{"id":126824,"date":"2024-09-05T08:41:28","date_gmt":"2024-09-05T12:41:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/?p=126824"},"modified":"2024-09-05T08:41:28","modified_gmt":"2024-09-05T12:41:28","slug":"the-history-of-aews-hangman-adam-page-vs-swerve-strickland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2024\/09\/05\/the-history-of-aews-hangman-adam-page-vs-swerve-strickland\/","title":{"rendered":"The History of AEW&#8217;s Hangman Adam Page vs. Swerve Strickland"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3><strong><u><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Prestige &gt; Cinema <\/span><\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Y_Ux1hBQ9F4?si=iyco4O3wmZ9TCdSW\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">This Sunday, what will likely happen behind a solid steel cage will not be cinema. It isn\u2019t going to be pretty. Neither man coming out will look more photogenic than when they came in. There will be violence, for some, the equivalent of a Gorno horror flick, but the blood and guts shed won\u2019t be fake or metaphorical. The fact is, it\u2019s not likely to be the end of the story. Just another finale that builds to the next finale joined by the connective tissue of two men\u2019s deeper story arcs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The idea of wrestling being cinema has been cheapened. Just like the concept of aura, it&#8217;s diluted and overused. A shortcut word for excellence.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Cinema is the wrong word to describe the feud between <\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u201cHangman\u201d Adam Page<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> and <\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Swerve Strickland<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> because the story leading into <\/span><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">All Out<\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> and <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">beyond<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> couldn\u2019t be contained in a single film. Not even a trilogy. The depth and detail compressed into this feud, like <\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">WWE\u2019s The Bloodline<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> and its <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2024\/03\/28\/wwes-the-bloodline-storyline-displays-toxic-masculinity\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">presentation of toxic masculinity<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, is more akin to a prestige TV drama.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Not just because wrestling shows are episodic anyway and broadcast on TV. Compared to films, TV allows characters the time and space to develop depth and detail. To make characters seem like real people.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Both men are \u201ccorrupted\u201d morally. Not the spooky kind of corruption. They each have their complex reasonings, justifications, and mindsets. Compared to <\/span><strong><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2024\/07\/22\/wwes-liv-morgan-vs-rhea-ripley-the-problems-in-plain-sight\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Judgement Day\u2019s<\/span><\/a><\/strong><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2024\/07\/22\/wwes-liv-morgan-vs-rhea-ripley-the-problems-in-plain-sight\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> stereotypical <\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">raunchy teen comedy characters, Swerve and Page\u2019s characters feel real.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Their fight within the confines of wrestling where police and the legal system have minimal control or impact, has elevated quickly to a top-tier level of hatred, storytelling, and intrigue.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Does anyone want it to stop?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">How did we get to this stage?<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><u><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Course Correction <\/span><\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">A year ago, on<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">6th September <\/span><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Dynamite<\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, post-<\/span><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">All Out<\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> and \u201cHangman\u201d Adam Page it seems was ready to refocus his career.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">2023 was for some in terms of perceptions, a <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2023\/12\/18\/2023-aew-the-elite\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u201cputrid\u201d year for <\/span><\/a><strong><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2023\/12\/18\/2023-aew-the-elite\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Elite<\/span><\/a><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> collectively. Although united, creative issues and dissatisfaction had harmed all four members. The shadow cast by <\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">CM Punk\u2019s<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> departure opened even wider a scar that hadn\u2019t even healed yet. Although the man described by some of AEW\u2019s main characters, seemed poised after winning a battle royal, to begin addressing past mistakes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">In many ways, like the start of Page\u2019s AEW run where he won the chance to face <\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Chris Jericho<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> for the AEW World Championship after a battle royal, history repeated. Insecurity was exploited in the following big loss at the next PPV.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Unlike Page\u2019s first arc, this was not a story of mental health related to feeling like an imposter. A fuller analysis of Page\u2019s ascent can be read <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2024\/08\/05\/aews-hangman-adam-page-and-mental-health-imposter-syndrome\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">here<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. It\u2019s more of a dark mirroring<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. A<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> descent not into anxiety but anger.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">With that most clich\u00e9 of wrestling tropes\u2026 the interrupted promo.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><u><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Your Spot <\/span><\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Swerve Strickland\u2019s first incisions at Page\u2019s character cut to the bone. Strickland chose Page, the \u201cmascot\u201d of AEW, a cornerstone because of the Hangman\u2019s complacency. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The lack of direction<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">the lack of ambition to regain championships after a contract extension.<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> It cut as both the character and fan perception. Was Hangman still AEW\u2019s main character anymore? Did he want to be?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Swerve, offered a glimpse of fair warning:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u201cOption A, ride off into the sunset. Move out of the way and let me take that slot <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">that you<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> don\u2019t want. Or option B., you man up, you cowboy up to get that confidence, show these people what cowboy s\u2014t is all about!