The Unwavering Vow of Hangman Adam Page

Hangman Adam Page and his unwavering vow to champion more than titles.

Hangman Adam Page. A name inside the pro wrestling sphere that has become synonymous with courage, loyalty, compassion, and everything in between. Adam Page is more than just a pro wrestler. He’s a devoted husband, a loving father, and friend.

At 18 years old, the baby-faced, blue-eyed all-American teenager set out to become something in the wrestling business. 14 years later, Page has held titles of the highest level in wrestling promotions like Ring of Honor and AEW. Being dripped in gold under the glimmering lights on the grandest stages is every wrestler’s dream, but for Page, the odds were continuously stacked against him. The one thing that never faltered was his connection to fans around the world.

Ring of Honor

After dominating the Mid-Atlantic territory and much of the United States, Page set his sights on Ring of Honor in 2011. While he wrestled steadily for a number of years with the promotion, it wasn’t until the heightened Bullet Club craze of 2016 that he became more than just a blue-collar high school teacher that just so happened to also wrestle.

He continuously proved himself as a wrestler, however, many overlooked him; referring to him as the “least successful member of The Elite.” By this point, there were about a combined 28 years of experience between the core founding members of The Elite, putting Page at around 25 years old. Working for one of the hottest promotions in the world at that point while holding the ROH Six-Man Tag titles as his place in wrestling is being questioned, undoubtedly weighed on his conscience.

At the creation of AEW, Hangman was an integral part of the company. Partaking in many career-defining singles matches like the ones against Chris Jericho and PAC, as well as his tag run with fellow Elite member Kenny Omega, fans became increasingly familiar with the real Cowboy, garnering him more adoration.

AEW

Only after Page continuously lost the big title matches did he begin to crack. He lost himself, his friends, and his self-confidence, leading him down a path of dark self-destruction. While it was a gut-wrenching storyline to watch play out, he cemented himself as one of the most relatable people in wrestling. At the end of the day, that’s what they are, right? People trying their best just like you and I, just with different stakes. Page has never shied away from discussing grappling with his mental health on a large platform, being dubbed the “Anxious Millennial Cowboy.”

People don’t just love Page for how many flips he can land or how much beer he can chug. Page’s relentless vulnerability with the audience is what’s earned him the respect and support of many. Men’s mental health isn’t discussed nearly as much as it should be. In recent years, a cultural shift has taken place, bringing mental health awareness to the forefront. In pro wrestling specifically, the glamorizing Hollywood level stars of the past had to shove their demons in the closet and battle them alone. Forced to follow the societal standards of toxic masculinity, connecting beyond a surface level was sometimes a challenge.

With AEW, wrestlers are encouraged to seek treatment with no judgment or questions asked. That the new generation value the appeal of challenging norms, makes them feel more comfortable being themselves. Sure, wrestlers are larger-than-life characters, but when the cameras are off and the lights dim, they’re living a double life. In every other form of media, viewers relate most to a character's struggles and how they’re able to overcome them. Wrestling does the same with its storytelling, so why shouldn’t there be real-life elements that bring us closer together while also bridging the gap in areas like mental health?

Other wrestlers like Eddie Kingston, Jon Moxley, and Dax Harwood, are open about their own struggles. Every time Page steps in front of a mic, his unwavering vow to destigmatize the negative connotations surrounding mental health is at the forefront. In a recent promo before his title match against Moxley on AEW Dynamite, Page did this exact thing. However this time, he made it known that someone can go through things without being categorized as weak.

“So I’m not the same. I’m angry, I’m frustrated; I can’t sleep at night, I’m anxious, I’m depressed. The medicine is not working but I am still here because I am a man.”

Day in and day out Page proves he’s more than just a professional wrestler. He’s a champion of a lot more than wrestling titles.