In a surprising revelation, former WWE SmackDown head writer Brian James admitted that he initially pushed for Big E to win the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 35 instead of Kofi Kingston. Speaking on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, James reflected on the decision and why he’s glad he was proven wrong.
“I was wrong. I didn’t realize how deep Kofi’s connection was with the fans. I’ve never been so happy to be wrong,” James confessed.
At the time, James believed Big E was the best choice to be WWE’s next major star. However, a member of his writing team convinced him otherwise, pointing out the emotional investment fans had in Kingston’s journey. The moment culminated in one of the most celebrated victories in WWE history, with Kingston defeating Daniel Bryan for the WWE Championship.
While James initially questioned the decision, he now recognizes that it was the right move.
“Kofi won the title at WrestleMania, and nobody can ever take that away.”
Big E would go on to have his own championship moment years later, proving that both men were destined for greatness.
After suffering a broken neck in 2022, Big E has remained a part of WWE’s product by serving as a correspondent on pre-shows and post-shows for Premium Live Events. Speaking to Kevin Iole, the former WWE Champion was able to focus on the positive side of things despite his injury.
“The cool thing now for me in this role is I do the pre-shows and post shows for all the PLEs… I get to be a fan again. I get to cover the card and I have a lot of fun with that. So I really enjoy it.”
Like many fans as well as those in WWE, Big E is looking ahead to WrestleMania 41, set to take place this April in Las Vegas. Big E shared that he’s “really excited” about the upcoming two-night mega-show, and discussed The Rock’s potential involvement.
“The Rock was heavily involved last year at WrestleMania. We’ll see if he’s involved at all [this year.]”
Rock or no Rock, WrestleMania 41 is shaping up to be another huge event with two title matches confirmed, and two more set to be finalized at Elimination Chamber on March 1 (which will also mark Big E’s 39th birthday.) Whatever comes this April, Big E will have a blast covering the event, both as a member of WWE’s on-screen team, and also as a diehard fan of pro wrestling.
Big E has landed another movie role, this time teaming up with former UFC champion Randy Couture (The Expendables), Tommy Davidson (In Living Color), and Jennifer Esposito (Crash) in the family comedy F+.
Deadline.com reported the news today. Premiere Entertainment Group has licensed North American rights to the project, while Swen Studios produced the film. The story follows a group of young teenagers who plan the perfect heist by breaking into their middle school to alter their failing test grades.
Big E is joined in the cast by Wells Rappaport, Lily Jane, James Williams Jr., Lilly Tricano, and Cade Clark. Kenny Beaumont directed the film based on an original screenplay by Jonathan Davenport. Eli Lipnik produces for Swen Studios, with Jason M. Murphy producing for In The Dark Entertainment. Executive producers include Murray Lipnik, Amber Wilkins, Tim Wilkins, Dimiter Nikolov, Elias Axume, and Carlos Rincon for Premiere Entertainment.
While Big E is primarily known for his successful WWE career, he has also ventured into acting. He appeared in Escape the Undertaker (2021), a Netflix interactive movie featuring Big E alongside his New Day teammates Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods as they attempt to survive a night in the Undertaker’s haunted mansion.
Big E reacted to the news by tweeting, “Blessed to be a part of this wonderful family film written by the absurdly talented @TheRealDavenpoe.” The former WWE Champion has been out of action since breaking his neck on SmackDown in March 2022.
Big E has proven to be a larger-than-life personality in WWE, but he’d take it to the next level as part of the Marvel Universe. Speaking on X-Pod 97 with Mega Ran and Marcos, Big E hilariously described his unique character, ‘The Pec Shield’ and his unique powers.
“I absorb strikes via the pec, then send them back double-fold. You try to punch me, and I’ll catch it with the pec, and I’ll break your hand. It’s all pec-based offense.”
Big E’s poignant pectoral powers wouldn’t just be for defense, however. On the podcast, the former WWE Champion explained that his alter ego would also be able to attack.
“I should be able to shoot things, too. You try to throw me out a window? It’s like airbags—I bounce! You throw me off an 80-story building, and I just land on my feet, no problem.”
If made into a reality, The Pec Shield would join a rich catalog of characters including members of the Avengers, the X-Men, and the Fantastic Four. For his dream Marvel team-up, Big E would love to see The Pec Shield team up with fan-favorite Wolverine.
“Wolverine was my favorite growing up, and I feel like it’d be a perfect buddy-cop situation. He’s got all that hothead energy, and I’m the guy trying to get him to meditate.”
Whether The Peck Shield shows up in a comic-book store near you or not, Big E has already landed in the world of Marvel. The former WWE Champion is the voice of ‘Bulldozer’ in Disney+’s new series ‘Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man,’ proving that his eclectic personality cannot be contained to the squared circle.
WWE Superstar Big E has always been known for his infectious energy and larger-than-life personality, but in a recent interview on X-Pod 97 with Mega Ran and Marcos, he opened up about the importance of community, resilience, and the overwhelming support he received after his severe neck injury in 2022.
