On the latest episode of What’s Your Story? with Stephanie McMahon, Big E fondly remembered the “KofiMania” phenomenon of 2019, calling it a “special” and “organic” moment that celebrated one of the most respected performers in the industry. He also explained why The New Day’s story of brotherhood was so important to them.
“Kofi was one of those guys who always has a smile on his face, always did all the media, did everything asked of him, never complained… one of the most respected humans in this industry,” Big E said of his friend and tag team partner, Kofi Kingston.
He believes it was this reputation as a professional that made fans connect so deeply with his unexpected rise to the main event. “I think that’s why Kofi connected so much with people, and it was such a special time, because it was so organic and it was so real,” he stated. “And those are the best moments in wrestling. It was one for the good guys.”
Big E also noted the importance of The New Day’s unique story, which defied the typical wrestling trope of a faction inevitably turning on each other. “Woods and I went through this gauntlet match to get Kofi that opportunity. And I had never seen anything like that in wrestling, two guys who are gonna go through the fire to win someone else an opportunity,” he recalled. “It’s not about backstabbing. It’s about our love for each other and our love for our profession… we always made it very clear, there is no leader. We all wanted to be on equal footing.”
The “KofiMania” storyline led at WrestleMania 35, where Kofi Kingston defeated Daniel Bryan to win the WWE Championship for the first time. While Big E remains sidelined with an injury, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods continue to represent the group on Monday Night Raw.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article, please credit What’s Your Story? with Stephanie McMahon with an h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
