Voices of Wrestling 2023 Match of the Year: #3 (Swerve Strickland vs. “Hangman” Adam Page)

A legendary and bloody Texas Death Match between “Hangman” Adam Page and Swerve Strickland finishes #3 in Voices of Wrestling’s 2023 Match of the Year.

VOICES OF WRESTLING 2023 MATCH OF THE YEAR ARCHIVES

• Introduction & Honorable Mentions
• Matches #100-76
• Matches #75-51
• Matches #50-26
• Matches #25-11
• Match of the Year Statistical Analysis & Top 10 Early Reveal (FlagshipPatreon.com)
• Match #10: Bryan Danielson vs. Ricky Starks
• Match #9: Katsuhiko Nakajima vs. Kento Miyahara
• Match #8: Fuminori Abe vs. Takuya Nomura
• Match #7: Tetsuya Naito vs. Will Ospreay
• Match #6: “Hangman” Adam Page vs. Jon Moxley
• Match #5: Bryan Danielson vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
• Match #4: MJF vs. Bryan Danielson

#3
Swerve Strickland vs. “Hangman” Adam Page
11/18
AEW

Overall Points: 952
Total Votes: 129
% of Ballots: 58.37%
14 First-Place Votes

“Killshot vs. Mr. Texas Death himself. My god did this hit on every level possible. Angry, all black Hangman is the best Hangman. This is the guy that could be the next Stan Hansen. The absolute STAR that everyone knows he can be. Swerve is a house of fire here as well. Between his work in CZW and Lucha Underground, this performance should be no surprise. This was beautiful, violent, gross (put down that fruit punch), and epic in all the right ways. The best part though, this won’t be it between them.” -Steve Case

“A match that reminded the back office of what this company should be about.” -Ryan Neitzey

“I can’t remember seeing a deathmatch of this tone on such a mainstream level. Hangman and Swerve went above and beyond here, and created a bout that will always be remembered as a result. Disturbing (and often disgusting) in the best possible way. Brian Cage’s interference towards the end felt a little unnecessary, but that’s a minor criticism of an absolute violent masterpiece.” -Jack G. King

“It’s awesome to see such a violent modern grudge match that doesn’t have the pitfalls that I would expect in a match like this. Swerve is a perfect heel, and maintaining that throughout this match only adds to the story. Of course, people can point to the blood-drinking, cinder blocks, staples, barbed-wire, and piledrivers onto the guardrail for huge moments, but what stood out was the masterful job Swerve did keeping the heat on Page.” -Steven Graham

“Aggression, emotion, engagement, purpose and authenticity. And both lads come out of it stronger than they went in. Proper wrestling.” -Gareth Hodgson

“One of the best North American hardcore matches in recent memory. Swerve vs. Hangman II took the phrase “blood feud” to a new level inside the Kia Forum, with the creative brutality exemplified by both men standing out from the crowd among even the best gorey matches in AEW history. While Hangman has gotten to prove his abilities in matches of this style throughout his AEW tenure, this was Swerve’s first chance to show that side of himself to such a large audience, and he made sure not to let them leave disappointed.” -Dylan Murray

“One of the greatest AEW matches of all time. A match that elevated Swerve Strickland to new heights and reminded the world who the hell Hangman Page is. It’s damn near perfect and the reason AEW’s existence is so important to pro wrestling.” -Scott Edwards

“A bloody and violent war between these two! Page wastes no time and rushes out during Swere’s entrance to jump start this fight and nails a Buckshot Lariat in the opening minutes of the match. Page tapes Swerve’s hands together and attacks him with a staple gun! Swerve is pouring blood already! A low blow buys Swerve time to free his hands and attacks Page. A piledriver on the barricade busts open Page and the ring is covered in both men’s blood! Barbed wire, barbed wire wrapped chair, broken glass! My God! These two are trying to murder each other! Page drops Swerve onto a barbed wire board and lands bomb after bomb on him! Buckshot Lariat! Nana helps Swerve get to his feet! Brian Cage rushes in and tries to take out Page but Page fires back to get rid of him. Page with a Deadeye to Nana through a table! Page is going after everyone! Swerve with a cinder block to the back of Page’s head! Page still beats the count! Swerve uses a chain to choke out Page! Swerve is hanging the Hangman! Page tries to stand but he can’t do it and Swerve gets the win. What a goddamn war between these two! Sold the intensity and violent nature of their feud with Page fighting everyone to get his hands on Swerve, only to be beaten by his own method. Glorious Pro Wrestling Violence! ****3/4″ -Alex Kalil

