For over a decade The New Day was one of the most successful groups on the WWE roster, but the trio went through a major change in 2022 when Big E broke his neck during a match on SmackDown. Ridge Holland hit the former WWE Champion with an overhead belly to belly suplex which resulted in Big E landing on his head on the floor at ringside.
In the years that followed The New Day continued as a babyface tag team. Last year WWE switched things up in a major way when they turned Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods heel as they officially kicked Big E out of The New Day.
In the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer claimed that at one point there was an idea to add Ridge Holland to The New Day. Meltzer wrote, “There was an idea when the New Day turned heel on Big E to have Ridge Holland as a third member of the New Day. It was discussed and ultimately nixed.”
Ridge Holland first signed with WWE in 2018 and remained with the company until his contract was terminated in November of 2025. Big E addressed his feelings on Ridge Holland earlier this year and stated that he never held any grudge against him.
The New Day are longer part of the WWE roster as they parted ways with the company earlier this year after they declined to sign restructured contracts. Currently they are in AEW performing as The New Level.