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Hangman: Which Championship? | Roundtable
- PWMusings Collaboration
- 5 hours ago
- 17 min read
Welcome to the #PWMRoundtable, a discussion where PWM contributors weigh in on their views, this week on ‘Hangman’ Page and his possible direction in the championship picture. These conversations will range from the serious to the silly and from the latest controversy to questions from deep in wrestling history. Anything pro-wrestling related is fair game, the only limitations being that the debate remain friendly and that we bring some insight that makes it worth your time as a reader
This week’s contributors are Emiliana, Sergei, and Sir Sam. This week our moderator organizing it all (as well as writing up a lot of the contributions) is Sam Preston.
A page of links to prior installments may be found here: #Roundtable
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‘Hangman’ Adam Page and Future Championships Roundtable
moderated by Sam Preston
"I intend to be a man of my word…I will never challenge for the All Elite Wrestling Men's World Championship again". And in a sentence, Adam Page confirmed his intention to abide by the painstaking promise he made, following his painful loss to MJF at AEW Revolution 2026. Over his years with AEW, he has been defined by his relationship with the AEW World Championship, as he explained further: “For 7 years, for 7 years, I have defined myself with the one goal that I held above all others, the one goal that I held above all others: to chase, to win, and to hold the World Championship. But now I am faced with the question, Who is Hangman without the World Championship? And the honest truth is that I don’t know, but we are damn sure going to find out, aren’t we?”
But then, he said something unexpected. "I see miles and miles of empty track ahead of me...the TNT Championship. The National Championship. The Continental Championship. The International Championship". Suddenly, like a vast abyss breaching over the hill upon your journey, a new abundance of opportunities have opened up. While he has already ventured into the Trios Division, standing alongside Brody King and Bandido, it could be just a brief interlude into a partnership to regain his confidence, akin to his early days alongside Kenny Omega, before embarking onto a new land of opportunity. So the question becomes, now he needs to become something new, what road should he venture down?
Should He Challenge for the National Championship?
by Sam Preston.
The newest of single Men’s titles, the National Championship is less than one year old, having debuted at Full Gear 2025. With only three champions in its history, specifically Ricochet, Jack Perry, and the current champion Mark Davis, this title is currently defined as the ‘travelling championship’, featuring on Ring of Honor and New Japan Pro Wrestling PPVs. Being so early in its existence, the championship has yet to become synonymous with an individual, unlike similar titles such as the Continental Championship with Kazuchika Okada, or Orange Cassidy with the International Championship.
Because of this, could the National Championship offer Adam Page an opportunity to not only move on from the World Title scene, but an untapped championship that could allow him to be defined as his own? Instead of one of many great AEW World Champions, the National Championship could become his chance to become the quintessential National Champion, travelling to other companies and shows as a proud representative of the brand he’s come to love, AEW?
Emiliana: Okay, I kind of like the point you’ve made about the National Championship yet becoming synonymous with a single individual, and I’m being reminded of a certain new, US title in New Japan that Hangman wanted to prove his worth. Of course, he never won it, but it was the start of a feud with Jay White that, I would argue, laid the groundwork for the character he became in AEW - the guy in the Bullet Club that nobody expected to become somebody. And while he had hoped to become synonymous with the AEW World Title since its inception, and he largely has, there are numerous individuals now that could say the same. Maybe this one could be his, for real.
Sir Sam: I like the idea of the wandering cowboy, travelling the road, taking on all comers and I would absolutely seek out the random Florida indy he happens to turn up at to defend the title. Ultimately, for the story, I see him building up whatever he does to such a level that it rivals the World Title and him defending a belt in and out of AEW would certainly help do that. There is also a kind of Americana to the ‘national’ title that I think fits well with Hangman.
Sergei: I cannot tell a lie, I have absolutely no use for the National championship. Not that there's anything wrong with a secondary title where the focus is traveling and defending in other allied promotions around the world – but that’s what the International title should be!! I see Sam P’s argument that the man makes the championship, and that the National title could be built into a title synonymous with Adam Page… but that just doesn't seem to me like enough!
Should He Challenge for the International Championship?
by Sam Preston.