“This was my MOTY cause it had the blood drinking and lots of violence” -Andrew Lacelle

“Hell yeah.” -Fred Morlan

“I got my start at VoW reviewing Lucha Underground and one of the wildest things I’ve still ever seen to this day was the Hell of War match Swerve and AR Fox had together. After the Texas Death Matches Hangman had been in, this felt like it was going to be a bloody, horrible, can’t miss event.

WE HAD NO IDEA

Swerve Strickland seems to have a distain for his own well being that at times transcends even Darby Allin’s. Sure, Darby will fling himself down a set of stairs… but would he let a man staple his children’s artwork to his face?

The booking was a little odd, but nothing could tarnish this. It was everything I hoped it’d be.” -Jeremy Sexton

“I struggled to pick the best match of the year this year but ultimately I went with the match that made me feel the most and minted what I think are going to be the 2 stars of this next era. Hangman and Swerve absolutely deliver a masterclass of a fight that is visceral and raw and just hits rare heights. The rarest of rare matches where everyone involved is elevated into legend and a match that could not have come at a more crucial time for AEW. The vibe was here.” -Arturo Galletti

“Hangman Page drinking the blood of his enemy as it flowed from his head reminded me why professional wrestling is the sport of kings. This was righteous violence, justified rage, and everything that is good about this sport.” -Suit Williams

“A match of brutal legend, marked by compelling carnage and deep-seated animosity, taking stage in an environment where mainstream wrestling often veers into excessive plasticity, contrivance, and artificiality. Matches showcasing this level of authenticity and grit should just not just be embraced, they are now indispensable. In a year where AEW sought to define its identity, Strickland v Page served as definitive evidence that alternatives are imperative. It underscores the importance of defying expectations and subverting conventions, leading to unforgettable moments that fans will cherish for decades. This match holds a significant place in the modern wrestling landscape.” -Warren Hayes

“This match may not have been as fluid as Adam Page’s encounter with Jon Moxley earlier in the year but it was somehow more violent. This was a complete tour-de-force that sent an audience completely hysterical and gathered weeks of headlines. It proved to be a pivotal moment for Strickland whilst confirming Page as AEW’s gimmick match specialist.

The image of Adam Page spitting Swerve’s blood in the air is now an iconic one for the company. It was an outstanding deathmatch that helped to change the course of the company.” -Trish Speirs

“A bloody, glorious mess. Violence as art. A rivalry cemented. I look forward to these two clashing again and again and again.” -Marty Day

“If you had asked me, at the beginning of the year, if I thought Swerve Strickland would be in my Top 10 of 2023, I would have laughed and asked for you to pass me the joint, cuz clearly you’ve had enough for today. Boy, did I turn out to be wrong. Swerve has had an insane elevation in my perception since the year began. Pair the killer run he was on (and continued afterwards) with a man I’ve loved since ROH, Hangman Adam Page in a Texas Death Match and I’m thinking “Oh, this will be a fun plunder match i can get into.” Fuck, I spent the entire match smiling and so goddamn happy that they took my expectations, crumpled them into a ball, flushed them down the toilet, and then drank each other’s blood to spit in my face for ever having doubted they’d blow my fucking head off with their talent. Woulda been my number one if the Continental Classic and World’s End hadn’t followed after it.” -James “NuclearConvoy” Snelgrove

“He drank his blood and spat it out.

The hatred in this match was palpable in a way we rarely find. Visceral hatred combined with reckless abandon created a whirlwind of violence that was impossible to look away from. A perfectly crafted story, interjected with a spot that makes Gangrel look like a lightweight.

