The Devil vs The Damned
A Study in Contrasts and Hidden Parallels Between MJF and Hangman Adam Page
In the ever-evolving landscape of All Elite Wrestling, few rivalries promise the explosive narrative potential of a feud between Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF) and “Hangman” Adam Page.
Though polar opposites in persona, their shared history as holders of the AEW Men’s World Championship, and the company’s narrative anchors, creates a fascinating dichotomy.
This article explores how their contrasting identities; MJF’s narcissistic ruthlessness versus Hangman’s tormented heroism; mask intriguing parallels, setting the stage for a collision that could redefine AEW’s storytelling.
The Devil and the Desperado: A Tale of Two Champions
MJF: The Self-Made Sociopath
MJF embodies the antithesis of virtue.
A silver-tongued manipulator draped in designer suits, he weaponizes wealth, ego, and psychological warfare to dominate opponents.
His reign as Men’s World Champion (2022–2023) was marked by entitlement, cheating, and a refusal to acknowledge anyone as his equal.
Recent weeks have seen him torment Jeff Jarrett, mocking Jarrett’s fading relevance while positioning himself as AEW’s “generational talent”.
For MJF, power is transactional; a tool to humiliate, not inspire.
Hangman Page: The Fractured Hero
Hangman’s journey is one of tragic complexity.
Once a beloved underdog who overcame anxiety to claim the Men’s World Title in 2021, his descent into vengeance has reshaped him.
After a brutal feud with Swerve Strickland, culminating in a home invasion and arson; Hangman’s moral compass shattered.
His recent Texas Death Match victory over Christopher Daniels, which retired the legend, showcased a man consumed by rage, alienating allies and embracing isolation.
Where MJF thrives on chaos, Hangman is drowning in it.
Mirror Images in the Madness
Despite their stark differences, MJF and Hangman share uncanny similarities:
Championship Legacies
Both men have carried AEW’s top prize, yet their reigns reflect opposing philosophies.
Hangman’s title run was defined by vulnerability; a champion wrestling with self-doubt.
MJF’s reign, meanwhile, was a masterclass in narcissism, leveraging the belt to fuel his ego.
Their paths to the championship diverged, but their struggles to retain relevance post-reign reveal a shared desperation.
Violence as a Language
MJF’s violence is calculated, often outsourced to lackeys or executed with smug precision (e.g., his Dynamite Diamond Ring assaults).
Hangman’s brutality, however, is raw and emotional; a manifestation of unresolved trauma.
Both men weaponize pain, but where MJF inflicts it for sport, Hangman does so as penance.
The Burden of Being “The Main Character”
AEW has positioned both as central figures in its universe.
Hangman’s arc, from anxious cowboy to unhinged avenger, mirrors MJF’s transformation from entitled prodigy to unrepentant villain.
Their stories explore the cost of ambition: Hangman’s soul versus MJF’s humanity.
The Feud That Could Redeem, or Destroy
Recent tensions on Dynamite hint at this clash’s inevitability.
After Hangman stormed past MJF during a backstage segment, the latter smirked, declaring, “I think you’re the devil”.
This line cuts to the core of their dynamic: MJF, the self-proclaimed “Devil,” sees his reflection in Hangman’s descent.
Their feud could force both to confront their darkest traits.
For Hangman, stepping into the ring with MJF, a man who weaponizes apathy as ruthlessly as any chair shot, could serve as a warped mirror, forcing him to confront the monster he’s become.
MJF’s total lack of empathy, his gleeful indifference to the carnage he causes, might jolt Hangman into recognizing the hypocrisy of his own rage-fueled crusade.
After all, Hangman’s recent descent; torching stablemates, brutalizing veterans like Christopher Daniels, echoes MJF’s playbook, albeit with a critical difference: GUILT.
Where MJF revels in his moral bankruptcy, Hangman’s actions are tinged with self-loathing, a dissonance MJF would mock as weakness.
To defeat the devil, Hangman might first need to remember he’s still human.
Conversely, MJF could weaponize Hangman’s unraveling psyche, taunting fans for their hypocrisy: cheering Hangman’s violent outbursts while vilifying his own calculated cruelty.
By amplifying Hangman’s rage, perhaps gaslighting him into even more reckless acts, MJF might position himself as the ‘honest villain’ in contrast to Hangman’s ‘hypocritical hero,’ arguing that the audience enables both men’s sins but only judges one.
A Battle for AEW’s Soul
MJF and Hangman represent two sides of AEW’s identity: the brash, unapologetic future versus the fractured, idealistic past.
Their clash transcends wrestling; it’s a philosophical war.
Will Hangman’s rage validate MJF’s cynicism, or can the cowboy reclaim his nobility?
As AEW teeters on the edge of a new era, this feud could determine whether the company’s heart belongs to the devil or the damned.