Samoa Joe Overthrows Hangman Page in Steel Cage to Claim AEW World Championship at Full Gear 2025
When Samoa Joe climbed out of the steel cage at the Prudential Center on November 22, 2025, clutching the AEW World Championship belt, the crowd in Newark, New Jersey didn’t just cheer—they roared like a packed stadium after a last-second goal. Joe had just ended 'Hangman' Adam Page’s 217-day reign as champion in a brutal, no-disqualification steel cage match that left both men bloodied and exhausted. The main event of AEW Full Gear 2025Prudential Center wasn’t just a title change—it was a passing of the torch, and the wrestling world felt it.
The Cage That Changed Everything
The steel cage wasn’t just a structure—it was a pressure cooker. Adam Page, the charismatic but vulnerable champion, entered with the weight of being AEW’s emotional centerpiece since 2021. Samoa Joe, the veteran powerhouse with a reputation for ending careers, walked in like a man who’d been waiting years for this moment. The match lasted 28 minutes, the longest of the night, and every second felt like a life-or-death struggle. Page’s signature Hangman’s Cut and aerial assaults were met with Joe’s brutal Samoan Drops and chokeholds that made the cage walls shake. When Joe finally hoisted Page onto his shoulders and drove him through the top of the cage—his knees buckling as he crashed onto the steel mesh—the crowd went silent for a heartbeat. Then, chaos.
Joe didn’t just win. He dismantled the narrative. Page had been the face of AEW’s rise, the guy who turned a dream into a movement. But Joe? He’s the guy who makes movements end. His victory wasn’t just about the belt—it was about control. And control, in professional wrestling, is everything.
Other Key Matches That Shook the Card
The undercard didn’t just support the main event—it elevated it. Kris Statlander defended her AEW Women’s World Championship against Mercedes Moné in a technical masterpiece that had fans debating whether it was the best women’s match of the year. Statlander’s resilience, her ability to absorb Moné’s power and counter with precision, made her win feel earned, not scripted.
Then came the $1,000,000 Trios Match: Josh Alexander and The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson) took on Kenny Omega and Jurassic Express (Jack Perry and Luchasaurus). The match was a blur of high-flying offense, near-falls, and a last-second interference from Stokely that turned the tide. Alexander’s finisher—the C4—landed clean on Omega, and the crowd erupted. This wasn’t just a win. It was a statement: the new guard isn’t just here. They’re running things.
FTR (Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood) also made history, capturing the AEW World Tag Team Championship from Brodido (Bandido and Brody King) in a match that felt like a throwback to 2000s ECW. Their chemistry, their timing, the way they sold pain—it was textbook. And when they hoisted the belts high, you could see the legacy being written.
The Quiet Forces Behind the Scenes
While the main event stole headlines, the real story might be in the shadows. Eddie Kingston, the cult favorite who’s been wrestling since the early 2000s, appeared in a pre-show match against the Workhorsemen. No TV buildup. No hype. Just a man who’s been through hell and still showed up. Post Wrestling’s John Pollock noted Kingston was wearing a "homicide shirt"—a subtle nod to his real-life persona. And yet, he got the loudest pop of the night. That’s not luck. That’s legacy.
Even Darby Allin’s loss to PAC in the opener carried weight. Allin, the daredevil who turns every match into a stunt show, got tossed through the corner and crashed to the floor. But fans didn’t boo. They cheered louder. Because they knew: he didn’t lose because he was weak. He lost because he gave everything. And in AEW, that’s worth more than a title.
What This Means for AEW’s Future
Joe’s win isn’t just a title change—it’s a strategic pivot. Since AEW’s founding in 2019, the company has leaned on charisma, athleticism, and storytelling. Page was the heart. Joe? He’s the fist. Analysts are already predicting Joe will headline Revolution 2026Chase Center in San Francisco next March. And if history’s any guide, Joe won’t just show up. He’ll dominate.
Meanwhile, the tag team division just got a major injection of credibility. The Young Bucks’ win over Omega and Jurassic Express signals a potential new era of trios dominance. And Statlander’s reign? It’s the most stable women’s title run in AEW history. That’s not an accident. That’s planning.
What’s clear: AEW isn’t just surviving. It’s evolving. And Joe’s victory is the catalyst.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Samoa Joe’s victory impact Adam Page’s future in AEW?
Adam Page’s loss doesn’t mean he’s gone—it means he’s being repositioned. Sources suggest he’ll transition into a mid-card role with a new faction, possibly teaming with former rival Kenny Omega. Page has already hinted at a "redemption arc" in post-event interviews, and AEW’s booking team has historically used losses as springboards for bigger stories. His next major appearance is expected at Holiday Bash in December 2025.
Why was the Steel Cage chosen for this title change?
The steel cage was a deliberate choice to eliminate interference and force a definitive outcome. With Page’s history of being saved by allies and Joe’s reputation for brutal finishes, AEW needed a structure where only one man could walk out with the title. The cage also paid homage to classic WCW and ECW moments, signaling AEW’s respect for wrestling’s roots while elevating its own legacy.
Who are the top contenders for the AEW World Championship now?
With Joe as champion, the most likely challengers are Josh Alexander, who’s been on a tear since his return, and Eddie Kingston, whose fan support is at an all-time high. Kenny Omega is also being quietly positioned as a future threat, with backstage whispers suggesting he’s recovering from a shoulder injury and aiming for a rematch at Revolution 2026. The company has already confirmed a #1 contender’s match will air on the December 4 episode of Dynamite.
What does FTR’s tag team win mean for the division?
FTR’s victory reestablishes them as the gold standard in tag team wrestling. Their win over Brodido—two of AEW’s most unpredictable brawlers—signals that technical mastery still trumps chaos. With Dax Harwood’s in-ring intelligence and Cash Wheeler’s charisma, they’re now the most marketable tag team in the company. Expect them to defend the belts against The Young Bucks at the next major PPV, likely in January 2026.
Is this the end of Hangman Page’s era in AEW?
Not the end—just the transition. Page’s reign was built on emotional storytelling, and Joe’s win shifts the tone to physical dominance. Page’s character arc is now moving toward redemption and mentorship. He’s already been seen training younger talent backstage, and insiders say he’s being groomed for a leadership role in a new stable. His legacy isn’t fading. It’s maturing.
How does Full Gear 2025 compare to previous editions?
Full Gear 2025 is widely considered the most balanced and emotionally resonant in the series’ seven-year history. Unlike past events that leaned heavily on surprise returns or shock finishes, this one delivered consistent storytelling across all seven matches. The crowd reaction was the strongest since 2023’s Full Gear in Philadelphia, and post-event social media engagement surged 47% compared to 2024, according to data from Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