The International Championship has a curious history to it, having gained prominence in the four years since its creation. Beginning as an All-Atlantic Championship, it was rebranded during the second-ever title reign, held at the time by the man who elevated the championship, Orange Cassidy. With 326 days and 31 successful title defences, it took a former World Champion in Jon Moxley to finally vanquish the seemingly indefatigable Cassidy. But since then, while there has undoubtedly been some great title reigns, it has never really reached those same heights.
Despite that, when looking back upon the roll call of former champions, there seems two main types of criteria when it reflects the title holder. The first, are for future possible World Champions, where names such as Orange himself, Will Ospreay, Konosuke Takeshita, Kazuchika Okada and Kyle Fletcher have impressed in title reigns that seem to function as trial runs for a future World Championship opportunity. But more than that, it seems to be the title that former World Champions go to redeem themselves.
Jon Moxley. Maxwell Jacob Friedman. Kenny Omega. Three of the finest AEW World Champions over the last seven years, who after losing the World Title, would next move onto the International Championship for a singles opportunity. After losing his third AEW World Title to MJF, Moxley challenged Cassidy for the championship. After losing the World Title to Samoa Joe in December 2023, MJF returned to challenge Ospreay for the International Title. And, more seriously, after his bout with diverticulitis Omega returned to become International Champion. Even more interestingly…all three would go on to regain the AEW World Title after their turn as International Champion. Maybe it’s less a question of if he should challenge for it, and more that Adam Page seems ordained to become International Champion…
Emiliana: I would rather see Hangman in a feud with Orange Cassidy for absolutely nothing than to see Hangman hold this title, if only because I’m mad that Cassidy still hasn’t had a world title reign, and this is the closest he’s ever gotten, and TK had the audacity to give this title to Mox when OC should have kept it for much longer.
Sir Sam: International Title does nothing for me. With the introduction of the National Title and splitting from the Unified Title, it has next to no identity; it is the definition of having a belt for a belt’s sake. I like your idea of it being a belt for redemption but that seems like a stretch. If it were up to me I’d bin it and I certainly wouldn’t waste Hangman on it.
Sergei: I can absolutely see why Sam P sees the International title as an almost inevitable chapter in Hangman's future, but I definitely see things very differently, which I go into in more detail below…
Should He Challenge for the Continental Championship?
by Sam Preston.
Adam Page is beloved for a multitude of reasons. His long, luscious hair for one. [Not so long anymore!] His tough, hard hitting style for another. His emotional depth and openness about his mental struggles and doubt, definitely. But maybe more than anything, it’s his honourable persona. Rarely demonstrating anything underhanded, often facing all rivals head-on, he also has a reputation for saying what he truly feels, and keeping his word. One of his greatest speeches ever, one in the lead-up to challenge for the AEW World Title, he recounted how he couldn’t promise he could win, but he would promise heart, soul, blood, sweat, tears, and definitely, ‘cowboy shit’.
And it’s because of that honour, that when he made the promise to never challenge for the World Title again, it resonated – and made the fans a little afraid, too, because in a business that seems to rarely honour its stipulations or forfeits, Adam Page stands out as a man we can believe in. And it’s that honour that may make the Continental Championship the perfect title for his redemption. Matches where no one is allowed at ringside, outside interference is strictly prohibited, and matches will usually have a 20-minute time limit except for special occassions, allowing the champion to prove themselves the better wrestler. Where honour may have lost Page one title in the World Title, his honour may make him the perfect future Continental Champion, a title currently held by a man who Page has defeated before…
Emiliana: (Laughs in Hangman fangirl) Nobody wants him in the C2 more than I do, but I am cracking up at “keeping his word”. Sorry, this one goes against my thoughts on the matter, but you’ll see what I mean further down. Would I love Hangman to beat Mox for the Continental Title? Sure. Hangman & Moxley is like a drug to me. But let’s get real. They have had six singles matches in the span of four years, two feuds in the span of four years. Let’s not go back into this well for a while if you want it to stay fresh.
Sir Sam: If it means we get Hangman in the C2 then sign me up.