I’ll never forget the blood, Hangman having the tables turned and being hanged himself, or the way Swerve walked towards Page whilst stapling his own chest. Loved it.” -Neil David

“A great hot open for this one as Page forgoes his entrance and attacked Swerve straight from the off. The use of the staple gun not just on the muscles but also on the cheek of Swerve was disgusting and really set the tone for the level of hatred and violence that was going to be on display in this match. And that’s not even to mention later on in the match where a blood soaked Swerve staples himself just for fun! Page drinking Swerve’s blood before spitting it in to the air was an absolutely revolting spot but god I loved seeing it! They just kept ratcheting up the intensity in this match. There was a Death Valley driver on the apron on to a cinder block for Christ’s sake! And that’s not to mention the moonsault with barbed wire chairs, tombstones and powerbombs on to barbed wires chairs, 450s on to broken glass, somersault fall away slams through barbed wire boards, and even Prince Nanna taking a deadeye from the apron through a table. But what will stick with me most of all from this match was the barbed wire chair getting caught on hangman’s flesh and hair in the corner and how disgusting it was as it was being pulled off. The match again ending with a hanging chain spot, calling back to Page’s other great Texas Death match with Mox earlier in the year. There’s something about these Texas Death matches that AEW do. Every time you know you are going to get an absolute war, and probably one of the best matches all year.” -Steven Lehmann

“I’m not gonna say it’s the modern day Tully vs Magnum but it’s in the same realm. Reminiscent of how Triple H got over with his street fight with Cactus Jack at the 2000 Royal Rumble, this match has catapulted Swerve Strickland into the main event scene in AEW. A modern twist on the old Texas Death Match that would make Dusty and The Sheik blush. One thing that I will always remember was that the Hollywood actor Ken Jeong was in the front row laughing at the beginning of the match like “Haha, look at the wrestling.”

By the end where Swerve is hanging Hangman, he’s slack jawed with fear over his face.” -JML

“Brutal. Sadistic. Unrelenting. Unrepentant. Uncompromising. A goddamn masterpiece of violence. 10/10 no notes.” -Slyguy46

“I’ve watched this about 5 times and I’m still in awe of how violent this got. Hangman making Swerve bleed into his mouth made me scream. Just when you think they’ve topped out with barbed wire, here comes glass. A real star making match for Swerve and a reminder that Hangman is a bad ass.” -Brett Miles

“There rarely has been a match I saw live that disgusted me more while at the same time being so fascinating that I just couldn’t help but keep watching. The bloody, discomforting and vile visuals of this will forever live in AEW history and in the minds of everyone who saw this Death Match.” -STRIGGA

“Fittingly brutal for such a personal feud, although that’s almost an understatement as this was on another level. This was incredibly extreme – quite possibly a bit ‘too much’ for some people. They walked a thin line at the end as you started to wonder what they’d actually have to do to put each other down. But what an incredible performance from both guys who utterly put their bodies on the line here. Huge respect to both men as they didn’t flinch from anything and threw themselves 110% into this. While their previous match could be considered Swerve’s coming out party, this is where he engraved his name in the upper echelon of today’s performers.” -Theo Sambus

“The second time in 2023 that Hangman puts on a match of the year candidate in Texas Death. I think I’ve said it almost every year I’ve voted in this poll, Hangman Page may be one of the most under-rated in ring wrestlers in the world. His lack of volume ultimately holds him back from the tippy top of the mountain – but in a big spot he ALWAYS delivers. In a big time match , on any given night – he can be the best in the world. Look back at the tag match with Omega against the Bucks (2020 VOW Match of the Year), the two Bryan Danielson matches, the title win against Kenny Omega, and now this Texas Death Two Step.

And then there’s Swerve. Someone that a lot of us have been waiting to take that next step. He has the skill, the look, the charisma. He’s got something special and this night it came out. It came out in the form of a horror movie villain – walking through staple shots, manically stapling himself in the chest – all with a face covered in so much blood he looked more like a monster than a wrestler. Here’s hoping that Swerve gets to take that next step in 2024. Here’s hoping we get more greatness from the Swerve/Hangman feud. Here’s hoping we complete the trilogy and are talking about Swerve/Mox Texas Death in this poll next year. In the meantime go back and watch this match again. I recently did and it had me hyped for days. It made me insanely excited to vote in this poll, to do this write up, and to see the VOW MOTY poll results. Most of all – it just made me love pro wrestling.” -S. Dakota Jones

