On the Tuesday, May 28th edition of WWE NXT, former AEW Star Ethan Page made a surprise appearance where he attacked NXT Champion Trick Williams.
On the latest episode of the “Extreme Life of Matt Hardy” podcast, the TNA star discussed a wide range of topics including Page’s arrival.
I’m a big fan of Ethan Page. MJF is the one who pitched the idea, after Jeff got in trouble and was gone for TV, MJF pitched the idea, he said, ‘Hey, I’m a big fan of this guy, Ethan Page. Do you know him?’ I said, ‘No, I don’t. I do enjoy what I’ve seen of him so far.’ He said, ‘Would you be up for working with him?’ We did one pre-tape, and that’s what started, we ended up working together for almost a year before it was all said and done.
I grew to really like him as a talent and also as a friend, and I feel like we’re both very like-minded. The fact that even with that story we didn’t get pushed into a higher tier in some ways is a little frustrating because we worked really hard on trying to create some entertaining content, and I think, at the end of the day, Ethan Page is more of an entertainer than he is a wrestler, but he’s a great wrestler, he’s a great athlete, he’s very smart, very good promo.
I feel like his entertainment value overshadowed his athleticism a little bit, and that’s why he didn’t get a bigger opportunity in AEW. That’s just my personal guess or my personal take. Him being in NXT, I think it’s the perfect spot for him. I think he could be in there, I think he could thrive.
He is a great speaker, he’s a great entertainer, and it’s his to stop, how to make the look, how to connect with the audience if he’s a heel or if he’s a babyface, whatever it may be.
He gets all of that, so I think he will do well there, and I’m super happy and stoked for my friend, who really didn’t want to waste away in his prime years, getting this opportunity at WWE and NXT, I’m excited for him to kill it.”
H/T to Fightful for the transcription