As anticipation builds for the upcoming The Heartbreak Kid: Becoming Shawn Michaels documentary on Peacock, Ethan Page is shedding light on what it’s like working closely with Shawn Michaels behind the scenes.
Page told The Knockturnal that working with Michaels felt refreshingly collaborative, built on mutual respect rather than hierarchy. Despite Michaels’ legendary status, Page described the dynamic as natural and easy, more like two peers exchanging ideas than a traditional top-down relationship.
“It legitimately just feels like I’m talking to another wrestler, like a guy I’ve been in a locker room with for years,” said Page.
According to Page, their conversations are driven by a shared goal in making the best possible product for the audience. There is little room for ego, and ideas are openly exchanged in a back-and-forth environment focused on storytelling, performance, and fan engagement.
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – JUNE 10: <> during NXT at the WWE Performance Center on June 10, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by BR/WWE)
“It’s just flowing ideas back and forth, all out of a love for wanting to make this as good as possible,” said Page.
This mindset extends beyond Michaels to the broader creative team, particularly at WWE’s Performance Center, where collaboration and structure go hand in hand. For Page, that structure initially came as a shock as transitioning from the independent wrestling scene to WWE’s highly produced environment required a major adjustment. Early on, Page recalls being handed a lengthy script filled with unfamiliar terminology, a stark contrast to the freedom he once had on the mic.
“If it’s the worst promo ever, the sun will rise again tomorrow and you’ll get another chance,” said Page.
That reassurance from Michaels helped Ethan Page recalibrate his approach. Instead of focusing on memorizing every word, he learned to prioritize key messaging while still delivering an authentic performance. Page also said that the importance of timing and discipline are skills he had already developed through years of experience. With a background in running wrestling shows in Canada, he understands how critical it is to stay on schedule and maintain the flow of a live event.
Instead of resisting the structure, Page views it as an opportunity. Considering this factor as a setback is contrary to Page’s viewpoint, as he considers the challenge to be a major part of the excitement in the role and it makes him feel the nerves that force him to perform at a better level in NXT. Page’s main goal is to deliver exactly what is expected of him each time he steps out, thereby ensuring consistency and reliability in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment partly formed by Michaels’ leadership.