“Different than anything else this year. When I think of 2023, it’s the first match that comes to mind. Violent, brilliant and psychologically sound. A bloody beautiful waltz of violence. It
Designed to get Swerve to the next level. Mission accomplished. *Prince Nana dance*” -Jim Valley

“Okay this match being on my list is weird because typically I despise matches like Shane Strickland vs. Adam Page and the Texas Death Match. When I was a kid I thought blood was cool when I got older I didn’t like it being in wrestling unless it was used correctly. This match was a blood fest and while it made me cringe at points while the match could have probably done well without having it the amount of blood loss that happened in this match while excessive was definitely needed in this case. This was a Texas death match and while AEW didn’t go with the original Texas Death match style of rules that they usually have this match not having the same rule set was okay. I’m a believer that things can evolve and change it depends what it is but this match not being an old school Texas Death Match didn’t bother me at all. I wasn’t quite sure of the history going into this match because I’ve kind of shied away from AEW as of late but when this match happened on Pay Per View I was intrigued to know the backstory and know I took the time to do the research and this feud definitely deserved to have a match of this caliber attached to it. Was the match good? No it wasn’t, it was excellent albeit cringe worthy at moments but the match did what it needed to do and bring the Hangman Adam Page and Swerve Strickland feud to a bloody finale. Is this match going to be for everyone no but if you love bloodbaths than this match is going to be right up your alley but be warned it’s not for the weak of heart and it’s not going to be for everyone and it may not even appear on a lot of people’s top ten lists but it made it on mine because it deserves it’s rightful place on it.” -Nathan Neumann

“The necessity to protect Hangman Page in his second consecutive loss to Swerve made this one a little longer in the tooth that it needed to be. The interference from Prince Nana and Brian Cage, while arguably necessary to keep Hangman Page from being “the guy who lost clean to somebody who broke into his house and talked at his empty crib”, took the match past its peak and somewhat confused the idea that beating Hangman twice was proof of Swerve’s ascension, since technically, he hadn’t done so cleanly either time. That’s mostly just a nitpick to explain why it isn’t in my top 3. Besides that small blemish, this match is pro wrestling violence and viciousness at its best. I don’t know if there’s a more fitting “signature match” in wrestling right now than Adam Page and the Texas Death Match. The way the soft-spoken anxious millennial cowboy turns into a purveyor and recipient of some of the most gruesome wrestling carnage you’ll ever see only gets better every time out and I don’t think it’s getting old anytime soon.” -Jeff Ahmed

“Elevating gratuitous violence to an art form, this fucking snuff film is best viewed through your fingers and with a stiff drink to hand. In addition to making The Passion of the Christ look like a romcom, this mauling is chock-a-block with incredible in-ring storytelling. How do you tell someone you hate them without words? You drink their blood and then spit it back at them. Duh. Primal, vicious, animalistic, this is sensational. If the goal of wrestling is to make the viewer feel something, this match makes you feel everything,” -Martin Hearty

“He drank his fucking blood! What more do I need to say?

This is not only of the greatest matches of the year, but it might be the most beautiful depiction of pure hatred ever conveyed in the ring. Other companies may run an angle involving home invasion and violation of family members, but by the time the match starts guys are locking up and following all the rules. There may be plunder and blood, but so often the alleged hatred just fails to materialize. Here, both men understood the assignment. Hangman doesn’t wait for his theme to play and slowly make his way to the ring, he jumps Swerve, beats the piss out of him, staples his body, cuts him with barbed wire, and oh yeah, DRINKS HIS FUCKING BLOOD! This isn’t the finish, this is the opening gambit. The match does not slow down with Swerve gaining control and giving it back just as hard as he got. Cinderblocks, glass, more barbed wire, and a chain noose! It’s brutal, it’s violent, and unlike so many deathmatches, there’s a purpose to all of it. If you’re not squeamish, this is a must watch.” -Jason Westhaver

“Disgustingly great professional wrestling match!” -Brendan West

“If you want to see of the best deathmatches of all time, I think this is it? They destroyed one another. Lots of incredible violence. Swerve drank his opponents blood. I would have liked it more if Brian Cage hadn’t run in, but I can’t deny this was an incredible spectacle. Not something I’d want to watch every week.” -Bryan Rose

