[10.0] "Beautiful, unabashed violence between two people who hate each other will always make the best matches.I saw a man staple a picture that his son drew on to a mans cheek and rip it off because of how much he hated him and then I saw a man walk through being stapled, fire up and try to kill his opponent because of how much he hated his opponent. Not all wrestling needs to be like this, but my god, when this shit hits, it hits. But in total every move in the match made sense, they werent setting up spots, it spots came to fruition organically as you were watching the match. This match had outside interference that actually helped it and thats the highest praise I can give. *****1/2"
[10.0] "Had this just ended with Hangman victorious before the Nana interference, this would have arguably been the best match of the year. But the Brian Cage run-in was completely unnecessarily and superfluous, and it made the match drag four minutes longer than its peak, leading to a more underwhelming finish than the one they already had in the palm of their hands. All that said, this was still obviously a fantastic deathmatch, perhaps the best one ever on American soil. ****3/4"
[9.0] "Absolutely brutal and satisfying feud closing death match. This is by far the best performance of Swerve's career and it might be Hangman's too. I would have preferred that Brian Cage have been left out of this, but after the emotional roller coaster this took us on it is hard to complain too much. In an alternate world where Tony didn't get trolled into hiring an awful creative team earlier this year, this would be the world title program, and maybe more than 2, 000 people would be showing up to the TV shows."
[10.0] "They gave absolutely everything in his match. A real star-making performance for Swerve and it should push him right to the top and ready to challenge for any title he wants."
"These guys gave it 200%.. the audience was on their feet the entire time in shock and awe..Swerve being 2-0 in this feud just catapulted him into main event status, he cant be denied.. This was the real main event, you could honestly turn it off after this insane spectacle..A match you can actually show a non wrestling fan / casual .. 10/10"
[10.0] "The only thing on this show worth going out of your way to see. Instant classic for sure. Page is still The Guy and Swerve has raised his own stock in spite of some shitty booking."
[9.0] "This match is definitely up there for me in terms of absolute classics. Great build going in followed by a perfect match that fit the emotional feud. Swerve looked like a menace stapling himself and hangman drinking his blood then spitting it out those images are insane. My only downside from giving it a ten was Brian Cage running down I dont think the match needed that, but it was too bad."
"[10.0] This is the best death match of all time. The utter carnage and disgusting nature of this beast immediately elevated this show from being an average show to a must-see event. They just about killed each other, which is exactly what you want from a (probable) end to a blood feud. A perfect example of a red hot story paid off in blood in the most exquisite way. 5.5 stars at minimum! ""
[5.0] "If you think the sicker the spot the better, the more dangerous the better, then this would be a 10. But this was just so excessive and about nothing other than violence, I didn't like it. A match, even a Texas death match, should have some more build up and in ring story telling throughout the match. But this came out of the gates with the staple guns and Hangman Page drinking Swerve's blood (which was a disgusting). Where do you go from that? But the match lasted 25 minutes more involving... how many more staples? I mean by the 12th staple it just doesn't have the "OH MY GOD" effect any more, which is crazy because someone getting stapled should have that effect."
[10.0] "Putain c'était génial ! Le seul problème c'est l'intervention de Brian Cage... Mais à part ça qu'est-ce que c'était bon, sans déconner le sang ça ajoute tellement au catch. Rien que la gueule de Swerve ensanglanté c'est 10 sur 10. J'aurais encore pu bouffer 1h de ça."
[10.0] "You can find other deathmatches with sicker spots. You can find other deathmatches with more dangerous feats. I know because I've seen them myself. Somehow though, this still FELT like the most violent match I've ever seen in my life. They almost lost me near the end with the interference, and Nana being a silly little goofball - but everything about this felt incredible. A true experience to watch live with so many. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to see a match between two people who just want to BEAT THE HELL out of each other."
[9.0] "Finally, a proper Texas Death match in AEW. This was bloody af, like a horror movie and intense as a wrecking car accident. Both man looked like absolute psychos in this match, Hangman drinking blood directly from Swerves face and Swerve stapling his chest just for the fun. I kinda hated how Cage just entered the match randomly but anyways, this was a blast"
[10.0] "This is what HATRED looks like. It is what WAR looks like. Swerve Strickland has become a STAR and Hangman Page is unequivocally HIM for AEW. These two men did things you could only dream of, moments that will never leave my brain. Hangman drinking another man's blood is so visceral and insane, and Swerve gushing blood the entire match is jaw dropping. Not to mention 450ing onto glass on another man's back. This is AEW's match of the year, and Hangman might just also have the second one against Moxley. *****"
"Both wrestlers came out of this extremely strong, and I absolutely cannot wait for the eventual 3rd match, a feeling I dont feel a lot these days. Tony has hit a Grand slam with this one."
