The wrestling world is still buzzing about the shocking WWE departure of The New Day after TKO officials asked the wrestling veterans to restructure their deals.
While the duo of Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods have not revealed their future plans just yet, there has already been heavy speculation about E potentially leaving the promotion to reunite with his long-term partners in their next endeavor.
Fightful Select recently provided an update on the matter and suggested that the officials are not expecting the former WWE Champion to be leaving anytime soon.
Big E is regularly featured on PPV pre and post-shows for the company. According to the site, the former NXT Champion is seen as a key reason for the success of the PPV kick-off shows, and the belief is that he will remain part of the pre-show panels as he has been over the last few years.
After not having wrestled since March 2022 due to his neck injury, E confirmed earlier this year that he has officially retired from active competition. Though the report did not reveal if the former champion is still on a performer contract with the company, or if his deal has been updated.
Big E’s singles resume includes a WWE Championship reign, but he says the defining chapter of his career wasn’t the title run — it was The New Day.
Speaking with 107.7 The Bone with Baby Huey during Super Bowl week from the Moscone Center in San Francisco, Big E reflected on what he would want most remembered if his in-ring career is truly finished.
\”I feel like I\’ve had some really great highs as a single superstar as far as being NXT champion, the second ever NXT champion, also getting to be WWE Champion, two-time IC champion. But really, I feel like what people know me as, and the time of my career that was really the most rewarding is my time with the New Day.
I feel like we really got to do something special. If I had to pick one, it would be as a member of the New Day because it really changed the trajectory of my career.\”
New Day’s legacy still follows him
Big E pointed to how the group’s accomplishments and cultural footprint still come up in everyday fan interactions, even years after some of their biggest moments.
\”My time in the New Day is one I truly cherish. And we just broke down so many barriers. We did so many things we hadn\’t really seen before. Breaking a record that stood for 20 years with demolition.
Having Booty-O\’s, a food product in wrestling is kind of ridiculous. People still come up to me this, it\’s been I think we released Booty-O\’s a decade ago and people still fondly remember me as the Booty-O\’s guy.\”
Where Big E stands on the breakup
Even with The New Day’s current on-screen divide, Big E said he’s approaching it with a calmer mindset and staying focused on the role he has right now.
\”It was something that was discussed at some point, but look, I\’m very zen these days. I\’m a big mindfulness meditation guy. Right now, I\’m focused on my broadcasting role. That is my role.
And look.. if those guys would actually appear on a PLE, if they would be there on one of these things, maybe we could spend some time maybe I would spend more time talking and thinking about them. But I look around they\’re I look at the card. No New Day. Another PLE goes by. No New Day. So what do you want me to do? What am I to do? Except I just do my job.\”
A KofiMania memory, even now
Big E also said he still looks back fondly on being part of Kofi Kingston’s biggest career moment.
\”Obviously we are bitter enemies now, but being a part of Kofi Mania was really special. That was Kofi\’s moment that he earned. I still think fondly of the gauntlet match that Woods and I had to help Kofi get in with the Usos. That whole build was special.\”
The former WWE Champion made his in-ring status official during a recent interview, confirming that he considers himself to be retired from active competition. After the story received a lot of attention from fans wishing E best in life, the 39-year-old posted a message for them on social media.
The New Day Star talked about the various injuries he has suffered in his 13-year wrestling career and expressed gratitude at still being able to lead a normal life despite of it. He also thanked everyone who followed his work, writing that it was an \’immeasurable gift\’ to get to perform for fans:
\”I’ve put my body through a lot. And somehow, I feel great. I don’t battle daily pain. I’m able to function normally and healthfully. I’m eternally grateful for the wonderful career I stumbled into. I pray for all of my fellow athletes and performers who have not had the same good fortune. A sincere thank you to everyone who has taken the time to follow my in-ring career. It was an immeasurable gift to get to perform for you all.\”
I entered the pro wrestling industry at age 23 with an injury history that included a Torn Left ACL, Torn Right ACL, Torn Left Pec, and a Broken Right Patella. At 39, I’m well aware, that I will one day have to pay the piper. I’ve put my body through a lot. And somehow, I feel…
Apart from making history with 8 New Day tag team championship reigns, Big E\’s list of accomplishments in WWE includes half a dozen singles titles as well as a Money In The Bank victory.
He has continued making appearances for WWE during his time away from the ring after the 2022 neck injury, working primarily as a pre-show analyst for PPVs.
Big E has officially addressed his wrestling status, revealing he considers himself currently retired from in-ring competition.
Following a serious neck injury in March 2022 that prevented his return to wrestling, Big E is focusing on broadcasting roles.
Speaking with Compas on the Beat at Super Bowl Radio Row on Thursday, the former WWE Champion addressed his wrestling status, and left the door open just a bit. A tiny crack, but it\’s not completely closed.
\”I\’m content. You know, in wrestling they always say \’never say never. But right now I\’m retired, and that, for me, is it. So I\’m focused on other things right now.\”
Big E on wrestling retirement
While officially retired as of this very moment, hope remains, and Big E remains – as a prominent figure in WWE\’s ecosystem, leveraging his charisma and knowledge in broadcasting.
Big E currently works as a panelist on WWE Premium Live Event pre-shows and post-shows, while also preparing to host a YouTube series focused on the NFL Draft.
Despite the tragic injury that put his in-ring career on hold indefinitely, he\’s a public account of working through this adversity has been nothing short of inspiring.
