Xavier Woods isn’t exactly shocked that Big E retired from in-ring competition.
Big E recently confirmed he was officially retired from in-ring competition. The former WWE Champion was sidelined after suffering a broken neck during a match in March 2022. Despite the setback, many remained optimistic that he would one day return to competition. However, Big E recently announced his retirement, putting an end to years of speculation about his future.
Big E told Jon Alba of The Takedown on SI that he came to his decision almost immediately after breaking his neck. He says his doctors were pushing him to reconsider an in-ring comeback. They were also relieved after he decided to stay away from his in-ring career.
“And when I told him, ‘I think I’m definitely leaning towards being done,’ he almost quite literally breathed a sigh of relief. So for someone who’s been doing this for so long, who knows a lot more about spines and necks than I do, I definitely took heed.”
Xavier Woods reacts to Big E’s retirement
WrestleZone Editor in Chief Bill Pritchard spoke with Woods at WWE 2K26 Creator Fest at WWE Headquarters about Big E’s decision to retire. The New Day unceremoniously kicked E out of the group during an infamous December 2024 segment on WWE RAW. Woods and Kofi Kingston turned heel on Big E during the group’s 10-year anniversary celebration. The duo claimed Big E was not there for them during his recovery from a broken neck.
Woods commented on Big E’s retirement, acting as if the announcement was something he and Kofi already told people years ago.
“I feel like years ago, we already said that. So then him coming out and saying it, and everybody being surprised, it’s weird to me. We already said he’s not coming back,” Xavier Woods said at WWE 2K26 Creator Fest.
“But then people didn’t believe us and were like, ‘Ahh, but he’s coming back!’ And it’s like, ‘No, we told you a long time ago he wasn’t coming back.’ And now that he’s said it, everyone’s like, ‘Oh, so sad!’ About what? We already told you. That’s all I got to say.”
So much for the on-air reunion?
Read More: WWE’s Xavier Woods Shares Update on Shoulder Injury, When He Might Return
