Fans who have watched WWE Monday Night Raw over the past couple of weeks have noticed a new tag team on the roster. Ethan Page and Rusev have partnered up, delivering both athleticism and entertainment. They are currently in a storyline with many wrestlers, such as Chad Gable, Dragon Lee, Joe Hendry, and Penta.
They’ve done some despicable things like beating up Chad Gable and unmasking Rey Mysterio. On the July 6, 2026 episode of Raw, the two beat Gable and Lee in an exciting match.
Odd couple tag teams like this one usually take some weeks for the fans to get used to. The same can be said about themselves, as it can feel like an obligation rather than a friendship. However, Page and Rusev have become extremely popular in a short amount of time, and they actually work together very well, which has been very fun to watch. There are a number of reasons why this duo has become a hit with the fans.
Rusev Acts as the Veteran Muscle
Since his win over Sheamus in a Good Ol’ Fashioned Donnybrook match at last year’s Clash in Paris, Rusev hasn’t gotten close to a major victory at all. He lasted seconds in the Royal Rumble, failed to win the Intercontinental title in a six-pack ladder match at WrestleMania: Vegas, and lost to rising star Oba Femi after a great build between them.
It looked like he was going to be cut, but there was still belief that he could contribute to the company, which is why WWE decided to put him with Page.
Instead of him being a jobber for young wrestlers, he’s now responsible for helping Page navigate the main roster. Sometimes call-ups have a hard time on Raw or SmackDown. That’s why a veteran is needed to help them build athleticism and confidence. If anyone tries to pick on him, Rusev will be there to back him up. That mentorship will help him become a star on the main roster.
Ethan Page Gets to Learn From An Experienced Wrestler
Even though Rusev’s only been back in WWE for over a year, his previous tenure in the company spanned many years. He got called up from NXT in 2014 and was released during the Coronavirus budget cuts in 2020, lasting seven years on the main roster. During that time, he was a three-time WWE United States Champion. Having him around will be helpful for young wrestlers and newcomers to the company.
Page certainly isn’t new to wrestling, as he has several years of experience competing in both AEW and TNA, as well as a successful run in NXT. But WWE does things differently than other companies, so someone has to help him adapt to the different style that they use.
They’ve been together for weeks, with Rusev’s seriousness blending in perfectly with Page’s irritating nature. If Page succeeds on the main roster, fans will remember his first few months on Raw pairing with a veteran in Rusev.
This Team Can Be Successful in the Long Run
Page and Rusev have been attacking many different wrestlers since they formed a pair. However, none of those wrestlers are the current or former WWE World Tag Team Champions.
They have stayed away from Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford, as well as Austin Theory and Bron Breakker, who won back the titles on Monday. Once they’re done with Gable and his crew, they should try for some championship gold. It’s been years since Rusev has won a title in WWE, and Page has only won titles in NXT.
With tensions brewing between the Vision’s manager, Paul Heyman and Theory, they could definitely lose the titles very quickly. That will help both Page and Rusev become even more popular. But for right now, the two men are getting over with the crowd by just being themselves. The intimidating veteran and the confident newcomer are having success in and out of the ring. By forming this tag team, Page and Rusev are hugely helping each other.
