During his WWE 24 special documentary on the WWE Network, former WWE Champion Big E revealed that there were plans for him to be in The Shield in 2012.
Here’s what he said:
“My first feeling of getting called up was 2012. I was doing loops. Any collective period of days is a loop. It’s Roman (Reigns), Seth (Rollins), Dean (Ambrose), and me.
There was some thought of bringing all four of us in together as a group. Obviously, that changes, they go on to international fame as The Shield.
I was told, ‘You’re going to be with Dolph (Ziggler) and AJ (Lee), on your very first night, you’re going to attack John Cena.’ I’m thinking, ‘Man, this is it.’
I think it worked out the best for all of us. I couldn’t fathom now being a part of The Shield. I’m sure it would’ve been fun. I’m sure it would’ve been enjoyable.
I think it was really best for Roman to be in that role as the big dude, the enforcer of that group. That dynamic wouldn’t have felt the same with me being there.
It’s hard to fathom that almost a decade ago that for one brief moment I was considered as a possibility to be in that group.”
Big E eventually became a part of The New Day stable in 2014, along with Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods.
