Page is officially signed with WWE (note: despite him claiming on social media that he isn’t --geek) and was at the Performance Center last week. “NXT” officials have been interested in Page since he left AEW earlier this year. Backstage access to “NXT” was completely stripped down to prevent Page’s reveal nor the reveal of TNA Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace from leaking ahead of the show. During rehearsals for the show’s closing segment, Shawn Michaels is said to have stood in for Page so that he wouldn’t be seen before the show. Vic Joseph’s near-mention of “AEW” was part of the program and said to be scripted.
Source: Fightful Select
Shame so much has to be done to keep things secret now, but how much more special and better where these two surprises because they weren’t known ahead of time?
Right? Like I’m as guilty as anyone for wanting to peek behind Ye Ol Curtain™ so to speak (I mean…👀 look around lmao) but a nice surprise is always welcome and both of these wouldn’t have been as good if they were spoiled. Especially Grace, you could see the cameras fucking shaking cause of the physical reaction of the damn crowd.
Tight ships, how boring for those of us online and not following NXT religiously… but how great is that for their viewers, little surprises are nice. If that line was scripted, give that writer a damn raise, it reminded me of when Vince would yell into headsets to have the other announcer stop another from saying certain things, I bolieved it was real there for a minute.