<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Or we could do this now and you could fight me for that spot but forewarning, I have no regard for anybody. If you choose to do this with me, I will walk you like a dog. Either way, I\u2019m coming for that spot that you act like you don\u2019t even want.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Page agreed and walked away. Swerve mentioned Hanger\u2019s wife and kids. Page stormed back and walked into an ambush.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">In hindsight, it was no wonder that like many of the best heels in wrestling in the 21st Century, fans got behind Swerve. Swerve\u2019s words reflected some reality. Outside of Page\u2019s <\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Jon Moxley<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> program and <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2024\/04\/09\/aew-gets-modern-masculinity\/#:~:text=When%20it%20comes%20to%20AEW,sport%20is%20the%20male%20domain.\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">challenging stereotypes of masculinity<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> with his \u201cBecause I\u2019m a man\u201d promo, there was little fire or consistent character development in 2023. What made Hangman a star had been neglected.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Swerve brought a version of Hangman back to the fans while becoming himself the main character of AEW. Before he became the AEW World Champion.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><u><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Little Black Cloud <\/span><\/u><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">September 27th <\/span><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Dynamite<\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, the contract signing for <\/span><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">WrestleDream<\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">In the prior weeks, Page\u2019s fire emerged in matches against <\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Brian Cage<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> and a ROH six-man tag team championship victory over <\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Mogul Embassy<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. The former did not live up to their first encounters. The six-man tag team victory was short and had no relevance to the splintering (again) of The Elite.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Emotionless and precise, Swerve was already prepared, focused, and precise. After all, what is a farmer to a mogul? A cowboy to an outlaw?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The contrast between Page\u2019s emotiveness <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">to<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> Swerve\u2019s coldness was apt when weapons were compared. A buckshot of a gun is scattershot, hitting the target, but it&#8217;s messy and senseless. A killshot on the other hand (a reference to Swerve\u2019s <\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Lucha Underground<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> persona) is singular. Accurate. Clean, deadly, and surprising.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">In his retort, Page talked about the nagging \u201clittle black cloud\u201d plaguing him for a year and a half. Victories and important moments came but Page could not be happy. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">A metaphor<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> for <\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">CM Punk<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> or mental health or both?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Brave or pathetic, the latter being Swerve\u2019s take, Swerve\u2019s admission that something might be mentally wrong with him showed the first signs of the pair\u2019s similarities. Both are driven by the demons.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Page telling Swerve in response that he knocked every opportunity given <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">to<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> him out of the park <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">retroactively<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> seems true of Swerve\u2019s own story in AEW.<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> Rising from <\/span><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Rampage<\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> to become an AEW World Tag Team champion. Wembley replacement to <\/span><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The<\/span><\/em> <em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Continental Classic<\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. Up to <\/span><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Dynasty<\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> and beyond as AEW\u2019s first black male world champion. Swerve has killed every opportunity he\u2019s been given.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The difference is Swerve\u2019s composure and control. Head over heart.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Swerve slapped Page. Page stabbed Swerve in the hand with the pen.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><u><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Becoming Personal<\/span><\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">WrestleDream <\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">from Washington put the hero cowboy in enemy territory and against the odds. In some ways a textbook hero\u2019s journey first encounter. Put the hero out of their comfort zone and have them come up short. Giving everything, both men displayed the best of their offense. The chemistry part of why fans wanted their fourth rematch to main event <\/span><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">All In<\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> this year.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Prince Nana<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u2019s interference distracted him. Two sick kicks and a JML Driver to put the cowboy out of his misery. Swerve won.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Swerve challenged <\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Bryan Danielson<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> for the number one contender for the TNT Championship on 10th October <\/span><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Dynamite<\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. Hangman interfered, stopping Prince Nana from costing Danielson like he had cost Page at <\/span><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">WrestleDream<\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. Only in the aftermath, Page would lose to the AEW World Championship number one contender, <\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Jay White<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The first<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> of many significant follow-up big losses for Page on this new path.