40 Greatest Stories Wrestling Ever Told

23. Hangman Page’s Elite Self-Doubt/Redemption (AEW, 2019-2021)

One of the finest long-term strategies Tony Khan deployed on an unsuspecting AEW audience occurred during the promotion's early years between 2019-2021. Hangman Page, who was part of The Elite and seemed to have the world at his feet alongside the likes of Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks, suffered from imposter syndrome. It hit him hard.

Retreating, and wondering if he had the skills or star power everyone suddenly said he did, Hangman began drinking heavily and masking his insecurities with laddish behaviour and more socialising in one month than many do in a full calendar year. He'd even wonder aloud if he was the right man for the job after becoming number one contender to the AEW World Title.

It was a gripping deep dive on the human psyche - the kind that pro wrestling rarely handles sensitively. Thankfully, on this occasion, AEW definitely did. They had producers, staff and other wrestlers alike play up to Page's socialising and "Cowboy S***" ways, but something had to give. He was going to have to step inside the ring and confront his inner demons one day, and everyone knew that'd be against a top tier worker like Omega.

Cue Full Gear 2021 and the end of the line.

Hangman beat Omega to win AEW's biggest prize, and it seemed like a giant weight had been lifted from his shoulders. All of the anxiety he'd suffered through washed away as Page began to grow in confidence and resonate with the fanbase. It was awesome stuff.