What Next For 'Hangman' Adam Page?

After an explosive and shocking night at AEW All Out, we are left with many questions. One of which comes after 'Hangman' Adam Page defeated Swerve Strickland in the Lights Out Steel Cage main event. With Page completing a year-long story arc, what does 'Hangman' do next?

The Core of The Character

Since day one of AEW’s existence Adam Page has been on a carefully plotted journey as a character. On day one at the press conference where AEW was officially announced, Hangman proclaimed that he would be the first AEW World Champion.

Ever since, everything to do with his character was driven by this goal: to be the world champion. Even the beginning of his feud with Swerve Strickland was defined by this, as Swerve wanted to take Page’s spot on his way to becoming AEW’s first Black world champion.

However, the moment Strickland entered the house of Adam Page and threatened his family, Hangman has never been the same since. That inciting incident marked a change in Hangman’s character arc. Now, at All Out, we might have just seen another which could take Page’s character in a new direction.

The Inciting Incident

After defeating Swerve via ref stoppage, Hangman displayed a variety of emotions. Exhibitions of satisfaction and jubilation were juxtaposed with a numb feeling in both the arena and within himself.

Then, for a split second, after Adam Page had made his way up the ramp, he appeared to display a sense of remorse. But only for a second as, with a quivering lip, Page stepped backwards and reverted into wild jubilation at slaying his nemesis.

This remorse, despite not acting on it, proves that deep down the Hangman that everyone fell in love with between 2019 and 2021 is still in there. Now his character arc moves into the long journey of bringing that version of Adam Page back to the surface. But in choosing to suppress that emotion and choosing to not show Swerve that remorse, Hangman made a key decision.

A decision that was further illustrated by his decision to walk back down the heel tunnel after the match, despite looking at and considering the babyface tunnel. A rather silly wrinkle to this character decision from Page, because really what does it matter what tunnel one walks through? However, importantly, it clearly defines that he made a conscious choice.

A choice made because Page reached a moral 'point of no return'. There is no turning back after such heinous actions. He is forever changed and defined by what he's done. Now he must learn to live with the consequences of those actions before embarking on a potential road to redemption.

The Next Chapter

Adam Page is a changed man, for the worse, and his descent into darkness wasn’t solely motivated by Strickland. He also took issue with the audience cheering for Swerve. People will not stop cheering Hangman, the love for him simply runs too deep and that should play a part in Page’s story. Which could cause issues if AEW want to pursue a “heel” run.

However, we have seen how Hangman struggles to accept love in the past, so it could work as part of his story. Where he actively rages against a sort of “false love” as he sees it. One would suspect that this next chapter is one of another inner struggle for Hangman.

A struggle where he is conscious of the change within him and can, eventually, reflect and show remorse. Where he doesn’t actively strive for redemption because he doesn’t deem himself worthy of that love. He simply doesn't see himself as "good" anymore, so he no longer tries to portray that.

We know that Page is conscious of what’s happened to him because of his actions after the match at All Out. He isn’t blinded by anger; he knows that he is not innocent. It will be fascinating to see Hangman struggle with that reality.

On Dynamite, Hangman showed no remorse, burying that slither of decency that we saw for a split second at All Out. Doubling down on his actions and warning those who had previously stood in his way that he was now coming for them. Which drew out Jeff Jarrett.

It seems that for the short term, at least, Page will fall into the role of a typical “heel”? What will that look like? If he does descend deeper into darkness, he could become very deliberate in who he targets. Perhaps as a form of projection. Targeting those who he identifies with parts of his past.

For example, someone like Daniel Garcia. A figure who has been parts of groups where he’s felt more used rather than valued and loved. Something Hangman can relate to, where he can see a need to “fix” someone, when in fact he is just projecting and out for himself. In a way, he sort of becomes a lot like a 2023 version of Swerve.

'Double J' attempted to speak to Page's core, telling him that the path he's on ends "full of guilt, full of shame, full of remorse and regret." Potentially signposting that this is to be Hangman's path. Adding that "the toughest and most ruthless man you will face in your life is the man in the mirror." A statement to which Hangman responded to with violence. Exposing that insecurity.

Alternatively, once he is done with Jarrett, could Page fit more as a “tweener”? Focused more on a specific goal and not too worried about who exactly crosses his path. This could allow for more sympathy for Hangman from the audience whilst still being a continuation of his character, just focused on another goal aside from Swerve.

There are a lot of questions for the immediate short term, but one thing that’s for sure is it will be fascinating to see Adam Page being conscious of what he has done. To see how that changes him and what motivates his character moving forward.

There is nobody better at conveying depth to one’s character in wrestling than Hangman. It will be a long road to redemption, but let’s look at some existing motivations, loose ends to tie up, potential feuds Page could have and the wrongs he must right to redeem himself.

Redemption?

Adam Page’s core motivation since day one has been the AEW World Championship and that surely remains part of his focus. However, the question would be; does Hangman see the title as redemption? A way to justify all the wrong he’s done or a way to bury his guilt?

Just because Hangman might target the world title, it doesn’t mean he wins it. In fact, losing a match for the world title whilst Hangman is still conflicted within himself could be a brilliant moment that leads him to change. A sort of “awakening” moment, even if over a span of months.

