10 Awesome Ideas That Were Cut From AEW

4. Hangman Page's All Out Story Arc

The Fist AEW
AEW

At All Out 2019, Page's confidence was knocked. The Young Bucks - who in a textured, experimental storyline had good reason, since they were set for a demented plunder war in the semi-main - gently refused Page's request to second him in his World Title match against Chris Jericho. He lost.

By All Out 2020, Page had won the World Tag Team title alongside Kenny Omega, but had fallen victim to FTR's sinister masterplan to disrupt the Elite. Page's confidence was shattered once more when it was revealed that FTR weren't the supportive drinking buddies he longed for amid the constant negging of pious teetotaller Matt Jackson. After betraying the Bucks by clutching at Nick's leg just as he cocked the Meltzer Driver in a gauntlet match booked to determine his PPV opponents, FTR laughed at him. Despite clutching at Omega's legs to save him from a superplex in a moment of atonement, his team lost the gold at the pape and, in the aftermath, Page lost his partner. Omega callously rejected Page's plea for friendship.

The two year story - almost AEW's version of Randy Savage's arc between WrestleMania V and VII - was set to conclude at All Out 2021. That was the venue of Page's decline and great comeback. It was cut from that show for what was really nice reason, given wrestling's abysmal history of allowing talent time off. Page missed his third All Out as he went on paternity leave.

The conclusion was still wonderful, so much so that the event didn't matter anywhere near as much as the result - but the only thing missing from Hangman Page's incredible ascent was a little bit of poetry.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!