Big E Addresses Lack Of Follow Up After Being Kicked Out Of New Day, ‘It’s A Real Criticism’

On the December 4, 2024 episode of WWE Raw, Big E was officially kicked out of the New Day by Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods.

E had not wrestled since March 2022 due to a neck injury, and there was no indication that he would be returning to the ring. E had taken on a role as an analyst on WWE pre and post-shows for PLEs. In the angle, Woods and Kingston stuck together after weeks of problems, and chastised E for not being there for them.

Big E has not been back on television since.

Speaking to Jon Alba of Sports Illustrated, E was asked about the lack of follow up on the angle.

“I think that is a very real criticism,” he said. “Creative, as you know, is a give and take. 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.”

He continued, “There are a lot of cooks in the creative kitchen, and we felt like this was us making the best of what we were given, and yeah, that’s kind of how that went down. But no, I agree with you and a lot of people who felt the same, and I saw a lot of that feedback after it was clear that I wasn’t coming back in a timely fashion, that it was, ‘Okay, why are we putting so much stock into an angle where one person is never coming back? There’s no retribution?’ So I think that’s a very real criticism. I heard it, and I think people have a right to feel that way.”

New Day went on to win the WWE World Tag Team Championships at WrestleMania 41 and added Grayson Waller to the group later in the year.

Elsewhere during the interview, Big e gave more insight on his retirement. You can find his full comments here.