For years Big E was synonymous with The New Day, but the former WWE Champion has been out of action since 2022, and recently confirmed that he is officially retired from in-ring competition.
Back in December of 2024, Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston teased a potential split, but ultimately turned heel when they turned on Big E. The moment got the wrestling world talking, but WWE creative has been criticized for not following up and capitalizing on the heel turn.
While talking to Sports Illustrated, Big E shared his take on the criticism and he also noted that he had hoped to use the storyline to endorse another tag team.
“I think that is a very real criticism. 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.”