5 opponents AEW champion Hangman Page should face in 2022

AEW World Champion 'Hangman' Adam Page has been reigning over the company for close to a month ever since he won the title from former tag team partner and Elite stablemate Kenny Omega.

While his championship run is only in its infancy, he already has a title defense slotted in for next week on Winter Is Coming against a newly-minted heel in Bryan Danielson.

The American Dragon is of course one of the best in the business and with his current villainous attitude, he could very well put Page's reign in jeopardy. However, it is clear that the company is putting their support behind the Anxious Millennial Cowboy after paying off his multi-year rivalry with Omega, therefore it is too early to take the belt off of him.

So in a scenario where Hangman Page survives the challenge of Bryan Danielson, who should step up next to face the champion going into the new year? Here are 5 possible opponents for Page's AEW world title in 2022.

#5 AEW's Redeemer Miro

Miro has been on the warpath since losing his TNT Championship back in September to Sammy Guevara. He was a last-minute replacement in the AEW World Title Eliminator Tournament for Jon Moxley and made it all the way to the finals was defeated Bryan Danielson at AEW Full Gear.

Despite suffering two highly low-profile losses, Miro was by and large indestructible in 2021. He rebounded well from a botched debut back in 2020 where he was saddled with a best man gimmick that was - truth be told - dead on arrival. He barely lost and looked dominant most of the time.

Even when he was defeated by Guevara and Danielson, he was the aggresor in those matches. He has one of the best win-loss records in the company and in defeat, Miro has looked even more dangerous.

His promos have remained excellent as he pivoted from God's Favorite Champion to God's Forsaken Champion.

Miro is biding his time like a caged animal, waiting to unleash fury on his unsuspecting victims. Adam Page would be wise to look over his shoulder. While the top of the card is stacked right now, look to Miro to make an impact in the new year.

#4 AEW's New Elite Leader Adam Cole

AEW's treatment of Adam Cole has been underwhelming, to say the least. The former NXT Champion was one of the most highly sought after WWE talents to cross the great divide and big things were expected of him from the moment he made his debut at All Out.

While his formation of the SuperKliq with the Young Bucks has been fun and yielded exciting matches with the Jurassic Express at Full Gear, he has largely played second fiddle to other wrestlers for most of his AEW run so far.

Cole needs to regain some momentum so he can make a great case to challenge for Page's AEW World Championship. With Kenny Omega out of action for the foreseeable future, Cole can fill the void as the new leader of the Elite and become the uber heel he was destined to be.

His connection with Page, who is of course an ousted member of the group, is also another layer that can be referenced in the feud. Here's hoping Adam Cole can bounce back in 2022 to become a worthy challenger to his namesake.

#3 AEW's Best In The World CM Punk

AEW has treated CM Punk's return to pro wrestling with utmost care and respect. His debut at Rampage: The First Dance was a watershed moment for the company and he has elevated AEW programming ever since with his mere presence on the show.

Punk's two PPV matches with Darby Allin at All Out and Eddie Kingston at Full Gear were outstanding and showed that the Straight Edged Superstar could hang with the current generation of wrestlers.

But is he good enough to get back into world title contention?

Punk is currently engaged in a heated rivalry with MJF and has hinted that he wants to go after the AEW World Champion next. If Adam Page retains his championship against Bryan Danielson and Punk wins his blowoff match against MJF, it's a no-brainer that Punk should be next in line for Page's title.

A potential heel turn is not out of the question if AEW wants to keep Page's babyface momentum strong.

---

#2 AEW's Biggest Young Star MJF

Speaking of MJF, AEW has a future star on their hands with the Long Island Loudmouth.

The leader of the Pinnacle had a banner year in 2021 with victories over Chris Jericho and Darby Allin and is now feuding with CM Punk. It's hard to believe the guy is only 25 years old. He's easily one of the biggest stars in the company already, and judging by the hometown reaction this past Dynamite, he might be as over as Bret Hart in Canada, Roddy Piper in Portland or Ric Flair in the Carolinas.

AEW would do well to pull the trigger on the young star and test run his ability to run as a detestable heel champion at the top of the card. The biggest villain in AEW facing off against the biggest babyface is certainly a logical match-up. Pitting MJF against Hangman Page is a great look into the future of the industry.

While MJF has his whole career ahead of him, AEW would do well to put the young star on top in case he might be tempted to a move away to WWE. MJF is definitely not afraid to play up both companies to his benefit.

#1 AEW's American Nightmare Cody Rhodes

AEW simply has to pull the trigger on Cody Rhodes as a heel. They could potentially have the biggest villain in the company, especially if Cody goes back on his word and challenges Hangman Page for the AEW World Championship in 2022.

The signs are already there. As much as the EVP has tried to remain a good guy in the face of growing resentment from the crowd, Cody has done a great job of subtly showing heel tendencies in his matches and programs. Whether it was mimicking Triple H by pulling out a golden shovel in his match against Andrade El Idolo or teasing a Pedigree in his match with Malakai Black.

Cody Rhodes has to know that he is turning off viewers with his increasingly desperate attempt to win over the audience, not least the flaming table spot from last week's Atlanta Street Fight on Dynamite.

He's a polarizing figure for a reason and putting him against Adam Page will be the final push to turn him into a full blown heel. Imagine the reaction if Cody defeated Page for the world title. We might see Hollywood Hogan levels of heat.