8 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Dynamite (6 September - Review)

5. FINALLY

Swerve Strickland Hangman Page
AEW

Hangman Page attempted to explain his ambitions for the remainder of 2023 before he was cut off by Swerve Strickland (and the wonderful dancing of Prince Nana).

In a promo that suffered from a lack of composure, Swerve at least got his kill shots in at the end. He told Page that, if he was happy to do charity work and slum it on the pre-show, he'd happily take his spot. He gave Page two options: leave on your own, or I'll walk you like a dog. Stating that he shows empathy to no man, after some awkward stumbling early, Swerve eventually projected the menace necessary to make this feel like it has stakes and big-time potential.

Swerve urged Page into showing fire, which was a ruse: Brian Cage was laying in wait. This - eventually - was a very good execution of a well overdue idea.

Hangman needed something big away from the Elite (and the Dark Order), and this was a promising first step.

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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!