9 Ups & 1 Down From AEW Dynamite (5 Jan - Review)

2. 'Hangman' Adam Page & Jon Moxley Build & Build & Build

Authenticity remains the most important factor in professional wrestling storytelling and character development.

This was as evident in the build to Will Ospreay and Kenny Omega's phenomenal Wrestle Kingdom 17 as it is to 'Hangman' Adam Page and Jon Moxley. That two of the best-built matches of recent times have come from such real-world simplicity shows that while bells and whistles are fun and pantomimes are a hoot, there's nothing better than cutting straight to the heart of the matter.

Moxley and Hangman are two of the best at that. Invited to the ring by Tony Schiavone, Hangman explained that every time he fights Mox, his medical clearance gets pushed back by a week, but he'll be good to go by next week if he stays safe. Moxley then hit the ring. Overcoming microphone issues in a typically endearing fashion, he claimed to be tired of the flowers, sympathy cards, and ongoing candlelit vigil for Page, whom he considers a whiner. But Page isn't whining. He isn't upset because he got concussed, which he accepts happens in pro wrestling. He is upset that the first thing Moxley did was crack a joke in response to his cranial trauma.

The simmering tension was palpable by the time Moxley left the ring, promising to make sure Hangman won't be getting back up the next time they meet. The segment came within millimetres of erupting, thus delaying the gratification again, but never did - and now the match feels bigger and more personal than ever.