For many, a career-threatening injury would be an isolating experience. But for Big E, the outpouring of love from friends, fans, and colleagues made all the difference.
“I had so much love, man. I never felt alone, never felt depressed, because I had this constant barrage of love and support from strangers, from friends, from people I’d never met.”
“I Got So Much Love”
Reflecting on what got him through such a challenging time, Big E emphasized the power of leaning on others.
“When I was going through my mental health struggles in college and beyond, I so often felt like a burden. I didn’t want to lean on others. But we need each other. We forget how much we need each other.”
He pointed out that simple gestures meant the world to him during recovery.
“Every text message, every call—I got so much love. I had so many people reaching out. Even Mustafa Ali sent me a Lego Seinfeld set. The IIconics sent me Edible Arrangements. It didn’t matter what it was—it was the thought that meant everything.”
Big E’s words serve as a reminder that no one has to go through hard times alone.
“We are meant to lean on each other. Life is not always going to be like this. It comes in waves—ups and downs. But when we’re down, having people there to pick us up makes all the difference.”
As Big E continues to explore new ventures in entertainment, including his work with Marvel and WWE’s Raw Classics on Netflix, his message remains clear: Strength isn’t just about muscle—it’s about the community that surrounds and uplifts you.
AJ Lee hasn’t competed for WWE for close to a decade, but fans and Superstars alike hope to see her back in the ring, potentially at the 2025 Royal Rumble event. Speaking at a WWE Fanatics event, Big E was asked about Lee returning as part of this weekend’s Women’s Royal Rumble match.
“I would love to see AJ Lee in the Rumble. I think the pop would be absurd. It would be very exciting.”
At the event, Bayley reminded Big E of an unfortunate incident from the April 8, 2013 Raw, where Big E struck AJ in the chest during their entrance. Even a dozen years later, the former WWE Champion feels bad for what happened.
“We’re trying to move on, okay?! That was like 13 years ago! It was very embarrisng for me, she just smiled like it was nothing.”
Big E isn’t the only notable name hoping to see AJ Lee make her return to action this weekend in Indianapolis. While appearing on the Lightweights Podcast, , WWE interviewer Jackie Redmond said that she would be “so pumped” to see Lee return this weekend. Redmond even shared her take that nothing would be bigger than a return by the former Divas Champion.
“That’s all anyone would be talking about. What could top it? … If AJ f**king Lee came back, is there anything that could steal that headline from her?”
CM Punk also hopes to see his wife return to WWE this Saturday, though has said in the past he wouldn’t force her to do anything she didn’t wish to do. Punk hopes to earn his first victory in the Men’s Royal Rumble this weekend, and fans remain excited at the prospect of a return by AJ Lee at the 2025 Royal Rumble event.
WWE Superstar Big E will be bringing the ‘Power of Positivity’ to Marvel after landing a role in Disney+’s Your Friendly Neighborhood Spiderman. Speaking to Brandon Davis, Jeff Trammell, the head writer of the new show, discussed working with the former WWE Champion.
“We’ve been recording him since a few years ago. I mean, the first time he recorded, he was still wearing the neck brace. We’re very fortunate to have E, he’s incredible, he’s been the absolute best to work with. I love him.”
On X, Big E confirmed the news and shared how excited he is to bring his voice to the animated series.
Sitting on this news has been a task! Incredibly excited to voice a character in YOUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN! Premieres Wednesday, January 29th on @DisneyPlus! https://t.co/QQgwY7Q6yk
There’s no word on who Big E will voice on the show, but his role is another step for the former World Champion outside of the ring. In October 2024, Big E landed a role on Peacock’s Laid, showing that the injured wrestler still has plenty to give in entertainment.
Your Friendly Neighborhood Spiderman will follow the iconic web-slinger’s early days as a superhero as he tries to balance heroics and high-school life. The show will deviate from the popular Marvel Cinematic Universe as Peter Parker will be mentored by Norman Osborn instead of Tony Stark.
Your Friendly Neighborhood Spiderman will launch with a two episode premiere on Disney+ on January 29.
On the December 2, episode of WWE Raw, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods turned on Big E, ending a friendship that fans had seen blossom over a decade. Since then, Kingston and Woods have had plenty to say about their former friend on TV and online, and now Big E himself has weighed in.
During the WWE Raw on Netflix Premiere Post-Show, Big E was asked for his take on his so-called ‘brothers.’
“These are not the two men that I stood side by side with for the last ten years. This version of those two, I don’t recognize.”
Big E doesn’t care for this “current direction” for Woods and Kingston, which he said is nothing more than “whining, complaining, b*tching, and moaning.” Nevertheless, the former WWE Champion is intrigued to see where the New Day goes from here.
“Clearly, we’ve moved in different directions. I’m excited or interested to see what they do with their careers because right now it’s just kind of spinning.”
Big E is unfortunately still not cleared to compete, though fans remain hopeful to see him back in the ring and get payback on his treacherous former allies. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Big E in this post-New Day chapter of his career.