“I’m generally not a huge fan of death matches, Texas or otherwise. And this one had plenty of repellant moments for me. But if I’m making a list of what matches will be remembered from 2023, this is burned into my brain. Not just for the balls-out craziness of stapling kids drawings to the face or drinking of blood, but how well these guys convinced me they meant it.” -Kevin Ely

“Obscenely over the top violence and I loved it. Swerve went into the match with something to prove and came out of it a made man” -Lee Malone

“A rawly violent match between Swerve Strickland and Adam Page that served to show the animosity between these two. Spots that will be remembered for years to come. A classic that we’ll be able to revisit in a few years’ time, seeing just how pivotal a fight it was for Adam Page and, above all, Swerve.

A landmark victory for Swerve Strickland, which propels him to the top of the AEW card and will, I hope, deliver us a memorable year in 2024.” -Traff

“Textbook definition of blood feud.. Not for the squeamish. Page going 0-2 to get Swerve over was the way to go. We’ll see how that plays out in 2024.” -Eric Krol

“All-time banger. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time and I’ve never seen something so brutal in my life. HANGMAN DRANK SWERVE’S BLOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” -Anne from Tunnel Talk

“Everything the violent world of professional wrestling can and should be. One of two big Hangman Page Texas Death matches this year that displayed a violence, brutality and emotion that only this artform can provide.” -Josh R. Hoxha

“An honest-to-goodness absolutely fantastic deathmatch, which is a phrase I never thought I’d say. Hangman drinking Swerve’s blood will probably be etched into my brain forever.” -Elliot Imes

“After the extremely awesome WrestleDream match these two had, I was deeply disappointed that this feud went in the silly sports entertainment direction with the home invasion angle. This is the only wrestling match I can remember that achieved such a convincing level of emotion and brutality, and included specific resonant references to the home invasion, that it retroactively made a goofy, unbelievable angle feel like a meaningful and even effective piece of storytelling. This will be remembered as a starmaking moment for Strickland- a *real* starmaking moment. But with that said, I still came out of this match thinking it was Page who was the most compelling performer in wrestling today. The match almost feels like a prophecy fulfilled for the Hangman, as he became the ruthless asskicker we always wanted him to be. The instantly-infamous blood drinking spot may have turned a lot of stomachs but it is the moment that makes this match what it is. Adam Page’s performance of that action and the moment after it in which he stood on the turnbuckle, Swerve’s blood dripping from his mouth, felt so organic and powerful.
The chemistry Hangman and Swerve have together is something special and I hope it is as clear to Tony Khan as it is to me, and apparently Strickland and Page, that these men are promotion-defining career rivals in the making.” -Casey Fiore

“This match was absolutely mind-blowing. Hangman Page wasted no time and charged at Swerve with full force. Hangman completely dominated the early stages of the match, showcasing his aggression. He bound Swerve’s hands together with duct tape and mercilessly shot staples into his chest using a staple gun. To add insult to injury, Hangman even went as far as stapling one of his son’s drawings to Swerve’s face. At this point, Swerve was left a bloody mess, and shockingly, Hangman decided to DRINK SWERVE’S BLOOD, making it one of the most repulsive moments I’ve witnessed in a wrestling match.

Swerve made a remarkable comeback by delivering a Death Valley Driver onto a cinderblock. From that point on, both competitors engaged in a brutal back-and-forth exchange, inflicting punishment on each other with a barbed-wire chair, shards of broken glass, a barbwire board, and a steel chain. The climax of the match unfolded as Hangman valiantly fought off Prince Nana and Brain Cage, allowing Swerve to smash a cinderblock over Page’s head and ultimately choke him out with a steel chain to secure the victory.