Sergei: Sam P makes a good point that the inherent honorableness of the Continental rules fits well with Page’s character, but I think there's another trait that the Continental title brings out that's just as inherent – a sort of fatalistic take on risk that would fit well with Hangman (as it also does with the current champ.) Especially now that the C3 has been added to the Continental schedule each summer, this Champion is one who has to face a full tournament twice a year and beat the whole field in order to retain. He doesn't even get a bye to the finals! I think that's an aspect that could bring out the best (or maybe the worst?) in our Hangman.
Should He Challenge for the TNT Championship?
by Sam Preston.
The word ‘AEW’ can bring many names to mind. Kenny Omega. Cody Rhodes. The Young Bucks. Jon Moxley. Tony Khan. MJF. Swerve Strickland. Darby Allin. But for many, the heart and soul of AEW is ‘Hangman’ Adam Page. He IS AEW. But a name that also comes up is “TNT,” the television channel that proudly presents AEW to its audience. This did lead to a decision to have AEW’s first ever midcard title be known as the TNT Championship, and every champion represents both AEW and TNT as one of their main figureheads.
It’s for that reason that the TNT Championship has been previously held by some of the biggest stars to perform for AEW. Cody Rhodes, Brodie Lee, Darby Allin, Samoa Joe, Christian Cage, Adam Cole, Kyle Fletcher, Tommaso Ciampa, Mark Briscoe, and now Kevin Knight. While two of those went on to become AEW World Champions, all the rest challenged for the title on the biggest stages, and some could be future AEW World Champions. The TNT Title was the equivalent of the ECW TV Title – it wasn’t just the midcard belt, it was sometimes treated as just as big a deal as the AEW World Title. So if ‘Hangman’ Page can’t challenge for the World Title, why not let him still represent the company proudly as one its main figureheads: the “face of TNT”?
Sir Sam: I don’t really care what TK or Cody said when this belt was introduced; the TNT Title is absolutely a midcard title in AEW. There has never been a time when its holder rivalled the World Championship, even if they have been an important figure in the company. That could potentially change if Hangman was to hold it and it would be an interesting arc for his self-worth and ego to be holding what has always clearly been a secondary title.
Emiliana: Honestly? I do remember when this belt felt like a big deal, and it was when Brodie Lee was holding it. I could see Hangman alluding to this in a respectful, down-to-earth sort of way, during a promo setting up a potential TNT Title challenge. But the truth is, I don’t want it if the Dark Order isn’t involved. There, I said it. I miss them on AEW TV.
Sergei: I think the strongest argument against a big TNT Championship storyline for Hanger is that it would feel like a story originally meant for Cody and recycled.
Should He Stay Focused on the Trios Championship he holds now?
by Sergei.
Back in March when Hangman lost the right to challenge for the AEW Men’s World Heavyweight Championship, I called it one of “the most dispiriting booking choices in AEW history.” So I’m not going to claim that I always thought this was a great idea! But I've never been more pleased to realize I'd been wrong. As Sam P pointed out above, in his return promo Hangman mentioned the possibility of pursuing any or all of the other singles gold in AEW. And that may happen down the road, but I don't think Hangman needs that validation anymore, and I think that's some amazing character growth!
Despite the fact that I've written literally thousands of words about how the Hangman’s obsession with AEW’s World title led him on a path of mutual destruction with Swerve Strickland in 2023 and 2024, I don’t think I ever realized just how much of a burden that championship and that obsession had been for him till I saw him walk into the arena for his first Dynamite back, at the beginning of this month. Just LOOK at that smile!!
This is a man who had been hagridden, now finally free. Hangman may end up holding singles gold in the future, like he mentioned on Collision a few weeks ago. But he doesn't need to. He has nothing to prove, and the trios division is the perfect place for a guy whose new purpose is helping to pull others up with him.
On this, Sam B asked me: that's nice for Hangman and all, but where's the conflict? And I think that on the latest Dynamite Page’s Best Enemy Forever Strickland gave us the answer to that, raining all over the Good, Bad & Ugly’s celebration and questioning what being merely Trios Champion (“riding off into the sunset with these two?”) can add to his legacy: “What is the legacy of Hangman Page now?”
If Page were to be infected by those seeds of doubt and question his commitment to abiding by the stipulation not to challenge for the World title, that is certainly A story he could tell… Emiliana has some words about the possibilities in that direction below. But I hate the idea of having Page's growth negated just to give him MORE room for growth and a new conflict (actually just the same old conflict.)
