Kofi Kingston took two full days before he was ready to respond to the outpouring of support that followed news of his and Xavier Woods’ mutual parting from WWE, and the statement he delivered on Instagram was worth the wait.
The New Day member wrote at length about a career that took him from being told he was too small, too short, and too scrawny to ever make it in professional wrestling, all the way to a championship run and a legacy that will outlast any title reign.
“It’s taken me two full days to respond to all my texts. I hadn’t been on social media until today and I’m overwhelmed by all the messages here too. So much love. So I can’t help but to be filled completely with gratitude. My story has been nothing short of remarkable and I am truly blessed to have had such an illustrious, accolade-laden and, most importantly, fun-filled career. I made my childhood dream become the most wonderful reality.”
He spoke about the relationships built throughout the journey, singling out his bond with Woods and Big E as something he knows most people never get to experience in a professional setting.
“Throughout this journey, I’m so thankful to have been surrounded by great friends and to have built so many unbreakable connections with people that I’m very proud to call my family. Most people go through life without ever experiencing a love like I have for Woods and E. That bond alone would have made this whole experience worth it.”
Kingston then addressed the purpose that drove him through every match and every road trip across a career that spanned nearly two decades.
“My main mission has always been a simple one: To provide a comfortable life filled with heartwarming memories for my family. And, largely in part to all of you, I can proudly say that I have achieved that goal and more.”
He closed with a message directed at anyone who has ever been told they do not measure up, drawing directly on his own story as evidence that the doubters are not always right.
“Do your best to live a life without regrets, control what you can control, always give it your all, and fight hard for what you believe in. Do not ever compromise or accept less than your due when it comes to your worth. Find the courage to believe in yourself and fearlessly pursue your goals and dreams, because anything is possible. The kid that was too small, short, skinny, and scrawny was never supposed to make it in this land of giants. Yet here we are.”
He ended the statement with a line that only someone who spent over a decade building the New Day brand could have written.
“And so, as the sun sets on one chapter, so too must it rise in another. Tomorrow is indeed a New Day.”
Kingston and Woods mutually agreed to part ways with WWE on May 2. No announcements about their future plans have been made.