Ethan Page signed for NXT

In another example of how competition and free agency can benefit the industry, Ethan Page, former Impact and AEW star, made a shocking debut on NXT television this past Tuesday, attacking NXT champion, Trick Williams. Earlier on the same episode, TNA Knockouts champion, Jordynne Grace, who competed in the Royal Rumble earlier this year, made a cameo appearence to challenge Roxanne Perez for the NXT Women's title at the Battleground event, the "premium live event" that will be held at the UFC Apex.

PWInsider's Mike Johnson, who I consider to be the most accurate journalist in professional wrestling, reported that Ethan Page recently signed a deal with the company, and also noted that there would be more crossover between NXT and TNA in the future. I actually penned an article about potential TNA crossover a few months ago so I don't want to retread that again, but want to follow-up with a discussion of the concept based on the current angles that we've seen this week. It goes without saying that TNA is absolutely no threat to WWE, the Anthem-owned organization doesn't have the star power or the media muscle to compete in any way, shape, or form with the TKO corporation. So, if both companies can work together for there to be a mutually beneficial situation then it's a win-win for everyone involved. Keep in mind, the developmental show is the least-watched of WWE programming so this association with TNA isn't based on the big stars of the company, which is fine. It adds something unique for the NXT broadcast, and it opens the door for NXT talent to get more experience in high profile spots in TNA, while giving that promotion some extra steam as well. Furthermore, WWE management knows that there are only so many spots within their system so it's always a good thing for there to be more platforms for more talent to be discovered. Make no mistake about it, if the office eventually decides to make Grace an offer, she will take the contract, and she's on their radar because TNA remains in business.

Speaking of being on the radar, the previously mentioned Ethan Page has been on the radar of the pro wrestling world for a while, despite being signed to a few national groups, for whatever reason, he hasn't been given the chance to truly break out as a star. There's no doubt that Page, the Canadian grappler that made a name for himself on the independent circuit with a stint in the now-defunct Evolve group before he inked a deal with Impact Wrestling in 2017, has the tools to be a star. He can go in the ring, has the mic skills, and is in the best shape of his career after he trimmed down slightly in more recent months.

He had a good stint as a tag team with Josh Alexander during his run in Impact Wrestling, but outside of that the nearly four years he spent there were rather undistinguished, which was a result of the company being on rather rocky ground more than anything else. Keep in mind, there was a year that Impact was on the Pursuit Channel, a hunting-based network, that offered as much exposure as the witness protection program. Anthem had much bigger problems with Impact at the time then deciding what to do with Ethan Page so he was more or less lost in the shuffle of the organization.

That made it a rather easy decision for him to look for work elsewhere and he was a surprise participant in the ladder match at the AEW Revolution pay-per-view in 2021. Reportedly, he inked a three-year deal, which expired a few months ago and that's what allowed him to test the free agent market. Unfortunately, very similar to his Impact tenure, his AEW career was rather undistinguished as well. It's odd because again, the guy has the ability to be an asset, and when he was given the limited opportunity to show it, including when he worked with MJF for the world title in his home town in June of last year, he proved that he has the ability to be more than an interchangeable lower card competitor. It's nothing new within the landscape of All Elite, but Ethan Page was another name that got completely lost in the shuffle of the bloated roster, and despite working for the company for three years, he was more or less in the same place when he left as when he debuted. What meaningful or important angles was Page booked for in AEW? How did his character progress within the past three years? What major matches or scenarios was he booked for that made him a bigger star?

When you consider the answers to those questions, Page was probably in a situation where he just wasn't going to get a better opportunity, regardless of the level of talent he brings to the talent. Granted, that's not to say that Ethan Page is the next Stone Cold, but rather that he wasn't given a chance to try to make the most of his ability on the AEW roster. He was in a few stables, including working with Dan Lambert from American Top Team, an angle that had some stream, but went nowhere, and The Firm, but the stable was eventually dissolved. The storyline with Matt Hardy was convoluted and essentially cannon fodder on the B-show. In each of those scenarios, Page was booked for a secondary role that anyone else on the roster could've been used for with the same result for the storyline. His last match on AEW television was at the end of 2023 when he lost to Kenny Omega on an episode of Collision. Prior to that, he started working the ROH tapings and was used there for a few months earlier this year. Again, the Honor Club broadcast offer as much exposure as the witness protection program so it didn't do anything for his status in the company.

Despite NXT being the developmental brand, the addition of Ethan Page to the roster, besides the talent that he brings to the table, is that it sends another message about the status of both national groups in the business.

Similar to when Jade Cargill made the jump, the WWE made Ethan Page look more like star in one appearence than AEW did in three years. Page wasn't more than a goon in a stable for the majority of his stint in All Elite, but he started an angle with the NXT champion this week. That equation almost reinforces the notion that AEW is the secondary option in the industry, which could have an interesting effect on the free agent market in the future.

Since his NXT debut, Page posted a video on social media, claiming that he wasn't signed to any company or any contract so it looks like the storyline will be that he's a free agent that created his own opportunity when he attacked Trick Williams. This could allow for some intriguing television, specifically with the working agreement with TNA. It's possible that Page might return there for a few appearances just to add another layer to the NXT storyline. Page actually still has some independent appearances booked as well, which could also be used to further the free agent storyline.