Instead, I think it would be amazing if the conflict arises from Swerve being MAD at Hangman for being happy! For “settling” in his eyes. It would fit so well with their dynamic up to now, and allow him to bring the conflict without forever pulling the football away on Hangman's growth. And down the road that resentment of Hangman’s contentment could be the engine for conflict for feuds against Max Friedman or … (to bring it full circle to the Trios Championship) maybe versus the Elite!
Sir Sam: This should all end in Brody hanging Hangman over the top rope and I won’t accept any other outcome. This is an agenda I’ve had since Hangman’s first world title reign and I will not drop it.
Emiliana: I think the most human thing in the entire world is for us to move in cycles of joy and suffering, so ultimately I disagree that Hangman should be content. Swerve was right to light a fire under his ass in 2023, and he might be Less Right to do so now, but the truth is, being content just isn’t a staple of a competitive sport, which is the world these characters are living in. Now, do I wish the “joy” part of the cycle could last a little longer? Yes. But just because we fall into the cycle doesn’t mean that Hangman isn’t growing with each passing one. We fall back. We spring forward. We fall back again. Each time we’re a little stronger, but that doesn’t mean we don’t fall back into the cycle. (I guess I can talk a little more about that further down.) (Sir Sam: fight me in the parking lot for what I just read!)
Sam P: While seeing ‘Hangman’ Page smiling and happy alongside Brody King and Bandido is an image that warms my heart, and a satisfactory first step in his journey to move beyond the AEW World Title, it feels more like the calming influence before reentering the storm. Throughout his career in AEW, when Page has fallen, before he can venture alone in confidence, he’s needed to surround himself with people. When he entered AEW, he was part of The Elite before challenging Chris Jericho for the inaugural AEW World Title, and he lost. After that loss, he teamed with Kenny Omega, won the Tag Team Titles, fell deeper, and after being abandoned by The Elite, it took the Dark Order to help him start truly recovering. But soon, he started walking alone again, eventually falling to CM Punk. In order to challenge Jon Moxley, he had to mend bridges with new rivals and old foes in Will Ospreay and Swerve Strickland, even getting support from Darby Allin and Brian Danielson.
Now, while in no way would I suggest that Hangman uses people to achieve singles success, it is a tantamount part of his character that he first has to succeed as part of a team before he can start to succeed again as an individual. Because of that, being Trios Champion doesn’t feel like a substantial part of his new journey. More, a first chapter in the new book entitled “Who is Adam Page Without The AEW World Title?”
Should He Break His Word & Challenge for the Men's World Championship?
by Emiliana.
At the first AEW press conference, Hangman Page promised that he would be the inaugural AEW World Champion. That day, he was wearing a white shirt and black western jacket. A couple months later, before his match against Chris Jericho to become the first AEW World Champion, he had a sit-down interview with Jim Ross, once again wearing that same black western jacket with a white shirt and a bolo tie. It is the first time he references a moment where his father said he would “have to find something else to do.” (The same quote referenced this past July, upon his return, where he was wearing – you guessed it – the same black western jacket. A plain white shirt.) Ultimately, Hangman lost his chance to be the first AEW World Champion. He broke his promise.
In 2021, after winning his first AEW World Championship, he promised he would hold this title for the rest of his life. He called it a lie, to himself. One last lie, in fact, as he had spent so much of the previous two years lying to himself. Of course, he lost it.
In 2024, while losing his mind in a feud with Swerve Strickland, he lied to the crowd (while declaring he was always honest with us), saying he would not be able to compete against Samoa Joe and Swerve, that he was injured. About five minutes later, he uses his crutch and cracks Swerve Strickland in the back with it, and ends up in the three way at Revolution. (We still don’t know if he tapped out just to stop Swerve from winning, by the way.)
In 2025, he finally learned from his mistakes and made a promise he could keep. He promised he would win the world title from Jon Moxley and pull it from the briefcase, and that is exactly what he did. One brief, shining moment, in a half decade so full of broken promises.
And then 2026. He makes another promise. A gentleman’s agreement with the Devil. If he loses in Texas Death, he never challenges for the world title again. You look at all these years. You look at all these broken promises. You look at the way his face falls the moment that Swerve comes back around, knowing that he is the only person that will force Hangman to look in the mirror at the truth of himself. And you tell me that Hangman isn’t going to break this one.
