Why ‘Hangman’ Adam Page must win the AEW World Title at Full Gear

Hangman Page must win the AEW World Championship at Full Gear.

If there is a person who All Elite Wrestling has been grooming for greatness since their inception, that person is definitely “Hangman” Adam Page. It’s been an epic storyline consisting of friendship, betrayal, insecurities, and living up to expectations. In terms of resonance and accrued fan support, it matches Daniel Bryan’s rise to prominence in 2013.

Page’s early months in the company would see him slotted into immediate contention for the AEW World Championship. At AEW’s only second ever pay-per-view event, Page would find himself facing off against Chris Jericho for the honor of being the young company’s first champion.

Despite giving it his all, however, one Judas Effect later and Chris Jericho would leave “All Out” as the first AEW champion.

His insecurities and kayfabe alcoholism would only intensify after winning the AEW Tag Team Title alongside fellow Elite member, Kenny Omega. Their feud and subsequent Dave Meltzer six-star rated encounter with the Young Bucks, also members of the Elite, would also exacerbate these issues.

Page, thoroughly shaken by having his insecurities preyed on by his friends, would cost the Bucks a rematch opportunity and would be ousted from the Elite faction. Additionally, after his mental state led to him and Omega losing the Tag Titles to FTR, Omega would abandon him as well.

After losing everyone he had considered to be a friend, Page would hit his lowest point. Made even worse by losing to Omega in the final round of a AEW Title No. 1 Contender Eliminator Tournament. However, this is where things would begin to change for Hangman, all because of the Dark Order.

Unlike the Elite, who exacerbated Page’s insecurities to the point of emotional turmoil, or FTR, who saw the cowboy as a means to an end, the Dark Order wanted Page around simply because they liked him.

After some resistance, Page welcomed these positive new friends into his life, Page would hit a welcome second wind which included several big wins. However with this newly acquired winning streak came a prominent spot on the AEW Rankings, and with it, a potential AEW championship match. A championship that was firmly in the grasp of his former tag team partner, Omega, who had recently aligned himself with a new nefarious version of the Elite.

After being motivated by the Dark Order, Page would finally confront his demons and trade words with his former colleagues. Spurred on by the spiteful comments of the Elite, Page would make a wager. An elimination matchup, The Elite versus the Dark Order, but if the latter lost, both Page and his buddies would forfeit any accrued title opportunities.

Despite their best efforts, however, they would come up short, and, fearing rejection, Page would quickly distance himself from the group. Poor timing as he would find himself on the receiving end of an Elite beatdown and would be put on the shelf. However, he would make his triumphant return as the Joker entry in the Casino Ladder Match to a thunderous ovation!

He would leave that night as the new No. 1 Contender for Omega’s AEW World Title.

Now Page has the opportunity to conquer his demons and finally earn the prize that has eluded him. But if AEW truly wants to pay off one of the modern era’s best-built and dramatic storylines, then Page must win the title at Full Gear 2021.