Adam Page is finally addressing the firestorm that erupted after a selfie featuring him and disgraced wrestler Marty Scurll last month—and the AEW star isn’t dodging accountability.
Speaking candidly on the February 3, 2026 episode of The TakeDown with Jon Alba, Page said the situation has “bothered [him] a lot” and that he wanted to “get something off [his] chest,” opting to speak in person rather than post a statement online.
“I thought about writing something online, but that didn’t feel like the right medium,” Page explained. “When I thought about it, I felt like I’d want to look everyone in the eyes and give an answer to a question like that… I appreciate that. And I apologize if I talk for a while, because it is complicated.”
Page went on to describe his long-standing relationship with Scurll, who was a fellow member of Bullet Club and his frequent travel companion between 2015 and 2018. He admitted they spent more time together than he did with his own wife during those years.
“In that time, I never knew Marty to be anything other than a kind person—to me and to others—and someone who was a good friend to me,” Page said.
But when the #SpeakingOut allegations against Scurll emerged in 2020—accusing him of sexual misconduct involving a 16-year-old—Page said he was “faced with a choice.” He confirmed he reached out to Scurll then and has stayed in contact ever since, while making clear he does not excuse or endorse Scurll’s actions.
“I completely recognize that what he did—his actions—are abhorrent, disgraceful, and there is no excuse,” Page stated. I never intended for that photo to be posted at all, but I do want to say that I don’t want that photo to seem like some kind of endorsement, or that I have any interest whatsoever in whitewashing what he did, or any intention of rehabilitating his public image.
That’s not something I’ve ever been interested in doing—now or ever. I think the consequences of his actions, mostly from the public, aside from harassment, have been warranted. I want to make that clear..”
He also made it clear that the consequences Scurll has faced—namely, being shut out of mainstream wrestling for six years—were “warranted.” Page said his continued private relationship with Scurll was never meant to rehabilitate his public image.
“I’ve never really wanted to get into this publicly… because I never wanted it to be misconstrued as an endorsement or an attempt to rehabilitate someone’s public image,” he clarified. “Relationships are complicated, but they’re still relationships, and he’s still a human being.”
Perhaps most significantly, Page took full ownership of the fallout and acknowledged that fans have every right to feel disappointed and even lost respect for Page.
“I 100 percent understand the reaction. If I were on the outside as a wrestling fan and saw that photo, I would at the very least have a lot of questions. I’ve felt a responsibility—regardless of whether anyone said anything—to clarify what that photo might mean.
I wanted to get that off my chest, so thank you for asking me. I wouldn’t want it to be misinterpreted as any kind of endorsement or effort to rehabilitate him. I understand the reaction completely. The best I can do is, when asked like this, be as open and transparent as I can and tell you the truth about who I am and the decisions I’ve made. And truthfully say that even if you’ve lost the tiniest amount of respect for me because of my choices, I can accept that. I understand it. I get it.”
As of now, AEW has not released an official statement on the photo, but Page’s lengthy explanation marks the most significant public update since the controversy began—and it’s clear he’s not asking for forgiveness, only understanding.
Do you think Hangman Page’s statement changes the narrative—or does it raise more questions than answers? Sound off in the comments.
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