As WWE gears up for a big week, NXT built Ethan Page vs. Mustafa Ali in less time than it takes to boil pasta.
Next Tuesday’s NXT: Showdown brings full Survivor Series vibes, with brand warfare and team elimination matches as Team NXT faces Team TNA in both men’s and women’s competition.
But with just a week to go, WWE may have built the card’s best pure wrestling match — one two years in the making.
As NXT North American Champion Ethan Page continued to hype a future clash with AAA Latin American Champion El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr., he was interrupted by current TNA star and former WWE standout Mustafa Ali.
In a tense exchange between two of wrestling’s sharpest dressers, they traded verbal jabs — Page delivered with smug arrogance, while Ali brought genuine intensity, though at times leaning into theatrical flair. What followed set the tone for a promising match, all in under 10 minutes.
Ali returned to claim what he earned two years ago: a shot at the North American Championship.
Back in September 2023, Ali defeated Dragon Lee to become the No. 1 contender to then-champion Dominik Mysterio. But days before NXT No Mercy, he was released from WWE — and his dream died.
“On this day,” Ali explained, “at NXT No Mercy, I was promised a North American Championship match. And my dream was on the horizon. But Mr. Page, that day the sun did not rise,”
The usually raucous crowd inside WWE’s Performance Center fell silent, then rallied behind Ali as he continued. Now 749 days later, he was back to finish what he started.
As fire burned in Ali’s eyes, a fan stood and flexed in solidarity. Page paused, his expression softening as the crowd chanted Ali’s name. Then, in true All Ego fashion, he snapped back:
“So, let me get this straight. This is the part where you cry, right?”
Ali then revealed that he had spoken with NXT General Manager Ava and “politicked” for a title match for next week, a move that upset Page. Staying firmly in character, Page fired back with a dig at Ali’s release.
“Next Tuesday, I am going to disappoint you. But don’t worry, I’m not going to call you on the phone to fire you. But what I will do is wish you your best in your future endeavors.”
Ali simply rolled his eyes, then hauled off and popped Page in the mouth, sending him on his way.
With high emotional stakes and two of wrestling’s most technically gifted performers involved, this bout could steal the show in what’s shaping up to be a big week for WWE.
NXT: Showdown also features two Survivor Series-style elimination tag matches as the men and women of NXT and TNA square off. Plus, in a winner-take-all tag team title bout, TNA Champions The Hardys battle NXT titleholders DarkState.
Just days later, the action heats up as WWE heads to Australia for Crown Jewel, streaming on ESPN. The event features the final battle between John Cena and AJ Styles. Two Crown Jewel Title matches are also set as Cody Rhodes faces Seth Rollins, and Tiffany Stratton meets Stephanie Vaquer for the first time.
As the spotlight shifts from NXT to Australia, Ali vs. Page looks to deliver a surefire contender for 2025’s best televised bout.
Category: General Sports
