Swerve Strickland vs Adam Page must main event AEW All Out

AEW All Out is coming in hot on the heels of All In. The next PPV for Tony Khan and company is set for Saturday, September 7. There’s a lot to look forward to on the card, as AEW continues to put forth some of the best professional wrestling in the industry. This is a strong card, but there’s one match that stands out as the main event. A title may not be in the discussion, but Swerve Strickland versus “Hangman” Adam Page is the main event of the PPV.

There was a time when AEW told the best stories in professional wrestling. While that hasn’t been the case as of late, the Strickland versus Page story needs to be recognized for the greatness it has contained. Page’s character arc in AEW continues and it is something that should be studied by those in the next generation. He’s gone from the anxious, hero cowboy, to the deranged madman who is looking to protect everything he loves – but at what cost?

Strickland’s place in the arc sees him as the catalyst that continues to push Page to a point where he said he wouldn’t go. Page even aligned himself with The Elite just to get an opportunity at Strickland. Page’s hatred is real and palpable. It goes beyond just being a champion. While on the other hand, Strickland is always out to prove that he’s the best and will go to any lengths to do so.

That, right there, is just an example of what makes professional wrestling such an excellence avenue for entertainment. Strickland versus Page embodies everything that has made All Elite Wrestling great since 2019, and the industry as a whole.

Looking at the rest of the All Out card, there isn’t any other match that comes with the same level of stakes. Yes, Bryan Danielson is defending his championship against Jack Perry. Yet, there’s an understandable air of predictability to that match. Perry is the AEW TNT Champion. He’s hated in Chicago. There’s no reason he should or will pick up the victory this early in Danielson’s run. In fact, this match would be a great way to open the show. Danielson is going to be a fantastic champion, as he’s a Hall of Famer already. But this is one card that doesn’t need to focus on the start of that run, especially when there’s a bigger match to showcase.

AEW All Out will be another fun PPV in AEW’s continuing string of great shows. Looking at this card, the only match that feels like a main event is Swerve Strickland versus Adam Page and this cage match must close out the show.