WWE: It’s Time For The New Day To Enter Into A New Era

Kofi Kingston, Big E, & Xavier Woods have all come a long way in WWE since forming The New Day a little over 4 years ago. As singles competitors, each one of them were in desperate need of some type of change.

It’s a risk either way being in that company for the simple fact that the WWE has had a history of not really knowing what to do with Black wrestlers (Yeah, I said it!) and/or just not caring about them altogether whether they’re singles competitors or tag teams — heel or a face.

So, honestly, they didn’t really have much to lose from any standpoint. It was worth a shot, right?

How Did We Get Here?

So, Big E & Kofi Kingston, for whatever reason, tag-teamed together and ended up on a losing streak. Next thing you know, Xavier Woods came out to address the two on the July 21, 2014 episode of Monday Night Raw.

"“You can not move ahead by shaking hands, kissing babies, singing and dancing like a puppet. You can not move ahead by always doing what you’re told. Now, this is our time. This is our place. It is time for us to find focus. It is up to us to find order. Together it is our time to find purpose because we do not ask any longer. Now, we take.”"

Wow. How do you really feel Xavier?

Now It took a little minute to fully get it off the ground, but next thing we know it was November and we started seeing vignettes for the stable.

Now let me stop right here. At first glance, I didn’t fully see the stereotypical nature of what I was being presented with because quite frankly, it brought back memories. I heard that gospel music playing and I was like, Aww Snap! Taking me back to my childhood. Okay! I see y’all!

On the flip side of that coin though, you’re giving me stereotypical Black preachers? Yeah, looking back, I give that a complete side-eye. But, thankfully, things turned around somehow.

You see, the feelings were mostly neutral in the beginning coming from the WWE universe. But, at some point, the fans began to turn (heel).  By the end of May 2015, the fans got to the point where they started chanting “New Day Sucks!” instead of “New Day Rocks!”

Oh wow. But, that’s the WWE Universe for you. Now the jury is still out on exactly why they weren’t rolling with The New Day at first. But I think it was a combination of the stereotypical nature of the stable and simply not connecting with the fans at the time.

Since these chants continued for weeks, it was only a matter of time before they spoke on it. The New Day eventually addressed the chants in a backstage interview on the April 6, 2015 episode of Monday Night Raw.

It probably doesn’t seem like much to you, but this was a big turning point in the history of the stable. Just in case you forgot how important Kofi Kingston was to this stable (haha), let me re-educate you!

Kofi Kingston was always the centerpiece of The New Day, largely due to the fact that he’s the WWE veteran of the stable. You probably got that.

But, there’s something else. Kofi Kingston was the one who subtly turned the entire group heel in the first place!

Play the clip! Kofi interfered in the match between The New Day (Big E & Xavier Woods) vs. The Lucha Dragons on that same episode of Monday Night Raw. It was a subtle move, but things got more and more obvious over time when it came to their heel status.

Next thing you know, it’s Apr. 20, and The New Day and The Lucha Dragons ran into each other once again over an opportunity for the WWE Tag Team Championships.

What happened? Oh, good ol’ Xavier Woods decided to keep Sin Cara from re-entering the ring so the New Day could win that match via count-out to become the number one contenders.

Play the dang clip!

Wait a minute! What did Booker T just say?!

Booker T: “Hey! We could be looking at the new tag team champions right here! The New Day with a new attitude!”

It’s almost like he knew.

Six days later, at the 2015 Extreme Rules PPV, The New Day became the W-W-E World Tag Team Champions for the first time as a tag team (under the Freebird rule)!

Remember, this was not even a month after they went heel! That’s what I meant about that backstage interview being a huge turning point in the history of The New Day.

Fans eventually turned around over time. They slowly rose and became the hottest thing in the company. They really still are to this day– no matter the form.

Since then, they’ve held tag team championships in various forms (WWE/Raw & Smackdown Live) five times altogether. Their second Raw tag team championship reign was the longest in WWE history — 483 days. Oh, but that’s not all!

Oh, no!

You should see the icing on the cake!

You see, Kofi Kingston held those titles well before The New Day was even thought of.

He was a tag team champion with CM Punk, he was the tag team champion with Evan Bourne, and he was a tag team champ with R-Truth eight months after that.

So, altogether Kingston has held some type of tag team championship for at least 954 days (so far)!

Oh, that icing! That icing is good!

In the time that they’ve been a stable, every episode with them, regardless of brand, has been an adventure even at their lowest booking. Their energy is unlike any other tag team or stable in the history of the WWE!

Their promos, their segments, the crazy moments with virtually everyone in and outside of the ring, on top of their amazing matches whether it was televised or on a pay-per-view.

They’re easily one of the best of the decade.

I’m not going to go over every single one of their best moments because you would probably need an entire New-Day-Encyclo-pedia, Baby! — for that. I’ll leave all that to the WWE.

But, their best feuds and matches have definitely been with The Lucha Dragons (Kalisto & Sin Cara), The Bar (Cesaro & Sheamus), & The Usos (Jimmy & Jey Uso) — Easy!

It was beautiful seeing them rise to where they are today. Especially when they still have room to rise.

So, Where Does The New Day Go From Here?

It hasn’t been lost on many, including me, that The New Day haven’t exactly had much to do lately.

They’ve taken on almost every current and former tag teams and stables on the main roster. They’ve had all these typical New Day segments and matches lately and it’s all starting to get a bit… meh, even by their standards.

