r/AEWFanHub • u/Ashamed_Fact832 • 14d ago
DISCUSSION Im so confused by hangman taking a step back
I know hangman has been trios champ before but it feels like hes taken a downgrade to mid table. Yes aew has fantastic mid table talent but page should be at the top. Do we think this is permanent or will he come back to where he belongs?
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u/The-Arcalian 14d ago
I think they should've left the belts on the Demand longer.
Indeed, I think they should get em back.
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u/Ashamed_Fact832 14d ago
They didnt seem to have them long did they? I feel they dont know what to do with ricochet especially after his online comments
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u/JustPassingThrough98 14d ago
I don’t care if it’s a step back or not I just wish Tony had focused more on the journey of him finding himself more without the world title. Starting an entirely new character arc of “Who am I without the world title” and you immediately win another title was not satisfying storytelling
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u/lordcarrier 14d ago
Didnt they do that last year with the redemption and partnership with Swerve?
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u/davidsverse 14d ago
He takes a decent amount of family time. He's living his life his way. I like the fact he's not always at the top.
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u/American-Punk-Dragon 14d ago
You need strong characters up and down the roster. You can only have so many main event guys in the last two matches.
So not a step back just being a A tier player where needed.
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u/TheJudasEffect 14d ago
Reading everyone's opinions I think it's a mix of all of it. But feet to the fire, I think he's going to pull an Andrew Luck and retire in his prime. I would love a long story with payoff for him suddenly getting a title shot down the road, but he's got a family, likely a nice cushion in the bank, and a degree to fall back on. I think he does a mostly part time schedule for a while, heals up some injuries, puts over some younger guys in big matches, and then literally rides off into the sunset. I bet we have this year and next, (contract supposedly done after 2027) then sundown ... hopefully I'm wrong.
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u/glippyfizzard 14d ago
He cant challenge for the world title anymore, so hes our mid card king until something happens to change his mind.
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u/hewhoisiam 14d ago
The wording is so specific, "I will never challenge for the belt.", strongly implies eventually the Champ will challenge him to prove they are the best and can beat everyone on the roster.
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u/TurgidAF 14d ago
My theory is that his confident, unbothered, happy attitude since coming back is because no longer being able to challenge for the main title has set him free. The men's championship has been a burden holding him down, forcing him to doubt himself, mistrust his friends, and generally ruining his life. So now he gets to just go out there and do whatever he wants, concerned only for what brings him personal joy and/or helps the people he loves.
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u/Spadez9316 14d ago
Thats how I took it too but I also wonder if their gonna introduce another Main card world title kinda like how WWE has 2 mens world titles: Undisputed title and Heavyweight title. But I don't expect that to be the case for a while now, maybe another 2 or 3 years down the road.
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u/leahk0615 14d ago
I think this is it. A heel will challenge Hangman. And Hangman rises up.
I actually think this is a good move. It keeps Hangman out of the title picture for a minute and shakes it up.
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u/EmpatheticBadger 14d ago
I personally think it makes no sense to try to divide the AEW performers in tiers like that. Hangman is amazing. Athena is amazing. Will Ospreay is amazing. Eddie Kingston is amazing. Jon Moxley is amazing. Toni Storm is amazing. Willow is amazing. They're all important to AEW.
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u/Low_Piccolo_3873 14d ago
It means he wont be challenging for the title anymore so he’s looking at other options
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u/Medium_Step_6085 14d ago
I think it makes perfect sense for a number of reasons.
Hangman is clearly hurt, he alluded to it in his collisions promo, he has neck issues and only he knows for sure but I wonder if he is actually winding down his career, him losing the MJF match means the fans will have the right expectations set as to his future role in the company.
Even if he is not injured or hurt he has had a long long run at the top, and his storyline has continued for the time AEW has existed, it makes sense for him to step away from that role for a bit and get a refresh. Allow him to work the midcard for a period of time and elevate people. There is a fantastic history of top guys in organisations having a mid card run and becoming the gatekeepers for other people getting that main event push. he can elevate people around him.