John Cena: Hour-Long Showdown With Shawn Michaels.
Considered one of the best Raw matches in history, John Cena and Shawn Michaels battled for an hour in London during the April 23, 2007, show. Though Cena didn’t win, the match, which had fans on the edge of their seats, remains a highlight of his WWE career.
Sean Waltman: Defeating Razor Ramon
The 1-2-3 Kid’s win over Razor Ramon was Raw’s first big upset, but would hardly be the last. Over three decades later, Waltman’s shocking victory over his Kliq ally is an all-time Raw classic.
Mick Foley: First WWE Championship Win
Mankind’s historic win over The Rock in January 1999 didn’t just see Mick Foley win the big one, but also a notable shift in the Monday Night War. Tony Schiavone on Nitro spoiled the result, mockingly adding “That’ll put butts in seats,” only to see hundreds of thousands of fans switch from WCW programming to Raw.
Randy Orton: Home Invasion By Triple H
Randy Orton made his feud personal with Triple H in 2009 by RKO’ing Stephanie McMahon and sealing his dastardly deed with a kiss. On the March 9, show, Triple H showed he could make things personal as he invaded Orton’s home, culminating in throwing the Viper through a window.
R-Truth: First WWE U.S. Title win
Over a year before they’d be ‘Awesome’ allies, R-Truth defeated The Miz in May 2010 to win his first U.S. Championship. The win “meant the world” to the veteran Truth, who wanted to show “people like me, that they can do it too.”
Rey Mysterio: Eddie Guerrero Tribute Show
Mere days after the tragic passing of Eddie Guerrero, Rey Mysterio competed on the November 14, 2005, Raw where he battled Shawn Michaels. Mysterio was not “in the best state of mind” but is pleased he was able to deliver with HBK on such an emotional night.
Carlito: First Night Title Win
In 2004, Carlito made his WWE debut on SmackDown by winning the U.S. Title in his first match from John Cena. The following year, Carlito would prove this was no fluke by defeating Shelton Benjamin to win the Intercontinental Championship in his first match after being drafted to Raw.
Big E: Dethroning Bobby Lashley
After years of speculation and fan support, Big E finally became WWE Champion in September 2021, cashing in Money in the Bank on Bobby Lashley. Though Big E’s in-ring future remains uncertain, winning WWE’s richest prize on Raw is a pivotal moment for the Superstar’s career.
Fans can look forward to many more iconic moments from Raw once the red brand debuts on Netflix. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest from WWE’s big move as a new era on the streaming juggernaut continues to draw near.
WWE is bringing back Big E for the premiere festivities surrounding WWE Raw on Netflix, set to debut on January 6. During this week’s episode of Raw, Joe Tessitore announced that he, Wade Barrett, and Big E would host the post-show for the premiere episode. Commentary for the event will feature Michael Cole and Pat McAfee.
Big E, a former WWE Champion, has not wrestled since suffering a neck injury on the March 11, 2022, episode of SmackDown. The injury occurred when he took an overhead belly-to-belly suplex at ringside from Ridge Holland, landing on his neck and fracturing his C1 and C6 vertebrae. Despite his recovery progress, Big E has yet to be medically cleared to return to in-ring action.
Since his injury, WWE has utilized Big E in various non-wrestling roles, including as a scout, host, and behind-the-scenes contributor. Most recently, his status as “not medically cleared” was referenced in a storyline on the December 2 episode of Raw. During the segment, Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston dramatically ousted Big E from The New Day, marking the start of their current heel turn.
This new direction for Woods and Kingston has resonated strongly with fans, with The New Day emerging as one of the most over heel acts on the roster. Big E’s involvement in the WWE Raw on Netflix premiere highlights his continued value to WWE, even outside the ring.
Christmas Day has arrived, and people around the world are unwrapping gifts from their loved ones. For the Superstars of WWE, nothing compares to the gift of a championship victory, and a few have had the honor of capturing gold on December 25.
Jason Jordan and Seth Rollins – WWE Raw Tag Team Championships
On the Christmas Day 2017 edition of WWE Raw, Jason Jordan and Seth Rollins defeated The Bar to claim the WWE Raw Tag Team Championships. While both were experienced champions in their own right, this marked the first—and only—reign for the unlikely duo as a team.
Their reign lasted 34 days before ending at the 2018 Royal Rumble, where they dropped the titles back to Cesaro and Sheamus. Unfortunately, this championship win would also be Jordan’s last, as injuries later forced him into retirement. Today, Jordan remains a key figure in WWE as a producer.
Rusev – WWE United States Championship
The December 25, 2018 edition of WWE SmackDown was a celebration of not just one but three special occasions. On Christmas Day, Rusev captured the United States Championship, a victory that coincided with both his birthday and the fan-favorite “Rusev Day.”
