10 Wrestlers Having A Disappointing 2022

Full Gear 2021 saw “The Hangman” beat his own personal demons and overcome Kenny Omega to finally earn the AEW World Title. It was the conclusion of a epic, years-long storyline that began on AEW’s very first night.

Fans had been brought along on an emotional and relatable journey ,and careful, detailed, consistent storytelling rewarded viewer investment. Page closed out the year with an acclaimed match with Bryan Danielson, but as 2022 rolled around it began to look as though the anxious millennial cowboy’s next chapter hadn’t been so carefully mapped out.

While, as World Champion, he should have been a priority, it seemed he was another victim of AEW’s roster bloat, receiving noticeably less focus than the three previous World Title holders.

With CM Punk coming off the back of an acclaimed programme with MJF and both men known for their storytelling abilities, Punk’s tilt at Page’s title should have lead to an incredible feud. While the eventual match was great, the build was wonky and confusing. The reasons are only now becoming clear.

Since losing the belt, Hangman has felt like an ever more peripheral figure. That is, until Punk went off script to bury the younger man on live television. Despite a string of solid title defences, Hangman Page’s 2022 has proven a disappointing destination after the epic journey.