This will go down as one of the wildest death matches in wrestling history. Furthermore, it will be remembered as the defining moment that propelled Swerve to the status of a top star in AEW.” -Jeremy Donovan

“If you’re not a fan of violent and bloody wrestling, this match definitely will not be for you. That being said, this was one of TWO incredible Texas Deathmatches that Adam Page had this year, showing his aptitude for this kind of match. The raw emotion of the opening was an excellent build for the bloody spectacle that followed, and the finish cemented these two men as the future of this company.” -George Atsaves

“An incredible, violent blowoff to their 2023 feud which I think did a tremendous job in elevating Strickland. This match already felt special from the first second Hangman Page stormed to the ring with no entrance music, not willing to wait another second to get his hands on Swerve. The complete opposite to the over-produced farcicals we’ve seen over the years out of the likes of The Miz against The Fiend. The first 5 minutes are all about Hangman getting his revenge in ways we’ve never seen in major league pro-wrestling. Hangman stapling his son’s fingerpainting onto Swerve’s cheek and then ripping it off was a poetic reminder of his crimes, and then grabbing Swerve by the hair and drinking his flowing blood was gruesome beyond compare. Swerve spent most of this match looking like he was fighting a Cenobite rather than a Cowboy. Just like the Hangman/Moxley deathmatch, this one ended with a hanging too, only it was Page this time that ended up on the wrong end of things with Swerve wrapping a steel chain around his neck and hoisting him up in the corner with the last drop of energy in his body like he was recreating the ending of The Hateful Eight.” -Ed Mills

“Swerve Strickland geysering blood out of his head and smiling through a bloody grill is the most “pro wrestling” image of 2023. Hangman Page in a Texas Death Match is the most reliable producer of brilliant and horrifying violence. Combined? Match of the year.” -Jeff Martin

“This match cements the futures of Strickland and Page as the future of AEW. They both put in their best performances to date. It was probably one of the most violent matches I’ve seen from American mainstream wrestling.” -Rene Martinez

“I don’t even like these types of matches, but this one grabbed hold and wouldn’t let go. Insane match in all the best ways.” -Jeff Cohen

“The match between Page and Strickland was intense and filled with bloody aspirations. In many ways, their rivalry reminded me of Batman’s never-ending feud with Joker from the comic books. Both Page and Strickland need each other to improve and become super unstoppable versions of themselves. This match was a turning point for Strickland, and it cemented his fate as the future AEW World Champion.” -Brie Coder

“The night Swerve Strickland was made a star.

The longer this brutal match went on, the greater that feeling that we were watching special grew. Violent by design, difficult to watch by nature. Never have two men come out of a match feeling like this level of badass.

So many iconic moments all in one match is an insane level of inspired creation. Hangman on his back drinking blood open-mouthed, Swerve stapling himself whilst laughing covered in blood, Swerve’s barbed wire chair shot wrapping the wire around Hangman’s head, Swerve hanging the Hangman himself; all immediately images that’ll stay printed in your head.” -Matt Maher (aka Imp)

“This type of match is not my cup of tea at all and never has been. But I was here for the star making performance of Swerve Strickland and Adam Page becoming a straight up AEW icon. As far as death matches having actual wrestling squeezed in between DRINKING YOUR OPPONENTS BLOOD, this was an absolute spectacle. You couldn’t look away from it even if you wanted to. Magnetic brutality. Swerve hitting a 450 on Page while he was covered in BROKEN GLASS was next level violent athleticism. One of the most brutal matches I’ve ever seen.” -Noveliss

“No match this year prompted more reflection or self-evaluation on the part of wrestling critics and fans than this. What is pro wrestling? What is it not? Why do I watch it? Does it act as a release valve for our baser instincts or does it gradually push us towards ever-desensitized, decadent masochism? These are questions bigger than any one match, but after arguably the bloodiest and most unhinged deathmatch ever promoted by a national American company, ones we all couldn’t help but mull over.” -Bruce Lord

“This match was brutal, but so great. I was invested throughout the whole entire match. This feud for me probably best feud/storyline in AEW last year. Swerve in this match showed why he can be a top guy in this company.” -Filip Pejic

“This match left everyone speechless. AEW’s most violent deathmatch of all time, and that is saying something. Both men were incensed on stealing the show in a match that will make both men forever bound in professional wrestling lore. Hangman was on fire, Strickland was a wonderful, psychotic heel, and the call backs to their feud throughout and increasing levels of brutality was excellent.” -Andrew Kelly