This marked Rusev’s third reign as U.S. Champion, which ended at the 2019 Royal Rumble when Shinsuke Nakamura reclaimed the title. Though this victory would be Rusev’s final championship in WWE, the Bulgarian Brute ensured it was a memorable one.
Big E – WWE Intercontinental Championship
In 2020, Big E cemented his solo career during the Christmas Day edition of WWE SmackDown. On that night, he silenced Sami Zayn’s claims of conspiracies by defeating him to win the Intercontinental Championship for the second time.
Big E’s reign lasted 106 days, culminating in a loss to Apollo Crews at WrestleMania 37: Sunday in April 2021. This triumph was only a preview of his future success, as Big E ended the same year as WWE Champion.
Big E’s recent appearance on WWE Raw may have reignited fans’ hopes of seeing him return to the ring, but the former WWE Champion has yet to be medically cleared for in-ring competition. Speaking on The Mike Broomhead Show, Big E provided an update on his health, more than two years after his career-altering neck injury.
“I still haven’t been cleared. Thankfully, I feel great and don’t have any issues… I’m grateful to have no issues, no pain, nothing like that.”
Big E’s presence on the December 2 episode of Raw saw him attempt to mediate the growing rift between his New Day teammates, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods. However, the duo turned on him, accusing Big E of not caring about the faction and ultimately ousting him from the group. While fans are hopeful that Big E will eventually exact revenge in the ring, his return hinges on receiving medical clearance.
Outside the squared circle, Big E has remained an active presence in WWE, contributing to pre-show and post-show panels for Premium Live Events. The former champion has also expressed contentment with the possibility that his in-ring career may be over, hinting at aspirations to serve as a talent scout for the promotion.
Still, fans yearn for Big E to deliver retribution against Kingston and Woods for their betrayal. For now though, that dream remains on hold as Big E continues to wait for the all-clear to return to physical action.
As unlikely as it may seem in the late stages of 2024, New Day is suddenly one of the most buzzworthy acts in wrestling once again. Indeed, a decade in, the team far surpassed what anyone could have expected when Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, and Big E first assembled under an ill-defined gospel gimmick Vince McMahon tried to foist upon them.
New Day went on to enjoy a meteoric rise before struggling over most of the last four years as injuries, bad luck, and sheer duration all caught up to them.
The prevailing belief was that the team was going to split up for good as Kingston and Woods arguing with one another paved the road to their advertised ten-year celebration on Raw. The two men rallying and collectively turning on Big E was a sharp turn, officially marking the start of a new chapter. At this inflection point, it’s worth looking back on some of the unit’s greatest accomplishments in its first ten years together.
New Day Facilitated KofiMania And Big E’s Cash In
(WWE)
With two out of three members of New Day winning the WWE Championship, they have a valid claim to be in the conversation among the most successful factions ever in WWE. Kofi Kingston’s surge of popularity in 2019 that carried him to WrestleMania 35 was very much linked to New Day—the team that had kept him relevant and working featured matches. Indeed, while Kingston earned his moment, it’s telling that Xavier Woods and Big E winning a tag team gauntlet was the angle chosen to finally get their partner to his ‘Mania title shot.
Two and half years later, Big E would have his crowning moment as he, too, won the WWE Championship, arriving at the big win via Money in the Bank cash-in. New Day was less involved in this triumph given E had been separated from his teammates via a brand draft, only to briefly reunite when he won the title. Just the same, there’s reason to believe E may not have been in this position—or perhaps even under WWE contract anymore—without the successes he’d enjoyed with New Day protecting him from getting lost in the shuffle.
New Day Had The Longest WWE Tag Team Championship Reign Of All Time
New Day win SmackDown Tag Team Titles at WWE Battleground 2017 (Photo Credit: WWE.com)
While world title glory was the high-water mark for New Day in its first decade, the team also enjoyed the single longest WWE Tag Team Championship reign of all time at 483 days, surpassing a record Demolition had established twenty-eight years earlier.
More than reigning by default when there wasn’t a strong division around them, New Day elevated their titles, putting on excellent matches and entertaining fans with their antics. While reigns to follow shored up their spot as an all-time great team, this was the one that immediately put Big E, Xavier Woods, and Kofi Kingston in the conversation among WWE’s greatest tag teams ever.
New Day Was Part Of The Best Non-Singles Hell In A Cell Match Of All Time
(Photo: WWE)
Hell in a Cell has an uneven history. For every classic like Mankind facing Shawn Michaels or The Undertaker, there are throwaway encounters in the Cell like The Undertaker vs. The Big Boss Man at WrestleMania 15, Triple H’s slog with Kevin Nash, or CM Punk trying to pull a decent Cell match out of Ryback.
There have been good tag team Hell in a Cell bouts like DX vs. Legacy and good multi-man affairs like the main event of Armageddon 2000. The best of the best of these non-one-on-one matches, though, has to go to New Day vs. The Usos in 2017. The two teams were creative, brutal, and had a long, compelling feud to pay off.
