4 Ups & 5 Downs From AEW Dynamite (December 13 - Results & Review)
2. Roderick Strong Vs Hangman Page
...just...wasn't particularly good?
Chemistry issues perhaps? AEW possibly not having either man wrestle quite enough in 2023? A bad night that would be much better on any other one? Hard to say several hours after the bell rang, but a match that promised so much delivered so little.
Page's massive frame wasn't violently folded up by that one backbreaker that'll stick with you for weeks. Hangman targeting Strong's neck right up to the point that he wrapped things up with the Deadeye was decent story stuff and speaks to the former Champion's darker side coming to the fore, but it didn't exactly feel like the fallen cowboy was getting back on the horse, as it were.
A uncharacteristically quiet crowd were there for the wrestling at other points during the show, but perhaps the pair's contest being non-tournament on a night with so many points left to play for made the fight feel more like a friendly.
Based on what followed later on the show, this most likely won't be the last time they fight. But the follow-ups will most likely be better than the first.