Big E Explained Why He’s Happy It “Took So Long” To Become WWE Champion
The new WWE Champion Big E has opened about his journey to the biggest prize in WWE while noting that at one point in his career, New Day had to fight just to get on television.
Monday’s Raw in Boston saw Big E, who is normally a Smackdown superstar, start the show with the Money in the Bank briefcase in hand. Earlier in the day, Big E mentioned on Twitter that he planned to cash in the Money in the Bank contract on Monday’s Raw. He called his shot and was determined to leave with championship gold.
The now-former WWE Champion Bobby Lashley defended the WWE Title against Randy Orton in the main event of Raw. The match was originally scheduled for Extreme Rules, but was moved up to Monday’s Raw instead. Lashley ended up beating Orton clean with a Spear. After the match, Big E ran down to the ring with the Money in the Bank briefcase, he had a referee with him and there were only a few minutes left in the show for the match.
The match between Big E and Lashley was under two minutes as Big E countered a power move from Lashley and managed to hit the Big Ending to become the new WWE Champion.
After Raw went off the air, Big E did an interview backstage for Raw Talk talking about what the moment meant for him and the journey he has been on in his WWE career.
“It’s the moments I really treasure. I’m getting goosebumps just thinking about the moment I go out, the music hits – the crowd, even though they’ve seen me a dozen times tonight. To have your peers, fans, these two jackasses (New Day) to have every one of their support, it means the world to me. I think the dream for anyone in any vocation or craft is getting to do cool things at the top of your craft, but getting to do it with your friends. I will always remember the three of us fighting to get on TV, and we’ve been able to do so many cool, incredible things.”
“I’ve been able to grow so much as a person and a performer because of these guys. I could not have written a better career for myself. I’m glad in many ways that it took so long because it feels earned. I’m glad I wasn’t handed things right away. I got to live the dream and be WWE Champion, and my best friends came out and celebrated with me. I’ll never forget it.”
“That’s the cherry on top, respect from your peers. We have so much talent (across all WWE brands). To have people I respect, I love watching pushing for me backstage, say ‘job well done.’ I’m thankful for all of it.”
The respect from his peers is something that Big E cares about a lot and so many wrestlers had an outpouring of support on social media after Big E’s title win.