Does Hangman Page even want his top spot in AEW? That is the question that Swerve Strickland would pose earlier this month. Page couldn’t deny that Swerve had some points.
He hadn’t gotten new gear in over a year, rarely was in singles matches, and was pushed to the back of The Elite after mending that relationship.
Tonight, Swerve has a chance to prove he deserves that spot more – but after lighting a fire under Page? It won’t be easy to score the win, unless he’s truly ready for that main event level.
Who’s House? Swerve’s House
Before the match began, Swerve had a simple question for the hometown crowd. Who’s house? Swerve’s House. The crowd was instantly 100% behind Swerve, and Page would be ready to lock up. Page would hit a Big Boot to the jaw, before some stiff chops in the corner.
Swerve would duck a lariat before a headscissor takedown, before using the middle rope to launch into a dropkick – right to the mouth of Page.
The diving european uppercut would follow as Page would find himself sitting in the ring. Swerve was playing the hits, and the crowd was eating it up.
A neckbreaker from Swerve would follow, before a German Suplex attempt saw Page stick the landing. Fallaway Slam would land, sending Swerve to the apron. Page tried for the springboard lariat, but Swerve would duck. Staying on the offensive, Page would head to the floor with a moonsault, before a stiff powerbomb onto the apron.
Pop Up Powerbomb in the ring would get a two count for Page, before they’d head back to the floor and brawl it out.
Swerve had his hand stabbed by Page on Dynamite, and that would be targeted as Page slammed the hand off the steel steps. Back in the ring, Swerve would hit the Jumping Flatliner, before rolling into a Deadlift Suplex for a two count.
Page would see Swerve climb to the top rope, and was able to stop him with a chop before being shoved back down to the mat for the Swerve Stomp.
House Call Kick caught Page in the back of the head, but this was not enough to take him down. Another Swerve Stomp was planned on the apron, but Page would follow this.
Swerve Strickland Digs Deep To Drop Hangman Page
Deadeye was set by Page – but Swerve slipped free and shoved Page into the ring post. A piledriver on the steel steps would be blocked, and Page would hit Deadeye on the steel steps – before both men rolled to the floor to recover. Back in the ring, Swerve would be able to stop the Buckshot Lariat before Page was able to launch.
Page would bite the hand of Swerve at the first chance, but a drop toehold would block the Buckshot Lariat. Swerve would set up and stomp the arm out of place, and Page would need medical attention. While he was being checked on the apron, the Swerve Stomp landed – and Page was dead to rights.
A 450 Splash to the arm would get a near fall, before a Cross Armbreaker in the middle of the ring. Page would wiggle to get a foot on the bottom rope – before a rolling lariat dropped Swerve.
Deadeye was blocked into another armbar – but Page was able to skip free. Swerve hit another German Suplex before missing the Swerve Stomp. Buckshot would land, but the damage to the arm meant no immediate pinfall.
Prince Nana would extend the match by getting Swerve’s foot on the bottom rope before the three count was counted – and was ejected.
It was a tactical move for Nana, who would continue to distract the referee. Swerve would use the crown of Prince Nana to block the Buckshot, but Page would kick out. Two House Call Kicks follow, before the JML Driver for the win.
Wheeler Yuta Gets Cut Down By Ricky Starks
Ricky Starks is no longer standing by idly while others get spots on PPV events. Tonight, he continues his war against the Blackpool Combat Club – having lost twice in a row to Bryan Danielson.
However, Wheeler Yuta is not to be overlooked even by someone like Starks. Yuta is among the best technical wrestlers in the company, and has pinfall victories over the likes of Kenny Omega since joining the BCC.
Yuta would start things with some chain wrestling, getting control of the arm of Starks. Starks would power free, before Yuta would hit some precise strikes, only for Yuta to be dropped.
Jon Moxley was on commentary, telling Yuta to keep his hands up before Starks went Old School – walking the top rope before a jumping axe handle.
Belly To Belly Suplex would follow, before Yuta was able to get back in control. The Manhattan Drop was followed by the Enziguri, and Yuta followed up with an elbow smash from the top rope. The PainThriller would be next, getting Yuta a two count. Starks would be taken into the Double Wrist Lock.
Big Bill would come to ringside to give moral support to Starks, and a big powerbomb followed – with Yuta barely surviving. Hammer & Anvil Elbows from Starks would just serve to piss Yuta off, but a big lariat from Starks would drop him.
Bill tried to get involved, but Yuta drove him into the ring post. Yuta would get the Seatbelt Clutch, but wasn’t able to control the leg – getting a near fall.
Starks would hit the Spear & Roshambo as a comeback – and locked eyes with Moxley as he pinned for the victory. Is Ricky Starks ready for someone like Jon Moxley? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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