AEW Dynamite: Title Tuesday Kicks Off with a Heated "Hangman" Adam Page & Samoa Joe Face-Off

AEW returned home to Daily’s Place for Title Tuesday, and the show opened with a verbal slugfest between “Hangman” Adam Page and Samoa Joe — two men destined to collide for the AEW World Championship at WrestleDream.

⚡ “You Never Beat Me.”

Tony Schiavone welcomed fans back to Jacksonville before introducing the AEW World Champion, Hangman Adam Page, and his challenger, Samoa Joe. Joe entered with The Opps, though Katsuyori Shibata and Powerhouse Hobbs stayed at the stage, leaving Joe to face Page alone.

Schiavone made it clear: no physical contact tonight. But the tension didn’t need fists — it came through the mic.

Page opened the exchange by reflecting on AEW’s six-year journey, calling Daily’s Place the company’s spiritual home. He joked about his wild past — “won, lost, committed arson, dressed as the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man” — before turning serious, admitting he was confused by Joe’s violent outburst last week.

“I agreed to team with The Opps, I won the match, and Samoa lost it and punched me in the face. Damn, I was confused… but not for long,” Page said. “Joe looked me in the eye and yelled that I never beat him. That’s what this is about.”

Page acknowledged that Joe’s frustration came from seeing him with the world title — a title Joe once coveted — and realizing he’d lost focus. He made it clear, though, that this upcoming match wasn’t revenge or repayment.

“I didn’t give Joe this match because he sucker punched me,” Page continued. “I gave it to him because I owe him. At All In, he and The Opps made sure my title match was fair. But my gratitude stops there. You’ll get your shot at WrestleDream — but I won’t let you take it.”

🩸 Joe Fires Back

Samoa Joe’s response was cold and cutting.

“Everything you said is true,” Joe began. “But when I see you with that title, I don’t see the pinnacle of professional wrestling. I see a pretender.”

The Samoan Submission Machine claimed that Page’s championship reign was built on the backs of The Opps — that he never truly stood alone as champion.

“The Opps made you. If they hadn’t had your back, you wouldn’t be holding that belt,” Joe barked. “You can talk about owing people all you want — I’m just here to collect. You’re a fraud, and I’m here to check you.”

He ended his rebuttal with a chilling promise:

“At WrestleDream, when you think you’re about to prove yourself, I’m going to choke you out and take the belt. You’ll finally know your place — and I’ll show the world a rightful champion.”

🔔 Hangman’s Retort

Page didn’t back down, firing off a passionate counter.

“You’re right, Joe. You’ll probably beat my ass for a while. But I’ll get two for every one, and I’ll fight back. I won’t tap. Every second that passes is in my favor because you can’t outlast me.”

With the crowd on its feet, Page finished with a line that hit as hard as any Buckshot Lariat:

“When you’re flat on your back, beaten as fairly as possible, I hope you get up, look me in the eye, and finally know that I am the champion of the world.”

🗣️ Wrestling.news | Backstage Take

AEW couldn’t have opened Title Tuesday with a stronger statement. This wasn’t just a contract signing or hype promo — it was layered storytelling between two veterans who understand how to make a world title feel sacred.

Joe’s simmering resentment and Hangman’s blend of gratitude and defiance set the emotional tone for WrestleDream. AEW is walking the perfect line between respect and violence — and if this exchange is any indicator, their championship clash could end up being one of 2025’s defining matches.

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