Former WWE Champion believes he wouldn't get hired today
Things have incurred a lot of change in the world of professional wrestling, but WWE remains at the top of the mountain. According to WWE star Big E, the company's process of hiring talents have seen some drastic changes,
Big E still appears for the Stamford-based promotion, albeit in a non-wrestling capacity owing to a broken neck he suffered in March 2022.
During his time as an in-ring performer, Big E went through a long journey before finally finding his strongest form and most successful character. The formation of The New Day ultimately helped put him on the map. The faction's popularity among the masses allowed them to work several top quality matches in the tag team division.
Before his career was brought to a screeching halt, The Powerhouse of Positivity even managed to become Mr. Money in the Bank, before successfully cashing in the contract to win his sole WWE Championship.
On the latest episode of WWE's The Bump, The New Day star spoke highly of the talents involved in the company today. He then detailed his humble beginnings in Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), claiming that if he had arrived to the sports entertainment giant the way he did then today, he wouldn't have been hired.
"The leap from FCW to what the tryout looks like now, it's just massive. It's infinite, the jump. My tryout was in front of a couple dozen people in this empty warehouse. But now, these young men and women are getting opportunities at WrestleMania. The people that actually got contracts are getting chances to be there in LA for WrestleMania, before the seats fill up, to get to talk to John Cena, it's really so much more massive than it used to be," Big E said.
He then revealed that him along with several fan-favorite WWE Superstars such as his New Day stablemate Xavier Woods, Bianca Belair and Montez Ford, among others, recently did promo classes.
The new talents get opportunities like this to show what they are capable of in front of top stars they would potentially get to call peers at some point down the line. E reiterated that it's a very different approach towards hiring athletes:
"I often say that the way things are right now, coming in as I did, I did not win any accolades, I had a bunch of injuries, I wouldn't get hired under this current system. That's how stringent everything is," he added. [From 54:34 onwards]
In 2021, Big E finally broke the proverbial glass ceiling and became a main event superstar. He headlined Survivor Series that year against Roman Reigns in a Champion vs. Champion match, before dropping the belt a month later to Brock Lesnar.
Big E on two New Day members losing the WWE Championship to Brock Lesnar
Kofi Kingston's dream run in the main event was abruptly brought to an end by Brock Lesnar in 2019. In similar fashion, The Beast dethroned Big E at the Day 1 Premium Live Event in 2022.
Big E clairified that while it was not the most ideal scenario, his tag team partner and veteran Kofi Kingston led by example. The latter handled it with grace. He added that his focus is usually on being the best performer.
It remains to be seen if Big E ever laces up a pair of boots again. He recently took to social media to disclose his real-life romantic relationship, claiming that his neck is broken but his heart is whole.
If you use any of the quotes, please credit WWE's The Bump and give a H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription.