Since the beginning, rivalries amongst wrestlers have been a key part of the pro wrestling industry. Over the years in AEW, we have seen a lot of rivalry that has made history and careers of many superstars. The rivalry is a part of the sport and fans enjoy it.
However, we hardly hear about the rivalries that go out of the ring in wrestling. Such is the case between CM Punk and Adam Page in AEW. Both superstars had a bitter perspective about each other since 2022. Although the rivalry was in a calm state, in the latest episode of AEW Collision CM Punk has done enough damage with his words Off-Air for making the rivalry alive between them.
CM Punk bodies Adam Page in an off-air segment
CM Punk took a dig at his alleged real-life rival Adam Page aka “Hangman” Adam Page after the latest episode of AEW Collision. It is undeniable that CM Punk is one of the best on the microphone in pro wrestling history. His promo skills have always been praiseworthy ever since his debut.
During the main event of this week’s episode of AEW Collision, CM Punk, and “Fear The Revolt” aka FTR failed to secure the World Trios Championship from House of Black in a formidable encounter. After the show went off the air, Punk and FTR interacted with fans in North Carolina. The Second City Saint mentioned his former rival, Hangman Adam Page, whom he allegedly had real-life beef with.
He also took a quirky shot at Adam by claiming that Hangman can’t move merchandise like him.
CM Punk ripped on Hangman Adam Page after AEW Collision. pic.twitter.com/0jgr38A8qf
— Wrestling News (@WrestlingNewsCo) August 13, 2023
“Carolina is Hangman country [referencing a sign in the crowd]. Earlier today, I went to a local supermarket and I figured out why they call him Hangman. It’s because the pegs in the toy aisle are full of Hangman action figures because nobody wants to buy them. He’s a peg warmer, unlike me, who moves merchandise, pops ratings, sells toys.”- said CM Punk.
Even though CM Punk has been in the top numbers of merchandise sales in the pro wrestling world, Hangman is also doing good at sales to his extent. This dig might be on purpose and may be the beginning of a new arc in their rivalry at AEW.
Hangman’s real-life feud with CM Punk
After CM Punk made his long-awaited return to wrestling on August 20th, 2021 with his spectacular entrance on AEW Rampage to his final explosive press conference after All Out 2022. It can be undoubtedly said that the year was in the name of CM Punk, The peak point of his run had to be his huge win over “Hangman” Adam Page at AEW Double or Nothing 2022.
It was his first championship match in over 8 years, and fans saw him walk out of the Arena as the AEW Champion for the first time in the superstar’s career. It ended Adam Page‘s reign with the belt in AEW. The build-up to the match between both superstars seemed as simple as any other. This starts with CM Punk quickly racking up wins in AEW over several wrestlers, like Eddie Kingston, Darby Allin, and Wardlow.
Meanwhile, Hangman had spent the previous two years trying his best to climb to the top of the AEW roster. After his split from his team “The Elite”, he battled depression to finally beat Kenny Omega at Full Gear 2021 and win the first AEW Championship in his career. He defended his title numerous times, including against Adam Cole, and Dante Martin but the biggest thorn in his path was CM Punk at Double or Nothing 2022.
The story was as simple as it needed to be and fans were just excited to see their childhood hero fighting inside the ring for the biggest prize in AEW. However, it was the build-up to the match that started all the issues between CM Punk and Adam Page. During an intense confrontation on AEW Dynamite in May 2022, Adam Page apparently went off the script on Punk, claiming that he has been “protecting” AEW from the likes of CM Punk, a jab that CM Punk looked confused about and took to heart. The segment was an all-time great one but one which the former AEW Champion remembered for months, even after beating Page at Double or Nothing 2022.
Do you think Hangman will respond to this taunt from Punk in the upcoming week or will he just avoid it? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
