After enduring a turbulent journey filled with destruction and self-loathing for more than two years, “Hangman” Adam Web page is poised to turn the page on a new chapter in his wrestling career. As one of the founding members of the All Elite Wrestling (AEW) roster and a former World Champion, Web page is experienced in the art of holding prestigious titles. This year, however, his pathway to triumph in the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament—which culminates in a main-event match at Double or Nothing for a future title shot—is obstructed by an opponent he has yet to face in a one-on-one bout.
“This marks the second consecutive year I’ve reached the finals,” Web page reflects. “I’m just as proud of this achievement as I was last year. I’ll be competing against Will Ospreay at Double or Nothing, and this is a highly anticipated matchup I’ve been eager for. Many fans regard Ospreay as the best wrestler in the world today, and I can’t disagree with that assessment. He is truly extraordinary and distinctive. Especially since he joined AEW, I’ve witnessed his opponents striving and fighting harder than ever before, yet still falling short against him.”
The label of “best wrestler alive” may come off as an exaggeration, yet Web page’s forthcoming opponent at Double or Nothing certainly possesses an impressive track record to support such claims. Known as “The Aerial Assassin,” the 32-year-old Will Ospreay boasts an undefeated record of 8-0 in singles matches for 2025. He also earned Sports Illustrated’s Match of the Year award in 2024 alongside Bryan Danielson and is currently ranked third on the latest edition of Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s annual “Top 500 Wrestlers” list.
“He’s someone who has captured the hearts of the fans, and understandably so,” Web page comments. “It feels like two beloved wrestlers finally facing off against each other. The stakes are incredibly high—not only does the winner earn a shot at the World Championship, but the honor and recognition that come with it are immense. It’s somewhat nerve-wracking, yet it feels exhilarating.”
In the lead-up to their showdown in the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Finals, Web page and Ospreay formed a temporary alliance to take on the formidable Don Callis Family (Josh Alexander and Konosuke Takeshita) in a tag match on a weekly episode of AEW Dynamite. Was Web page utilizing this opportunity to scout Ospreay for their impending match?
“Absolutely, I was,” he admits. “I’ve been observing him ever since he arrived here. Given his exceptional talent, it was inevitable that I would eventually face him. I’ve been closely watching his matches—not merely as a competitor but as a professional wrestler. I’ve noted what he excels at, which is practically everything, but I’ve also identified minor flaws and gaps in his game that occasionally become apparent. Subconsciously, I’ve been preparing for this encounter for quite some time.”
The upcoming showdown between Web page and Ospreay at Double or Nothing transcends being a mere battle of two wrestling titans; it signifies the culmination of this year’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament (referred to as “the Owen”), an annual competition held to pay tribute to the Canadian grappler whose tragic passing during a WWF pay-per-view in 1999 profoundly impacted the wrestling world.
“I take immense pride in the Owen Hart Foundation match and in AEW as a whole,” Web page states emphatically. “I believe it’s one of the most remarkable initiatives AEW has ever launched. Honoring Owen Hart, both as a wrestler and as a compassionate individual, every year is a profound endeavor. With this year’s finals being showcased at the pay-per-view event and the winner receiving an opportunity to headline the biggest show of the year, the significance and weight of the match are unprecedented. I genuinely appreciate how AEW has been able to celebrate Owen in such a meaningful way.”
Despite the fact that All Elite Wrestling is still relatively new to the wrestling landscape—having been founded in 2019—fans have been following Web page’s journey for many years through the popular web series “Being The Elite.” Created by Nick and Matt Jackson, known as The Young Bucks, this series chronicled the adventures of The Elite, an influential group of wrestlers that includes Web page, the Bucks, and Kenny Omega.
“When I discuss my career and all that I’ve experienced, I can’t do so without acknowledging Being The Elite and its significance for wrestling. Honestly, AEW wouldn’t exist without it. It was the crucial vehicle that forged a connection with fans and sparked a movement, creating a dedicated following.”
“For me personally, ‘BTE’ has likely been the most enjoyable experience I’ve ever had in wrestling,” Web page shares. “It’s hard to fathom that, at the end of the day, it will always remain the most fun I’ve had in professional wrestling, primarily because those individuals are my closest friends—people I spend just as much, if not more, time with each week than my own family.”
“We all share a passion for the same thing. We are all creative individuals. Collaborating on this project never felt like work. In truth, it wasn’t work; it was always an enjoyable endeavor. It was a shared passion, and there were numerous occasions when we’d stay up late into the night. For the Halloween episode on the cruise, I didn’t sleep for a couple of days trying to make it happen, and it didn’t feel like a burden at all.”
“It felt like a whirlwind, as if I hadn’t slept at all, but it was such an enjoyable experience, a true privilege. The longer it continued, the more we began to see the results of our hard work. We would perform at Ring of Honor or New Japan events, and it felt like the audience was there to support Being The Elite on numerous occasions.”
“The attendance numbers skyrocketed, viewership increased significantly, and ultimately it led to the formation of All Elite Wrestling. Yet simultaneously, we had the awareness that our playful antics and enjoyment were positively reshaping the wrestling landscape. It’s an incredible feeling to have been part of such a significant change.”
However, while the camaraderie shared among Web page, Omega, and the Young Bucks played a pivotal role in launching AEW, the group has since experienced a dramatic fallout. All three men are set to compete in an explosive match titled Anarchy in the Arena, a 6-on-6 tag team clash that will see The Young Bucks teaming up with Jon Moxley’s notorious Death Riders stable to face off against Kenny Omega and a star-studded roster of AEW babyfaces.
“Indeed, the Bucks have been quite difficult lately, haven’t they? I’ll be cautious about how I phrase this. I’ve always tried to be respectful when discussing them since I owe so much of my career to them. I will always be mindful of that debt. However, I believe they might have misinterpreted my current mindset.”
“I’m uncertain whether to view that as a deliberate slight or a genuine misunderstanding, but they have certainly been unkind to Kenny, and I’ll affirm that. I haven’t checked in with Kenny since his return, perhaps not to the extent I should have. Maybe it’s something I need to address, and I recognize that it should be sooner rather than later. I’m not entirely sure why I haven’t.”
While a victory at Double or Nothing could potentially realign Web page’s trajectory towards the AEW World Championship, the past year for him within the company has been tumultuous, primarily focused not on title pursuits but on exacting personal revenge against Swerve Strickland. Now that their blood feud has simmered down, Web page admits he has neglected his own well-being in his quest for vengeance and expresses confusion over why fans continue to support him.
“I find myself questioning this regularly. When wrestling fans tune in to watch us every week, they are witnessing a genuine part of our lives unfold before them. They may not know us on a personal level, but it can feel that way,” Web page reflects. “It’s a strange dynamic, one that I can’t quite articulate, but it holds great significance.”
“As they watch AEW week after week, they are able to perceive aspects of us that perhaps we cannot see ourselves, as they are watching it unfold in real-time,” Web page elaborates. “They are able to believe in the parts of us that we might overlook, and that’s what this has meant for me. In all my experiences over the past few years, the fans who watch AEW regularly have believed in a better version of me than I did. It’s something I don’t often mention, but it is incredibly meaningful.”
This interview has been edited and condensed.
