While Big E is still out due to a neck injury, Kingston and Woods were most recently the "NXT" Tag Team Champions.
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On WWE’s “The Bump,” Xavier Woods and Big E of The New Day spoke about Kofi Kingston, who was noticeably absent from the conversation. When asked to reflect on his or her achievements, Woods said that he felt he had made a difference by becoming the kind of “nerdy” WWE star that young Black children could look up to, something that wasn’t available to him when he was younger, and by serving as an inspiration to them. He cited Kingston’s 2019 WWE Championship victory as a particularly moving instance.
Big E highlighted how the title reign and the ensuing outpouring of affection and admiration for his partner resonated to him personally as Kofi’s friend. “A lot of people in entertainment, they present a certain thing, but when they’re off-screen, when they’re home, they’re a different person,” explained Big E. “The thing I love with Kofi is he is the best human being on-screen — you feel that energy — but when he goes home, he’s a family man, he’s incredibly kind to everyone he meets. And I just love that he’s someone who if your kids look up to him … they should. He’s a worthy role model.”
While Big E is still out due to a neck injury, Kingston and Woods were most recently the “NXT” Tag Team Champions. They lost the belts to Gallus this past Saturday night at the Vengeance Day show in a four-way match that also featured Pretty Deadly and Chase University. “I think because he’s someone who we spend time doing nonsense with, we kind of forget how much he means to a lot of people. But seeing him get his flowers, seeing him get the amount of love he deserves in his career … it is a blessing to be on his team.”
Big E hasn’t been on television since breaking his neck on an episode of “WWE SmackDown” in March 2022. Thankfully, all reports following the incident have been favorable, and The New Day’s loudest member hasn’t let his absence stop him from spreading his customary optimism. Big E mentioned one up-and-coming talent on WWE’s “The Bump,” Montez Ford, one-half of the Street Profits, as someone he can’t help but support.
“It’s hard not to be a Montez guy,” Big E said. “You talk about someone who has all the tools: charismatic as hell, absurdly athletic. He has everything, man. It’s about time for Montez to get his [moment to shine], so I’m excited to see his rise, to see his run,” he added. “Talk about a star, the guy has screamed ‘star’ for a long time, so it’s time to get Montez cookin’.”
Ford secured his ticket to the Elimination Chamber on last week’s episode of “WWE Raw” and will now compete for Austin Theory’s United States Championship there against Bronson Reed, Seth Rollins, Damian Priest, Johnny Gargano, and Austin Theory. Big E is looking forward to Ford getting his own chance to shine even though Ford has made a name for himself with tag team partner Angelo Dawkins, earning WWE’s second-ever Tag Team Triple Crown Champions in the process.