High stakes have big consequences attached and that could be a turning point in Hanger’s arc. After losing the world title to CM Punk at Double or Nothing 2022 Hangman lost himself somewhat. Drifting in and out of different mini feuds before finding himself in a war with Jon Moxley which eventually saw him reunite with The Elite.

Now a new version of Jon Moxley has arrived in AEW, and many think he may be the one to end Bryan Danielson’s full-time career and win the world title. Revisiting their legendary rivalry with completely different character dynamics could be a super fascinating prospect which also forces Hangman to reflect and provides that loss for the world title which could force a change.

Similarly, a loss to Darby Allin shortly before All In should not be ignored. That is a loss Hangman should want to correct and with talk also swirling about Allin becoming world champion (perhaps defeating Moxley); maybe that could be the ideal first defence for Darby? A second loss to Darby could equally work as a turning point, or reason for reflection, for Page even if the title wasn’t to be involved.

Eventually Hangman will win the world championship again. Perhaps that is the ending for this chapter of Page’s story? Yet rather than the world title being a material form of redemption, it could be the reward for Hangman’s hard work on bettering himself. The final destination after rediscovering who he truly is, after shelling the pain that Swerve caused and after righting the wrongs he committed as a result of that anger.

One of those wrongs was the attack on Evil Uno in the build to the Casino Gauntlet match at All In, driving the head of a chair into the head of his former friend. This was followed up on Dynamite this week when Page came face-to-face with the Dark Order backstage. With Evil Uno saying, "I don't know who you are anymore."

Given the Dark Order were the ones to drag Hangman out of his slump once before, we could see history repeat itself to an extent. Albeit this time the emphasis will all be on Adam Page to make things right. Even if only a short side-mission, rekindling good terms with the Dark Order could be an important moment that could signify a change within.

Another way Hangman could do this is by reigniting his relationship with the audience. The man who once shared beers and celebrated titles with the fans has now rejected the audience and will likely continue to do so despite cheers.

There is one feud that AEW teased at the end of 2023 when they were in full “restore the feeling” mode. A feud which, at the right time, would force Adam Page to address many issues and could completely change the course of his path.

A Dance With the Devil?

In all five years of AEW’s existence MJF and Adam Page have only ever had one singles match, for the inaugural Dynamite Diamond Ring. It wasn’t a memorable match whatsoever, but their meeting in a trio’s match on the Brodie Lee Memorial Dynamite was quite the opposite. A perfect display of pure babyface vs. Devilish heel.

They first came face-to-face in the Casino Battle Royale match at Double or Nothing 2019, a match in which Page eliminated Max to win. But at the end of 2023 AEW teased a feud between the two by having them clash backstage in a promo segment.

It focused on their shared history and a few personal jabs. It wasn’t that significant and ultimately didn’t lead anywhere. However, it did tease a dream feud between two of AEW’s true pillars—originals who Tony Khan has built the company around.

It is somewhat surprising that they’ve never done anything more major considering how perfect they are for each other. However, it really does seem that we could soon find ourselves in the perfect time and place for these two to clash.

In that backstage segment Max told Page that “I think you’re the devil.” To which Hangman called MJF a “manipulator” and it is with these two concepts with which a story can be built.

MJF can be his devilish self, manipulating by diving deep into the psyche of Adam Page, digging out all his demons and putting them to trial. Hangman, knowing that Max is manipulative, can use this as an opportunity to own his demons, take responsibility and show remorse.

Overcoming MJF by passing the challenges that he presents and taking a major step towards redemption. Perhaps even completing his journey, if Max were to be AEW World Champion at the time. Is this the next great rival in Hangman’s career? Only time will tell.

Redemption Requires Forgiveness

Finally, we do need to talk about Swerve Strickland. As stated earlier, it wouldn’t seem that AEW are going to return to this feud anytime soon given that Swerve is expected to take a break and that it doesn’t really make much narrative sense in the short term.

Long term however, there are various possibilities. Given that their rivalry is so tied to the world title and becoming world champion, Strickland could return to Hangman’s life after Page were to become world champion. After having everything taken by Hangman to then seeing Page regain everything in his life, it could be the perfect time to reignite their beef.

Alternatively, this could be the end of their deep animosity. We could see both men moving beyond this and, after much time has passed, a situation where they must unite against a common enemy arises. Just as Adam Page did when he accepted the broom from Kenny Omega to unite against the Blackpool Combat Club.

That doesn’t mean Hangman and Swerve becoming best friends or even liking each other. However, a sign of respect in some form likely happens at some point. Perhaps uniting for a tag match against common enemies? Perhaps a handshake after their next match?

One would suspect that one day deep in the future we will see a form of respect shown between the two men and see their rivalry perhaps enter a more competitive sphere. However, it definitely seems like there is scope for at least one match before we get there.

Perhaps their rivalry reignites in a more natural way. Not one man seeking out the other, rather a crossing of their paths. A story and match where both men must revisit the terrible things they did to each other and find a way to come out the other end with their humanity intact. Then, maybe, we could see a sense of professional respect between the two.

This won’t and shouldn’t happen for a long time. But if true redemption is the end goal for the next chapter of Adam Page’s career, then something like that will have to happen at some stage. After all, redemption is never truly achieved without forgiveness.