E states that he fought hard to be himself and that would not change.
From September 2021 until January 2022, Big E reigned as WWE Champion. Throughout his 110-day reign, E retained over the likes of Bobby Lashley, Drew McIntyre and Austin Theory.
He remembers becoming WWE Champion and getting feedback that he’d need to change and cut promos a different way than he usually did. E said no to that because he fought hard to be himself. He said the following while on the HawkCast:
I always wanted to be a one of one and that no one could put all the elements of what I do together. That was always my goal at least, whether I succeeded or failed. I just wanted to carve my own lane and that’s what I’m proud of, you know, because so often, especially when I won the WWE Championship and I was on my singles run, I got a lot of feedback like, ‘You can’t do this, you can’t look like that, you can’t cut promos like this. You’re gonna really have to change.’ But no. I fought to be myself and that to me as a performer was something that’s vitally important for me is to be able to trust my own instincts, to go out there and sink or swim on my own. I know I’m not always going to get it right. But just this belief that I wanna do things my way, because I can sleep at night. If I fail, if I sink doing it my way, I’m okay with that. But if I sink doing it your way, that, I’m not cool with so…
E has been out of action since March 2022 when he suffered a broken neck injury. In the meantime, he’s been co-hosting WWE P.L.E. Kickoff and post-show panels.
In addition to that, E has been venturing into non-wrestling projects. He could not share additional details, but said he hosted a show that is coming out in 2025.
I’ve been hosting or co-hosting our Countdown shows for the PLEs. We’re doing a lot of these international shows. Just got a chance to be in Berlin for three days, for that show. We’re gonna be in Vancouver for Survivor Series so, that’s the great thing is I’m still an active part of the WWE. Still doing a lot of broadcasting stuff. I don’t think I can talk about this show that I got to host, that should be out next year. But I’m really excited about it.
In a previous media appearance, E stated that he’ll be getting neck scans in three to six months to see where he’s at regarding a potential in-ring return.
If the quotes in this article are used, please credit the HawkCast with an H/T to POST Wrestling for the transcriptions.