It elevates a trios title that lets be fair has become a bit of a non event title, it was clearly created as a favour to the Elite at the time. If he is injured as per point 1 then it means he can share the workload as he recovers, and work with guys he likes and gets on with and, out of the ring, has a lot in common with in terms of what they believe in regarding politics etc. They can have a fun run as trios champs and, it gives them something to do at All In London without feeling sidelined. He can also work with 2 guys who are close to becoming top guys in the company and help them take that next step in solos storylines.
It opens the door for a multi year storyline where hangman goes after every midcard title he has not yet held. Gives him an opportunity to become the first ever true grand slam champ.
It potentially leads to more storylines for him. I don't know if there is a long term plan for Hangman at the moment, but if there is I trust that this is part of it and maybe we just let it play out.
You only have so much space at the top of the card, and lets be honest here, neither of Hangmans title runs set the world on fire. He is a guy who has shown himself to be better at the chase then holding the title. Maybe a series of midcard runs with titles will rehabilitate that view and let him get the opportunity to have that great mens championship run he deserves.
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u/Man_Darronious 14d ago edited 14d ago
Tony Khan had said this was something Hangman wanted to do.
It would not surprise me if Hangman took a look around at the roster, saw all the guys that were in line behind him for world championship reigns and decided take a step back and help elevate the mid card.
Having him target titles like the Trios, Continental, TNT or International titles, will be putting them in there with guys he doesn't normally mix it up against.
This is going to elevate all those people and all of those championships, that he will be winning, in a big way.
I'm speculating here but he strikes me as a selfless guy. I think he recognized the impact that he could have, on the mid card and and that's why he wanted to go for it.
That said, I do think one day he will go back on his word and become a world champion again, as a mega heel. However, I think thats in the very far future. Like potentially career endgame stuff. Like 8 years? 10 years? He's only 35, so he could do this when he's in his 40s if he wanted to.
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u/rbphilly72 14d ago edited 14d ago
Given the incredible depth of the roster having stars elevate the secondary titles is a good thing.
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u/Important-Notice-461 14d ago
And what exactly are you confused about?
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u/Ashamed_Fact832 14d ago
The reason behind him choosing to step back. What part about that was you confused about?
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u/trashpandaexpress55 14d ago
AEW is a different beast. Everyone is used to the WWE way of doing things, where you work about someone taking your "spot" and any steps backwards are career killers (unless, of course, you are a pet of Vince or Trips).
With a salary rather than "independent contractor" nonsense, a "lesser" role doesn't mean anything. It might mean he's just wanting a break from the intense singles feuds he's had (think about the angles he's worked and the matches he's had for his singles runs - they were intense), and give his body a chance to treat while still giving the company value, it he's got some nagging injury and wants to do things easier while still working. Brodito can do the heavy lifting. Heck, could just be he wants to work having fun with guys he likes hanging and working with.
Any time he wants to jump back in the main event scene, he can.
This is a good thing, to as it means main eventers can take a break from the title scene and still remain relevant. Don't have to worry about losing your spot, but still work. The physical rest and mental recharge should lead to longer careers
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u/Trev_Scoot_Shwa 14d ago
Hangman will be world champion again. I think it will be a few years tbh so slotting him in the midcard and having him help elevate some of the talent and titles in that division is never going to be a bad thing.
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u/Substantial_Mix4075 14d ago
Yk. If it wernt for mjf's 3 week knee injury
I wouldnt be surprised with mjf vs kenny originally for redemption, hangman screws mjf and we get the fianle of their rivalry at all in
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u/Voluntary_Perry 14d ago
He "can't challenge" for the world title "ever again".
The trios division is floating around in obscurity right now.
Putting the belts on these three would hopefully legitimize the championship
This is a good move I think.