“The feud between Adam Page and Swerve Strickland got off to a strong start with an incredible contest at the WrestleDream PPV in Seattle. However, things took a bit of a wackier turn in the form of a home invasion angle that saw Swerve cut a promo on page in front of the crib of Page’s very young child.. The positive that came from this is that it set up a Texas Death Match for Full Gear in Los Angeles. Hangman already had an amazing Texas Death Match earlier in the year against Jon Moxley at Revolution (a bout that had been involved in a lot of Match Of The Year discussions since it took place), so the expectations for this bout were understandably high. While interference from Mogul Embassy member Brian Cage did take away from the match a little bit, this was still an incredibly violent affair right from the opening bell. The violence in this match was a sight to behold, as these two did everything they could to destroy each other. Page stapling one of his child’s finger paintings to Swerve’s head before drinking Swerve’s blood are two moments that I will never forget. Swerve had his fair share of amazing moments as well, and ultimately got the victory over Hangman (which ended his undefeated run in Texas Death Matches up to this point). This was truly a star-making performance for Swerve, and his performance in this match has catapulted him towards the main event scene. He will absolutely be a key player for AEW in 2024, and it’s off the back of this spectacular masterpiece of violence with Adam Page.” -Sean Sedor

“A beautiful symphony of violence and the best deathmatch since the FTR vs Briscoes classic from last year. A bloodbath of a match this was a rare moment where I felt just a little bit uncomfortable while watching the action. I can remember the grimace on my face while seeing the staples sunk into the face of Swerve and when seeing a cinderblock used as a heavy weapon. I am not a fan of senseless violence and deathmatches in wrestling but when it is done in the right manner it can be some of the best most meaningful action that can be seen in and out of the wrestling ring. This was intense and insane violence done absolutely right.” -Jason Turner

“Adam Page turning into a Cowboy Vampire and finding the best use of staples since New Jack would see Hangman get his revenge on Swerve but with Strickland channeling his inner Ibushi/Ishii by walking through the stapler shots from Page, it felt like his bloodied Stone Cold rising while in the Sharpshooter. This match feels like it was to deathmatches what Ospreay/Ricochet was to high-flying, it changed the genre.” -Peter Edge

“Adam Page stapling his child’s artwork to Swerve Strickland’s face is an all-time moment that will stick with me forever” -Tyler Forness

“Glorious violence, glory by struggle, and the amazing visual of what lengths a person will go to to win, a truly outstanding Hardcore match that hits all the right jumps in intensity, and a year solidifying moment for Swerve, and why Hangman could be the Ace in the hole for AEW” -Daniel Hill

“A horror show of a match; a hero who is willing to kill, against a villain who feels like he can’t be. Going into the move-to-move moments just feels like it is doing the grander atmosphere and dark tone of this story a disservice. If I had to pick two moments though it would of course be Hangman busting Swerve open and drinking his blood, a spot that will be imitated but never replicated and Swerve channelling a demented 2018 Hiroshi Tanahashi, advancing across the ring, stapling himself in the chest. Both have immense visual impact but also perfectly fit with where each character is at in their mind in the broader story. Hangman, unconcerned with winning and literally out for Swerve’s blood and Swerve feeling completely untouchable after being buried at Wembley and having beaten Hangman in their first match. This match painted one of the darkest, most depraved stories of vengeance I’ve seen in wrestling and in my mind is a masterpiece.” -Sam Brown

“It was the best death match of the year between two Wrestlers who rarely did death matches in recent years. Coming into this match, the storyline has been a highlight of AEW and built up this stipulation perfectly, with the fans feeling that both hate each other. It was seen from the moment of the entrances, with Hangman & Swerve wasting no time and instantly going at it. The match developed into a brutal and violent affair with some of the most insane spots US mainstream wrestling has seen in a while. The ending was perfect and ended a fantastic match between two wrestlers that had an out of the world performances” -Yannik Peps

“It’s amazing that you can say that Hangman Page’s Texas Death Match was a 2023 match of the year contender and there are two different matches that you could be talking about two different matches. Incredibly memorable for the spot where Hangman sprayed a mouthful of Strickland’s blood into the air. Like an Aranofsky film, an incredibly beautiful masterpiece that I don’t think I could watch again.” -Chris Gannon