"I was in the building for this both in the nosebleeds and slightly behind the one big screen in the building, so it was impossible to tell the specific weapon shots. Well, the screencaps I saw on Twitter made it look really good. And I can confirm - even without the specificity, I could tell that the pacing was absolutely perfect."
[10.0] "while previous texas deathmatches have been violent, this one was the best one so far in AEW, possibly of all time. this was definitely match of the night, and I can't wait to see what swerve does after this. he should be challenging for the world championship after this brutal showing"
[10.0] "This is one of those matches that is not for everyone, but everyone should still watch it. This was a masterful match full of storytelling, violence, and all around perfect wrestling. This is genuinely one of the best matches I have ever seen and is my 2023 match of the year. From the second the bell rang, I was on the edge of my seat and the second that Hangman grabbed Swerve by the head and starting drinking his blood, I stood up. This match was entrancing and poetic. From the staples in Swerve's chest, to hangman drinking Swerve's blood, and then to Swerve hanging the Hangman himself in one of the best finishes in wrestling history, this is one of the best I have ever seen. I could write about this match for days, but I beg everyone to go out of their way and watch this match. This is the perfect match and it cemented Hangman as a mainstay on the peak of the AEW mountain top, while also elevating Swerve above that peak. *****.5 (5.5 Stars)"
"Wonderful match that deserves all the recognition it's getting. The violence can be rough at points, but it's well worth making it to the finish line with this one. Swerve is the guy moving forward, no doubt."
[10.0] "A violent, sadistic, visceral work of art. Few, if any, matches in wrestling history have affected me like this on an emotional level. Everything about this shouldnt have happened, but it needed to. The story built by these two immense talents demanded it. From Swerves vainglorious entrance and Hangman rushing the ring with bloodlust to the shocking bumps on concrete, with glass, on barbed wire, to the poetic and tragic conclusion with Hangman choked out by a chain, hoisted by his own petard as it were Every single moment was earned, was executed to the highest level, and delivered in a way that no other artistic medium can strive to achieve. This match is why I watch wrestling. Its not for the blood, or the impact, or the athleticism. Its for the childlike, primitive emotions it makes me feel that are increasingly lost in the passage of time. Even though I may never watch it again I will never, ever forget this match."
[10.0] "Swerve vs Hangman 2 is the epitome of a deathmatch; I just hope nobody ups the ante for the next decade or so. This bout is, by far, the most brutal, intense, gory, and uncomfortable match I have ever seen. And unlike a bad slicker flick, all of those characteristics are elevated to insane heights by the emotional story and top-notch psychology between the two wrestlers throughout. Straight away from the staple gun all the way to the hanging, the match was fast-paced with loads of different peaks with the slight knock for Nick Cage's negligent run-in. This is a match I will not soon forget, and likewise for Swerve and Hangman's bodies. I look forward to seeing how this elevates Swerve and how Hangman's character will deal with consecutive losses. Easy 10"
"This match is just excellent Swerve and hangman have chemistry thats just unmatched. Everything from the story to spots were incredible this was the best match on the card by a mile."
[10.0] "This is probably the best hardcore/deathmatch ever. It's matches like this that should be seen as examples, as benchmarks. Only nitpick I have was the Brian Cage interference, but it was still ELITE (no pun intended). *****1/4 (5.25)"
[10.0] "OH MY GAWD. This is my new favorite match, and its not even close. Swerve and Hangman painted on a canvas of beautiful violence here, and the result is a veritable Mona Lisa for the modern wrestling viewer. The staple spot with Swerve looking like Lesnar shrugging off the damage was among the first indicators that this match would be special. Its hard to believe that an elementary school teacher would (or could) be capable of dishing out this level of violent punishment, but when a family is on the line who knows? Hangman delivered and made Swerve look like a fully loaded bank vault, but Swerve sold very well for Hanger, truly class moves from each of them. Overall, easily my Match of the Year for 2023, and probably my new favorite match of all time. Everything was amazingly well executed and grounded in reason with pure hatred (even though Im sure they love each other backstage.)"
