Ethan Page isn’t interested in fans telling him what championships he should be chasing. The WWE star recently explained why criticism over his Money in the Bank plans has been bothering him, arguing that too many people think they know what’s best for someone whose career they’ve never actually lived.
Speaking to Soundsphere, Page recalled the reaction he received after saying he’d use the Money in the Bank briefcase to pursue the Intercontinental Championship instead of immediately cashing in for a world title. While some fans thought that would be aiming too low, Page made it clear that becoming Intercontinental Champion has been one of his personal goals for years, and that’s all that matters to him.
“I think when I was competing to get into the Money in the Bank match and I had some comments post-match that it got back to me that fans thought it was a little silly that I was planning to win the Money in the Bank and go after the Intercontinental Championship.”
Page didn’t mince words when addressing the criticism, saying he has no interest in making career decisions based on what fans think he should do.
“And I’d like to bring something to the attention of these bozos who flippantly share their opinions. I don’t care what you want. Like, there’s not an instance in my life that I make a decision based on the desires of the fans in their personal lives.”
He argued that the people criticizing his goals have never experienced what it takes to reach WWE in the first place, making it impossible for them to understand the perspective of someone living that career.
“So when you sit and say, ‘Oh, how silly would he be if he did this?’ You will never, have never been, or will be in my position. You don’t have the drive. You don’t have the dedication. You don’t have the motivation. You don’t have the skills. You don’t have the connections. You don’t have any of it to be in the position that I’m in to even have these dreams be within an arm’s reach.”
Page then challenged those fans to compare their own daily goals with what he’s trying to accomplish before judging his ambitions.
“So to judge somebody for having a goal that in your mind is not high enough, please just look at your to-do list for your day and then let me know how close any of those items are to winning the Intercontinental Championship, and then judge me on what my goals and dreams and aspirations are.”
He also made it clear just how much the championship means to him, saying it’s one of the goals he intends to accomplish before his career is over. Page said he’ll continue chasing his goals in the order that matters to him, not the order fans think makes the most sense
“Because before I die, I plan on achieving all of my goals and dreams, and one of those is the Intercontinental Championship. So, as I chase my goals and dreams in my very specific order to appease my ego and my dreams in my life, I ask that you please keep all your opinions to yourselves on my choices because ultimately the only thing you’re choosing is what to order in the fast-food waiting line.”
The interview ended with the point Page had really been trying to make all along. For him, the issue isn’t whether fans agree with his career goals—it’s that too many people imagine themselves in a wrestler’s position without ever experiencing the sacrifices, work and opportunities that come with it.
“I just wanted to bring that up. It’s been a thing that’s been bothering me. I just think it’s so silly that people put themselves in other people’s shoes when those shoes are never going to fit your feet.”
Whether fans agree with his strategy or not, Page doesn’t sound interested in changing course. If he ever gets another shot at Money in the Bank, don’t expect him to suddenly abandon the Intercontinental Championship just because some fans think he should be aiming elsewhere.
Do you agree with Ethan Page, or should fans be free to criticize the career goals wrestlers set for themselves? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
This transcript was produced exclusively for Ringside News from the original recording. Republishing the transcription in full is prohibited. When using excerpts, provide prominent credit and a link to this article.