It’s definitely time for a change. Me personally, I’m not interested in seeing them completely broken up. I would rather them stick together as long as they change some things up.

I proudly raise my hand with suggestions!

Here’s The Deal

#1 – Let me ask this. How much longer are they going to do this? Hmm? How much longer are they going to do the pancakes and Booty O’s and whatever other food they can think of?

Pretty much everything, including the twerking, has either gotten old or it’s in the process.

Now I can’t speak for the entire WWE Universe, let alone their fanbase. So, I won’t. But, i’m ready for a new era. It’s time for the next evolution of The Next Day and the first step might be some type of fashion style change. You know? A new feel.

#2 – It’s been an so exciting to watch Kofi Kingston’s beautiful, unexpected push. It sucks that it came at Mustafa Ali’s expense. But, let’s be all the way real.

Nothing against Ali, but the fact that the WWE picked him over Kofi, an 11-year veteran that was more than good enough and more than qualified for that championship opportunity, was ludicrous to begin with.

The fact that he was more than likely not even thought of for that match until someone got injured says a lot.

Regardless, it’s done wonders for Kofi as a singles competitor. That gauntlet match on the February 12, 2019 episode of SmackDown Live put Kingston in the conversation for the biggest championship in the entire company for the first time in at least a decade.

By the end of that match, as you may already know, everybody was talking about Kofi Kingston! Period! He put on quite possibly the best match of his career and immediately put him that title picture. He got praise from fans, critics, and his fellow colleagues.  It was amazing to witness.

After his attempt to gain the WWE Championship failed at the 2019 Elimination Chamber PPV, I started seeing these tweets!

When I saw Seth Rollins & Kofi’s stable mate Xavier Woods tweet out #KofiMania, which is code for pushing for Kofi Kington to get his championship opportunity at WrestleMania, I screamed! Everyone is pulling for #KofiMania — including me!

He has more momentum than anyone on that brand, including Kevin Owens,  when it comes to that championship. That being said, it would be wise for the rest of The New Day to try and capitalize on this due to fact that he brings momentum to the entire stable as well.

But, how do they capitalize? Well, I was thinking, what if all members of The New Day went after championships on their brand at WrestleMania?!

Let’s say they all won their matches. They would then belong to an elite class of stables that have pulled off such a feat. The other two (that i know of) are The Shield (prior to the brand split)  & The Undisputed Era down in NXT.

The New Day are already legendary. But, this kind of accomplishment would further solidify the stable into certified future Hall of Fame status.

The New Day & The Era Of Champions!

Think about it! Kofi Kingston is seems to be certainly headed for a opportunity for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania (the biggest stage of them all). The Intercontinental Championship is likely not going anywhere. So, that’s done.

I suggest focusing on SmackDown Live So, that leaves the U.S championship and the Tag Team Championships. Let’s do some Fantasy Booking here.

Let’s speak it into existence that Kofi wins the WWE Championship at WrestleMania! Boom!

Who would go after the U.S Championship? Well, apparently neither Big E nor Xavier Woods have ever held the title. So, it really doesn’t matter which one. But, I’m pulling for Xavier Woods.

Why? Well, he could definitely use a better singles run than he had prior to The New Day’s formation.

He’s never held any single’s championship in the WWE, unlike his stable mates, and he would make a heck of a U.S champion (if booked correctly). So, i’m pulling for Xavier Woods.

But, hold up. Where would this leave Big E? Exactly! In order to go for the tag team titles, The New Day would need another member.

Oh, yes! I am indeed suggesting that going after all the championships on Smackdown Live would be a great opportunity to expand the stable! They could use a breath of fresh air and It’s the only way I can think of to make that plan work.

But, Who?!

Well, i’m thinking that Cedric Alexander would be an excellent choice!

He’s definitely got the talent. He’s a former WWE Cruiserweight Champion (the second longest reigning in the title’s history — 180 days). But, he could use an opportunity to better showcase his personality and more of what he can do in the ring. He would be a perfect pick.

Another good pick is Apollo Crews. My God! I honestly forgot he even still worked there! I can’t even remember the last time I saw Apollo Crews on television. We don’t even truly what he is or what he stands for!

They flew him to the main roster so quick, it almost made my head spin. He’s never really had any meaningful moments on either brand. He was stuck in that stupid “Titus Worldwide” thing for forever. He definitely needs this more than Cedric Alexander does actually.

Either one or both of them would be excellent additions. With some tweaking to that tag team division, this could also elevate the entire brand especially when SmackDown Live hits FOX in the fall.

Regardless of who’s added, I don’t have time for them acting all goofy and twerking for the rest of 2019 and into the next decade. I’m over that.

The Heart Of The Matter

I’ll forever be a fan of The New Day (for more reasons than one). I watched them become the symbol of Black Excellence in wrestling! I’ve watched them exceed most people’s expectations!

It’s always great to see Black wrestlers succeed in the business regardless of wrestling promotion. But, especially in a company like the WWE were they haven’t exactly been known to have a lot of them.

I know what they mean to the wrestling industry! I know what they mean for all wrestling fans, but especially Black wrestling fans — like me! The men, women, and especially the Black little boys and girls!

I know what it means to see People of Color of all ages see wrestlers who look like them and see them succeed. To see them as champions means more than some will ever understand.

All that is why I’m not ready to see the stable end just yet. They just need a new era.  They have so many more doors to break down and i know they can do it!

The New Day still has many more days left and I can’t wait to see how they unfold.