New Day Hosted WrestleMania 33
The New Day hosts WrestleMania 33 (Photo: WWE)
At WrestleMania 31, New Day was a new tag team, and the component members filled totally forgettable spots in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. It’s telling that just two years later, they were tasked with hosting WrestleMania 33.
The record of WrestleMania hosts has grown a bit checkered and increasingly random, but at that point, it was an honor that had only previously been bestowed upon The Rock at WrestleMania 27 and Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania 30.
New Day hadn’t achieved the legendary status of their predecessors, but trusting them with this role bespoke that they were one of the most popular acts in the company and WWE trusted their abilities as entertainers on the mic enough to make them the recurring stars of the show. Needless to say, they delivered.
New Day Turning On Big E Was An Instant Classic Moment
(Photo: WWE)
While there’s a bit of recency bias in ranking such a new moment in the top five, there’s little question Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston turning on Big E represented one of the greatest things the New Day crew has ever pulled off.
The trio tapped into all the emotional investment they’d built up from fans during the preceding ten years to create an incredible emotional charge. Fans watching one of wrestling’s most special bonds crumble before their eyes was truly one of the most heartbreaking scenes in WWE history and has charted a new course for Kingston and Woods as a genuinely special heel act.
The New Day’s split during the December 2, 2024, episode of WWE Raw shocked fans, and marked the end of one of wrestling’s most popular factions as it was known for years. The ten-year celebration of the group saw Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods betray Big E, claiming they wanted nothing to do with him and claimed he’d never be cleared to wrestle.
During an appearance on The Battleground Podcast, Kofi addressed the aftermath of the split while refusing to disclose the group’s future plans.
“None of those details are ones I’m willing to share with you, you know what I’m saying? Every Monday night—find out.”
Every interview since Raw that Kingston has been a part of, he’s been asked about the breakup, a fact Kingston called a “good thing.” While Kofi avoided specifics, the former WWE World Champion expressed excitement about what lies ahead for the group.
“[Our future is] littered with uncertainty—in the best way possible. I think the opportunities for us are going to start ringing in.”
While Kofi’s comments keep fans guessing, one thing is certain: The New Day is ready to make an impact, now as heels. Stay tuned to SEScoops to see if the teased opportunities do indeed ‘ring in’ for Kingston and Woods, now that they’ve left Big E behind.
WWE CCO Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque couldn’t have been happier with the New Day’s split on Raw as it highlighted the emotional investment from fans. Speaking at WWE’s recent media event with Netflix. Levesque said he was “so happy for those guys” and addressed the raw emotion behind the segment.
“It’s those moments. It’s why we do what we do. Rock says it all the time, it’s that electricity, that connection with the people. There’s no greater feeling than that.”
The segment saw Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods turn on Big E, declaring that they wanted nothing to do with their now-former ally. The emotional segment instantly went viral, with The New Day and Big E both trending shortly after the segment aired on Monday.
It wasn’t just online where fans shared their shock over what happened. During the segment, WWE’s camera crew cut to the crowd several times, including a viral shot of a distraught fan in the crowd.
“We couldn’t have comically asked for a better shot of somebody selling that storyline for us.”
Kingston and Woods have now been listed as heels on WWE’s internal roster, PW Insider has reported. With emotions among fans still running high, fans are eager to see what’s next from Kingston and Woods, and whether Big E, who has been out of action since March 2022, will be able to get payback on the two men he’s considered brothers for the past decade.
During the December 2, 2024, edition of WWE Raw, The New Day as fans knew it came to an end, with Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods betraying Big E. The duo argued that if Big E cared about them, he would have been back already from his broken neck injury. Woods claimed that Big E will never be medically cleared and continued to berate his ‘brother’ alongside Kofi Kingston.
This heartwrenching scene instantly went viral on social media, with several wrestlers sharing their thoughts on the matter. Michin, whose sister Kris is dating Big E, is ready to jump Woods and Kingston with her sister after what was said.
Whoa whoa whoa now… @MissYim2 we gotta jump em now.
Kris Yim also shared her anger over what happened. During the segment, Woods claimed that Big E didn’t care about the New Day, but was focusing on his new projects, new desk job, and his new girlfriend.
HEEEEEYYY ? now why they gotta bring me into this?!? They really starting to piss me off
The impact of this heel turn hasn’t just been felt in WWE. AEW’s Anthony Bowens wanted to see how everyone’s days were going, but now realizes it wasn’t the right time to ask.
Now, The New Day as fans knew it has ended, leaving questions as to what the future for all three Superstars look like. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Woods, Kingston, and Big E after the shocking betrayal on Raw.
Monday’s WWE Raw took fans on an emotional rollercoaster as Raw GM Adam Pearce welcomed Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods to the ring. The segment, filled with props and nostalgic moments, celebrated a decade of The New Day’s success.
Woods expressed gratitude to the fans for their unwavering support over the years, while Kofi reflected on their incredible journey, emphasizing how they couldn’t have achieved their success without the WWE Universe. But the mood shifted as Woods began to hint at unresolved tensions, assuring the fans that their love and appreciation weren’t to blame for what was coming next.
