{"id":1009745,"date":"2026-01-11T02:03:33","date_gmt":"2026-01-11T02:03:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.polygon.com\/?p=468178"},"modified":"2026-01-11T02:03:33","modified_gmt":"2026-01-11T02:03:33","slug":"im-back-into-pro-wrestling-thanks-to-parking-lot-brawls-and-wild-acts-of-arson","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arcader.org\/news\/im-back-into-pro-wrestling-thanks-to-parking-lot-brawls-and-wild-acts-of-arson\/","title":{"rendered":"I\u2019m back into pro wrestling, thanks to parking lot brawls and wild acts of arson"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"
<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

My interest in wrestling comes in waves; I grew up watching WWE during the infamous Attitude Era of the late \u201990s<\/a>, and have since followed the sport from afar. Every now and then, something will reignite my curiosity \u2014 the rise of All Elite Wrestling (AEW), a particularly stacked card at a big event, or more recently, the rise of fascinating and unhinged rivalries played out through wild stunts and obscene acts.<\/p>\n

In order to understand the charm behind the abhorrent acts I\u2019m about to describe, it\u2019s important to remember that wrestling adheres to a certain canon. Wrestlers play heroes or villains, known as faces and heels, and maintain that persona outside of the ring. Everyone is aware that it\u2019s not a \u201creal\u201d fight, but wrestlers will maintain \u201ckayfabe\u201d when a show is done \u2014 a polite fiction that every match, monologue, betrayal, and heartbreak is real. It makes for excellent theater, especially when it comes to a heated showdown between foes.<\/p>\n

Take, for instance, the case of Adam \u201cHangman\u201d Page and Swerve Strickland. The back-and-forth between these two men has built up over a year in AEW, with each wrestler taking brutal shots at one another both in and out of the ring. Page began as the obvious good guy, winning a battle royale and donating the $50,000 winnings to the Chicago Public Education Fund. Yet he was still aggrieved by Strickland, who interrupted his promos and challenged him to a match at the next annual marquee WrestleDream event. <\/p>\n

Page became more and more aggressive in the face of Strickland\u2019s antagonism and the fans\u2019 encouragement of such behavior \u2014 he stabbed Strickland in the hand with a pen. In one intense match, Page stapled one of his son\u2019s drawings to Strickland\u2019s face, tore it off, and drank the blood from the staple wound.<\/p>\n

The Page-Strickland rivalry has been playing out for a year, and each escalation is absurd to the point of hilarity. One particular highlight took place in October 2023, when Strickland broke into Page\u2019s house, made fun of the home\u2019s decor, and put some merch from his buddy Prince Nana in the crib of Page\u2019s sleeping child as an implicit threat.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n

Swerve Strickland and Prince Nana broke into #HangmanAdamPage<\/a>'s home!<\/p>\n

Watch #AEWDynamite<\/a> LIVE on TBS!@SwerveConfident<\/a> | @PrinceKingNana<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/AfJlEM5zvx<\/a><\/p>\n

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) October 26, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

Indirectly threatening the sleeping baby of your rival is a big move, and yet Page managed to top it. In September, Strickland made the huge step of purchasing his childhood home. It was touching to watch Strickland discuss the history of this home<\/a> \u2014 family cookouts, time with relatives, climbing trees, and eventual struggles and hard times. While Strickland was unable to help his mother as a teenager, he made a promise that he would earn that house back for his family. After watching such a heartwarming promo, you might think that some things are too sacred to be brought into a petty wrestling feud.<\/p>\n

You would be wrong, as one of Strickland\u2019s promos in the ring was interrupted by a video on the big screen for all the arena to see. In it, Page swung by that very same house and doused it in gasoline. Fans got to watch in horror and fascination as Page explained his motivation and detailed his revenge, all the while pouring gasoline on the property. Not only did Page talk mad shit about Strickland\u2019s parents, upbringing, and family life, but he lit the treasured childhood home on fire while Strickland fell to his knees in helpless fury in the ring.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n