Popular star to win first-ever title in WWE by dethroning Ethan Page? Exploring the possibility

Ethan Page has a target on his back as he holds the NXT Championship, and it's not only stars from WWE who are gunning for his gold. The Stamford promotion's new partnership with TNA has paved the way for several non-WWE talents to target NXT champions.

Joe Hendry is now one of those who has his eyes set on defeating Ethan Page and becoming the NXT Champion. Joe, one of the most popular stars in pro wrestling today, announced his intentions to win the title on this week's episode of NXT (August 14).

The 36-year-old interrupted Page and declared himself a contender for the champ's title. It didn't go down too well with All Ego, as he downplayed Hendry's credentials and said he would expose him.

Joe Hendry's meteoric rise, coupled with his popularity, could mean he's the one to dethrone Ethan Page. The Scot said that NXT's Head of Creative, Shawn Michaels, believes in him, which has been proven true since the WWE-TNA crossover started.

However, there is a stumbling block in the form of Wes Lee, who also appears to be eyeing the NXT Championship. He attacked Hendry at the end of the segment and stared back at Page. WWE RAW star Pete Dunne also said he was targeting the title later in the show.

Despite this, Hendry could be surging towards the first title win of his so-far short stint in WWE but might have further competition than just the champ. It would also be his first world title win in a major company, as he's never won the TNA World Championship.

The next NXT Premium Live Event is No Mercy on September 1 at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. In last year's No Mercy men's world title match, Ilja Dragunov beat Carmelo Hayes. If fans get a battle anywhere similar to that, then they are in for a treat.

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Joe Hendry won't take impressive record from WWE NXT Champion Ethan Page

Ethan Page stunned the world when he picked up the NXT Championship at Heatwave on July 7. Trick Williams hit All Ego with a Trick Shot, but he fell on a downed Je'Von Evans to win a Fatal Four-Way. It was the quickest world title win for a debuting star in NXT history, in just 40 days.

Joe Hendry could take Page's title but won't take his record as it's been 57 days since he debuted, as of August 14. The champ will still hold the record, which puts him above Kevin Owens (60 days) after The Prizefighter dethroned Sami Zayn in 2015.

All Ego has been a conniving champion and lived up to his nickname with his tactics. He tried belittling Hendry on the mic tonight which only further riled up the crowd who all clearly believe in the TNA star.