How WWE Can Build Xavier Woods After New Day Splits
By Dj Beal
A look at how we would book Xavier Woods splitting from The New Day.
Xavier Woods is one of the most talented superstars in professional wrestling but suffers from a commonality in WWE. This trait is underutilization and effects many of the most talented wrestlers WWE has seen. His run with New Day has proven that he has all the potential to not only be entertaining but can be a great draw in the ring.
The New Day’s time as Tag Team Champions, and as a faction, is nearing its end and may be time to think about each member as singles competitors. Big E and Kofi Kingston’s stock are to be determined at another time but could Woods be the breakout star of the New Day?
Since his time in TNA as Consequences Creed, I knew that there was something special about Woods. Not only does the man have a Ph.D. in Psychology but he combines that with his ring IQ and personality. During his initial runs, he showed that he work with a comedy gimmick but in my plan, I think he should go for a more serious route. The happy go lucky characters have never maintained their longevity. There needs to be more to Woods than he can just be funny.
Split from The New Day
The New Day have had a meteoric rise to being one of the most entertaining factions in the history of the WWE. It has become a little stale and now is the perfect time to split them. Although it would’ve made more sense for The Wyatt Family to be the cause of the split to build them again as monsters, that didn’t happen. At this point, The Club should be the team to split up The New Day.
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The Club is loved by the fans for their time in the Bullet Club in New Japan, and it has translated well to the WWE. There needs to be some reason for The New Day to split, and the most plausible way is for there to be miscommunication. Woods needs to be seen as the guy who has been left behind by the rest of the New Day. Realistically, he has been exactly that seeing that he hasn’t been featured much in the ring by the group.
Woods should tease that he wants to actually have gold in his career. With this selfish attempt to get noticed, he should find ways to interfere in the weekly Cruiserweight spotlight. This could easily start at or after Clash of Champions. Woods sitting backstage intently watching the Cruiserweight Championship match while Kingston and Big E are preparing for their match. Since Clash of Champions is the first ever Raw exclusive pay-per-view, there should be some involvement after the title match. The match was thrown together and has no true storyline thus far and adding Woods into the fold at COC will immediately put a storyline on the championship.
Why is He Upset with The New Day?
Woods should show his desire to be in the ring and complain about how he hasn’t gotten the chance with the New Day. The power of positivity should “keep” him aligned with the New Day for the time being but he should eventually turn on them. Xavier Woods’ heel turn should happen right after winning the championship. A perfect way to begin his heel run is to have a typical New Day celebration.
The celebration occurs the night after Woods wins the title. The New Day is still supportive of Woods although he cost them the tag team championships a month earlier. Woods needs to bask in the glory as the New Day always has during their title reign. “This is what happens when I finally get a chance to wrestle, too bad the New Day has held me back.” He should hit both Big E and Kofi with the championship sealing his heel turn.
Where to Go from Here?
There are plenty of ways that WWE could go with a Xavier Woods heel turn. A lengthy title run could be a lengthy title run as Cruiserweight Champion could be the plan. Also, look to establish his title as the 1A title, not a belt that is beneath the World Title. Woods needs to drive home the fact that his division is what makes Raw special and the fans need know that the Cruiserweights are the main event, not the Universal Championship.
With a plan of Woods having a lengthy first title run, his first opponent should be TJ Perkins. Perkins has a lovable character that all fans can get behind. He has been on a journey to get to the WWE and win the championship and that has been taken away. Although, Woods has been Perkins clean to win the title, Perkins doesn’t stand for turning your back on your friends. It’s the perfect relatable babyface going up against the narcissistic champion.
That proves to be a great Survivor Series feud if it is to be taken that far into the end of the year. The biggest feud of Woods’ run to be settled at WrestleMania. This one could start at Royal Rumble and culminate at the Grandaddy of Them All.
Xavier Woods vs Kofi Kingston
This rivalry is already established after Woods breaks away from the New Day. There is animosity and it has become personal. Woods wants to prove that he is the what made the New Day while Kofi seeks revenge. The first title run for Xavier Woods could end with Kofi Kingston simply because he has also never held the Cruiserweight Championship. This could be the perfect ending to a fantastic title run that firmly establishes Xavier Woods.
Overall, I would love to see a more serious Xavier Woods after splitting from the New Day. He has been comical all his career and now he can show his more aggressive side. His move set should be slightly changed to show his heel character. A heel run for Xavier Woods could be the best thing to happen to him.
How would you book Xavier Woods’ split from the New Day?