Ethan Page knows that teaming with Rusev is not necessarily the most obvious alliance on the WWE Raw roster. Rusev has long carried himself with a forceful, uncompromising presence, while Page has approached the pairing with an unusually direct understanding of both its potential and its pitfalls. For Page, though, the partnership is not an accident or a short-term attempt to simply stand beside a dangerous competitor.
In Page's view, the advantages of working with Rusev outweigh the risks. The two wrestlers have overlapping goals, comparable attitudes toward the Raw brand, and even personal backgrounds that Page believes give him a better sense of how to communicate with “The Bulgarian Brute.” That combination has convinced Page that the alliance is worth pursuing, despite Rusev's reputation and the apparent mismatch that some may see on the surface.
Speaking with TMZ's Inside The Ring, Page acknowledged that approaching Rusev requires a specific level of awareness. He does not expect the process of forming a friendship or partnership with Rusev to be simple, and he made clear that he understands the kind of personality he is dealing with.
“I don't think there's lots of guys trying to walk up to Rusev and spark up a new friendship,” Page said. “So I understand what I'm walking into and who I'm dealing with.”
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That admission is central to Page's explanation. Rather than portraying Rusev as someone who merely needs a teammate, Page described the situation as one in which he has studied the relationship and considered what each man brings to it. He is conscious of Rusev's perspective, including the possibility that Rusev may not initially see the same value in Page that Page sees in him.
Page said the important factor is not simply whether the partnership looks natural to outsiders. It is whether it serves both men in the demanding environment of WWE Raw. From Page's standpoint, a shared purpose can be more valuable than a conventional friendship, particularly when two performers can identify the same obstacles and pursue the same professional destination.
“I understand the situation and the relationship,” Page said. “Most importantly, I understand the relationship, what he brings to the table, and maybe what I bring to the table or what he doesn't think that I bring to the table. I'm well aware of his point of view on the entire thing. I just see way too many benefits from us working together than us not working together.”
Why Page Believes the Alliance Works
Page's case for the partnership begins with alignment. He stated that, among the Raw roster, Rusev is the wrestler whose outlook most closely matches his own. They share professional goals and, as Page bluntly put it, they “hate” many of the same people. In WWE, where shifting alliances are often shaped by opportunity, rivalry and championship aspirations, Page sees that common ground as a meaningful foundation.
There is a practical side to that approach. Rusev brings proven physical dominance and a reputation for punishing opponents, while Page has made it clear that he believes he offers something significant to the equation as well. Page did not attempt to spell out every detail of that balance, nor did he claim that Rusev fully recognizes it at this stage. Instead, his comments suggested that earning Rusev's trust and demonstrating his usefulness are part of the challenge he has accepted.
The partnership is therefore not presented as a feel-good union. Page's remarks were more calculated than sentimental. He recognizes that Rusev can be difficult to approach, but he believes the reward for finding a workable connection is too great to ignore. Page is focused on the mutual benefits, not on convincing everyone that the two men are naturally alike.
That is also why Page's comments about understanding Rusev matter. He is not claiming to have changed Rusev or softened his outlook. Instead, he is saying that he can meet Rusev on terms the former United States Champion is more likely to respect: directness, shared objectives and a willingness to compete with intensity.
A Personal Connection Through Balkan Heritage
Beyond their outlook on Raw and their common professional interests, Page identified a deeper point of connection. Rusev was born in Bulgaria, while Page said his family came from former Yugoslavia. Page views that shared Balkan background as something that helps him understand Rusev's perspective and gives the partnership an additional layer beyond their on-screen objectives.
“He was born in Bulgaria. My family came from former Yugoslavia. We're both Balkans,” Page said. “I grew up with the same relatable upbringing, so I can get him there a little bit.”
Page did not suggest that the two men have identical experiences, nor did he reduce their relationship to heritage alone. Still, he sees their southeastern European family connections as a genuine point of relatability. It is one more reason Page feels he can reach Rusev in a way that other members of the roster may not be able to.
That distinction is notable because Page began by recognizing that few wrestlers would choose to walk up to Rusev and attempt to build a new friendship. Page's comments indicate that he believes his background, combined with their shared competitive mindset, puts him in a unique position. He is not approaching Rusev blindly. He is approaching him with an understanding of the cultural and personal commonalities he believes they possess.
For a WWE partnership, that kind of reasoning can be important. Tag teams and alliances are often tested by pressure, losses and diverging priorities. Page is openly framing his connection with Rusev around factors he believes can withstand those challenges: a similar worldview, a common list of adversaries, matching goals and a personal familiarity rooted in their Balkan backgrounds.
Early Results for Page and Rusev
Page and Rusev have already had opportunities to put their chemistry to the test in the ring. Their first tag team outing came on the May 4 edition of Raw, where they faced Je'Von Evans and then-Intercontinental Champion Penta. Page and Rusev emerged victorious in that match, providing an early result that supported Page's belief that the pairing could work when competition began.
The victory over Evans and Penta was significant in that it placed the new team against opponents with very different strengths. Penta entered the match as Intercontinental Champion at the time, while Evans brought a contrasting style and energy. Page and Rusev nevertheless came away with the win, giving their alliance immediate credibility in the ring.
They later competed together again on July 20, taking on Chad Gable and Penta. That bout continued the association between Page and Rusev, even as Penta remained a recurring opponent in their tag team matches. The available results show that the partnership was not merely something Page discussed in interviews; it was a working on-screen connection that had already been tested against prominent Raw competition.
Rusev's momentum was interrupted shortly afterward. “The Bulgarian Brute” has been out of action since July 27 after suffering an injury during a singles match against Evans. The injury has prevented Rusev from continuing to build on the partnership in the immediate term, leaving Page's stated belief in the alliance without its most imposing in-ring component.
What Rusev's Absence Means for the Partnership
Rusev's absence naturally places the focus on Page's words rather than the team's next match. Page has made his position clear: he sees more upside in remaining aligned with Rusev than in separating from him. The question of how that belief translates once Rusev is able to return remains open, particularly because Page has emphasized that the relationship requires an awareness of Rusev's point of view as much as his own.
For now, Page's explanation offers a detailed look at why he has invested in the connection. He sees Rusev as a man who shares his perspective on Raw, his ambitions and his rivalries. He also sees a cultural familiarity that helps make communication possible. Those factors, Page believes, are enough to overcome the perception that the pairing is unusual.
Whether the team resumes exactly where it left off when Rusev returns is not yet known. What is known is that Page is not treating the alliance as a casual arrangement. His comments frame it as a deliberate WWE partnership rooted in respect for Rusev's strengths, a recognition of his difficult nature, and the conviction that their similarities can make them stronger together than apart.
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Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.