WWE: Xavier Woods Returns to Singles Competition, and Shines

Xavier Woods has had a complicated history of loss and lack of opportunity in singles competition. It seems WWE is finally giving him the chance he deserves.

At Clash of Champions, Dolph Ziggler announced his presence by defeating Baron Corbin and Bobby Roode to snag the United States Championship title for his second time in his WWE career.

On the following SmackDown, a disgruntled Ziggler started listing his numerous accolades for the crowd, and griped that fans didn’t respect him or his talents. Clearly fed up with the direction his career was taking, Ziggler laid the belt down and left the ring.

Following the tantrum, Commissioner Daniel Bryan announced a bracket tournament would take place for the open U.S. Title. Surprisingly, a singular Xavier Woods was announced as a contender. Even Woods was surprised at the announcement.

While Woods is part of the longest-reigning tag team champions in WWE history, he hasn’t quite broke through as a singles competitor in the main WWE roster since his debut in 2013. Despite his long career in wrestling, Woods has yet to truly make a statement as a superstar that can stand on his own. He’s made it clear from day one, though, that he has his sights on solo competition.

Woods started his career in 2005, where he dubbed himself Austin Creed, a name he lovingly took from his favorite Rocky movie. He got his break as a part-time wrestler with Rob Adonis’ Ultimate Christian Wrestling promotion, before leaving to spend some time at NWA Anarchy.

More from Daily DDT

• It’s time for Adam Cole and MJF to drop the ROH tag team titles
• Tom Lawlor talks MLW return, AEW opportunity, CM Punk’s WWE return and more
• Eddie Kingston stands to gain the most from the AEW Continental Classic
• Trish Stratus on WWE NXT would help elevate that women’s division
• Randy Orton signs with SmackDown to go after The Bloodline

During his stint at NWA Anarchy, he formed a tag team with Hayden Young called Awesome Attraction, and proved his talent by holding one of the longest title reigns in the promotion’s history. In 2006, he won NWA’s Most Popular Wrestler.

Following DSW’s split from WWE, Creed defeated Murder-One to become the first DSW Heavyweight Champion. It would be one his last moments in the singles spotlight, and it would begin his tumultuous career in tag teams.

In 2007, the then officially dubbed Consequences Creed would join the TNA X Division, creating a tag team with R-Truth which they named Truth and Consequences.

In 2008, R-Truth would request and be granted release from the company, and Creed would not be seen on TNA television for months to follow.

From 2008 to 2010, Creed partook in the tag team Lethal Consequences with partner Lethal. The tag team saw its fair share of ups and downs, and Creed was finally released after Amazing Red delivered a hurricanrana driver, causing Creed to projectile vomit after his head hit the mat.

Creed then spent the following year taking part of New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he seemed to have finally gotten some groove back after winning the East Coast Wrestling Association’s 2010 Super 8 Tournament Championship. It still appeared, however, that Creed was destined to stay put in tag team affairs.

Creed spent the next three years in WWE’s developmental territories FCW and NXT, changing his ring name to Xavier Woods, experimenting in different fanboy gimmicks, and experiencing tag team success. Woods performed briefly as a singles competitor, but still faced little opportunity, and less luck.

After making his way up to the main roster at WWE in 2013, Woods reunited with R-Truth to form a tag team that experienced more loss than gains. Though the tag team quietly separated after losing to Rusev in a two-on-one handicap match, Woods did see some success as a singles competitor, after defeating Heath Slater in his singles debut.

Credit: WWE.com

Despite minor success in both singles and team competition, it appeared that Woods was destined to fade into oblivion. As they say, though, don’t you dare be sour.

In 2014, Woods approached Kofi Kingston and Big E on stage with an offer of aligning forces and forming a stable. Kofi and Big E accepted, and the group took off on true heel platforms under the name New Day. The group has since gone face, won numerous tag team titles, be a gimmick innovator, become a fan favorite, and sell incredible amounts of merchandise. Even after suffering a knee injury, Woods still was successful as New Day’s comic relief and hype man outside the ring. The WWE Universe finally caught on to Woods’ talent and potential.

Credit: WWE.com

In 2015, Woods answered John Cena’s open call for the Raw U.S. Championship Title, in which he was defeated. His ambition though, wouldn’t go unnoticed.

During last year’s Battleground, Xavier got his first victory by pinfall to win a championship in WWE, which appeared to catapult him into the singles spotlight. In the last year, Woods has competed against the likes of the Usos, Titus O’Neil, Bray Wyatt, A.J. Styles, and Aiden English.

In over 545 matches, and while holding 10 different titles and awards over the years, Woods has just now finally broken through and been given the opportunity to showcase his skills. He has yet to be announced as a contender for the upcoming Royal Rumble men’s match, though I wouldn’t be surprised if the entire New Day squad saw their chance to steal the spotlight.

Woods has garnered plenty of attention as a fan favorite, due to his reputation as a gamer and multi-faceted PhD holder. He started his own brand UpUpDownDown, where he invites WWE stars, gaming personalities, friends, and guests to play games. His Twitch account AustinCreed is frequently visited, and he won the WWE 2K Tournament in 2015. He’s also openly identified himself as a “brony”, and plays tambourine and trombone.

Perhaps it’s because I, too, hail from Atlanta, or perhaps because I also hold a degree in psychology and philosophy, but Xavier Woods has fought his way for 13 years through the trenches of wrestling, and he finally deserves his chance to shine alone. WWE would seem to agree.

Next: Best Tag Teams in WWE History

Xavier Woods is set to face Jinder Mahal in a semifinal match on SmackDown next week in hopes of snatching the open U.S. Championship belt. If he defeats Mahal, he’ll face either Mojo Rawley or Bobby Roode for the title at Royal Rumble on Jan. 28. Fans hope that WWE is finally feeling the power of positivity.