Before they could continue, Big E made his surprise return, receiving a thunderous ovation. He thanked the fans for their support during his recovery, but his tone grew serious as he addressed the discord between Kofi and Woods.
Big E reminded his teammates of their humble beginnings, recalling how their group was born out of desperation—when Kofi considered retirement and he and Woods were on the verge of being released. Big E recounted their unbreakable bond, from comforting him during his neck injury to supporting each other through life’s toughest moments.
With heartfelt words, Big E revealed his plans to serve as their manager until he is medically cleared to return to the ring. However, his declaration was met with skepticism and frustration from his longtime partners.
Woods questioned Big E’s timing, accusing him of abandoning them during their struggles. Kofi joined in, pointing out that other wrestlers like Stone Cold Steve Austin, Kurt Angle, and Edge returned after similar injuries, while Big E seemingly chose new opportunities over reuniting with them.
Big E defended his absence, reminding them of the severity of his neck injury, but his words fell on deaf ears. Woods and Kofi expressed their anger and disappointment, with Woods calling Big E a burden and Kofi accusing him of prioritizing himself over the team.
The segment ended on a somber note as Big E sought reconciliation, asking for a hug. Kofi refused, and Big E walked away, leaving the ring. In his absence, Woods and Kofi embraced, vowing to stick together despite the cracks in their friendship.
This emotionally charged reunion left fans wondering if The New Day can ever truly mend their bond or if this marks the end of their storied partnership.
The New Day stands as WWE’s longest-reigning tag team champions, a remarkable achievement that only scratches the surface of their revolutionary impact on professional wrestling. What began as a struggling three-man team in 2014 evolved into one of wrestling’s most successful factions, with Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, and Big E transforming themselves from audience punching bags into record-breaking champions and cultural phenomena.
Their decade-long journey represents one of wrestling’s most compelling reinvention stories. After facing brutal rejection from fans during their initial run as positive-minded babyfaces, The New Day made a pivotal decision that would alter their trajectory forever: they embraced the negativity and transformed it into their greatest strength.
The group’s initial struggles in late 2014 quickly gave way to innovation when they turned heel in April 2015. Fans’ mocking chants of “New Day Sucks” became part of their identity, and within months, they captured their first WWE Tag Team Championship from Tyson Kidd and Cesaro at Extreme Rules. This victory marked the beginning of an unprecedented run of success.
Their mastery of entertainment reached new heights during their second championship reign, which began at SummerSlam 2015. The 483-day reign set a WWE record and introduced iconic elements like Francesca the trombone and Booty-O’s cereal, transforming what could have been simple comedy props into memorable pieces of wrestling history.
The faction’s influence extended beyond tag team competition. In 2019, Kofi Kingston’s WWE Championship victory at WrestleMania 35 marked a historic moment, while 2021 saw Big E claim his own WWE Championship and Xavier Woods win the King of the Ring tournament. These individual achievements demonstrated the group’s ability to succeed both collectively and separately.
WWE
Despite facing challenges and brand splits threatening their unity, The New Day’s bond has remained unbreakable. However, tragedy struck in March 2022 when Big E suffered a career-threatening broken neck during a match on SmackDown. The horrific injury occurred when a belly-to-belly suplex went wrong, fracturing his C1 and C6 vertebrae. While Big E has maintained his characteristically positive outlook throughout his recovery, his in-ring future remains uncertain, marking one of the darkest moments in the group’s decade-long journey.
Their resilience continues to show through recent storylines, with Kingston and Woods engaging in a compelling program with The Final Testament, proving their ability to remain relevant and evolve after a decade of competition.
The numbers tell an impressive story: 12 WWE-branded tag team championships and numerous individual accolades. However, The New Day’s true legacy lies in their ability to consistently reinvent themselves while maintaining their core identity. From embracing fan negativity to pioneering new forms of wrestling entertainment, they’ve created a blueprint for longevity in modern professional wrestling.
Tensions have reached an all-time high between New Day teammates Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston before the anniversary of the group’s in-ring debut.
The duo fought The Alpha Academy on the November 25 Raw. Kingston was in the ring to begin the action at the start, but Woods tagged himself in.
Otis imminently levelled both the New Day stars and he then took out Kingston with The Caterpillar. Tozawa tagged in and delivered a senton to Woods for the win.
Woods was very frustrated with the loss and he started chewing out Kingston after the match. The two continued arguing all the way to the back.
Their relationship reached an all-time low as both stars started taking personal shots at each other. Woods claimed that Kofi only got the world title opportunity because of him and that he ‘pissed it all away’ in 6 seconds in the loss against Brock Lesnar.
Kingston wasn’t behind in the war of words. He said Xavier wasn’t good enough to be a world champion like him and Big E. He reminded the 38-year-old that it was Woods who extended the offer to form a group and not the other way around.
