Nick Wayne has acknowledged the crucial role of Christian Cage mentorship and partnership with Nick Wayne in shaping his wrestling journey in AEW, even as tensions between the two mount backstage. As speculation grows over a possible split, Wayne attributes his rapid success in AEW to Cage’s influence, setting the stage for a potential high-stakes confrontation.
Rising Star Made History Under Christian Cage’s Guidance
The dynamic between Nick Wayne and Christian Cage began at AEW WrestleDream 2023, where Wayne shocked fans by betraying his then-ally Darby Allin to help Cage retain the AEW TNT Championship during a 2-out-of-3 falls contest. Wayne’s actions signaled his entry into The Patriarchy, aligning him with Cage, who has played the role of both mentor and manipulator since then.
The impact of Christian Cage mentorship and partnership with Nick Wayne has been immediate and impressive. Wayne secured the ROH World Television Championship on April 17, 2025, making him the youngest singles champion in company history at just 19 years old. This milestone has been attributed to Wayne’s association with Cage, who has guided him both in and out of the ring.
Wayne Highlights the Importance of Cage’s Advice
Despite tensions and storyline conflicts, Wayne continues to praise Christian Cage’s wisdom and support on a personal level. During a recent episode of AEW Unrestricted, Wayne openly credited Cage for helping him grow more confident in both promos and presentation, emphasizing that Cage’s feedback after matches has shaped him significantly.
“I feel like he’s one of the smartest people in wrestling, period. But for sure in AEW, he’s so smart in every aspect of wrestling. But specifically, what he’s helped me the most with is promos and just talking, and a lot of presentation as well. How to present yourself as something more and feel like you’re bigger. Really a lot in talking, and I’ve gotten really comfortable with it recently… But it goes all the way down to in-ring stuff. After all my matches, I always tell him, like, please pick me apart. Like, tell me everything. So, yeah, I couldn’t have asked for a better mentor in this time that I’ve been under his learning tree,”
said Wayne.—Nick Wayne, AEW Wrestler
Backstage Tension Delays Major Tag Team Match
While Wayne and Cage’s partnership has been fruitful, recent backstage developments hint at a possible turning point. Christian Cage was originally set to team up with Adam Copeland (known to fans as Edge), his longtime friend, at the high-profile All In event for a match against FTR. However, as reported by Sean Ross Sapp, the plan was postponed due to internal debates about transitioning Cage’s character to a babyface and removing him from The Patriarchy stable earlier than intended.
Sapp explained that Christian Cage personally wanted to continue with The Patriarchy storyline, delaying the anticipated pairing.
“People I talked to hinted to me there were some hiccups in relation to turning Christian babyface or getting him out of The Patriarchy. [It] seems like he wanted to do that for a little bit longer. They had planned for Cope and Christian against FTR at All In.”
[H/T: Ringside News]—Sean Ross Sapp, Wrestling Reporter
What Could Happen Next in AEW
With growing friction between Nick Wayne and Christian Cage, fans are increasingly drawn to the evolving story and what it may mean for AEW’s biggest events. The upcoming All Out, set in Toronto, Canada, could serve as a pivotal stage for either a long-awaited reunion between Cage and Adam Copeland or a dramatic split that sends Wayne and Cage on a collision course. As the partnership faces its toughest test yet, the influence of Cage’s mentorship on Wayne’s fast rise ensures that any future encounter will carry added significance for both men and AEW as a whole.
