“Hangman” Adam Page is back and all is right in the world. This is Bleacher Report’s ranking of the hottest pro wrestling storylines of the week, a weekly column that gives you a snapshot of the best feuds and plot developments from around the industry.

Sometimes, the culmination of a long-term story can be the piece of the puzzle that brings everything together. When it’s done well, it can turn incremental progress into an iconic moment that fans will talk about for years.

For example, most New Japan fans applaud the promotion for the Okada vs. Omega trilogy because it became more than just three great matches. The initial three bouts and its build paved the way for The Best Bout Match to finally defeat The Rainmaker in their fourth encounter at NJPW Dominion in 2018.

The two-year trek made Kenny Omega’s first IWGP Heavyweight Championship more harrowing. This week, several entries effectively used ongoing plot points to create anticipation and that’s what makes pro wrestling so much fun. Let’s take a look at how the hottest storylines fared.

6. Hikaru Shida vs. Serena Deeb

Last Week’s Ranking: N/A

This entry was a bit of a surprise but AEW produced a legitimately interesting twist this week and we’re hoping for a follow-up.

On the anniversary edition of Dynamite, Hikaru Shida made her long-awaited return to network television in hopes to become the first woman on the roster to win 50 matches. To do so, she would have to go through a technical savant in Serena Deeb.

On the surface, this seemed like a predictable outcome. The Japanese star has been one of the most celebrated members of the women’s division. Britt Baker was the only competitor to hand her a loss in singles competition.

Even more, AEW has done big ostentatious presentations to acknowledge achievements like this in the past. In a brilliant display of self-awareness, it lured fans in and swerved them as Deed handed Shida a humiliating loss and viciously continued to beat her down afterwards.

This was an excellent use of continuity because NWA world women's champion has been using nefarious tactics to win for months and Shida has appeared unbeatable at times. Even more, it addresses the biggest criticism of The Fullmetal Champion’s 372-day reign, the lack of meaningful stories.

5. Arn Anderson’s Attempts to Reinvent Cody Rhodes

Last Week’s Ranking: N/A

This entry nearly made the list last week after Arn Anderson’s promo went viral but we’re even more intrigued now.

On the Sept. 29 episode of Dynamite, the crowd showered Cody Rhodes with boos again and Lee Johnson secured the win for their team. Afterward, The American Nightmare attempted to call out Malakai Black.

However, Anderson abruptly interrupted him and expressed disappointment in his mentee's recent actions. Then, he went on to tell him the difference between the two of them in a graphic analogy that included pulling out his glock to dispatch a carjacker. Yes, you read that correctly.

It was so outrageous that it became a talking point online for the remainder of the week, leading to a host of memes and hilarious reactions. This seemed like a one-off occurrence, but the legendary Four Horseman came to Rhodes’ house this week and burned one of expensive suit jackets and ties.

Thematically, this feels similar to the way that Apollo Creed helped to humble Rocky and get him back to the basics in the third installment of his franchise. It’s an engaging dynamic that could hopefully lift the former TNT champion out of the rut that he has been in recently. For now, we’re curious to see where this goes.

4. Sasha Banks vs. Bianca Belair vs. Becky Lynch

Last Week's Ranking: 4

Sasha Banks vs. Bianca Belair vs. Becky Lynch remains in the fourth spot this week ahead of their showdown at Crown Jewel on Thursday, Oct. 21.

The Legit Boss returned at Extreme Rules, lit a fire under this feud, and initiated some fun television matches. However, this program admittedly lost some steam thanks to the addition of the WWE draft.

The storyline picked up again on this Friday’s episode of SmackDown. It’s hard to make a contract signing segment compelling these days because it has been done to death. The latest example of it for the blue brand’s women’s championship had its flaws but it effectively re-established Banks and Belair’s motives.

Lynch continues to grow into her new role as a heel, as well. But Belair showed some fire and reminded viewers why she’s such a likable and determined protagonist.

The opening segment ended on a high note as The EST of WWE lifted both of her opponents over her head and executed an amazing KOD through a table. This was an incredible visual that will surely get fans excited for their upcoming match.

3. Seth Rollins vs. Edge

Last Week's Ranking: 6

Seth Rollins vs. Edge rose to the third spot as it finally paid off after weeks of appreciable promos between the two.

The Drip God made this feud even more personal when he went to his opponent’s house and returned this week with a souvenir. It looked like he was prepared to gloat again and go on another tirade on the latest episode of SmackDown.

Instead, The Rated R Superstar arrived to retaliate and he finally got his hand on Rollins as he tried to attack him with a chair. This was a great payoff because WWE kept them separate long enough to make viewers eager to see someone silence Rollins.

The Visionary is truly some of his best character work because he’s equally insufferable and entertaining enough to keep us wanting more. This storyline wouldn’t be nearly as good if he didn’t carry the bulk of the screen time over the past few weeks.

Edge ended the segment when he finally gave Rollins what he’s been begging for but he raised the ante and demanded a Hell in a Cell match. It made perfect sense because the stipulation works the best when there is a cowardly heel to necessitate it.

Watching Rollins’ facial expression drift from ecstatic to dread at the end was gold. The clip of their exchange drew 1.5 million views on WWE’s YouTube channel, making it the most-watched video front the blue brand this week.

2. Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar

Last Week's Ranking: 1

Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar landed in the second spot this week. It’s still the most riveting storyline on SmackDown right now.

The Tribal Chief’s relationship with Paul Heyman continues to unravel as the threat of The Beast Incarnate looms heavily over both brands. He confronted his special counsel again this week, sparking a fantastic exchange.

In the blink of an eye, Heyman went from a timid and stammering mess to the confident and elusive figure we all know and love. Then, he cleverly pointed out that he wouldn’t be stupid enough to prematurely pull the trigger on a plot against Reigns. Instead, he would move quietly until just the right moment.

It was a phenomenal way to dodge the actual question and continue to leave the door open for more queries about his loyalty to The Head of the Table. He also played to the universal champion’s ego in a way that will keep viewers guessing.

This is such intelligent storytelling but Heyman’s acting and promo work are what puts it over the top. He continues to put on a masterclass on how to add kindling to a slow burn and it has been a blast to watch.

1. ‘Hangman’ Adam Page vs. Kenny Omega

Last Week's Ranking: N/A

On the latest episode of Dynamite, Adam Page returned as a surprise entrant in the Casino Ladder match. In the process, he finally won a chance to challenge for the AEW World Championship.

Hangman’s journey to become a world champion is the longest-running AEW storyline. It has been building since the company’s inception, so it’s nearly impossible to not be invested at this point.

A showdown between everyone’s favorite drunken cowboy and his former tag team partner, Kenny Omega, seemed like the logical main event for All Out. However, this worked out perfectly because his title match would’ve gotten overshadowed on such a stacked card.

Now, AEW has the chance to properly stick the landing at Full Gear or possibly sooner. There was some concern that CM Punk, Adam Cole, and Bryan Danielson would render Page irrelevant. The reaction he received on Wednesday put those fears to rest immediately.

It’s Hangman’s time. AEW has done a magnificent job developing him into a beloved babyface and setting The Best Bout Machine up as megalomaniacal foil. Their pending title match has to be the most anticipated conclusion in pro wrestling right now.