Current WWE Star Officially Announces In-Ring Retirement
A former WWE Champion has confirmed their in-ring retirement.
Big E, real name Ettore Ewen, currently has a contract with the Stamford-based company, but in other roles. He was last seen as part of the Wrestlepalooza post-show panel, where he reunited with his former stablemate, AJ Lee.
Appearing on What’s Your Story? With Stephanie McMahon, the 39-year-old star expressed surprise at being invited on the show. He confirmed that he is proud of everything he achieved as a wrestler and that that chapter is in his past.
For all the people you’ve had on, I’m like, ‘Why me?’ My career is kind of behind me. I’m someone who is appreciative, I think I had a really good career and I’m proud of it, but you’ve had John Cena, Livvy Dunne, some of the biggest names. [H/T: Ringside News]
Ewen won the WWE Championship on the September 13, 2021, taping of Monday Night RAW, when he cashed in the Money in the Bank contract on Bobby Lashley.
What Caused Big E’s Injury In WWE?
Big E suffered an injury during the March 11, 2022, episode of WWE SmackDown.
Competing against Sheamus and Ridge Holland in a triple threat match, he found himself hoisted by Holland in the midst of a belly-to-belly suplex outside the ring.
Unfortunately for him, Big E landed on the top of his head, suffering a broken neck. It was later revealed that he had fractured his C1 and C6 vertebrae.
While he aimed to get back in the ring as a wrestler, he never achieved the same level of fitness. In August 2023, he revealed that he had been advised against wrestling by doctors.
Big E made his first return since his injury during the December 2, 2024, RAW episode, where he reunited with his The New Day stablemates, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods.
Kingston and Woods, however, berated him and turned heal in the process.