'Hangman' Adam Page's AEW World Championship Defenses Ranked
Since winning the AEW World Championship from Kenny Omega at the 2021 Full Gear pay-per-view, 'Hangman' Adam Page has successfully retained his championship against many challengers.
He has faced the likes of Adam Cole, Lance Archer, and Bryan Danielson in some hard-hitting matches. The Anxious Millennial Cowboy will soon defend his title against CM Punk at the Double or Nothing pay-per-view on May 29th.
On this list, we will take a look at Page's title defenses and rank them from worst to best. It should be noted that we have looked at matches from an individual capacity and not as part of a feud.
#6. Adam Page vs. Dante Martin - AEW Dynamite, March 9th, 2022
Fresh off of a successful defense against Adam Cole at the Revolution pay-per-view, Adam Page defended his championship once again against upcoming high-flying star Dante Martin on the March 9th episode of Dynamite.
Although the match was only 7:33 minutes long, it was an intriguing duel. Martin was able to showcase his impressive high-flying skills and proved that he would be a formidable challenger for the AEW World Championship down the line.
Adam Page showed his respects to the Top Flight Member as he complimented him after the match.
#5. Adam Page vs. Lance Archer (Texas Death Match) - AEW Dynamite, February 9th, 2022
A challenge has been issued to the #AEW World Champion Hangman @theadampage, by the #MurderhawkMonster @LanceHoyt: a Texas Deathmatch for the #AEW World Championship! https://t.co/DMmqIVM0Lr
The match between 'Hangman' Adam Page and the 'Murderhawk Monster' Lance Archer can be described as a blood bath. The match began backstage as it seemed the champion attacked his challenger before the two men could make it to the ring.
The biggest obstacle for the champion was not the weapons, and it seemed to be the fact that Dan Lambert cut the top rope from the ring to stop Adam Page from hitting his Buckshot Lariat finishing move.
The match featured many brutal moments, one being when Archer stabbed Page's already bloodied head with a fork before licking the bloody fork clean. Archer hit his finishing move, the Blackout, by throwing Page onto the steel ring steps.
However, Page recovered before the official's ten-count. Hangman then overcame the no-tope-rope obstacle by using the back of the official as a vault to take himself and Archer crashing through the tables on the outside of the ring. Page managed to make it back inside the ring before the official made the ten count, thus securing the victory and retaining his championship.
#4. Adam Page vs. Adam Cole (Texas Death Match) - AEW Rampage, April 15th, 2022
On the April 15th episode of AEW Rampage, Adam Page competed in the second Texas Death Match of his championship reign against Adam Cole. Although The AEW World Champion defeated Cole at the Revolution pay-per-view, Cole was granted a rematch with the stipulation.
This Texas Death Match was perhaps not as bloody as the previous one. However, it was a lot more personal. Page and Cole were once friends, and a part of the wrestling faction known as The Elite, which also features fellow AEW stars The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson) and Kenny Omega.
With Page and Cole in a heated rivalry, this match was bound to be delivered, and it did just that. Between fighting in the crowd and the multiple chair shots in the ring, this match was the epitome of edge-of-the-seat action.
At the end of the match, Page placed a barbed-wire crown onto Cole's head before putting him through a table on the outside of the ring. Hangman managed to get back inside the ring before the official's ten-count to once again retain his championship.
#3. Adam Page vs. Adam Cole - AEW Revolution, March 6th, 2022
'Hangman' Adam Page's first pay-per-view title defense came at Revolution and would be his first defense against Adam Cole. The Panama City Playboy and Hangman have a storied history that dates back to before they both joined AEW.
Their first AEW singles meeting was an enthralling encounter with both men hitting each other with their signature moves for many near-falls. Kyle O'Reilly and Bobby Fish provided distractions on behalf of Adam Cole as The Dark Order chased them backstage to allow the match to end without any outside interference.
The champion was able to hit his finisher, Buckshot Lariat, but the challenger, Cole, was able to get his hand on the ropes before the official to finish the three-count. Page then hit Cole with several superkicks before once again hitting the Buckshot Lariat to end the match.
In a touching moment after his victory, Page proved he was the ultimate good guy by shaking a knocked out Cole's hand.
#2. Adam Page vs. Bryan Danielson - AEW Dynamite, January 5th, 2022
JUST ANNOUNCED: #AEW World Championship rematch: @theadampage v @bryandanielson II will be the FIRST bout TONIGHT at #AEWDynamite’s debut on TBS! Don’t miss a second of this historic live action by tuning in right at @ 8pm ET/7pm CT, & back @ 8pm PT on @TBSNetwork! https://t.co/TudA19jcGq
After their first meeting at AEW Dynamite: Winter Is Coming in December 2021 ended in a 60-minute draw, Bryan Danielson rematch was granted a rematch against Adam Cole.
Although no weapons were used, this match was brutal as both men were bloodied by the end. With both men hitting their signature moves, it looked like either man could win.
Page attempted to hit Danielson with his Buckshot Lariat while The American Dragon ducked and hit the champion with his Busaiku Knee. The AEW Champion managed to kick out at two in a heart-in-mouth moment for fans.
Hangman was able to put Danielson away when he finally hit his Buckshot Lariat and sent Danielson flipping through the air. Page once again looked like a formidable champion as he was able to defeat one of the greatest wrestlers in the world.
#1. Adam Page vs. Bryan Danielson - AEW Dynamite: Winter Is Coming, December 15th, 2021
The AEW World Championship match between Page and Bryan Danielson opened the 'Winter Is Coming' special episode of AEW Dynamite. The match was an instant classic as it went on to last the entire 60-minute time limit.
During the rivalry, The American Dragon played the perfect heel by taunting the crowd with jumping jacks and giving them the middle finger while a bloodied Page was outside the ring.
The clash also had some noteworthy moments as both men matched each other blow-for-blow and even bloodied themselves to the extent that doctors had to attend Page.
In the closing moments of the match, Hangman hit Danielson with the Buckshot Lariat. However, he was unable to pin the challenger before the time limit. Hence, the match was declared a draw.
What is your favorite match from Hangman Page's championship reign? Let us know in the comments section below.