Women's Wrongs | AEWeekly #196

Welcome to the #AEWeekly review discussion where PWM contributors reflect on the highlights of the last week in AEW. The eligibility week always includes the most recent episode of Dynamite and Collision, plus any social-media exclusives up until publication.

This week’s contributors are Abel [@loza3.bsky.social] covering Match of the Week, Lauren [@sithwitch.bsky.social] exploring a key Story Beat, and Sergei [@sergeialderman.bsky.social] editing and organizing it all.

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Hangman Adam Page vs Powerhouse Hobbs

"Joe… if you wanted me inside of a steel cage, all you had to do was ask, you dumbass."

by Abel.

On a night with two fantastic and historic Blood and Guts cage matches, the bout of the night was the falls count anywhere match sandwiched between them, which was the highlight and best match of the night and of the week. It was fast-paced, incredibly violent and physical, and continued the story of the world champion's ascent into immortality. For those reasons, and many others, "Hangman” Adam Page against "Powerhouse” Will Hobbs, in a non-title, falls count anywhere fight, was the match of the night. 

While Hangman was out for revenge for what Hobbs did to him last week, Hobbs' mission was clear: continue hurting Hangman. Both of these absolute units beat the ever-living hell out of each other, and it started as soon as the bell rang. While the match was in the same vein as a Blood and Guts match--which is why it fit perfectly in between the two--this was also the perfect contrasting match setup and execution that separated it from the rest of the show. 

Powerhouse Hobbs lived up to his moniker in this match. His slams shake the ring, steel steps, announce table, or anywhere he decides to throw his prey through. Hangman will attest to that. On the slip side, Hobbs might have taken the nastiest bump of the night – which is saying something when there were two cage matches – when he fell on his ass after Page flipped him over from the top of the announce table. That could have severely hurt him and broken his tailbone. If it did, you couldn't tell. He was right back up and continued to beat the crap out of Page. 

While it was only a 15-minute match, it was short compared to the two cage matches, which made it fly by. The high intensity and volume that Powerhouse Hobbs and Hangman Page put out in this match were the perfect way to keep the crowd engaged and on fire. While still violent and insane, it was faster paced than the two cage matches and kept the crowd in it while the AEW faithful waited for the men's Blood and Guts match. It took them almost no time to get from the ring to the announce table, then eventually to the elevated seated area of the arena. 

Once they got up there, Hobbs and Hangman put on a hell of a show. The audible gasp you heard from the fans when Hobbs picked up Hangman to World's Most Dangerous Slam Hangman from the overhead is not something you can plan for. That is what makes AEW so special.

While Darby Allin being thrown through a table was obviously the spot of the night, Powerhouse Hobbs being tossed off the elevated seating into the electrical table, with all of the power equipment, was a close second. With the lights flickering after Powerhouse's fall, Hangman stood tall as the victor, and all that was left was to pin his latest victim. Hangman is a total psychopath. He is one of the few baby faces in wrestling who can get away with being a total insane person and totally maul his opponents. That is the best Hangman Page. 

Hangman is one of a handful of wrestlers in the company who are always going to bring the best out of their opponents —Moxley, Omega, and Ospreay, among others, do the same — and this was no exception. If Hobbs continues to put on performances like this, he will leave Tony Khan no choice but to give him a singles belt in 2026. Hobbs has proven he can compete with the best, and 2026 will no doubt be his year. 

The payoff for this match was the announcement of the cage match between Samoa Joe and Hangman Page at Full Gear. Joe can match Hangman's intensity in matches, so that will, no doubt, give us a fantastic match at the next AEW PPV.

The Women

"This is MY match!"

by Lauren.

Blood and Guts has come and gone, but the discussion around it, particularly the first ever women's event, is still ongoing. On the surface, it seems strange that an event billed for its over-the-top violence could propel stories forward, but that assumption undersells both the event and the wrestlers involved.

Blood and Guts is the outcome of almost two dozen peoples’ simmering frustrations with each other, with themselves, and in a way with society as a whole. The women, in particular, have been clamoring for events to show that they can go harder and meaner than polite society (and WBD investors) would allow. The men's story was fairly straightforward, moving along Mox's continued downfall. The women, coming in, seemed to have no story besides “Jamie Hayter is mad at the Triangle of Madness.” The true story of the night was their ability to use violence to push their own individual stories, to make their characters solidify in sweat and blood.

Even Queen Aminata and Penelope Ford, originally listed as participants but sidelined due to injury, were able to participate, making a show of being as threatening to each other as the medical staff would allow. It was an oddly heartwarming moment, particularly in regards to Penelope. She was one of the first women in a serious tag team at AEW and one of the first in a hardcore match. Their appearances showed their dedication to their respective friends in the ring (Jamie for Aminata, Megan Bayne for Penelope) and their willingness to put their bodies on the line.

Inside the cage, with the exception of Mercedes Moné, everyone was ready to commit several murders. Mercedes, already a reluctant entree, arrived in red, which seems thematically appropriate until you contrast it with white being the traditional death match color: all the better to see blood on. Her outfit, her demeanor, her sipping champagne in front of her assembled belt collection before entering the ring, all paint her as someone who sees herself as not taking it seriously. Until, of course, it became real, with Harley taking advantage of her position as the Bugs Bunny of the women's division and taunting her with Puppet Mercedes (RIP) hiding a pair of brass knuckles. 

Kris Statlander, who is defending the Women's Title against UltiMoné, continued to show why she is the champion. Between being pushed onto a bed of nails and removing Mercedes from the board late in the event, she showcased her strength and focus. But a small moment between her and Willow Nightingale was the key to her character that night. Willow hesitated, then denied a hug from Kris early on. It makes sense; in real life, betrayal from a friend cuts deep. It remains to be seen how shedding blood together will affect their healing process.

The Triangle of Madness shone, particularly Skye Blue. She was the first to bleed, and fresh blood flowed throughout the entire event, coating her face and body. For me, at least, this felt like her character finding herself. Skye was unleashed, like she was a child playing in a very unsafe sandbox. She was obviously delighted the more unhinged things got and the more damage she took. Thekla was also in her element, a sadist with new toys. Julia played the literal snake, slithering out with Thekla to open the cage--not to escape, but to bring even more weapons (read: Mercedes’ belts) in.

The emotional core of the event, though, was Toni Storm. Manic and wild, she blazed her way through the match in smeared white pancake makeup and lipstick. She used broken glass unsparingly and attacked everyone like a rabid dog. It all came to a head at the finale: Toni and Mina Shirakawa, her beloved kayfabe wife, were the only upright members of their team left in the cage, with Jamie and Harley thrown out, Willow apparently injured, and Kris having chased Mercedes out. Mina was caught in a Mother's Milk choke in Marina Shafir's arms, while Megan used Mercedes’ TBS belt to whip Mina's back. Toni, who had to be held back by the entire Triangle of Madness, submitted to save Mina. And in the aftermath, clutching a bandaged and downcast Mina, the two vowed their revenge and willingness to keep the blood flowing.

All in all, it was a bizarrely beautiful event. The women involved should all be immensely proud of the work they did and the pearl-clutching they caused. There is no going back now that the cage has been opened. Support women's rights, and more importantly, support women's wrongs.