As one of AEW’s earliest signings, Hangman Page‘s contributions to the Jacksonville-based promotion cannot be denied. The Anxious Millenial Cowboy has been a part of some of the most memorable matches and segments in company history. He’s competed against and defeated almost every major opponent that’s stepped up to him.
Page’s in-ring acumen combined with his solid character work has, without a date, made him one of the top stars of AEW. Moreover, his work ethic is seen to accentuate his reputation as one of the most dependable stars on the roster. Whether he’s beating the life out of his opponents or cutting a promo, Page does his job with pride and passion. It’s no wonder his impeccable skills have resulted in numerous stellar matches for the promotion.
These are five of his best outings thus far.
Hangman Page vs. Lance Archer (AEW Dynamite – February 9, 2022)
The Texas Death Match with Lance Archer was one of the highlights of Hangman Page’s underrated AEW World Championship reign. The Hangman had been a fighting champion up to that point, and he wasn’t about to let the Murderhawk Monster take the title away from him.
Despite the clear size difference, Page and Archer worked a solid 15 minutes to produce a great title match. The use of foreign objects, including a barbed wire, was prevalent throughout the match. The ending saw one of the most creative Buckshot Lariats from Page as he flipped over the referee’s back to hit Archer with his finisher, sending them both crashing through the table.
The Elite vs. BCC (Double or Nothing 2023)
The Elite’s feud with Blackpool Combat Club stemmed from Hangman Page’s heated rivalry with Jon Moxley. Page thought he was done with Mox following a hard-fought win in a Texas Death Match at Revolution 2022. The Death Rider made things personal by attacking Page’s friends in the Dark Order.
The Cowboy found the odds stacked against him until The Young Bucks and Kenny Omega came to his aid. Moreover, the feud also saw Bryan Danielson’s heel turn following his return from a post-Revolution hiatus. The two teams worked the infamous Anarchy in the Arena match stipulation at Double or Nothing 2023.
All hell broke loose as The Elite and the BCC took months of animosity on each other. This was an extremely violent spectacle that saw the use of foreign objects to their fullest effect. Despite the chaotic nature of the gimmick match, the in-ring action never lost its pace. The ending saw Konosuke Takeshita turn heel on The Elite by taking out Omega with a jumping knee strike and cost them the match.
Hangman Page vs. Kenny Omega (Full Gear 2021)
Hangman Page and Kenny Omega’s careers have often been interlinked. Both competed in Ring of Honor and New Japan, and were a staple part of the Bullet Club. Both left the independents to sign up with AEW in 2019. However, the biggest diversion in their careers came in 2020 when Page lost to Omega in a number one contender’s tournament for the AEW World title.
Omega would go on to win the title in controversial fashion at Winter is Coming 2020. Page, who had already been kicked out of The Elite by The Young Bucks, saw the Cleaner run roughshod over the entire AEW men’s division. The stunning twist of fate put Page at the lowest point in his career until he won Casino Battle Royale and challenged Omega for the title at Full Gear 2021.
The match, which had been one year in the making, is widely considered the best in Page and Omega’s trilogy. Page’s strength and tenacity meshed with Omega’s technicality and brute offense. Plus, the Young Bucks’ involvement made the outcome even more compelling. The nod from Matt Jackson was followed by a decapacitating Buckshot Lariat.
The rest was history.
Hangman Page & Kenny Omega vs. The Young Bucks (Revolution 2020)
They say better friends make even better rivals. This statement holds true for the amazing AEW World Tag Team Championship match that took place between defending champions Hangman Page and Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks.
The build to the match had seen Matt and Nick Jackson survive a tag team battle royal on the February 19, 2020, episode of Dynamite. The four men met inside the ring at Revolution 2020. The action was fast-paced, with both teams making the best out of the allotted time.
The match broke Dave Meltzer’s five-star rating system as the veteran journalist awarded six stars to all four members of The Elite for their career-altering performances.
Hangman Page vs. Bryan Danielson (AEW Dynamite: Winer is Coming 2021)
After putting on a historic 30-minute draw with Kenny Omega, Bryan Danielson inserted himself into the AEW World Championship picture. The American Dragon won the eliminator finals against Miro at Full Gear 2021 to set up a title match against Hangman Page at Winer is Coming.
The two men put on an absolute clinic in front of the jam-packed Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, Texas. The duo wrestled to a time-limit draw, making it the first match in AEW to reach 60 minutes until the Revolution 2023 main event surpassed it by clocking at 67 minutes.
The duo would produce another classic to kick off AEW’s TBS era on January 5, 2022.
Also read: Bryan Danielson’s 5 Best AEW Matches
