December 2nd 2024.
As we look ahead to the next segment, we can't help but reflect on the previous and anticipate what's to come. In tonight's episode of WWE Raw, The New Day will be celebrating their 10th anniversary. It's a milestone that almost didn't happen.
Back in November 2014, the company aired vignettes for a new gospel-inspired group featuring Kofi Kingston, Big E, and Xavier Woods. Together, they preached the power of positivity in a unique and refreshing way. In an exclusive interview with The Agency, Kofi recalls their extraordinary journey from being rejected to becoming 12-time tag champions and all-around legends. But with rumors of a possible breakup, fans are left wondering what could have been.
"It's wild to see how far we've come, even from the people who rejected us," Kofi reflects. "We came out and told everyone to be the best version of themselves, to achieve anything if they put their mind to it. But people booed us and told us we suck! It's crazy how jaded our world can be, rejecting positivity and telling us we're not good enough."
For Kofi, The New Day came at the perfect time. After debuting in 2008 on WWE's ECW revival, he felt stagnant. But as a group, they were "rejected" and "almost forced into a church-going gimmick." Kofi had his doubts, but he had faith in their chemistry. "We became so good at being bad guys that the people started loving us again," he laughs. "It's been a roller coaster of emotions for sure."
Their goal was always to make people react and show them that it's okay to be yourself. "If you want to talk about how much you love pancakes, that's fine," Kofi says. "If you want to twerk in the middle of the street, that's fine too. Just embrace unicorns, wear bright colors, and be yourself!"
The trio's authenticity has always shone through and inspired others. And every great team needs a perfect rival. The Usos played a crucial role in defining New Day's legacy, as they helped each other thrive over the years. "They were trying to step out from behind the traditional Samoan characters they were playing," Kofi says. "They wanted people to see who they were, and every time we had a match, they wanted to kill it. That was always our perspective too."
Kofi looks back on their rivalry with The Usos as one of their favorites and most formidable opponents. He even recalls being at ringside for a career-defining Hell in a Cell match between the teams in 2017. "It was pretty awesome," he says with a smile. "I'm still a little jealous that I was on the outside."
As time went on, The New Day evolved, exploring solo ambitions while staying strong as a unit. In 2019, KofiMania took WWE by storm, and Kofi finally won a world championship at WrestleMania. "When I won that match against Daniel Bryan, yes, I was in the match, and yes, I beat him," Kofi explains. "But it was like all of us winning that WWE Championship. If we didn't come together, it would have never been possible."
Lifting each other up and being multifaceted was always something the trio strived for, being more than just a group. "I wouldn't have had that moment [KofiMania] if it weren't for them," Kofi admits. "Before getting involved with The New Day, I really wasn't allowed or given the chance to talk much and show my personality."
He explains that the quality of his matches was a "curse." The office believed they could get his character across without mic time, giving it to someone else who needed it. But three years after KofiMania, New Day's story took a tragic twist when Big E suffered a broken neck on SmackDown. "It was a scary accident," Kofi recalls. But there was no hesitation about New Day "soldiering on."
"The power of positivity is something we all believe in," he says. "He might come back at some point. We don't know. It's up to us to keep the torch burning and make The New Day one of the greatest factions in tag team history. That's still the goal." Kofi points out that Big E is living and loving life, with a new girlfriend and exciting jobs to keep him busy. "We'll take the future as it comes," he says.
For now, New Day can reflect on their best moments, from winning over the fans at SummerSlam 2015 to bringing back The Hardy Boyz at WrestleMania 33 and breaking records as tag champions. "It's pretty incredible to have had that level of impact on the industry," Kofi says. "I actually sent Woods a text this morning, appreciating him as my tag team partner. I never lose sight of how rare and special our bond is."
But Kofi insists there's more to come. "WWE is the hottest it's been in so long," he beams. "We're excited to celebrate our anniversary, but there's still a lot more work to do." Don't miss WWE celebrating 10 years of The New Day on Monday Night Raw tonight at 1 am on TNT Sports 1.
This article was first published on November 16, 2024.
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