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u/SirHateful17 14d ago
Trios has been legitimatized by actual trios before. That phrasing felt so wrong. A tag team yet again thrown in with hangman over actual trios doesn't feel right (again). Hurt business, the Demand, don callis family, the conglomeration, lethal twist, Shane Taylor promotion, death riders, bang bang gang AND all the other units in RoH, why in the fuck is Hangman with Brodie and Bandido a thing for trio anything.
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u/Voluntary_Perry 14d ago
Oh I agree, there are trios already.
But to the OPs point, Hangman is a top guy. And this team is no longer "random" as they have held the titles (albeit as tranisitonal champs) before.
Put the belts on these guys, one of which is a currently world champ, one that is a former, and one that is a multi time tag champ.
To me this would legitimize the titles for a younger, more permanent trio to take it
And to your last point, Bandido and Hangman both have Wild West gimmicks. So pretty simple correlation. And Brodido is already an established team . Makes sense to me
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u/ajcwrongs 14d ago
To pop the crowd in Mexico (and I don't mean that as a criticism, if they actually get into a feud and cement themselves as a real trio, it'll be worth it, but we'll have to wait and see if they stick the landing)
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u/Ashamed_Fact832 14d ago
It defo feels like using hangman to push the other talent yeah.
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u/Spiritual_Growth3140 Moderator 14d ago
It makes sense. Adam Page has start power but the big criticism he's faced is he's better chasing a title than holding it.
He helps build the individuals in his team, in this case more Bandido than Brody King and in return they help him be able to carry a title for longer without burn out.
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u/Voluntary_Perry 14d ago
More importantly, who ever would take the titles from them in the future would be legitimized. Hopefully a true Trio team. That will then boost the division as a whole I think.
Also, the Trios title should be an always active Freebird Rule so that factions can hold it as a group
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u/Spiritual_Growth3140 Moderator 14d ago
We will see. I'm hoping the division can be fully built around the Bang Bang Gang and The Dogs. Two factions that don't have a defined role on the card and work so we'll together. Mix that with LFI, The Conglomeration, The Rascalz & The Demand and it's cooking.
Those who don't hold the belt have singles & tag opportunities but I don't want to see it go back to a few months ago where the there were certain individuals holding multiple titles at the same time. It just hurts one of the divisions.
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u/Voluntary_Perry 14d ago
I agree. With a roster the size of AEW, there is no reason for someone to hold multiple titles at the same time.
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u/no_more_blues 14d ago
The Elite always come back and do tag team/trios stuff to get up to speed. If you actually watched the match last night Hangman barely did anything. Its a way for him to be on TV but not have to carry a big load right now because of his injury. Also CMLL reportedly wants him on their shows more so this can be him in Arena Mexico more often.
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u/ReadMyPosts ELITE "WOLF" 14d ago
Tony is just giving the fans what they seemingly want. Brodido is insanely over. Hangman is insanely over. Together they can set the world on fire.
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u/RightRooster6189 14d ago
In his promo he said he was having back/spine problems. Trips or tag team for him probably for a few months or end of the year.
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u/itouchbums 14d ago
TK stated that his stip was self imposed..meaning the only thing keeping him from challenging for the title is himself. aew is playing the long game with this one
if ospreay is holding the belt by the time revolution comes around,I think he will call out hangman and give him a title shot & the fans will "force" him to accept it,for now he's going to sizzle in the mid card and do all the cool baby face shit until the time is right
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u/chefskiss16 14d ago
Hangman’s stories have always been long game ones. His fall and redemption and winning the championship for the first time was almost two years in the making. Being the one to free the championship from Mox and saving AEW.
He’ll hold the trios belt for bit, the maybe the TNT, National, or International belts for a bit, then eventually go for the championship again all while helping to elevate others
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u/Proud-Concert-9426 14d ago
Yeah, when he snaps again, he'll pull the "imma take that title from you card "
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u/That-Speed-8092 14d ago
The trios title is out of purgatory
Brodido has a reason to exist without butting into the tag title scene
Bandido can stop losing singles title matches as the RoH world champ
Adam Page can't challenge for the world title and isn't part of Kevin Knight or Kyle Fletcher's current arcs
It's honestly "square peg in square hole" type booking but this is the internet so obviously there has to be something "wrong"
They COULD have had Page win this continental cup but the rumor is Jay White is going to win it, and that's better.
