Ethan Page Skips Royal Rumble for NXT Live Events

NXT North American Champion commits to trio of shows in the Southeast over WWE's biggest pay-per-view weekend.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 8:18pm

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While WWE is hyping the Royal Rumble as one of the most star-studded in recent memory, NXT's Ethan Page will be noticeably absent from the pay-per-view. Instead, the North American Champion is hitting the road with NXT for a trio of live events in Knoxville, Nashville, and Birmingham this weekend, defending his title in a triple threat match against Myles Borne and El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr.

Why it matters

Page's decision to prioritize NXT's live events over the Royal Rumble highlights the growing importance of WWE's developmental brand and its ability to draw crowds, even on the same weekend as one of the company's biggest annual shows. It also raises questions about how WWE is managing its talent roster across both the main roster and NXT.

The details

Page took to social media to announce his plans, saying he has 'very good news' for the 'second-rate cities' of Knoxville, Nashville, and Birmingham - he's bringing a bus full of NXT superstars to their towns. While the promotional graphics for these events feature names like Ricky Saints, NXT Women's Champion Jacy Jayne, Sol Ruca, Jaida Parker, and Trick Williams, some of those talents are already tied to main-roster plans, like Williams joining SmackDown.

  • Page will defend his NXT North American Championship in a triple threat match on Friday, January 24th in Knoxville.
  • The NXT live events will take place from January 24-26, 2026.
  • The 2026 Royal Rumble pay-per-view is scheduled for January 25-26, 2026.

The players

Ethan Page

The current NXT North American Champion and AAA Mixed Tag Team Champion, who is skipping the Royal Rumble to focus on a trio of NXT live events in the Southeast.

Paul Levesque

WWE's Chief Content Officer, who has promised the 2026 Royal Rumble will be one of the most star-studded in recent memory.

Myles Borne

An NXT wrestler who will challenge Ethan Page for the NXT North American Championship in a triple threat match.

El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr.

A AAA lucha libre sensation who will also compete in the NXT North American Championship triple threat match against Ethan Page and Myles Borne.

Jacy Jayne

The current NXT Women's Champion, who is featured on the promotional graphics for the NXT live events but was notably absent from this week's NXT programming.

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What they’re saying

“Knoxville, Nashville, and Birmingham, I have very good news for your second-rate cities. 'All Ego' Ethan Page is coming to your town.”

— Ethan Page, NXT North American Champion

What’s next

Fans will have to tune in to the NXT live events this weekend to see if any other surprise appearances or title matches are announced, as the roster seems to be split between the Royal Rumble and NXT's smaller, more intimate shows.

The takeaway

Ethan Page's decision to prioritize NXT's live events over the Royal Rumble highlights the growing importance of WWE's developmental brand and its ability to draw crowds, even on the same weekend as one of the company's biggest annual shows. It also raises questions about how WWE is managing its talent roster across both the main roster and NXT.