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The following week, Swerve in a video ominously explained that due to Page\u2019s actions, the dynamic of their feud had changed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u201c<\/span><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Hangman Page. It wasn\u2019t a personal thing. It was Swerve versus the opportunity. But now it\u2019s personal and you couldn\u2019t leave well enough alone after I beat you at WrestleDream. Nobody cares less about life than me. Just remember this. It\u2019s not always you that pays for your actions<\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><u><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Who\u2019s House? Your House<\/span><\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Let\u2019s be honest,<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> what has become the moment that has defined the Page\/Swerve feud, the root cause of Hangman Page\u2019s heel turn, was not a homerun when it aired on October 25th. The character change of Prince Nana stealing chocolate-coated cherries to pleading with Swerve to leave missed due to a larger gap in logic.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Even in the irresponsible <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">world of wrestling<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, leaving a baby home alone was distracting. No matter how menacing as the lore has made it Hangman\u2019s much later <\/span><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Collision <\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">promo cemented its significance. How Hangman left the ring to flee backstage feels off.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Swerve during an interview with <\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Chris Van Vliet<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> discussed the angles of horror-movie inspiration. <\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Paranormal Activity, Jaws<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, and <\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Blair Witch Project<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> where it\u2019s what you don\u2019t see that\u2019s scariest. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">A strong<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> idea in theory, but Prince Nana making them leave after giving Hangman Junior a shirt did not make me question what else happened off-screen.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Swerve\u2019s words to the child in many ways cemented Swerve as the type of film villain you want to win. The emotionlessness, logic, and determination display something sinister and attractive.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u201c<\/span><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">You owe me a debt, Hangman, and since you\u2019re not here, is it Hangman Jr. who will owe me something? You will. Just not today<\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">It might have been Hangman\u2019s house, but Swerve\u2019s ability to transcend the material, to fit himself seemingly into any scenario stole the show. Whose house? No longer Hangman\u2019s.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Distance <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">and<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">the<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> strong subsequent matches and character development have revised the memory of this angle.<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> It triggered Hangman Page an ongoing relapse, which I\u2019ve analyzed in greater detail <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2024\/08\/07\/aews-hangman-adam-page-and-mental-health-relapse\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">here.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><strong><u><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Symbolism Stapled to Swerve\u2019s Forehead<\/span><\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">It famously rains a lot in Seattle, but in LA during <\/span><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Full Gear<\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> it poured claret. The Texas Deathmatch was Page\u2019s match in AEW. Established with victories over <\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Adam Cole, Lance Archer, <\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">and Jon Moxley, it was fitting for a cowboy to deal with death.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">How vicious will a good man get in pursuit of vengeance? Further than many expected. Of all the ultra-violent AEW moments, few have been character defining as Swerve vs. Page II.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Wrestling has had vampire characters before. Few drank the blood of their enemy at the source. The scene and images of Hangman Page tasting Swerve\u2019s blood were controversial and attention-grabbing. For detractors of AEW, the ultra-violent display was another thing to put the promotion \u201c<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2024\/06\/17\/aews-polarising-present-aew-is-under-attack\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">under attack<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Then Hangman took symbolism to another level. The drawing from Hangman\u2019s son represented the invasion of Page\u2019s personal life. It represented Swerve\u2019s sociopathic line-crossing. Before friendship bracelets became the height of symbolism, this symbol of innocence, childhood, a man\u2019s future, and the world, perfectly reflected each man\u2019s mindset.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">It represented how far Swerve was willing to go for vengeance. For Swerve nothing is off-limits. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">For Page, what <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">he was<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> fighting for and why he needed to wi<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">n.<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Vindication that did not come. Despite the catharsis of stapling to the symbolism of Strickland\u2019s head.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The juxtaposition between something as wholesome and produced by a kid with the brutality and destruction being created by two grown men felt a reminder of peak nirvana AEW storytelling.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Those moments of retribution <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">meant<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> nothing when Swerve won<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. When<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> the fans chanted for Swerve.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><u><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Turning Point <\/span><\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Career trajectories shifted. Swerve would steal more acclaim coming up short in <\/span><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Continental Classic<\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> but elevated regardless. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Positioned<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> as the next AEW World Champion while Page remained stagnant as a character and on the card. Yet the crushing defeats to Swerve had engaged many fans in Page\u2019s stories again. It wasn\u2019t the end. It couldn\u2019t be despite many falling in love with Swerve.