Did we get our Hangman back?
The Dynamite crowd certainly endorsed the actions of Hangman Adam Page towards Jon Moxley. In fact, they really seemed to enjoy Jay White, Orange Cassidy, and Hangman taking turns beating up the AEW World Champion. A common enemy can create strange partnerships, but is the common ground more about taking out Moxley and the Death Riders or becoming the AEW champion?
And that brings us back to Hangman. In an effort to explain whatever deal he had with Christian Cage at Full Gear, we came back around to Hangman’s obsession with getting back his AEW World Championship. No one can fault Page for wanting to be champion again, although his primal need for that title would make everyone an enemy in his mind. However, because Moxley holds the gold, Hangman has his sights set on the biggest villain in AEW. Considering the path of destruction carved out of All Elite Wrestling by the Death Riders, anyone who opposes them will be looked upon as a possible savior.
But does Hangman want to be a savior? Sure, a former AEW World Champion standing up to Mox gives hope. Does that make Hangman the right guy to challenge Moxley? Does it matter what his motivations are? Would AEW just be better off if the title was on anyone but Moxley? Ask yourself that question and then think about what Hangman has been through and what he’s put others through in the last year. Would winning that championship bring Hangman peace or would it drive him to do even more unthinkable things to keep his precious championship at any cost?
We can’t forget about Jay White’s interest in the AEW championship, not to mention two straight victories over Page on pay-per-view. And based on his surprise attack on Dynamite, Orange Cassidy hasn’t given up the fight against Moxley and the Death Riders, either. If for some reason, Cassidy, White, or anyone else happens to get in Hangman’s way in his efforts to take the AEW championship from Moxley, there’s no telling what Page’s reaction would be towards those individuals. Just think about how he treated Jeff Jarrett, Jay Lethal, his former friends in the Dark Order, and others who got in his way of getting to Swerve Strickland. Another missed championship opportunity for Hangman could send him down a path of no return.
So it comes down to this: does Hangman have any interest other than his own when it comes to taking the AEW World Championship from Jon Moxley? Does he care about the threat that Moxley and the Death Riders bring to AEW knowing what the company has meant to his life, career, and family? Could Hangman see becoming the new AEW World Champion not only as a necessary victory for himself, but also for the company he owes so much to?
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The Continental Classic
Some top-tier tournament professional wrestling on Dynamite this week, kicking off with Kyle Fletcher versus Shelton Benjamin. Two men at very different stages of their careers, but both clearly fighting to make the biggest statement possible in this Continental Classic spotlight. It was hard to ignore just how into Benjamin the people were on Wednesday night, and he nearly delivered them a victory, if not for Fletcher’s shortcut to get three points and the blue division lead. Still, Benjamin’s fantastic AEW run continues, and anyone else facing him in this tournament better buckle up.
Watch Matt in the latest episode of Inside the Continental Classic
The main event between Claudio Castagnoli and Brody King lived up to the expectations of a stiff fight. While both men are part of factions, it’s clear they both see this tournament as a way to stand out. Castagnoli may be using this as another platform for the Death Riders message, but much like last year, King is seizing this opportunity for his most important performance to date. Regardless of how the tournament shakes out, we can only hope these two do battle again sooner rather than later.
MJF and Adam Cole
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but did MJF make some fair points towards Adam Cole? Even if Max has always been a scumbag, did any of his intentions prior to Cole and the Undisputed Kingdom revealing their master plan actually warrant how they treated him in the end? On the other hand, if you think naivety is a weakness, then you probably understand why Cole beat MJF to the punch. This may not be about fan support or attention. This is about two guys who have a very personal issue with each other and regardless of who you think is right, which is a gray area, there’s no doubt they have to settle it in the ring. Until they do, neither man will be able to focus on anything else.
Mercedes Mone
After she dropped Kamille (or Kamille quit on her?) Mercedes Mone is back on her own. The question is should the TBS and NJPW Strong Women’s Champion look for new help or is the C.E.O. a one-woman business?
Until next time, when I’m back to talk about wrestling even more…
You can watch and listen to Matt every weekday at 5pm Eastern at thewrestlingmattshow.com. Matt is also one of the hosts of Busted Open Radio on Sirius/XM. He is regularly featured as a streamer for Bleacher Report’s pro wrestling content.