“Brutal, bloody, violent carnage. The one match that seemingly convinced everyone that Strickland is ‘the guy’.” -Jack Atkins

“This was the most beast match of the year. Having Swerve win after everything he did to Hangman in the build was so cool. The staple gun spots were so insane. Everything about this was so insane. They probably could have done Brian Cage’s run in a little more seamlessly but who cares this was so good I feel ashamed I’m ranking it this low.” -Mongo Underscore Ebooks

“This is how you do a war. A man is pissed off that another man went into his house and just beat the shit out of him. Not only did he beat him up, but he stapled him, drank his blood, and spat it out. It was over the top stupid violence that is hard to forget and one of the coolest matches of the year. The whole match is full of images: be if Nana getting beat up, the aforementioned spitting blood, Swerve hitting Hangman with a cinder block, Swerve choking Hangman with a chain to end the match and beat the man in his specialty, it is unforgettable. This is a match that will leave an imprint in mainstream U.S. pro wrestling on how violent matches can be done. I remember laughing when people thought that Moxley vs Omega was too violent. I wonder what those people think of Hangman vs Swerve. What is even better is that this match solidified Swerve as a future main event superstar, and I hope that AEW does not drop the ball or forget about the man, like the booking sometimes do. For now, I think this match will be one of those we will look back in the future and see how much it influenced blood feuds in pro wrestling.” -Abraham Delgado

“The angle that lead up to this was so-so, but this match was one of exquisite violence and bloody theatricality. Swerve and Page made melodious maliciousness together in a deathmatch-adjacent maelstrom that reminds me that weapons and gimmicks can be the ultimate frosting on the cake as long as the passion and pathos are baked in the bloody cake.” -Jake Nelson

“A beautiful, bloody battle. And a big part of its appeal is that it came at a time when it felt like AEW needed it. It was a clear signal that these two will be a big part of AEW’s 2024 programming, and the question of ‘when will Hangman ever be able to beat Swerve?’ is one they could draw out for years.” -Jays Retro

“Never have I watched a match and knew I was watching one of the greatest matches ever so quickly. From the abbreviated entrance of Page, to the stapling of each other, Swerve walking through staples, stapling himself, and spitting Swerve’s blood in the air by Hangman…we were in another galaxy merely minutes into the match. This match made Swerve Strickland into a future world champion. I’m a mark for watching wrestlers ascend from one level to another, and this one was the idealized version of that. Two years to the day that Swerve was released from WWE, this matched owned Los Angeles in a way not seen since Kobe Bryant dropped 60 in his last game in the NBA.

There was so much urgency, heart and thoughtfulness put into this match. The home invasion was paid off. The finish itself found Hangman choked out in a similar way he choked out Jon Moxley in a Texas Death match. SWERVE DEATH VALLEY DROVE HANGMAN ON A BRICK IN FRONT OF WESTSIDE GUNN. A MAN WHOM DOES NOTHING BUT RAP ABOUT BRICKS OF COCAINE. This forever went into AEW history as one of the most violent matches ever, and certified Swerve and Hangman as career rivals seemingly with unlimited chapters to come.” -Rich Latta

“A deft use of the hardcore gimmick. The violence gets upped just when you think it’s reached its apex. The hatred between these two men burns through the screen. Every weapon and bit of bloodshed plays off that, telling a powerful saga that is equal parts shocking and satisfying.” -Ryan Dilbert

“Deathmatch in a mainstream outlet. It is not common. Page and Strickland didn’t hesitate. The wanted to show the world how you can tell a story in an unorthodox way. It’s the gory, the personal, the ability to shock.” -Alejandro Gomez

“How do you follow a brutally violent and bloody Texas Death Match earlier in the year? Have another one that is even more brutal, even more violent, and even bloodier. Nothing screams escalation like Hangman stapling his kid’s drawing to Swerve’s cheek, ripping it off, then letting the blood drip into his mouth and spitting it in the air in a crimson mist. Add some barbed wire, broken glass, tables, cinder blocks, and a finish that mirrors the one from Hangman/Mox, and you’ve got a match that we’re gonna remember for years to come.” -Andrew Rich

Voices of Wrestling 2023 Match of the Year
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