Big E Embracing The ‘Power Of Positivity’ As He Recovers From A Broken Neck

During an episode of SmackDown on March 11, 2022, WWE superstar Big E was given an overhead belly-to-belly suplex by Ridge Holland outside the ring. Rather than landing on his back, Big E, whose real name is Ettore Ewen, came crashing down on his head and neck, fracturing his C1 and C6 vertebrae.

Despite being sidelined for more than a year, Big E has embraced the “power of positivity”— a mantra and rallying cry that he, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods who comprise wrestling stable The New Day live by in and out of the ring.

“Especially as someone who unfortunately has dealt with many, many injuries throughout my life, I think the mental side for athletes can definitely be the hardest part,” Big E said. “I’ve really been fortunate to be in a great place. A lot of that is due to the community I have around me that’s been so supportive from my family, friends, fans—just the outpouring of love. It wasn’t just the day of or week of breaking my neck, it’s been consistent.

“I’ve had so many people send me DMs and tweets asking how I’m doing or sending well wishes. Honestly, that means a lot and I really appreciate it.”

A former collegiate football player at the University of Iowa whose professional career was cut short by—you guessed it—injuries, and a champion powerlifter, Big E made his WWE main roster debut in 2012 after spending three years in the WWE development ranks.

The former NXT champion won the WWE championship, International championship (twice) and Money in the Bank (2021) since his callup, on top of being an eight-time tag team champion.

An avid fan of Seinfeld and meditation, Big E has spent much of his recovery not only ensuring he’s physically and mentally ready to return to the squared circle, but enjoying the things he loves most. Fellow WWE superstar Mustafa Ali gifted him a Lego Seinfeld set, while others have sent books on meditation.

Big E said he is scheduled to meet with doctors after WrestleMania in early April for his latest scans that will determine his future in the ring.

“I’ll sit down with the doctors and see what they think, what they advise and move on from there,” he said. “Right now, I feel amazing. I have no issues with pain or strength; I’ve been in the gym consistently. I feel great.

“It’s a cliche, but it’s one day at a time, but truly being present. This is the next hurdle—getting those scans and seeing what the doctors think and then moving on from there. That’s the pathway, that’s the plan. I just want to focus on the things I can control, and the things I can’t, just let them go. We should definitely know in about a week or so.”

Next for The New Day

Formed in 2014, The New Day has had feuds and rivalries with just about every tag team and stable in WWE over the past decade, ranging from the Usos to the Shield, Dudley Boyz and the Bar.

Outside of the ring, the photogenic and fun New Day have stolen the spotlight in commercials for WWE and brand partners including Snickers, presenting partner of WrestleMania 39 this weekend at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, Skittles, Mattel and more.

“These guys aren’t just work friends,” Big E said. “They’re not guys that when we’re done with our careers we’ll just go about our separate ways and never check in with each other. There’s a real brotherhood and a real love for each other. And after nine years of not being sick of each other, I think that’s rare in wrestling.”

Not only has the stable established itself as one of the best in modern wrestling, but Kingston, Woods and Big E have also had individual success. Big E and Kingston have both been atop the mountain as WWE champion, while Woods won the 2021 King of the Ring. An avid gamer outside of the ring, Woods often enlists the help of his friends to explore the world of gaming and nerdom via UpUpDownDown.

With both Big E and Kingston (foot) currently sidelined, where does The New Day go next?

“While I was out I realized, ‘Wow, there’s so many new factions right now,’” Big E said. “We’ve done stuff with the Usos before but never really had all three of us ready, healthy and up against the Bloodline or even Imperium. There’s so many opportunities to do those things. I know we all have singles goals as well.

“I think the cool thing with our job is you can do things as singles or as a tag team or trio—there’s so many different ways to go. We hope to break new ground. We’ve done a lot of things, held a lot of tag team titles—and I’m not saying I’d be against holding tag team championships by any means—but we’d love to find some new challenges, to conquer some new things.”

A healthy industry

WWE’s Attitude Era, highlighted by superstars like Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock and The Undertaker, as well as the battle for ratings and supremacy with WCW in the Monday Night Wars, is arguably the best and most influential era in sports entertainment.

While WWE and the industry continue to evolve with the times, Big E said the current era of sports entertainment as a whole is very healthy, while the competition—both within WWE and against other promotions like AEW—creates an iron-sharpens-iron effect that benefits all.

WWE, which hired Raine Group in January to assist with a potential sale, is seeking as much as $9 billion, according to reports. The negotiation process is currently “hot and heavy” according to reports as the company heads into WrestleMania 39, its Super Bowl-like premium live event which began in 1985.

“I think competition is good,” he said. “People are fired up. We want to have the best show. We want to connect with fans in a way no one else is connecting with fans. Everyone should be elevated because of it. I think that’s an important element as well—when you have other people pushing you and other talent doing incredible things. You think, ‘I want to be the one spoken about every single week. I want to be the one whose name is trending because I had the best match or promo.’

“I think that level of hunger, that level of competition that exists is also a good thing for our industry. People are realizing that if you want to stand out, you can’t just rest on your laurels, you have to keep getting better, you have to keep adding things to your game, you have to keep finding ways to reinvent yourself. I think all those things have added a certain creative energy and excitement that has been good for the business.”