Writer’s Note: I apologize for being absent from the site last week. My wife and I bought a new house, and we moved in just before Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, our supposed pre-wired fiber internet wasn’t installed correctly, leaving us without a connection for over a week. That caused me to miss Survivor Series, so I wasn’t able to write a review column on the show, and I wasn’t able to craft a regular weekly column, either. We finally got things fixed, so I’m hoping to be back for more than a couple weeks this time around.
If you were to round up everyone involved in wrestling (at least on a major level) and ask them to name who they think is the best person in the business… not best wrestler, not best promo, not anything involving what we see on television, but the best person… there’s a name I think you would hear pretty frequently.
Big E.
Through the years that he has been employed by WWE, I haven’t seen a single negative thing said about him by anyone who has ever worked with him, hung out with him, or met him. Not by his fellow wrestlers, not by company employees, not by fans… nobody. Ever.
He is almost universally regarded as one of the nicest, kindest, sweetest, and funniest people in the entire industry. When he broke his neck in 2022, the outpouring of love from all corners of the wrestling world was swift and incredibly strong, almost overwhelmingly so.
The love that people show him… both as Big E, the performer, and as Ettore Ewen, the human being… is what made the New Day’s Ten Year Anniversary Celebration on last week’s episode of Monday Night Raw so successful and captivating.
For years, the New Day members have continuously said that they had no interest in splitting the group up, especially through some sort of heel turn. Recently, though, rumors have been swirling around that there would be some sort of turn that took place at the anniversary-themed episode for the group. Something, somewhere along the line, seems to have changed with the way the group viewed splitting up.
As I watched the segment, I almost found it comical with the way things started off. Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods were really laying it on thick, especially when Woods told the fans that his upcoming words weren’t their fault, like a mom and dad sitting their young child down to explain that it isn’t its fault that their parents are getting a divorce.
When Big E’s music hit, I was happy to see the man, but those rumors of a New Day split kept gnawing away at me, and I felt uneasy. He cut the super energetic, motivational promo that he does so well, and then, we were all hit with a sledgehammer to the heart…
“Now… NOW you wanna come back?!?”
With that question, Xavier Woods changed everything.
Big E was forced to stand there, in complete shock, as his two brothers ripped into him over what they perceived as E leaving them high and dry when they needed him the most. With each word out of their mouths, the heartbreak was more and more palpable on Big E’s face, and therefore, on all of our faces, too.
When I watched the segment a second time, I noticed things I failed to notice during my initial viewing. I saw that Woods, clear as day, was doing everything he could to hold back tears as he watched Big E’s facial expressions and listened to E’s responses. At one point, he even turned away as E was calling his name, hanging on for dear life in an attempt not to cry right there on the spot.
Think about that for a moment. That comes across as Austin Watson, even in the middle of a major heel turn that his on-screen character is going through, not being fully comfortable with looking at Big E’s face and seeing any sort of pain and agony.
That’s beautiful… in a bamboo-shoots-shoved-under-your-fingernails kind of way.
Pro wrestling’s best promos and moments all tend to have a lot of realism involved that helps strengthen whatever emotions we’re witnessing. I’m not saying that Kofi and Woods legitimately hate E or anything, but would it surprise anyone to learn that… somewhere, deep in the crevices of their minds… they really do have some sort of gripe about E being “too busy” with various things to stick around on television? Again, I have to be clear… I’m not saying they hate the guy, or that they’re even really mad. I just feel that, in a true moment of honesty and introspection, they would admit that there’s some truths in what they were saying and feeling during the Raw segment.
The entire segment ended up being one of the favorite wrestling-related things I’ve seen in a long time. I feel that all three men played their roles to perfection, especially with the handicap of E not being able to get physically involved hanging over them.
Speaking of that…
Can you imagine the heat Kofi and Woods would’ve been able to get if they were able to leave E in a heap to end the segment? Especially if E’s medical clearance wasn’t something that got reported online ahead of time?
That’s neither here nor there, though.
Where do we go now?
I’m of the thinking that Big E and WWE may already know a little something about his in-ring future. They either know he’s coming back, or they’re confident that he’ll be able to do so sooner than later. Including him in the story like they did just screams out that he’ll have his opportunity for revenge, even if it’s months down the road. An in-ring return was already going to be received incredibly well by the WWE Universe, but after what happened on Raw, that return could be magical.
