Ethan Page Wants to Eliminate the Term “Main Roster,” Defends NXT Success

Ethan Page has taken a stance on WWE’s brand hierarchy, arguing that the term “main roster” should no longer be used. Page discussed the topic on the Getting Over podcast, where he described the label as dismissive of the work done by NXT wrestlers. Page joined WWE in May 2024 and went on to win the NXT Championship in July 2024 and the NXT North American Championship in May 2025. He is currently a double champion, holding the AAA Mixed Tag Team Titles with Chelsea Green.

In the interview, Page said he views movement between the brands as lateral rather than promotional. He stated that he already considers himself a primary attraction in WWE. Page also noted that a shift to RAW or SmackDown would be a team change, not an elevation (via Fightful).

“I want to abolish the phrase ‘main roster. I think it’s demeaning. It spits in the face of what I personally have and continue to accomplish in NXT. I believe that when one of these other promotions, Raw or SmackDown, goes out of their way, because they need me, to come steal me from Shawn Michaels, then it will be a lateral move for me career-wise because I already am a ‘main attraction.’ I don’t think there is a level up.”

Page noted his belief that Shawn Michaels currently oversees WWE’s best wrestler, referring to his own role in NXT. He compared brand transitions to trades in major sports leagues, explaining that he does not see NXT as a lower tier.

“Right now, Shawn Michaels has the best wrestler in the WWE on his roster. I just play for a specific team. I’m not in the B league. I play for a different team in the NFL, MLB, NHL. I win a lot for my team. I will end up being traded, I’m sure, but for me, it will be a lateral move. The word developmental pisses me off, too, because I believe, and many others do, too, that I am the best wrestler in the WWE, currently. How on earth are there wrestlers on this so-called main roster, who aren’t as good as me? Maybe they need to develop. Maybe they are developmental wrestlers because they need development. I do not. I am one of the best wrestlers in the WWE, if not the best.”

He also objected to the term “developmental.” Page claimed that many performers on RAW and SmackDown still work on their craft. He highlighted NXT’s visibility, mentioning its established weekly programming and dedicated network distribution.

“I carry my brand with pride, very well. Weekly, as a professional, my paycheck is very good. Wherever I go, I promise it’ll be a lateral move. Let’s abolish this main roster talk. I’m better than everyone on RAW and SmackDown. This is not a step up if I go somewhere else. I’m being traded from one team to the next. This is not a developmental brand. We have our own network, seen weekly.”

Page concluded by reinforcing his belief that NXT stands on equal footing with WWE’s other brands. He said that discussions framing RAW or SmackDown as a superior destination do not reflect how he views his position or the value of the NXT roster.