Published: May 5, 2026 by Dave Adamson | Last Updated: May 5, 2026 by Dave Adamson
Dave has been a website writer for WrestleTalk since October 2022, having previously written for Den of Geek, among a number of wrestling, movie and television-related sites. Dave has been around the independent wrestling scene for more than a decade, including behind-the-scenes.
WWE
Ethan Page has set his sights firmly on the WWE Intercontinental Championship after pinning Penta on last night’s episode of Raw.
Called up to the main roster on the Raw after WrestleMania 42, Ethan Page saw a victory against Je’Von Evans, with an assist from Rusev.
The relationship with Rusev continued on the May 5 episode of WWE Raw, with the pair seeing a tag team victory over Penta and Evans.
With Penta being the WWE Intercontinental Champion, Page has now set his sights on that very title, sharing a message after Raw on Twitter, saying:
“You know it’s weird to say, I guess I’m the new guy, right? Three weeks, two matches and let’s check the stats: Undefeated. 2 and 0.
“I just pinned the Intercontinental Champion, which means… soon to be greatest Intercontinental Champion of all time.
“I’m the standard of excellence, baby, and soon to hold the token of excellence in the WWE.”
If you use this transcription or any portion of it, please credit WrestleTalk.com and link to this page.
A former NXT Champion, Page won that title at Heatwave in July 2024, under two months after he made his WWE debut, and would go on to hold the North American Championship.
The Token Of Excellence In WWE
A stepping stone to World Championship opportunities, the WWE Intercontinental Championship has been in existence since September 1979.
Standing behind the WWE Championship, its importance to the title picture can’t be understated, with many of its holders being going on to the main event picture. Indeed, such is the status of the WWE Intercontinental Championship that John Cena claimed the title for the first time in his career last year, sharing his thoughts on the reign that secured him Grand Slam Champion status.
With the title back on WWE Raw, a look at the champions since WrestleMania 40 in April 2024 gives a flavor of the prestige the title holds, with Sami Zayn, Bron Breakker, Jey Uso, Dominik Mysterio, John Cena, and now Penta now among its history.
All of this after GUNTHER held the championship for a staggering 666 days, with that record-breaking reign starting in June 2022.
It’s difficult not to look at the list of recent title holders and not see World Championships in their future, something that will no doubt be ahead for Penta and Page.
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