The Evolution of “Hangman” Adam Page: From Turmoil to Triumph
For the better part of two years, “Hangman” Adam Page has been on a tumultuous path of destruction and self-loathing, but the once “anxious millennial cowboy” of All Elite Wrestling (AEW) is now ready to pen a new chapter. As a founding member of the AEW roster and a previous World Champion , Page is no stranger to carrying gold. However, his journey this year to victory in the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament , culminating in a main-event match at Double or Nothing for a future title shot, is obstructed by an opponent he has yet to face one-on-one in the ring.
“This is the second year in a row I’ve made the finals. I’m proud of it this year, just as I was last year. I’ll be wrestling Will Ospreay at Double or Nothing, and this is one of those matches I’ve been eagerly waiting for. Many fans consider Ospreay to be *the best wrestler alive*, and I wouldn’t argue against that. He’s incredibly talented,” Page remarks. “Since he’s been with AEW, I’ve seen his opponents working harder than ever, often still losing to him.”
The phrase “best wrestler alive” may sound like hyperbole, yet Page’s upcoming opponent possesses the record to substantiate it. Nicknamed “The Aerial Assassin,” 32-year-old Ospreay boasts an undefeated streak of 8-0 in singles competition for 2025. Furthermore, he was awarded Sports Illustrated’s match of the year in 2024 (against Bryan Danielson ) and earned the third spot on Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s annual “Top 500 Wrestlers” list.
“He’s someone the fans have fallen in love with, and understandably so,” says Page. “It feels like two fan-favorites finally facing off. The stakes couldn’t be higher, aside from the winner acquiring a shot at the World Championship . It’s a little nerve-racking, but it feels good.”
In anticipation of their bout in the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Finals, Page and Ospreay briefly teamed up to challenge the Don Callis Family (Josh Alexander and Konosuke Takeshita ) in a tag match on a recent episode of AEW Dynamite . Was Page scouting Ospreay during the tag match?
“Of course I was. I’ve been scouting him since he got here. It was inevitable that I’d face someone as talented as him. I’ve observed his matches, noticing what he excels in—and that’s nearly everything. Yet, I also watch for the subtle flaws in his game that occasionally arise. Subconsciously, I’ve been preparing for this moment for a long time,” Page asserts.
Page and Ospreay’s matchup at Double or Nothing signifies more than merely a clash of two AEW titans; it represents the pinnacle of this year’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament , an annual competition honoring the Canadian grappler whose death at a WWF pay-per-view in 1999 sent shockwaves through the wrestling community.
“I’m incredibly proud of the Owen Hart Foundation tournament and AEW—it’s one of the best concepts AEW has created,” Page states. “To honor Owen Hart, both as a wrestler and as a person, every year, especially with the finals positioned at the pay-per-view and the winner slated to main event the biggest show of the year, grants the tournament significant weight and importance. AEW has managed to commend Owen in this manner, which is immensely fulfilling.”
Although All Elite Wrestling is still a relatively young promotion (founded in 2019), fans have been following Page for many years through “Being The Elite.” This YouTube series, created by the Young Bucks (Nick and Matt Jackson), showcased the adventures of The Elite , a transformative group of wrestlers including Page, the Bucks, and Kenny Omega .
“When I discuss my career, I cannot do so without acknowledging ‘Being the Elite’ and its significance in wrestling. In many ways, AEW wouldn’t exist without it. That was the true vehicle that forged a bond with fans and initiated a movement,” Page explains.
“Personally, ‘BTE’ stands out as one of the most enjoyable experiences I’ve ever had in wrestling. It’s hard to fathom that it will always be the most fun I have ever enjoyed in professional wrestling, considering that these guys are my closest friends, the individuals I spend as much or more time with than my own family,” he reflects.
“We all share a love for the same craft. We are all creative artists. Collaborating never felt like work; it consistently felt enjoyable. The passion we shared often kept us up late into the night working on episodes. For our cruise Halloween episode, I didn’t sleep for several days, but it was always a privilege to create,” he adds.
“As time progressed, we began to witness the fruits of our labor. We participated in Ring of Honor or New Japan Pro Wrestling shows, and often, it felt as though crowds were there to see ‘BTE,’” Page reflects.
“The audience size and viewership increased significantly, culminating in All Elite Wrestling becoming a reality. Meanwhile, there was a sense that our playful antics genuinely reshaped the wrestling landscape in a positive direction, making it a remarkable experience,” he concludes.
However, while Page, Omega, and the Young Bucks’ friendship led to the establishment of AEW, “The Elite” has since fractured. Each member will participate in Anarchy in the Arena , a 6-on-6 tag team match that sees the Young Bucks uniting with Jon Moxley’s malevolent Death Riders stable against Omega and a stellar roster of AEW babyfaces.
“Yeah, the Bucks have been rather difficult lately. I need to tread carefully in how I express this. I feel I’ve always tried to be considerate when discussing them, as I owe so much of my career to them, and I’ll forever remain aware of that. But their recent behavior has been quite troublesome, especially towards Kenny,” Page admits.
“I haven’t checked in with Kenny since his return, perhaps not as much as I should have. It’s something I need to remedy sooner rather than later, though I’m uncertain why I haven’t.”
Despite the allure of a victory at Double or Nothing setting Page back on the trajectory toward the AEW World Championship, his last year within the company has been tumultuous. The focus was less about championships and more about avenging personal grievances against Swerve Strickland . As that bitterness mellows, Page grapples with his identity, questioning why fans continue to support him.
“I ask myself this constantly. When wrestling fans tune in weekly, they witness real aspects of our lives unfold. They may not know us personally, yet it feels deeply personal,” Page states. “It’s a strange notion, but it conveys meaning in ways I can’t simply articulate.”
“As they watch AEW each week, they perceive facets of us that we may not acknowledge, allowing them to believe in a better version of ourselves than we do. I don’t often emphasize it, but it holds immense significance,” Page concludes.
This interview has been edited and condensed.