Ethan Page has had a great run as North American Champion so far since winning it in late May last year. He has retained against men such as Moose, Mr. Iguana, Santino Marella, and Tyler Breeze.
In fact, beating Shiloh Hill on the February 17, 2026 episode of NXT got him a pretty special distinction. He now has the most successful North American Championship defenses out of any titleholder with twelve. That puts him in a league of his own, while also inviting many people to take the title away from him.
After the match was over, Myles Borne attacked him and demanded a title match next week. He originally said no, but after his leg got stomped by a chair, Borne was granted the match. There are many reasons as to why Borne should become the new North American Champion.
Is Myles BORNE to be NXT North American Champion!?! 🙌@OfficialEGO just accepted @mylesborne_wwe‘s Title challenge for NEXT WEEK! pic.twitter.com/QnxjFNsau1
— WWE (@WWE) February 18, 2026
Borne Has Put in the Work for Years in NXT
Since being signed to WWE in March 2022, Borne has steadily improved in the ring and in his promo ability. He made his debut three months later on Level Up, appearing primarily on the program for the next year and a half.
In the fall of 2023, he joined the No Quarter Catch Crew. After a successful tag team run with Tavion Heights, he left the group last summer. Since then, he has proven he is an extremely capable singles wrestler more than ready to carry a title.
He had a great NXT title match with Oba Femi at Battleground, and had an impactful performance in the Iron Survivor Challenge at Deadline. There’s no question that a title run is right around the corner for him. If he becomes the new North American Champion, he will definitely deserve it after many years of hard work.
Page Should Be The Next Guy Called Up
At the start of the year, Je’Von Evans, Oba Femi, and Trick Williams got called up from NXT to the main roster. Page wasn’t one of the guys called up, but that’s because he’s a current champion.
Since debuting in NXT in May 2024, he has consistently been one of the top guys in terms of experience and talent. Aside from his current reign, he was NXT Champion for 86 days and AAA World Mixed Tag Team Champion with Chelsea Green for 97 days. There’s no question he should’ve been on the main roster long ago.
If he loses next week, and WWE decides they want to call him up, he would be put on the main roster directly into the buildup of WrestleMania: Vegas. That would be the perfect time for him to debut on the main roster after a successful NXT run.
This Decision Will Significantly Help Both Men
Page has definitely had an impactful reign as North American Champion with a record number of championship defenses. But it’s pretty clear that when he does lose the belt, he’s going to the main roster. That should happen next week for several reasons.
RECORD-SETTING 🏆@OfficialEGO retains and sets the record for the most successful North American Title defenses in NXT history! #ANDSTILL pic.twitter.com/F00F4WWlEV
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) February 18, 2026
Borne has climbed up from the bottom in his WWE career. He spent the first year and a half on Level Up, then joined a faction and a tag team. After leaving the faction, he has grown into a capable singles competitor. Page has spent his two year run in NXT either at the top of the card or as a champion.
There’s no question that he would’ve been on the main roster by now if he wasn’t holding a title. Borne winning gets him a well deserved championship, while Page finally gets his chance on the main roster.
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