The ongoing Ethan Page rivalry with Ricky Saints in NXT escalated on Tuesday night, when Saints unexpectedly stormed the ring to attack Page just days after a brutal championship defeat left him sidelined. The confrontation, filled with animosity, unfolded in the midst of increasing unrest between the two stars ahead of a possible high-stakes rematch.
Ricky Saints Returns With a Vengeance
Though recent reports suggested Ricky Saints’ imminent move to WWE’s main roster, he made it clear that business with Ethan Page was far from finished in NXT. Saints appeared after Page successfully defended the North American Championship against Sean Legacy. Without warning, Saints charged into the ring, launching a fierce assault on the reigning champion, catching both Page and the audience by surprise. The sudden attack sent the arena into chaos as the two men exchanged blows, with Saints emerging stronger in the physical exchange.
Consequences From Management
Following the altercation, NXT General Manager Ava confronted Saints backstage. Tension filled the room as she criticized his actions, referencing prior conversations with both men about their ongoing disruptive behavior and the harm it’s caused the show’s flow. Saints, still visibly hurt from his past battle with Page, struggled to respond as Ava noted his injuries.
“Ricky, I can still see the bruising on your neck. You can’t even talk,”
said Ava.
“You clearly know exactly what Ethan is capable of. Let me handle this, okay?”
—Ava, NXT General Manager
Ava ordered Saints off the premises until he is medically cleared, emphasizing her authority and the severity of his injuries. Her decision underlined the frustration management feels as this rivalry spirals.
The Background of the Escalating Feud
The tension between Saints and Page has been building for weeks. On the May 27 episode of NXT, both men clashed in a heated match for the North American Championship, prompting frequent intervention by security due to their inability to control their aggressive tempers. During that bout, as Saints let his guard down, Page exploited the moment, executing a vicious attack that injured Saints’ throat and cost him the title. Despite suffering, Saints kept up the fight, even as Page repeatedly targeted his vulnerable neck, ultimately sealing victory with his signature move.
After losing the championship, Saints’ absence from the following show led fans and insiders to speculate about his supposed promotion to the main roster—a decision now thrown into doubt by his return and assault on Page.
Rematch at The Great American Bash Looms
The animosity between Ethan Page and Ricky Saints, cemented during the chaotic events following the North American Title match, shows no signs of cooling. With NXT’s The Great American Bash just a month away, it appears increasingly likely that the two adversaries will settle their ongoing feud at the next premium live event. If the intensity of recent weeks is any indication, their next encounter may include a decisive stipulation to bring closure to one of NXT’s fiercest rivalries.
