world and his Elite partners never hesitated to fluff his ego or, if need be, engage in a sneak attack on anyone he faced. Results couldn’t be argued, though; from the high-flying Rey Fenix to the upstart Jungle boy to the veteran Christian Cage, the self-proclaimed “God of Professional Wrestling” was nigh unstoppable.
Meanwhile, Page found new allies in an unlikely place. Enter The Dark Order, who approached “The Hangman” multiple times, not to specifically join their ranks but accept their friendship. Page was hesitant, due to his falling out with his previous group, though this didn’t stop Evil Uno, Stu Grayson, and the jovial gang from offering their support. Slowly, but surely, Page’s emotional wall lowered. He accepted the eccentric faction as friends. This provided him with numbers, but more importantly, it went a long way in restoring the confidence he lost in August 2019. The prospect of becoming the new AEW World Champion didn’t seem so unfathomable anymore.
The Cowboy Rides Once Again
Hangman Page encountered another roadblock, this time at Fight for the Fallen this past July. The show opened with a 10-man tag team elimination match, pitting The Good Brothers, The Young Bucks, and Kenny Omega of The Elite against Hangman Page and The Dark Order’s Alex Reynolds, John Silver, Stu Grayson, and Evil Uno. There were high stakes at play, too; if Page and his friends won, they would receive future AEW world title and tag team title matches, respectively. The Elite emerged victorious in this contest. Moreover, if this wasn’t enough of a proverbial dagger in the back, it was Page that found himself eliminated last.
The following August, at AEW Dynamite: Homecoming, Page was attacked by The Elite. Though it pained The Dark Order to see their friend outnumbered, they were unable to help. Page believed himself responsible for the issues they faced and needed to handle matters on his own. The aforementioned attack was so severe that it kept Page out of action for the rest of the summer. On October 6, “The Hangman” rode again, returning on the second-anniversary edition of AEW Dynamite as the surprise entrant in the Casino Ladder Match. With renewed confidence, Page ascended the ladder and claimed a future AEW World Championship match. Finally, over 2 years later, he was back in world title contention.
It was all a set up! @TheDonCallis attacks and the contract is signed…in @theAdamPage's BLOOD! THIS SATURDAY, Hangman vs #AEW World Champion @KennyOmegamanX at #AEWFullGear LIVE on PPV! #AEWDynamite pic.twitter.com/JFRGdQwf7E
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) November 11, 2021
Kenny Omega vs. Hangman Page – In Closing
One of the final stops before Full Gear was the November 10 episode of AEW Dynamite. This show concluded with a contract signing, rendering the AEW World Championship match between challenger Hangman Page and titleholder Kenny Omega official. Omega expressed disappointment in Page, referencing his shortcomings, while Page believed that Omega had “another tag team partner” he felt he “didn’t measure up to,” either. Furthermore, Page accused Omega of being afraid, not proud, of him the year prior. The two would shake hands. Suddenly, Page was attacked by Don Callis, who was disguised as a cameraman. Omega didn’t forget to sign the contract, inking the deal using “The Hangman’s” own blood.
At the risk of sounding cliché, at Full Gear, it’s now or never for “The Hangman.” For over 2 years, he underwent tremendous character development. From optimistic newcomer to downtrodden recluse to revived working-class hero, the growth of “Hangman” Adam Page has been remarkable. This Saturday, he will enter Minneapolis to claim what he believes to be his. However, against a dominant competitor the caliber of Kenny Omega, smart money is on this being a match for the ages. Will “Cowboy Sh*t” run wild at Full Gear or will “The Cleaner” deprive viewers in attendance and at home of their feel-good ending?
Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. You can catch AEW Dynamite Wednesday nights at 8 PM ET on TNT and AEW Dark: Elevation (Monday nights) and AEW: Dark (Tuesday nights) at 7 PM ET on YouTube. AEW Rampage airs on TNT at 10 PM EST every Friday night.
