Well, folks, the cat’s out of the bag and boy, was it one sneaky feline! “All Ego” Ethan Page has made his grand entrance into WWE, leaving fans both shocked and awed. The former TNA World Tag Team Champion was unveiled as the mystery attacker terrorizing the developmental program on Tuesday. How did WWE manage to keep this under wraps? Let’s dive into the clandestine world of wrestling espionage.
According to “Fightful Select,” Page is officially on WWE’s payroll and was spotted lurking around the Performance Center last week, probably wearing a Groucho Marx disguise. “NXT” officials had their eyes on Page since he left AEW earlier this year, and to keep his debut a secret, they locked down backstage access tighter than Fort Knox. Even the pizza delivery guy had to use a secret handshake to get in.
During rehearsals for the big reveal, none other than Shawn Michaels himself stood in for Page. Imagine that! HBK playing the role of a guy who thinks he’s God’s gift to wrestling. Talk about method acting. Vic Joseph almost dropping the “AEW” bombshell on live TV? Totally scripted. Apparently, WWE likes to flirt with danger.
Page’s time in AEW was like a Hollywood blockbuster that never got past the teaser trailer. He was a star on “AEW Dark” and occasionally graced “Rampage” or PPV pre-shows. But the big leagues? Not so much. His departure from AEW earlier this month was quieter than a library at midnight. His profile vanished from AEW’s website faster than a magician’s assistant.
Back in his TNA days, Page, alongside Josh Alexander as The North, reigned supreme as the longest-reigning tag team champions. Now he’s switched sides, much like that one friend who can’t decide between Marvel and DC.
Meanwhile, the AEW exit doors have been swinging more than a saloon in an old Western movie. WWE Hall of Famers Arn Anderson and Mark Henry, and former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Jake Hager have all bid farewell to AEW recently.