Adam Page battle with imposter syndrome is AEW’s best story to date
There are several professional wrestlers that have held main-event championships, many of whom are vote-getters when it comes to the list of the all-time best. While the verdict is out on where “Hangman” Adam Page will fall on that list, there’s something special going on with his current run as champion that might help him get on that list when things are said and done.
Page’s run in All Elite Wrestling is still on the up, but there was a point when it wasn’t. When the company first started in 2019, Page was thrust into the main event picture against Chris Jericho. Some expected Page to be the first champion, he checked a lot of the boxes needed for someone to carry a promotion. But AEW made the right decision and put the title on an established star in Jericho.
Their paths diverged from there, and it took time for Page to get back into the main event scene. But by the time he did there was a story being told and still being told that is going to ring true with a lot of fans.
Page’s character arc in AEW is all about him working tirelessly to overcome imposter syndrome. For those unaware, imposter syndrome can be easily defined as when a person doubts their abilities and feel like a fraud.
Page is working through that as the central character of AEW’s top storyline. The first step in doing that was overcoming Kenny Omega at Full Gear. The same Omega that beat Page clean in the AEW Title Eliminator Tournament and blamed Page when they lost the AEW Tag Team titles. Page beat him and was feeling himself. Until Bryan Danielson showed up. Then Page overcomes that. Then he fought his way through both Adam Cole and Lance Archer. Remember when Page walked down Cole in the middle of the ring before their Texas Death Match? The Page from 2019-to 2021 wouldn’t have done so.
Enter CM Punk. Now, the story is will Page walk out of Double or Nothing with that belt over his shoulder? On-screen, Page doesn’t even know the answer to that question. But to psyche himself up for it, he’s saying things during in-ring promos that maybe he regrets or perhaps doesn’t even believe. Check his facial expressions after leaving the ring for more seeds planted around that idea. Punk is getting under his skin and his stature in the business is a big part of why Page is doubting himself.
This is the type of story that will establish Page’s place in not only AEW-lore but during this generation of professional wrestling.
When AEW went with Jericho over Page, there were many that questioned if his time at the top would come. AEW continues to expand and bring in top names from other companies. Some fans want to see others like Cole, Danielson, or Keith Lee for example as the top champion in the company. But Page has excelled in carrying the mantle. He’s winning. The fans are cheering him on. Everything is working.
But Page is still doubting himself. Will a win over Punk further establish that confidence, or will he lose and spiral out of control, turning back to alcohol or underhanded tactics to get his way? Those are the questions coming as the hours inch closer to Double or Nothing, during the match, and everything after.
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This is the type of storytelling that will make this a career-defining run for Adam Page and set the tone for a title run that will be remembered among the best of this generation.