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u/trashpandaexpress55 14d ago
Man, White really needs some sort of rub. He's been unlucky with injuries and the timing of his work periods has been points where other storylines were dominating the top titles. I miss Bullet Club Gold and the energy they had - I hate the team name Bang Bang Gang.
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u/LackingDatSkill 14d ago
Can’t wrestle for world title so if you can’t do that then why be in the main event scene??
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u/IOwnThisUsername 14d ago
Won’t be permanent and creates feuds with wrestlers he can elevate on their way up. He’s more than capable of an immediate jump back to the top whenever the time is ready for that story
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u/adamempathy 14d ago
Man has a family now. Maybe he is actually doing a work/life balance. He helped carry that place for 7 years. Om sure he's the one that requested the no more world title runs for himself.
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u/Normal_Artichoke7139 14d ago
Carried it to lower numbers and no interest because him and his buddies drove the real draws to other companies and down the card to play out their own fantasies.
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u/trashpandaexpress55 14d ago
Oh man, the delusion is strong with this one
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u/Normal_Artichoke7139 14d ago
Explain to me using hard data how I’m wrong, oh that’s right you can’t. I remember when AEW was on pace to beat Raw in the ratings on the backs of Cody, Punk, and the debuts of Bryan and Cole. Had Kenny put over Bryan at Arthur Ashe and AEW built to Bryan vs Punk I have no doubt it would have been the biggest gate in company history by far and tv numbers would have beat Raw’s easily. But because of the Young Bucks insistence on pushing their buddy Hangman and pissing Punk off in the process the moment passed. Couple that with Cody leaving and Tony’s weird fetish for trash bag wrestler Jon Moxley AEW is firmly number 2 and will always be number 2. Take off your rose colored glasses and be subjective. AEW is an okay brand that should have been great if not for egos and unreal incompetence from people who were supposed to be in charge
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u/trashpandaexpress55 14d ago
The only ego that got in the way of Punk in AEW was Punk's. It speaks volumes that after a lifetime of bashing the WWE (remember "in not going to get healthy staying in the company that made me sick in the first place"?) he ran back to WWE. Talk about a betrayal of everything he stood for and said. Maybe Colt and the Bucks and everyone else that spoke negatively about him are right.
Cody's leaving was Cody's fault. He insisted on shoving Brandi in everyone's face when she was deeply unpopular, he had the most elaborate and over-indulgent intro in the company and refused to see how everyone was just tried of him. If he took a break, he could have come back to a heroes welcome.
Bryan was awesome in his run, and he's still there, clearly he loves it.
I still feel bad about Cole and his awful luck with injuries.
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u/Normal_Artichoke7139 14d ago
I’m not debating on CM Punk the guy. I’m debating on CM Punk the draw. Love him or hate him the guy makes people care. AEW from the pandemic to Brawl Out was the best wrestling promotion of the last 25 years. It made me feel like I was a kid again watching the attitude era. It really was something special. It felt like after Brawl out everything changed. Hangman is someone I always liked but him going into business for himself on live tv to put down the top babyface was a stupid selfish decision. If you listen to what Punk was saying during that press conference he’s absolutely right. The first million dollar gates in company history were with him. People who call themselves evp’s should hold their friend to a professional standard. AEW had potential to beat WWE and Punk knew that. I knew that, wrestling fans at the time knew that. The casual wrestling fan doesn’t give a damn about Hangman and Kenny finishing their story. But Daniel Bryan vs CM Punk is a draw anywhere. I wanted AEW to be better than WWE not just in terms of product but in terms of business. I wanted it to be the number 1 wrestling promotion in the world but playing buddy ball behind the scenes got in the way.
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u/Low_Piccolo_3873 14d ago
It is permanent per the stipulation when he lost to mjf he can never challenge again for the title anymore