"This match was phenomenal. Adam Page and Swerve Strickland both did their thing. From Adam drinking Swerve's blood to Swerve wrapping barbed wire around Adam's face, it was all so brutal. This match had so many spots that made me cringe in pain, such as the 450 splash onto the broken glass; I felt that in my stomach. This legit felt like they were to trying to kill each other. The only nitpick I have with this match was the Cage interference, but that doesn't really change my opinion on this match. 10/10."
[10.0] "This is the best death match of all time. The utter carnage and disgusting nature of this beast immediately elevated this show from being an average show to a must-see event. They just about killed each other, which is exactly what you want from a (probable) end to a blood feud. A perfect example of a red hot story paid off in blood in the most exquisite way. 5.5 stars at minimum!"
"Best damn death match in AEW history, Before the match, I was hoping for Swerve to win and he won, I'm him perfomance by Swerve and he deserve AEW World Championship title shot in 2024"
[10.0] "It was the very best death match I've ever seen the intensity, brutality, storytelling, extreme moves all want from a death match was there definitely 10 out of 10 *****"
[10.0] "Hangman Page vs Swerve Strickland will go down as one of the best and most important matches in AEW and modern wrestling. Extreme ultraviolence in a manner that hadn't been seen in a major promotion since the Attitude Era. Hangman and Swerve bled like they were both Shawn Michaels and it was Survivor Series 2003. They brawled and battered each other in a manner that would put some of the most brutal and bloody classic wrestling matches to shame. While yes, the end did drag a bit with the interference, there is no doubt that you could feel the gravitas and importance of this bout. An all-timer, and a heavy MOTY candidate for me and I hope this propels Swerve to new heights."
[10.0] "AEW isn't done with producing MOTY contenders in 2023. The best deathmatch I've ever seen and the match of the year, period. I knew Swerve was capable of taking insane bumps after his match with Fox in LU, but he took things to a higher level. Page was also unbelievable. Beyond belief amazing match"
[10.0] "Unbelievable. Easily my favourite AEW match and a solid #2 contender for MOTY behind Kenny Omega vs Will Ospreay at Wrestle Kingdom 17. Swerve Strickland needs to be world champion as soon as possible, this is the guy you build your company around. Hangman Page is fantastic as always, one of the most reliable workers on their roster. Go out of your way to watch this bloody (literally) masterpiece."
[10.0] "Probably the best death match on a major pro wrestling show ever. Swerve being a monster of a human and showing he is the supervillain of the company and Hangman refusing to give up and to fight for his family after the house visit by Swerve. Must watch but maybe dont watch while eating anything. Yikes."
[10.0] "For my money, this was the best match in AEW history from start to finish. Not only the best AEW match of all time, but among the best and most legendary matches in wrestling history quite honestly. This generations version of Taker/Foley in the cell, both men deserve to be remembered for decades to come for a match like this."
[10.0] "Hangman might just be AEW *king of Texas Death matchs. Swerve is a made man now & Hangman is the man! 5 stars *Hangman going full vampire mode is somthing I'll never forget. Moxley would be proud."
[10.0] "I know some spots will be divisive and wouldn't like them repeated, at least not for a good few years but as it stands as a one off, this was one of the few recent matches where it looked heat, a proper grudge match stemming from a hot feud between two elite workers. Following this I would absolutely have Swerve in the top spot (imagine Swerve vs Ospreay at All In 2024)."
[10.0] "Incredible match, they were trying the whole match to try and one up each other with savagery. They used a home invasion angle for this feud and for once it showed in the match, they genuinely looked like they wanted to kill each other. An incredible death match in America, arguably one of the best ever even with recency bias. This type of match isn't for everyone, but for the feud they built, this is the only believable match you could have after threatening another mans baby in his own house. 5* 10/10"
[10.0] "Wow, I mean just... wow. I think we all knew this match was going to rule but did we know it would rule THIS hard? This succeeded on an astounding level. Not for the faint of heart, to be sure, this was an exceptionally brutal match. It's hard to match the visceral feeling of Hangman literally drinking Strickland's blood then spitting it out in a reddish mist. These two truly fulfilled every possibility of a gritty, gutsy grudge match and achieved what I think may be the best match of the year and one of the best matches ever in AEW. I think more than ever that Strickland should be the one to unseat MJF as champion. WOW, what a match!"
