Add as a preferred source on Google Big E has opened up again about one of the biggest moments of his WWE career, making it clear that his reign as WWE Champion was far from what he had imagined.
During a recent appearance on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, the former New Day member looked back on winning the title in September 2021, when he cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase on Bobby Lashley on Monday Night RAW.
His reign ended just 110 days later at WWE Day 1, when Brock Lesnar was added to the title match at the last minute after Roman Reigns was pulled from the show. The match was originally set to be Big E vs. Seth Rollins before Kevin Owens, Bobby Lashley and, eventually, Lesnar were added.
“What was supposed to be a singles between me and Seth becomes a Five Way where Brock beats me for the title. But that’s the business, and honestly, the fact alone that I got to be World Champion, a guy like me, is pretty incredible. It wasn’t the run that I wanted by any means, but I’m grateful that I got it.
But to go from that, to having certain RAWs where I felt like I was probably in five or six segments, I would have to do the dark match, I’m doing pre-tapes, and there’s a lot on your back. Going from that to immediately being thrust back into, and look, I love the boys. I love the New Day. But to go from, ‘Hey, you’re on the show alone,’ to immediately be like, ‘Okay, the idea of you even trying to fight back or get another opportunity, we’re not doing that. Get back to the tag team.’ It was demoralizing.
But the wrestling business is filled with ups and downs and ebbs and flows, and I think a lot of talent get too caught up in kind of the ebbs and flows. You have to be able to ride that wave.”
Big E says he’s grateful to have been WWE Champion, but it wasn’t the run he wanted:
— WrestlePurists (@WrestlePurists) June 25, 2026
“What was supposed to be a singles between me and Seth becomes a Five Way where Brock beats me for the title. But that’s the business, and honestly, the fact alone that I got to be World… pic.twitter.com/jrwdFetF3V
A short time later, in March 2022, Big E suffered a serious neck injury on an episode of Friday Night SmackDown, fracturing his C1 and C6 vertebrae after a suplex from Ridge Holland.
He has not wrestled since. Big E remains involved with WWE in non-wrestling roles, mainly through panels and special programming for the company.