For two years, Simone Johnson appeared as the on-screen General Manager of “WWE NXT,” a brand typically focused on shaping WWE’s up-and-coming stars. Interestingly, her favorite talent to work with was actually a wrestling veteran, who burst on the WWE scene on the heels of his runs in TNA and AEW.
“I felt like Ethan [Page] came to NXT at a time where we needed someone like that,” Johnson, formerly known as Ava, said on a recent edition of “What Do You Wanna Talk About.” “We needed someone who was so unapologetic, incredibly sure of themselves and incredibly entertaining. A little bit of an a******, but in the best way possible on TV. I always felt like when I worked with Ethan, I was able to bring out a different side of Ava. I loved going back and forth with Ethan. Off camera, incredible person, sweetest, adored working with him. But yeah, I would say Ethan was my favorite.”
Ethan Page, a heel, often challenged the young GM’s decisions, which led her to develop a more commanding presence on “NXT.” Johnson served as the “NXT” General Manager from January 2024 until January 2026, the latter time at which she departed from WWE.
During his respective “NXT” stint, Ethan captured the NXT North American and NXT Championships, and even had a notable encounter with Johnson’s father, former WWE Champion The Rock, in a memorable backstage segment. In April 2026, Page ascended to WWE’s main roster, where he now resides on the “WWE Raw” brand.
If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit “What Do You Wanna Talk About” with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.
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