This segment comes before the announced 10-year anniversary celebration for the 12-time Tag Team Champions which WWE has set for the December 2 episode of Raw. The tag team made their official in-ring debut on November 28, 2014.
The storyline seems to be building toward the TV return of Big E. The big question is what role the former NXT Champion will play when he finally returns to the company.
A future episode of Monday Night Raw will be dedicated to The New Day, despite the ongoing tensions prominent in the faction. In a WWE Raw Exclusive, Raw General Manager Adam Pearce told Kofi Kingston that the upcoming show will celebrate ten years of The New Day.
“This year, ten years as New Day. It’s time to celebrate, man. You guys are one of the most decorated tag teams in WWE history. Because of that, if it’s cool with guys, I actually wanted to dedicate a special episode of Raw to celebrating you. An entire episode, if it’s cool with you guys.”
Kingston said it was a great idea, but admitted that he and Xavier Woods are going through a rough patch right now. Nevertheless, the former WWE Champion remained confident that everything would be alright when the anniversary comes around.
It was in November 2014 that WWE began airing vignettes for Kingston, Woods, and Big E, which is when they officially debuted their ‘The New Day’ moniker. The trio had their in-ring debut as a group during the November 28, 2014, episode of SmackDown, where they defeated Curtis Axel, Heath Slater, and Titus O’Neil. If Pearce plans to host the New-Day dedicated show close to the anniversary, the options are either Monday, November 25, or Monday, December 2.
The New Day has shown signs of dissension this year, and with Big E still out of action, it remains to be seen what kind of tribute episode is in store for the popular faction. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on The New Day and whether Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods can finally get back on the same page.
Laid, a brand new series that will feature former WWE Champion Big E will premiere next month as part of Peacock. The platform has announced that the show’s entire eight episodes will be available for streaming from Thursday, December 19.
A description for the show from Peacock states:
A woman finds out her former lovers are dying in unusual ways and must go back through her sex timeline to confront her past in order to move forward – “Laid” is a f*cked up rom-com where the answer to “why can’t I find love, is there something wrong with me?” is a resounding “Yes. There is. The problem is definitely you.”
Based on the trailer which released this week, Big E will portray one of our protagonist’s exes. The black line through an image of the New Day star hardly bodes well for his fate on the show.
Latest On Big E
Big E’s role on Laid presents the popular Superstar with an opportunity to entertain outside of the ring, as his future in the squared circle remains uncertain. Since suffering a broken neck during a March 2022, edition of SmackDown, Big E has been unable to compete but remains hopeful that he will lace up his boots and don his singlet once more. While Big E hasn’t been wrestling, he has been a part of WWE’s panel at PLEs, and got in the ring at Money in the Bank 2024 in what proved to be an emotional moment for him. Nevertheless, the decision to get back in the ring is a risk for Big E, one that the former World Champion will not take lightly.
Big E has not wrestled a match since March 2022 due to his neck injury but he is still hopeful about potentially making an in-ring return somewhere down the line.
The former WWE Champion recently had a conversation with Sports Talk Philly where he discussed things such as his partnership with Pancheros, the recent troubles of the New Day, the success of The Rock and more.
During the talk, E was asked if there has been any improvement in his status since his injury. The wrestling veteran explained that it’s hard to judge because he doesn’t face any trouble in his day-to-day life. He went on to reveal that he underwent stem cell therapy about three months ago:
“I did go down to a beautiful place called RejuvStem in Cancun, and got some stem cells, so we’ll see. That was about three months ago, so we’ll see how that looks and if there’s any progress there.”
Big E mentioned how he has things going on outside the wrestling world as well and he’ll be content if he is never able to wrestle again. Though he has not lost hope for a comeback either and he continues to be in touch with doctors who monitor his status:
“I get scans again in another three-to-six months, and if they look great and the doctors say it’s healthy for me to go back, then that’s something where we’ll sit down and talk about it.”
The New Day star broke his neck while wrestling in a tag team match on the March 11, 2022 episode of SmackDown. He has continued his relationship with WWE in a non-wrestling capacity, making appearances at PPVs and other big events as part of the pre-show panels.
WWE Superstar Big E recently shared some of his favorite moments working with John Cena. Here are some highlights of what Big E said about the 16-time World Champion during his recent appearance on Unlikely with Adrian Hernandez:
Debut on the Main Roster
Big E reminisces about his memorable debut on the main roster, which involved a significant moment with John Cena.
“You know, he’s done so much. Selfishly, I would say my one moment is my debut. My debut in Philly at the Slammys in 2012, December, was me leaving him laying, standing over him to close the show. And that moment means so much because debuting on the main roster is incredible for everyone. But debuting like that, debuting, getting to stand over, arguably the greatest of all time. Yeah, yeah, it’s just me. He’s, you know, red hot. He is clearly the guy. So that meant a lot to me.”
Backstage Segment and Match with CM Punk and John Cena
Big E shares a fond memory of a backstage segment that led to a match involving himself, CM Punk, and John Cena against The Shield.
