NXT North American Champion Ethan Page recently credited advice from The Rock for transforming his on-screen persona into that of an “absolute menace.” The pivotal exchange took place during a backstage segment on the January 7, 2025, episode of NXT New Year’s Evil.
During that show, The Rock appeared alongside Page and NXT General Manager Ava. The Great One acknowledged Page’s reputation and his recent attack on Je’Von Evans, advising him that while he was “The Final Boss,” Ava held that role in NXT. The segment concluded with The Rock telling Page he needed to be “cool” with Ava and that he would see him on the main roster, signaling a future call-up.
Appearing on the INSIGHT podcast with Chris Van Vliet, Page reflected on the significance of that interaction, which he never expected to happen.
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To do it with my actual number one, and in the position that he’s in, and what he’s been doing for the last couple of years, the amount of things that needed to fall into place for this to happen, [is] pretty crazy.
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Page explained how the advice to stop limiting himself has directly impacted his performance and character since that meeting.
But I was very glad that I was able to express that to him and to get some one-on-one time, and then it just kept extending, he gave me great advice, and he’s turned me into an absolute menace. Because, I mean, when the person you look up to the most, pretty much tells you to not hold back.
This shift in mindset has been evident in Page’s actions, particularly in his recent capture of the NXT North American Championship from Ricky Saints on the May 27 episode of NXT. The match saw Page use a steel chair in a maneuver that resulted in a laryngeal contusion for his opponent. Page has since embraced his more aggressive side, a development also encouraged by WWE executive Shawn Michaels.
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