Swerve Strickland captured the spotlight on AEW Dynamite during a punishing Unsanctioned Lights Out match, shocking viewers as a top competitor was choked out in a dramatic finish. The episode featured Swerve Strickland AEW Dynamite as he and Hangman Adam Page teamed up in a match that left fans stunned by its brutality and aftermath.
An Intense Showdown Unfolds on Dynamite
On the January 7 edition of AEW Dynamite, Swerve Strickland and former world champion Hangman Adam Page joined forces to take on The Opps—HOOK and Powerhouse Hobbs—in a Lights Out encounter without official sanction. The match quickly escalated into a violent brawl, as both sides resorted to using foreign objects and high-impact offenses, making it one of the most unforgettable and gruesome displays of the night.
The closing moments of the match saw The Hangman and The Mogul gain control, overpowering the opposition after a tense exchange. After subduing Powerhouse Hobbs, they focused their attack on HOOK. Both Strickland and Page executed their finishing moves on HOOK, intensifying the onslaught. The violence reached a peak when Hangman Adam Page wrapped a steel chain around HOOK’s neck and pulled him against the ropes, choking him as Strickland looked on, visibly pleased by the outcome. The former FTW Champion, unable to escape, tapped out, sealing victory for Strickland and Page.
Following the dramatic finish, Hangman Adam Page shared a photo on social media that captured the critical moment, accompanied by the succinct message, “Proud dad.”
The Significance of Strickland and Page’s Reluctant Alliance
Strickland and Page’s partnership extends beyond one brutal match, rooted in their turbulent history. At AEW All In Texas 2025, Strickland played a pivotal role in helping then-rival Hangman Adam Page dethrone Jon Moxley to claim the World Championship. Despite their animosity, the two realized their ambitions were intertwined, and their competition elevated both performers’ careers.
“I don’t extend to the world title without him, but I also don’t lose that all in without him. So we kind of need each other. We hate each other, but we need each other. We also made each other better. People were talking about Hangman being done as a main eventer, as a World Champion in 2023. They were like, we got to look past Hangman, it’s Will Ospreay’s time now, because he just wasn’t there. Mentally, he just wasn’t there. I broke him, but I also did it intentionally, because I know Hangman is that guy,” Swerve said.
This tense dynamic was revealed during Swerve Strickland’s conversation with Chris Van Vliet, where he acknowledged the rivalry’s pivotal role in both their journeys to the AEW summit. The partnership that formed in the aftermath has persisted for months, transforming initial rivalry into a complex coalition that may have long-term consequences for AEW’s top tier.
Uncertain Future for Strickland and Page’s Team
With their relationship now seemingly more cooperative, Swerve Strickland and Hangman Page’s tag team success against The Opps on Dynamite signals a new chapter. Their alliance, emerging from fierce rivalry, has added a compelling layer to AEW’s ongoing storylines, and the wrestling world is eager to witness how this unexpected partnership will shape the championship scene in the coming months.
"Proud dad" pic.twitter.com/o6U9SvJyS8
— The Realest Swerve Strickland (@swerveconfident) January 8, 2026
"Proud dad" pic.twitter.com/o6U9SvJyS8
— The Realest Swerve Strickland (@swerveconfident) January 8, 2026
