Hangman Adam Page’s Journey: From Struggles to Triumph

The past couple of years have certainly been tumultuous for “Hangman” Adam Page. The heavy toll of his intense feud with Swerve Strickland has included some brutal moments, culminating in a steel cage match that many are calling one of the most brutal in recent memory. Now, it appears he’s looking to turn a new page, quite literally. Page aims to confront his inner demons and reclaim Championship Gold once more. I had a chance to chat with various AEW superstars leading up to his match, and it seems Will Ospreay is keen to reclaim his path to world champion status as well.

The Owen Hart Cup final between Page and Ospreay marks a departure from the emotionally charged matches Page has been known for in recent years. This time, he feels the clinical nature of the bout might actually aid his preparation.

“Maybe it was a hindrance to my career for the last two or three years,” Page shares.

This sentiment has certainly affected his relationship with the crowd. Recently, he noted the curious shift from the audience’s chants of “Swerve’s House” to “Cowboy Shit.” He admitted that he was perplexed by their ongoing support even as he focused intently on making Strickland’s life a challenge during their rivalry.

“It’s kind of a strange relationship,” Page reflects. “I don’t want to say it’s a one-way street, but sometimes it feels that way. Maybe they see more in me than I see in myself.”

Page has garnered a level of admiration from fans that’s reminiscent of Stone Cold Steve Austin, back in WWE’s “Attitude Era.” Austin resonated with viewers because he embodied the everyman fighting against a tyrannical boss. Page, in a different light, represents an “anxious millennial cowboy,” highlighting feelings of anxiety and self-doubt while defying the typical macho persona often celebrated in wrestling.

When I posed a question about how others perceive the meaning of his character, Page paused, considering the weight of his words.

“My goal is to express who I am and tell stories that resonate with me, while being the kind of performer I find intriguing,” he explained.

Page’s career has largely been shaped by those around him, particularly fellow stars in AEW and New Japan Pro Wrestling. Individuals like Matt and Nick Jackson, the Young Bucks, and Kenny Omega played significant roles in his journey. However, as their ambitions diverged over the years, I asked if he ever envisions a reunion with them.

“You can see that professional wrestling wouldn’t be the same without those three,” he reflects. “I know I’m not a world champion on my own. Disagreements make things tricky.”

In an effort to clarify the dynamics, I asked Page whether the elite had miscalculated their long-time rivals and if the atmosphere had shifted inaccurately.

“I don’t know. It’s a tough call. It’s complicated,” he admitted.

When discussing professional wrestling, you can’t help but dive into the notion of a personal “Mount Rushmore” of influential figures. Page hesitated to name just four, citing the subjective nature of wrestling and the varying standards of talent. Yet, I pressed him for the four individuals who have significantly influenced his career.

“I’d probably include Matt and Nick, along with Kenny. I can’t precisely carve it into stone without acknowledging Strickland’s influence too—though he played a pivotal role in my life and career. Lastly, there’s Christopher Daniels. We met when I was just starting out in independent wrestling, performing in front of small crowds. He played a big role in my journey and has been a pivotal figure throughout my career,” Page said.

Considering his cowboy persona, I couldn’t resist asking him a light-hearted, yet bizarre question about what he would choose: fighting one horse-sized duck or a hundred duck-sized horses.

“I’d pick the horse-sized duck. It’s all about numbers—you just can’t fight something that big. But, you know, if the ducks could fly, that would change the whole game,” he stated.

We ended our conversation with some laughs, debating the mechanics of duck wrestling and all its quirks. And now, “Hangman” Adam Page is set to face Will Ospreay in the Owen Hart Foundation Memorial Cup final at AEW Double or Nothing.