Speaking on The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy, the wrestling veteran discussed his thoughts on AEW Full Gear 2023 including the Texas Death Match between Swerve Strickland and Hangman Page. Here are the highlights:
On what he liked the most about the show:
“Top to bottom, I thought it was a great event. I thought everyone busted their ass. There was a lot of variety on the show, which I am a big fan of. To me, there’s a lot of matches that I absolutely loved, that I thought kicked ass. So many people busted their asses and worked so hard on the show. But to me, the match that really stood out and really had me on the edge of my seat, had me involved in it, was the Swerve and Hangman match. I thought it was amazing. I know it was a polarizing match to some people. Some people didn’t dig it, but I love how they’ve escalated their rivalry, their feud, and they took it to another level. They did some stuff that is very memorable, that you will not be forgetting any time soon. I was down with it,” Hardy said.
On the spot where Page drank Strickland’s blood:
“Yeah, I was doing that back in 2016, before it was cool, I guess, or before it was not cool. It was a really intriguing spot. If those two guys were cool with it, then I’m cool with it. It was wild. I do get it, why some people…it is too much probably for some people that watch wrestling. It’s not for everyone. But there are people that are going to watch this, that are going to see this clip, or read the TMZ article about Swerve and Hangman, and Hangman spitting blood, and it’s going to intrigue them. They’re gonna seek out AEW and check this out, or they’re gonna learn about AEW. In that capacity, even though it was polarizing, it was something that is good to get eyeballs on the product and get people talking about the product,” Hardy said.
On the win elevating Strickland:
“He absolutely does. The fact that you’re talking about how it was grotesque or whatever, they did some stuff that was really violent, I think if you swap out some of those spots that people didn’t like necessarily, I think you still put in other less violent spots, and it would have still been an amazing match, just because of the story they told. There’s a true hatred between these two. Swerve invaded Hangman’s house, which is something we haven’t happen in forever, and it was very personal, it felt very personal. It felt very real. You could taste the hatred between these two men. Their story, I dug. I didn’t mind the excessive violence. Once again, it was on pay-per-view. It’s not like something we’re doing on TV. This was literally on pay-per-view, so you had to seek out and buy this separately to make sure to see it. I thought it was really appropriate of the story and the rivalry they have right now, as being the ultimate enemies,” he said.
On Strickland getting closer to becoming a main eventer:
“It does. You can feel that he is moving up the ladder quickly. I’m a big fan of Swerve, a big advocate of Swerve. I dig his stuff. Him and Hangman, their chemistry is off the charts. Now he’s got two victories over former a world champion in Hangman Adam Page, which is a big deal, and it also gives Hangman an issue to come back, like he has to get that win, he has to get avenged, he has to finally beat Swerve. So that’s a story in itself right there,” Hardy said.
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Matt Hardy, a wrestling veteran, recently shared his thoughts on AEW Full Gear 2023, particularly the Texas Death Match between Swerve Strickland and Hangman Page. In an interview on “The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy” podcast, Hardy expressed his admiration for the event and highlighted the standout match between Strickland and Page.
Hardy commended the entire show, stating that he believed everyone gave their best effort. He appreciated the variety of matches presented, as he is a fan of diverse content. However, it was the Swerve and Hangman match that truly captivated him. Hardy described it as amazing and praised the escalation of their rivalry. He acknowledged that while the match may have divided opinions, he personally loved it and found it memorable.
One particular spot in the match caught attention, where Page drank Strickland’s blood. Hardy revealed that he had done a similar spot back in 2016, and if both wrestlers were comfortable with it, he saw no issue. He acknowledged that such moments might be too extreme for some viewers but believed they could attract new fans to AEW by generating intrigue and discussion.
Regarding Strickland’s victory, Hardy emphasized that it elevated his status. Despite the violent nature of some spots, he believed the match would still have been incredible due to the story they told. The invasion of Hangman’s house added a personal and intense element to their feud, making it feel authentic and intense. Hardy supported the excessive violence in this context, considering it appropriate for a pay-per-view event.
Hardy also acknowledged Strickland’s rapid ascent in the wrestling world. He expressed his admiration for Swerve and their chemistry in the ring. With two victories over a former world champion like Hangman Adam Page, Strickland’s rise to becoming a main eventer seemed imminent. This also created a compelling narrative for Hangman to seek revenge and regain his status.
In conclusion, Matt Hardy’s insights on AEW Full Gear 2023 shed light on the intense and memorable Texas Death Match between Swerve Strickland and Hangman Page. Hardy’s appreciation for the variety of matches, the controversial spots, and the storytelling showcased the event’s success. With Strickland’s victory and his growing prominence, the future looks promising for both wrestlers. Wrestling enthusiasts can stay updated on all the latest news on eWrestlingNews.com or follow their Twitter and Facebook pages.