How AEW Unleashed a Madman in "Hangman" Page Following Win Against Swerve Strickland

As a fan with a decade of wrestling fandom under my belt, I can confidently say that the Hangman Adam Page vs Swerve Strickland saga at AEW All Out was nothing short of electrifying. The intensity and emotion that both these performers brought to the table were palpable, and it felt like we were witnessing something truly special.

At AEW All Out, the fourth singles match between “Hangman” Adam Page and Swerve Strickland unfolded, marking the most significant encounter yet in their ongoing saga. This confrontation followed last year’s All Out event, where these two electrifying AEW stars clashed for the very first time in the ring. After his return from an injury in September 2023, Hangman found himself in a challenging situation amidst a singles roster brimming with exceptional talent. Although fans continued to shower him with applause in every city, it seemed that his character was in need of a revitalization. However, no matter the missteps he made, Hangman remains untouchable in the hearts of the audience.

Swerve’s move was his response. His actions aimed to silence those doubting Hangman’s current form and questioning if he was still the same guy. Swerve yearned to be that guy, and he intended to become him regardless, but Hangman was an obstacle in his path. He presented Hangman with two choices: either step aside and allow him to claim the World Championship title or rekindle the passion within himself.

In their initial encounter, Swerve secured a victory due to Prince Nana’s interference. However, their rivalry intensified as Swerve invaded his enemy’s home and threatened his family. A cardinal rule is never to provoke a man’s family, and Hangman made sure he didn’t forget that during their Texas Deathmatch at AEW Full Gear in November. Sadly for him, he lost that fight once more due to Swerve employing his old Ring of Honor strategies, culminating in hanging him with a chain within the ring.

Since then, they’ve been encroaching on each other’s territories, but when Hangman suffered a third consecutive defeat at the hands of his rival (he was close to winning, but it ended in a time-limit draw), it sent him spiraling into an intense fury. He vented his anger on the referees during AEW Revolution, resulting in a suspension. During his absence, he focused on his expanding family, a point Swerve emphasized in a promo before All Out. Their rivalry transcends the title, and their match at AEW All Out could establish a new standard. Now that Hangman has emerged victorious… is this the end of it? Or has madness taken such a hold of him that he can no longer resist its pull?

The Illegal Lights Out Steel Cage Battle included staple guns, personal family mementos, charred remnants of what was once Swerve’s childhood home, a cinderblock, steel chairs, tables, and not to mention, a massive steel cage. Hangman has discovered the “spark” Swerve mentioned last year (this is figurative and metaphorical as he literally set a man’s house on fire!). He ventured into uncharted territory, tearing out Swerve’s teeth and snatching a syringe.

Adam Page grapples with the struggle between sanity and lucidity, persisting with the use of a steel chair in his ongoing fight!
Don’t miss out on AEWAllOut, order it now on PPV!
#HangmanAdamPage | @swerveconfident
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) September 8, 2024

Using his teeth, he peels back the cover and forces the syringe into Swerve’s mouth, aiming for his cheek. Afterward, he grabs a chair and smacks it against him violently. Once victory is in sight, a wave of relief sweeps across his face as he fulfills his promise. However, as the cameras turn off, his eyes reveal a madness and he unleashes a horrific scream.

The grim paths Hangman traversed to ultimately defeat his mortal foe; a fleeting moment of sorrow visible on his countenance. Whether he’s grieving for the person he used to be or the man he has become, he will persist along this course into total madness, convinced that he is the protagonist in the tale. However, the reality is that he has almost completely abandoned any semblance of morality.

Just as the original Hangman would have done, he approached Swerve after the match to check on him. But then it hit him – he himself has become what he once aimed to safeguard AEW from, a threat. As Taylor Swift sings, “the old Hangman is unreachable right now – because he’s no longer around.

Here starts the tale of an individual who ultimately finds himself confronting revenge and its consequences – this person becomes our complex protagonist.

2024-09-08 10:09

How AEW Unleashed a Madman in “Hangman” Page Following Win Against Swerve Strickland

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