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.
Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation nearly 8 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 62,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, GRAPPL, GCP, Poisonrana and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett
