Ethan Page, a former AEW star, made his WWE NXT debut this week in a dramatic fashion, attacking current NXT Champion Trick Williams and Je’Von Evans after their victory over Gallus in tag team action. This surprise appearance was not the only shock of the night, as TNA Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace also made her debut, challenging Roxanne Perez for her NXT Women’s Championship at the upcoming NXT Battleground on June 9.
Despite the buzz surrounding these debuts, WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray expressed his dissatisfaction with how Page’s introduction was handled. Speaking on “Busted Open Radio,” Bully Ray criticized the presentation, suggesting that Page’s debut felt overshadowed by Grace’s earlier appearance and questioning whether Page’s arrival truly warranted the fanfare it received.
“I’m not a fan of the way they debuted Ethan Page last night,” Bully Ray stated bluntly. “First, he got lost in the sauce of Jordynne Grace. There’s no doubt, you could say whatever you want, Jordynne is the story from last night. So, he’s gonna bask in the shadow of Jordynne today. We’ll see what happens as far as Ethan Page is concerned.”
Bully Ray further elaborated on his point, expressing skepticism about Page’s potential impact in WWE. “I think he’s been off people’s radar long enough that they could just debut him the way they did. He was debuted as a big deal, but I don’t consider Page a big deal. I don’t know if he’s going to be a big deal. I would’ve gone the opposite direction. I would’ve debuted him in a little bit more of a traditional way, maybe through a vignette or something. Next week will be an interesting follow-up.”
Ethan Page’s journey to WWE has been filled with twists and turns. After joining AEW in 2021, Page found himself often relegated to online broadcast shows like “AEW Dark” or Ring of Honor, with occasional appearances on “Rampage” or PPV pre-shows. His departure from AEW earlier this month was followed by his profile being removed from the company’s website, paving the way for his surprise WWE debut.
Further details have emerged about Page’s signing with WWE. According to “Fightful Select,” Page officially inked his deal with WWE and was spotted at the Performance Center last week. NXT officials had been eyeing Page since his departure from AEW, and stringent measures were taken to ensure his reveal remained a secret. During rehearsals, WWE legend Shawn Michaels stood in for Page to prevent leaks about his debut.
Despite the mixed reception from wrestling veterans like Bully Ray, WWE seems pleased with Page’s debut. The promotion, along with Page’s new colleagues, has expressed satisfaction with how his introduction played out. Whether Page can capitalize on this momentum and prove his critics wrong remains to be seen.
Ethan Page’s debut, while contentious, adds another layer of intrigue to the evolving landscape of WWE NXT. As WWE continues to bolster its roster with fresh talent, fans will be keenly watching how Page and other new arrivals, like Jordynne Grace, shape the future of the brand. The upcoming NXT Battleground event on June 9 promises to be a pivotal moment, not just for the new champions but also for the newly debuted stars looking to make their mark.
The wrestling world is dynamic, with new storylines and characters constantly emerging. Ethan Page’s journey in WWE is just beginning, and despite the initial criticisms, he has the platform to prove himself as a significant player in the industry. As Bully Ray aptly put it, the follow-up will be crucial. How WWE handles Page’s character development in the coming weeks will determine if he can step out of the shadows and establish himself as a true “big deal” in the wrestling world.