6 Ups & 7 Downs From Impact Wrestling (Dec 17)

2. All Ego's Plan

After Rich Swann and Willie Mack became the next in line to The North's World Tag Team Championships during last week's Tag Team Open, Josh Alexander insisted on ambushing Swann, seeing as Mack had been taken out during the match through injury. However, Ethan Page had another plan in mind, which he unveiled this week in true 'All Ego' fashion.

During his bout with Rich, Page did everything in his power to get under his adversary's skin, beginning by having Josh grab Swann's ankle. As expected, that resulted in the referee giving him a stern warning, but upon Willie Mack stepping on to the ring apron out of anger, the referee was distracted long enough for the reigning tag champs to double team one of their Hard to Kill challengers without the risk of being disqualified.

In the end, Page got into it with Mack at ringside, which resulted in 'Chocolate Thunder' snapping and ambushing Page, inadvertently costing his own partner the match due to a disqualification. At this point, it was clear what had happened. Page's plan had worked to full effect, as not only did he manage to gain the advantage heading into the title match next month, he appears to have caused some dissension between the challengers as well.

The smile on Page's face said it all. A plan from 'All Ego' will always come to fruition. Call it whatever you want, but you can't disagree that it's some excellent tactics from Ethan. Swann and Mack are now heading into Hard To Kill with a chip on their shoulder, while also not entirely being on the same page - just what The North wanted.