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Choosing to wait until <\/span><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Dynasty<\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> rather than <\/span><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Revolution<\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> achieved three things. First, it meant the first black male world champion in AEW got center stage<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. Away<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> from Sting\u2019s retirement. The time <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">allowed<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> Page to <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">transition into becoming<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> a tweener\/justified face\/heel. It allowed AEW to tinker with Swerve\u2019s character to avoid the issues that plagued Page\u2019s world champions run.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The struggle of <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2024\/08\/15\/post-chase-blues-why-fans-sour-on-fighting-babyface-champions\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">post-chase blues<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> that babyfaces who complete their stories like Page experienced was avoided<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. A<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> detailed look at how can be read <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2024\/03\/06\/imminent-aew-world-championship-reign-swerve-strickland\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">here<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. However, despite the booking, both wrestlers behind the characters deserve credit for changing alignments while retaining their core character qualities that fans bought into in the first place.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The thirty-minute draw on February 7th\u2019s <\/span><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Dynamite<\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> ended with a double turn <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">as well as<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> the fans wanting more. For Page, the feud became about stopping Swerve from becoming the champion. His temper and hitting of <\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Bryce Remsburg<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> at <\/span><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Revolution<\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> stopped him from fulfilling his promise<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. A<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> well-timed suspension dovetailed Page\u2019s shift with the emergence of <\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2024\/04\/25\/the-corporate-elite-is-the-aew-faction-whats-best-for-business\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\"><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Elite\u2019s corporate turn<\/span><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">A dark mirroring of Page\u2019s first arc, his friends were again <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">in part<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> responsible for pushing Hangman further away<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. Through<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> a lack of support and implementation of distance. It set Page up to fail again.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong><u><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Obsession<\/span><\/u><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Page <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">in many respects<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> has become a version of Swerve in terms of his tactics and mindset inside and outside the ring. To beat the monster Page is acting as if he is a monster. He is?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Because it\u2019s not working.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Working in the sense that Page has not secured the wins when it\u2019s mattered. The Owen Hart Cup. Against <\/span><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Darby Allin<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. The Casino Gauntlet. Is the implication, in a reversal of the first arc, that the bumps in the road Page is encountering, these big losses rather than wins are because this isn\u2019t Hangman?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">That becoming like Swerve is justification for doing bad things doesn\u2019t make it right? Is being like Swerve going to help Page beat Swerve and become the AEW World Championship again?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">At <\/span><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">All In<\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, Page was willing to distract and cost Swerve if he could. If he could not be the one to take Swerve\u2019s championship, then anyone else would do. Before this, Page\u2019s return has been focused on madding Swerve pay<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. Of<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> making anyone who gets in Page\u2019s way pay.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">At <\/span><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">All Out<\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, it\u2019s unlikely this will <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">be the end of<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> the feud. A year on and the obsession has flipped. It\u2019s no longer Swerve hyper focused on Page\u2019s spot. Its Page focused on Swerve\u2019s.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The obsession isn\u2019t just between these characters. It&#8217;s fans who want these two to fight forever. To keep bringing out the hellish best in each other.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3>More From LWOS Pro Wrestling<\/h3>\n<p><em>Header photo \u2013 AEW \u2013 Stay tun<\/em><em>ed to the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" data-linkindex=\"1\" target=\"_self\">Last Word on Pro Wrestling<\/a>\u00a0for 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.\u00a0 You can catch AEW Dynamite on Wednesday nights at 8 PM ET on TBS. AEW Rampage airs on TNT at 10 PM EST every Friday night. AEW Collision airs Saturday at 8pm Eastern on TNT. More AEW content available on their\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@AEW\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">YouTube<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Prestige &gt; Cinema This Sunday, what will likely happen behind a solid steel cage will not be cinema. It isn\u2019t going to be pretty. Neither man coming out will look more photogenic than when they came in. There will be violence, for some, the equivalent of a Gorno horror flick, but the blood and guts [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4960,"featured_media":126834,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4677,2192],"tags":[8232,5284,8520],"class_list":["post-126824","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-aew","category-wrestling","tag-hangman-adam-page","tag-all-out","tag-swerve-strickland"],"modified_by":"Michael Joseph Sugue, Manager","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/126824","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4960"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=126824"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/126824\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/126834"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=126824"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=126824"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=126824"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}