What’s more important, at least for the time being, is how things go with Woods and Kofi. Their heel turn has people ready to fight them, or at least donate their healthy necks to Big E so that he can do it. They need to take advantage of that momentum and continue building on it. This is absolutely built for the tried-and-true “I was right but you booed me” response. They spoke their truth, and the fans dumped on it, taking Big E’s side. That should infuriate Kofi and Woods, sending them even more over-the-top. No more New Day silliness of days gone by. They need to be serious. Vicious. Angry. Focused. Let them run roughshod on the tag division with the motivation that they’ve seemingly lacked for a while. It’s crazy to think about it, but they haven’t held Tag Team Titles in almost two years, and haven’t done so on the main roster in nearly four years. They could really grab the tag division on Raw (or on Smackdown, thanks to the “Transfer Window” that was just announced) by the throats, making for some entertaining television.
A little less than three months ago, Big E mentioned in a radio interview that he was “three-to-six months” away from having his next set of scans on his neck to determine a potential return to the ring. The timing isn’t a coincidence. Like I said, I think things went down the way they did because there is a confidence that he’s ready to come back. Even if he hasn’t already had his latest set of scans, the fact that he’s going to learn something during WWE’s annual “Road To WrestleMania” damn near has me salivating. It fits right in with what the company seems to be trying to do with long-term storytelling.
So far, after a single segment and some online back-and-forth, everything about this New Day split has me feeling excited for the future. It was the right time, with the right story, featuring the right target, laid out in the right way. We’ll have to see if the follow up and the follow through keep things rocking and rolling, but man, what a start.
I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to go to war for Big E. He must be protected at all costs. Watch your backs, Kofi and Woods. We’re ready to ride for our guy.
What did you think of the New Day split and the heel turns for Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods? Do you think it’s leading to the in-ring return for Big E? As always, feel free to hit me up in the comments section below, or on Bluesky (@aaronhyden.bsky.social), and let me know what’s on your mind.
Now, let’s move on to my Weekly Power Rankings, followed by wrapping things up for the week with the list of songs I was listening to as I put this column together.
Weekly Power Rankings
The New Day: If you’ve gotten to this point of the column, you’ve already seen my thoughts on the entire segment from Raw and why it’s listed here.
Kyle Fletcher vs Shelton Benjamin: On one side, you have Fletcher, who seems to be in the beginning stages of a major push. Then you have Benjamin, who seems to be wrestling with extra motivation after not really being used much at the end of his WWE career. Sprinkle in the stakes on the line with the Continental Classic, and you have the ingredients for a banger.
Nathan Frazer & Axiom vs Tavion Heights & Myles Borne: Frazer and Axiom continue to show that they belong in the “Best Tag Team In The World” conversation. However, it was Heights and Borne that have the people talking. Even in a loss, those two looked great, and NXT may have something special in them moving forward.
Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge: The format of the match essentially guarantees nothing but chaos from bell-to-bell, and that’s what we got here. Lots of fast-paced action, a surprise return for Oba Femi, and no real “down” moments. Exciting stuff.
Kyle Fletcher vs Kazuchika Okada: Okada doesn’t lose in AEW very often, and even less frequently in singles competition, so it’s a really big deal for Fletcher to pick up the victory here. As I said during last year’s Continental Classic, it’s a lot of fun to see these matches have genuine stakes on the line, which has everyone up their game every week.
Darby Allin vs Komander: Komander remains on a hot streak with his in-ring work, but he seems like he’s the guy in the Continental Classic to look good in mainly losing efforts. I think he has proven to the company that he’s worthy of a bigger spotlight in 2025, though.
Bianca Belair vs Piper Niven: Lots of fun. That’s really all that can be said. Bianca really shines when she gets to show off her otherworldly power game, and she got to do that here against a much larger opponent.
CM Punk, Seth Rollins & Sami Zayn: Punk was a really good troll during this promo, knowing just what to say to piss off an already angry Rollins. Then, we got the added bonus of Sami using very sound logic to let Seth know that any sort of “monster” that was created within Roman Reigns was done so ten years ago when Rollins himself hit Roman in the back with a steel chair to break up The Shield. Good stuff from all involved.
Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge: It wasn’t as “smooth” as the men’s match earlier in the show, but the women did a really good job on their own. The new free agent acquisitions got to show why they were signed in the first place, while the rest of the cast of characters had their own opportunities to shine.
Mark Briscoe vs Kazuchika Okada: Like last year, I think I’m going to become very repetitive when discussing the Continental Classic matches. Clearly defined stakes = extra motivation for the wrestlers. Extra motivation for the wrestlers = better matches for us to watch. Simple.
Mark Briscoe vs Daniel Garcia: Let’s see… clearly defined stakes = extra motivation for the wrestlers. Extra motivation for the wrestlers = better matches for us to watch.
“Switchblade” Jay White vs Pac: These are two of the more underutilized names on the AEW roster, always ready to deliver high quality performances against anyone they’re in the ring with. No surprise that they were able to have a good’n against each other.
Brody King vs Claudio Castagnoli: *ahem* Clearly defined stakes = extra motivation for the wrestlers. Extra motivation for the wrestlers = better matches for us to watch. The Continental Classic is a great time for fans of pro wrestling.
Kelani Jordan vs Wren Sinclair vs Cora Jade vs Jaida Parker: When I see a lineup like this, and then I see the results of that lineup in a match, it makes me smile to think about the incredibly bright future that the NXT (and therefore, WWE) women’s division has. None of the women in this match have even celebrated their 30th birthday yet.
Cody Rhodes vs Chad Gable: Man, WWE really dropped the ball with Chad Gable, didn’t they? They had something special with him while he was feuding with Gunther, but they never pulled the trigger on having him topple the monster. Then, they had him turn heel on Sami Zayn, and that was well done, but it didn’t actually go anywhere. Damn shame.
Axiom vs Cedric Alexander vs Lexis King vs Eddy Thorpe: If I had a list of WWE-related things I want to see the most in 2025, “push Cedric Alexander in NXT” would be right up there at the top somewhere. He wouldn’t even need to win the NXT Title, either, although I wouldn’t mind seeing that. Just give him more airtime, with better and longer performances in televised matches. I’m a simple man.
Bandido: With a single vignette, we were informed that Bandido is on his way back to AEW. Injuries have kept him out of action since June 2023, so I’m glad to see that he’s returning soon. He has been missed. It’s just a shame that his return couldn’t have happened earlier, as I would’ve loved to see him in the Continental Classic.
Drew McIntyre: The WWE product is more fun when Drew is around, so I’m happy to see him back after his mini-vacation after what he went through during Hell In A Cell with CM Punk.
Motor City Machine Guns vs DIY: The match itself was good, although a bit underwhelming. It was mainly used as a vehicle for Johnny Gargano swerving people and turning heel with Tommaso Ciampa. I would’ve preferred to see DIY stay face as a team, but I’m just happy we didn’t get yet another split between them.
This Week’s Playlist: “Love Burns” by Paleface Swiss… “Let Me Be Me” by Take The Name… “The One” by WanMor… “Alone With You” by WanMor… “BABY” by WanMor… “Please Don’t Go” by WanMor… “Let It Snow” by Boyz 2 Men & Brian McKnight… “Christmas In Hollis” by Run-DMC… “This Christmas” by Donny Hathaway… “Yeah Glo!” by GloRilla… “Ambitionz Az A Ridah” by 2Pac… “All About U” by 2Pac, Snoop Doggy Dogg, Nate Dogg, Fatal & Kadafi… “Got My Mind Made Up” by 2Pac, Method Man, Redman, Kurupt & Daz… “How Do U Want It” by 2Pac, K-Ci & JoJo… “2 Of Amerikaz Most Wanted” by 2Pac & Snoop Doggy Dogg… “Life Goes On” by 2Pac… “I Ain’t Mad At Cha” by 2Pac & Danny Boy… “Can’t C Me” by 2Pac… “When We Ride” by 2Pac & Outlaw Immortals… “I LUV HER” by GloRilla & T-Pain… “Ribbon In The Sky” by Intro… “Saturn” by SZA… “Ocean” by Zacari… “Angel” by Anita Baker… “Stay” by Ghost & Patrick Wilson