Swerve Strickland against Hangman Adam Page was AEW's darkest feud. Swerve won their first two matches, at WrestleDream and in a Texas Death match at Full Gear 2023, after breaking into Page's home and entering his sleeping child's room. Page won the final match a year later in a Lights Out steel cage match at All Out 2024, after burning down Swerve's childhood home.
Swerve leads 2–1. This page covers all three matches, the angles that made it personal, a comparison and our verdict.
Head-to-head record
Swerve Strickland vs. Hangman Adam Page: Swerve 2–1. Every big-event meeting between the two, oldest first.
| # | Date | Event | Venue | Match | Result | How |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oct 1, 2023 | AEW WrestleDream 2023 | Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle | Singles | Swerve Strickland won | JML Driver after a crown shot · 20:15 |
| 2 | Nov 18, 2023 | AEW Full Gear 2023 | Kia Forum, Inglewood, California | Texas Death match | Swerve Strickland won | Page could not answer the 10 count · 29:55 |
| 3 | Sep 7, 2024 | AEW All Out 2024 | Now Arena, Hoffman Estates, Illinois | Lights Out steel cage | Hangman Adam Page won | Knockout · 31:30 |
Every match: our commentary
AEW WrestleDream 2023 · Oct 1, 2023
With Prince Nana at ringside, Swerve and Page put on one of the best matches of the year. After the referee ejected Nana, Swerve hit Page with Nana's crown and then the JML Driver for the win. Dave Meltzer rated it 4.75 stars.
AEW Full Gear 2023 · Nov 18, 2023
After Swerve's home invasion angle, the rematch was a brutal Texas Death match with weapons and heavy bleeding. Swerve won when Page failed to beat the count, and Swerve later said the match had 'immortalized' him.
AEW All Out 2024 · Sep 7, 2024
A year later, after Page burned down Swerve's childhood home, the feud ended inside a steel cage with no rules. Page won by knockout to take the last word.
The backstory
The feud began in 2023 with a contract signing on Dynamite and turned into the most personal story in AEW when Swerve broke into Page's house. Swerve went on to become AEW World Champion in April 2024.
Page's revenge, burning down the house Swerve grew up in, was controversial but set up the cage match that ended it. By July 2025 the two had made peace: Swerve helped Page beat Jon Moxley for the AEW World Championship at All In Texas.
Tale of the tape
| Swerve Strickland | Hangman Adam Page | |
|---|---|---|
| Signature finish | House Call / Swerve Stomp / JML Driver | Buckshot Lariat |
| AEW World title | One reign (2024) | Two reigns (2021–22, 2025) |
| Before AEW | WWE NXT (Isaiah 'Swerve' Scott) | Ring of Honor, New Japan |
By the numbers
| Head-to-head stat | Swerve Strickland | Hangman Adam Page |
|---|---|---|
| Singles wins vs. each other | 2 | 1 |
| Gimmick-match wins | 1 (Texas Death) | 1 (Lights Out cage) |
How fans and critics reacted
WrestleDream 2023 was rated 4.75 stars by Dave Meltzer and named among the best matches of the year by many critics. The home invasion angle drew both praise and discomfort for how far it went.
Full Gear 2023's Texas Death match was praised as one of the most violent and emotional matches of AEW's year.
Our take
Swerve, 2–1. He won the first two matches clearly and became world champion off the back of this feud; Page's win came a year later and ended it.
Our view: WrestleDream 2023 is the best match of the three.
Our verdict: Swerve Strickland.
FAQ
Who won Swerve vs. Hangman?
Swerve Strickland won at WrestleDream 2023 and Full Gear 2023; Hangman Adam Page won the Lights Out cage match at All Out 2024. Swerve leads 2–1.
More rivalries
Sources: Wikipedia: WrestleDream (2023) · Wikipedia: Full Gear (2023) · Wikipedia: All Out (2024) · Sports Illustrated: Page wins AEW title at All In 2025. Facts verified Oct 18, 2026.