Big E addresses ‘very real criticism’ of New Day WWE betrayal angle
Big E understands why fans were so critical of how things played out following his split from The New Day.
In December 2024, an angle took place where Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods betrayed Big E and kicked him out of New Day. Fans were hoping the angle would lead to something more, but there wasn’t much follow-up since Big E is unable to compete after breaking his neck in 2022.
Big E, speaking with The Takedown on SI, said he took part in the angle despite knowing that there would likely never be a big payoff with him returning to the ring. His hope was that he would align with other babyfaces or get payback on Kingston & Woods in a different way. But there ended up not being any subsequent angle with Big E getting his retribution.
“I think that is a very real criticism,” Big E said about not being able to deliver an appropriate payoff to the angle. “Creative, as you know, is a give and take. And I’m only one component of it. There are a lot of other people involved. The creative team kind of just talked to me about the general idea and I initially thought at least being able to kind of, not pass the baton, but if Kofi and Woods were going to work with another team, and I was able to kind of give them my blessing, or I had an idea I wanted to do around Rumble to kind of foil Kofi and Woods.
“Because I’m with you in that, us continuing to build this angle or to build heat with someone who’s not coming back, I think doesn’t make sense. It leads fans astray. But I thought if anything, ‘Okay, if we’re going to do this, there’s a way for me to kind of pass the torch to someone else or give them my blessing, or say, I’m aligned with you, or say, whatever it is.'”
Big E noted that there are a lot of people involved with the creative process and sometimes things can fall through the cracks even though everyone is trying to do their best.
“There are a lot of cooks in the creative kitchen, and we felt like this was us making the best of what we were given, and yeah, that’s kind of how that went down,” he said.
“But no, I agree with you and a lot of people who felt the same, and I saw a lot of that feedback after it was clear that I wasn’t coming back in a timely fashion, that it was, ‘Okay, why are we putting so much stock into an angle where one person is never coming back? There’s no retribution?’ So I think that’s a very real criticism. And I heard it, and I think people have a right to feel that way.”
Big E announced earlier this month that he officially considers himself retired from the ring after breaking his neck in March 2022. He is able to live a normal, pain-free life despite the injury and still contributes to WWE in a broadcasting role.
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.