Last week’s AEW Dynamite reassured fans that Hangman Adam Page is the main character. AEW seemingly has learned how to redeem Page’s presentation after his first world championship run and the difficulties of the babyface post-chase blues. Opening and closing the show, Wednesday seems to be the final entry in this chapter of the Page vs. Jon Moxley rivalry.
No Marina Shafir running interference. Wheeler Yuta or Caludio Castagnoli can’t instigate a beatdown. No hired gun in Gabe Kidd to ensure Moxley reclaims the AEW Men’s World Championship. It’s mano a mano.
With MJF also scheduled to talk, it’s questionable if The Young Genius will be as focused on Page. Last week’s bust-up with The Hurt Syndicate, specifically Bobby Lashley, shows that the group’s dynamics are still in flux. Friedman does not understand his place.
Treating the Syndicate like lackeys has alienated the All Mighty. With enemies like Mark Briscoe and Mistico, Friedman needs allies. Wednesday night will be lit like a fuse.
AEW Dynamite Announced Card
Matches Announced
- AEW World Tag Team Title Eliminator Quarterfinal: The Outrunners vs. The Young Bucks
- AEW Men’s World Championship, everyone barred from ringside: Hangman Adam Page © vs. Jon Moxley
Segments Announced
- MJF will appear live
AEW World Tag Team Title Eliminator Quarterfinal
The Young Bucks’ post-EVP demotion has been delightful and detailed. Promising more, The Jacksons’ adjustments to outside of the ring to being “broke” while in the ring, bringing classic and tandem offense, correct the issues of their corporate run.
Considering the past, some fans have been talking about The Young Bucks’ last AEW World Tag Team Championship reign. Specifically, the interview where the brothers wanted to drop the championship in a squash match against The Outrunners.
I don’t think anyone would mind a longer contest, especially after The Outrunners’ contest with FTR. The 80s-inspired team broke down expectations and assumptions of being just a comedy team. Paired with The Bucks, this will be frenetic, funny, and an upset from The Youngest Men Alive is plausible.
Everyone Barred from Ringside
The decision to continue Page and Jon Moxley for the AEW World Championship concerned some. The usual folks complained when the pair competed in tag action after All In Texas, immediately after their violent and splendid Texas Death Match. Given the context of both men’s characters, it made sense that they would fight through the staples and healing cuts.
It has proven to be a necessary transition for each man. This rematch does not move away from the gimmicks and interference. It moves the narrative away from the years of a fractured identity.
This isn’t about AEW trying to find itself. This is about two men’s battle to prove to everyone else, and themselves, who they are and what they stand for. Each is a leader.
Moxley to the leader of his faction, his cause, and a protean mission statement. MJF’s nickname of “Dictator Jon” is somewhat apt, given that, like a fascist dictator, Moxley’s agenda and mission statement continued to morph and change.
The issue is maintaining the message despite weakness. Moxley needs to win or reveal weakness. Reveal that the cause and mission statement were an idea and never a reality. However, given that Darby Allin has taken the mantle of Sting as protector, Allin will likely be the one to get the killing blow on the faction.
For Hangman Adam Page, this is about being the man he, and we as fans, have always wanted him to be. A man in control of his darkness and anger. It’s about showing control, confidence, and assurance in himself, his capabilities, and his belief that he deserves this.
It’s mano a mano. The best man must win.
More From LWOS Pro Wrestling
Header photo – AEW – Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on AEW Dynamite 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 on Wednesday nights at 8 PM ET on TBS. AEW Collision airs Saturday at 8 pm Eastern on TNT. More AEW content available on their YouTube