“But yeah, man, there’s so many different things. You know, we had a, I remember, I think about a year later, there was a backstage segment that led to a match. I think we wrestled the Shield, but it was me, Punk, and Cena. And there’s a deal where we all, with Renee was the interviewer at the time. We all put our hands in, did a little Shield deal, a little, I think it was like a holiday feel-good show. But even that moment of like, man, I’m young in my career. I don’t, I can’t remember if I had the IC title at the time, I might have. But just being able to stand in the ring with a guy like CM Punk, with John Cena and me, like, man, there are so many incredible moments. And I think back to so many times, you know, when I first came on the road, it was always, oh, Cena’s match is about to be up.”
Cena’s Epic Crowd Reactions
Big E talks about the unique crowd reactions John Cena would receive and recalls witnessing Cena’s matches against Dolph Ziggler, highlighting the special atmosphere and Cena’s impact on fans and fellow wrestlers.
“And so many of us would just be peeking out in front of the crowd because that Cena pop is different. And another thing, when I first came on the main roster, it was Cena and Dolph wrestling every single night. I remember one of my first main roster shows was we were doing MSG. They had a cage match. And to be there in New York during Cena’s prime, wrestling Dolph, who was red hot as well in the main event, to have the best seat in the house. I’m standing there, and I’m getting to see greatness. I’m getting to see how he manipulates the crowd, how they’re with them, from little kids to old women. He made so many special moments for our fans, for people, for talent, for us to see what it’s like to be the guy, to have that kind of reaction. So salute to everything that Cena has done for our industry, and even all the make-a-wishes as well. Man, it is really inspiring. So, he’s done a lot, I mean, a lot is an understatement, but he’s done so much for our industry and our business. So, salute to him.”
Big E was pleased to feel the love in the ring at Money in the Bank 2024, even if he didn’t wrestle at the Premium Live Event in Toronto, Ontario.
Instead of competing, Big E was part of the show’s kick-off event and got in the ring during the program to help psych up the crowd in the Scotiabank Arena. Speaking to Chris Vannini on Getting Over, Big E reflected on being able to have that moment in the ring in front of the WWE Universe.
“It was cool. It was just a little hit for the countdown show. The cool part for me was, even though there weren’t a ton of fans in the arena, getting some love again was very very cool. It’s nice being back. It’s something that I’ve been doing for 15 years and it feels like a second home in many ways.”
The Money in the Bank is of obvious significance to Big E as he won the Men’s briefcase back at the 2021 event. The show was WWE’s first PLE in over a year with a full crowd after the COVID-19 pandemic forced WWE go go without a live audience. Big E cashed in his contract in September of that year to win the WWE Championship from Bobby Lashley.
Latest On Big E’s Health
Big E hasn’t competed since March of 2022 after suffering a broken neck during an episode of WWE SmackDown. Despite this injury, Big E was able to avoid surgery, and at the time many saw this as a sign he would be back in the ring sooner than later. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case and on the podcast, Big E gave this update on his health.
“The only issue is my C1 is healing fibrously, which is great for normal day-to-day life, but it’s not turning into new bone and ossifying yet. They’re not going to clear me until that happens… I did go to Cancun about a month ago for stem cells. We’ll see if that changes anything.”
While his WWE in-ring career has been put on pause, Big E has been used in multiple roles outside of the ring. In addition to his work at kick-off shows, Big E has helped with campus recruiting during his time away from the ring. Despite his obvious setback, Big E has remained in good spirits, a testament to the power of positivity.
The in-ring future of WWE’s Big E remains uncertain, but fans will soon be able to see him as part of the upcoming Peacock comedy series Laid.
Laid follows a woman who learns that her former lovers are dying in strange ways and must go through her ‘sex timeline’ to learn the reason for these grisly scenes. The series is written and executive produced by Nahnatchka Khan (Totally Killer, Young Rock) and Sally Bradford McKenna (Son of Zorn).
Big E has an unspecified role in the show but was not the only name revealed by Deadline this week. Other names attached include Andre Hyland (Barry), Olivia Holt (Totally Killer), David Denman (The Office), Finneas O’Connell (Academy Award and Grammy Winning Singer/Songwriter), Chloe Fineman (SNL), Indya Moore (Pose), Ettore “Big E” Ewen (WWE Superstar) and John Early (Would it Kill You to Laugh).
Big E and the actors confirmed for Peacock comedy series ‘Laid.’
It’s no wonder why Peacock has selected Big E for the upcoming comedy series. As part of The New Day, the former WWE World Champion has been flexing his comedic muscles (in addition to his actual muscles) and he has proven to be a hit with the WWE Universe.
The Future Of Big E
This new show is a huge opportunity for Big E who hasn’t competed in a WWE ring in over two years. A broken neck suffered during a March 2022, edition of WWE SmackDown has derailed Big E’s in-ring career with questions looming as to whether he’ll be able to wrestle again. While Big E isn’t sure what the future holds, he is remaining his usual positive self and is thinking positive.