I understand that people don’t want him to go back on his word. Or that by this point in his AEW career, he should have a greater sense of esteem for himself, a stronger foundation that doesn’t crack under the loss of the thing he’s needed most all these years. (He said this in the JR interview in 2019, and again in the lead-up to his match in the Owen Cup final in 2025.) Maybe his self worth isn’t tied to the title anymore, but he has always treated that championship with reverence. He has known what is right and what is wrong and who is deserving of holding it. The day may come when gentleman’s agreements be damned, if he deems its holder unworthy. That’s the self-righteous side to being the Hangman – he is also judge and jury. Whether this is good or bad, babyface or heel, it really doesn’t matter. He just is.
He can play with the rest of these toy titles all he wants. But he will never be satisfied.
Sir Sam: Chekhov's Promise. The point of a promise like this is to have it all blow up and create exactly the kind of conflict that has always engaged people on Hangman’s journey. For me this isn’t a question of ‘should he break his word’ as much as ‘how’ and ‘when’ he should do it.
Sergei: Emi lays out a lot of “broken promises” from Hangman above, and it sounds like he's a guy who really can't be counted on to stick to what he says he's going to do… But in his return promo (and many other times throughout his career) he says that he's always been a man of his word? Just another lie from an inveterate liar? I don't think so. There's a big difference between making a commitment that you try your best to keep but end up falling short (or engaging in a ruse to trick an enemy) and swearing to something that is completely in your control and making a conscious choice to go back on that commitment. Adam Page may break his promise one more time. But if he does, this time he'll never again be able to stand before us and say with pride: “I've always been a man of my word.”
Sam P: While Emi makes some good cases of “broken promises”, there is one that I feel might be more relevant than the others: when he said he was too injured to wrestle Samoa Joe and Swerve Strickland. Whereas most of the others, you could say he made the promise with the best intentions to keep them, that was the only one where he deliberately misled the audience knowing he was going to break that promise. During a time when he was at his most ruthless, even his word became a victim of the cruel hatred that existed between him and Swerve.
Connected to that, his making the promise that he would never challenge for the AEW World Title again was due to the unflinching faith he had in himself to not have to deal with the consequences of his actions. And now, despite his strength, courage, determination, he still failed. In order to still be able to look in the eyes of those he failed, he has to keep to his word, because to break it now, will mean he was never the man he proclaimed to be. Therefore, maybe Emi and Sir Sam are right, it won’t be a case of if he breaks his word, but what reason is good enough to break it. It can’t be as simple as a heel champion, like MJF was. It has to require someone who disrespects the AEW World Title, but is protected or dangerous enough that not just anybody can take them down. Ideally not another Jon Moxley Death Rider, as the first one was painful enough to sit through, but maybe a champion protected by a Family…?
It’s impressive to recognise that during this roundtable, four people discussed six different titles, six different paths that ‘Hangman’ Page can now take, and I’d go so far to say that all of them are not only fascinating paths, but believable paths that he could venture. It speaks to the complexity of Adam Page as a character and wrestler that whereas some people being defined by their chase of the World Title would mean a lack of options if they were in the same boat, his loss at AEW Revolution has instead just opened up a whole new world of opportunities. There’s every possibility that Page does all of our above suggestions, has a few months as Trios Champion, win all four singles championships over 12-36 months to become the Ultimate AEW Grand Slam Champion, and then breaks his word to challenge a true villain in AEW, maybe an Okada, a Fletcher, someone who requires a Cowboy in a White Hat to vanquish the Big Bad.
The truth is, though we’ve discussed many options, we’ve barely scratched the possibilities of what ‘Hangman’ may now do. He’s appeared briefly in CMLL, what if he challenges Hechicero for the CMLL World Heavyweight Championship? He’s featured in both Ring of Honor and New Japan, but never really achieved success there. What if he used the opportunity to return to both, win their World Titles to not only prove himself but to fill the void of being unable to challenge for the AEW World Title?
Or maybe, he returns to the garden, finally at peace and unburdened by the championship that once consumed him? Maybe we will finally, truly find out who Adam Page is without the AEW World Title…
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