[8.0] "This right here is exactly what I want from my big time feuds in American wrestling. Just an absolute fight, I suspect I would have gone higher if I did not know result. Only thing they did not land was the finish. It should have been the cinder block knock out."
[10.0] "Amazingly this match managed to surpass the earlier Jon Moxley vs. Hangman Page Texas Death Match in terms of both brutality and quality. Just a down right amazing match. I loved Hangman selling the hate he felt for Swerve running out and not having the normal entrance. Some really good creativity in terms of what they pulled off"
[10.0] "One of the easiest 5*, 10/10, whatever you want to call it ratings Ive ever given a match. I will never forget the most brutal/bloody combat match (predetermined or not) I have ever seen. Both guys are absolute stars and should be the real pillars that AEW is built on."
[10.0] "Beautiful F'n Bloodbath - great and epic way to close out this personal feud. Best match of the whole damn night by a long shot. Time to give Swerve some gold, this man is ready and deserves it all"
[10.0] "FUUUUUUUCK! This was so fucking good. The best deathmatch I've ever seen, even better than Mox vs Hangman, even better than Despy vs Kasai, this match is the new peak and I highly doubt anything will ever top this. Part of the reason as to why this is so good is the build, Swerve literally breaks into Hangman's fucking house and cuts a promo on his baby, so Hangman has a fucking good reason to be as depraved as he is in this match. And when I say depraved, I mean fucking depraved. Within the first 5 minutes of this match Hangman attacks Swerve with a fucking stapler, even going as far as to staple one of his child's drawings that Swerve ripped up during his trip to Hanger's house, and then when Swerve gets busted open, Hangman drinks Swerve's fucking blood, like holy fucking shit. Like this match is almost hard to watch at times, because these guys just sink to the most vile and disgusting levels i order to hurt eachother, but at the same time that's why I loved this so much, because of how unforgivingly violent it is. As far as I'm concerned, Swerve is a fucking star now, and by next year I strongly believe that he should be world champion. Not only is he one of the best wrestlers on the fucking planet, but he has now beaten a top star in a match that he was previously undefeated in. Push him to the fucking moon, have him win the knockoff G1 I don't even care. This match was fucking excellent, it's the bloodiest, most violent shit I may have ever witnessed, but I fucking loved every second of it. A top 5 match of the year for sure. *****1/2"
[10.0] "Brutal. Primal. Unhinged. Hangman Page drank this mans blood about 2 minutes in and it somehow only escalated from there. One of the best deathmatches of the modern age. One of the best matches in AEW history. This match is instantly a classic."
"9/10. I am definitely not into gore matches - but this one was just brutal. To cut long story short, I believe that this is a match no one who watched it will ever forget. The storytelling, the ruthless agression, the passion, the bumps - everything. Notwithstading the unnecessarily grotesque spots (which perhaps one could agree that those are truly what elevates it), this one is for the history books."
[10.0] "god, what else does a fan of hardcore matches like me want? I'm still in shock! many years of watching pro wrestling, but the feeling that I got from this match, well, rarely has happened to me! I couldn't believe my eyes! was it CZW? I've never seen this level of violence and brutality before. the extreme spots in this matches were too many, that I don't know which one to mention! I was totally flabbergasted during the match, and didn't want it to be finished. it's very hard to get a 10 from me, but in the middle of this match, I made my choice to give it a 10. Swerve proved that he deserves to be pushed to the moon. also we saw another fascinating and hardcore performance, by Vampire Adam Page LOL. hats off to both, for creating a historic and memorable match for us. (*****1/4)"
[9.0] "Yes, Adam is definitely the king of this type of match. But how good Swerve was. It wasn't wrestling, you can forget about it here. It was good old-fashioned violence, and at times insane. And its not to say that there was some huge variety of objects and the like. They were given barbed wire and for about 15 minutes they showed how not to handle it. It was scary to look at Swerve literally 5 minutes after the gong, because he clearly went too far with blading. But how cool it looked. The spot with the glass was simply broken, and the level of danger here was more off the charts for Strickland himself than for his opponent. I was very upset by Cages intervention, which seems to make sense, but if he came out, then why didnt the rest of the group come out? As for me, none of the extra people were needed here. This is a personal story for these two guys that they had to finish themselves. But Rubilovo is still notable."
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