Former WWE Champion Big E publishing ‘unfiltered memoir’
An “unfiltered memoir” written by former WWE Champion Big E is scheduled to be released in early 2027.
Titled “How I Got Over: Healing from Depression and Psychosis to Find Joy In and Out of the Ring,” the book will cover the mental health issues Big E (Ettore Ewen) faced early in life up through his WWE career. An Amazon listing notes that BenBella Books is the publisher, with the memoir currently slated for a February 2, 2027 release.
Here is the full description:
- WWE legend Ettore ‘Big E’ Ewen chronicles his meteoric career in wrestling and entertainment—and the private, unseen mental health battle that shadowed his success
- At twenty, Ettore Ewen didn’t expect to make it to twenty-five. And if he did, he expected to spend the rest of his life on antidepressants and antipsychotics, in and out of psych wards. His depression was a timebomb, and the last thing he expected was a successful career in professional wrestling as it ticked away. In this unfiltered memoir, Ewen shares his extraordinary path to becoming the fourth Black WWE champion in company history and joining the celebrated tag team The New Day—and his parallel path through the mental health showdown that started in childhood.
- As he navigated a strict upbringing in Florida, frequent school changes, and a difficult social life, Ewen grappled with depressive thoughts and body image issues as early as nine years old. When his passion for football turned into a full-ride scholarship to the University of Iowa, the pressures of success, school, and injury continued to build, transforming Ewen’s depression into horrifying and uncontrollable hallucinations. And when his career took off, Ewen continued to be rocked with the ups and downs of his diagnosis, self-loathing, and unpredictable treatment journey even as he made a name for himself as Big E, wrestling with his own demons as he entered the wrestling limelight.
- Detailing his early struggle to find a ringside persona, career-threatening injuries, and the unforgettable bonds he forged in the industry, How I Got Over offers a vulnerable and ultimately hopeful story of Ewen’s intertwined odysseys through fame and mental health, and a testament to the power of resilience, community, and self-acceptance.
In addition to writing this book, Big E will be giving a TEDx Talk titled “How I Got Over” this August in Davenport, Iowa.
Big E’s WWE status and other pursuits —
After suffering a broken neck in 2022, Big E stated earlier this year that he considers himself retired from the ring. He feels good both physically and mentally, but his neck has not recovered to the point where it is forming new bone properly. The decision to retire was very much supported by Big E’s doctor, who “almost quite literally breathed a sigh of relief” when Big E said he was leaning toward being done in the ring.
Big E still contributes to WWE in a broadcasting role that includes appearing on PLE pre-shows and post-shows. He is the last member of New Day still with the company after Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods departed WWE in early May.
The broadcasting role is one Big E is happy with, and — at least right now — he wouldn’t want the busier schedule that a full-time commentary or managerial position would require. He is enjoying being on the road less often and being able to pursue other opportunities like the NFL Draft YouTube series he hosted for data analytics firm SumerSports.
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.