Backstage WWE and AEW Rumors: Latest on Jordynne Grace, Ethan Page, MJF and More

The wrestling world was shaken by major shocks this week, with returns by former world champions, unexpected appearances by titleholders from other promotions and the surprise signing of one of the industry's brightest free agents by its most prominent company.

Jordynne Grace, "All Ego" Ethan Page and MJF stole the headlines with their unexpected appearances across WWE and All Elite Wrestling this week.

Dive deeper into those appearances and more with this collection of pro wrestling rumors.

TNA Knockouts champion Jordynne Grace stunned the wrestling world Tuesday night when she emerged as the latest challenger to Roxanne Perez's NXT Women's Championship.

Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select reported that Grace has signed a deal for at least three appearances worth "at least six figures."

The 28-year-old remains under contract with TNA for at least another year, but that should not be too big a hurdle to overcome if WWE wishes to utilize her beyond those dates.

Sapp added: "The door is very open for more NXT crossover with TNA. There were some that wondered if Scott D'Amore's departure from TNA would close that, as he helped facilitate the Royal Rumble appearance on his way out. However, those we've spoken to in TNA say that the lines of communication have remained open."

Grace made her first WWE appearance in January in the women's Royal Rumble match, where she was one of the biggest surprises of the entire show and generated considerable buzz.

Sapp added that Perez's reaction to Grace's appearance was one of genuine surprise as she did not want to be told who her surprise opponent was ahead of time.

It only enhanced the moment, with the internet buzzing about the forbidden door being kicked open in at least one area of wrestling's most prominent company.

But this wasn't the only surprise on a memorable NXT broadcast.

Corey Brennan of Fightful Select reported that "All Ego" Ethan Page has officially signed with WWE.

He also confirmed Mike Johnson of PWInsider.com's report that Page was at the WWE Performance Center behind closed doors last week to undergo his physical and officially ink his contract.

To preserve the surprise, NXT head of creative Shawn Michaels stood in for Page during rehearsals and Booker T's name was in place of his in the rundown.

Like Grace's return to the company, Page's debut was met with considerable shock and excitement among insiders and fans alike.

It provided a spark to a brand that has built momentum in recent months with the elevation of Trick Williams to the top of the card, the focus on a women's division brimming with talent and consistent booking from Michaels and his creative team.

Page appears set to challenge Williams for the NXT Championship if the conclusion of Tuesday's show is any indication.

As a veteran performer who has worked around the world against a wealth of stars from different backgrounds and styles, the 34-year-old can be an enormous help in further establishing the champion as the undisputed face of the gold brand.

MJF returned to AEW at Double or Nothing on Sunday to the delight of the fans in the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, but his status with the company was never in doubt, according to Sapp.

"MJF agreed to a new AEW contract at some point in 2022 following AEW Double or Nothing weekend, though specifically when or the length of the deal isn't known," he wrote.

"His new (or newer) agreement made him one of the company's highest paid talent, on a multi-million dollar per year deal."

Sapp said there is no indication if the deal that the former AEW world champion signed was merely an extension or completely replaced the original contract and that, despite the significance of the injury he suffered late in 2023, he did not undergo shoulder surgery.

MJF appeared to have blown off his feud with Adam Cole at the latest AEW pay-per-view, confronting and attacking his former friend and tag team partner.

With Cole injured and nowhere near an in-ring return, it was a logical creative decision rather than keeping things in a holding pattern on the off-chance that Cole is ring-ready sooner than expected.

Rush called MJF out on Wednesday's Dynamite, suggesting the international star will be the first opponent for The Salt of the Earth upon his in-ring return.

How the fans' favorite performs between the ropes will be of great interest, but he appeared to be in the best shape of his career in Vegas and ready to get back to doing what he did as well as anyone when he disappeared from television in December.

Bryan Alvarez of F4WOnline.com reported there is growing frustration within AEW, going as far as to compare it to "2019 WWE," with talent and crew not knowing what they are doing until hours before the show, thanks to copious rewrites and changes to creative (h/t Cageside Seats).

Some wrestlers are flown in with nothing to do on the show, while others are "begged" to fly in at the last moment.

It is not particularly surprising that there would be such a report as AEW TV has felt even less focused and somewhat messy of late, with angles seemingly rushed or underdeveloped. That would appear to suggest that those late changes have affected the shows and led to diminishing returns creatively.

The Double or Nothing PPV was critically acclaimed, proving Tony Khan can put together a great one-off card full of show-stealing matches. When it comes to the TV product, though, it appears he has struggled to put together long-term creative that is consistent and cohesive.

Injuries play a role, as does the availability of some of the international talent AEW uses, but frustration should be expected when last-minute changes and plans for the talent run wild.