The Problem With CM Punk That No One Wants To Talk About

Hangman Page
AEW

Hangman Page's long, winding road to AEW stardom could culminate at All Out 2021, where many feel he will defeat Kenny Omega to finally become AEW World Champion, two years after falling to Chris Jericho in the promotion's inaugural title fight.

This two-year character arc has been meticulously plotted and executed. When it is paid off, it deserves to become a touchstone in the never-ending "long-term storytelling" debate because beat for beat, it has been perfect. Every new development has sought to pull Page further away from the lukewarm crowd response he received at Fight For The Fallen 2019 (when chants of "thank you Jericho!" rang out as the supposed heel beat Page down) and closer to where he is today, from his relatable mental health struggles as an Anxious Millennial Cowboy and crippling fear of failure to the acclaimed World Tag Team Title run ascendance to the top of the singles rankings.

AEW's audience is gagging for Page to beat Omega. They're more than ready for it, and the time is fast approaching. When it happens, Tony Khan will likely have succeeded where Vince McMahon has been failing for over a decade. He will have created a new star.

But what if, as is often the case in Stamford, that new star has his shine taken by an older one?

CONT'd...

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.