• Former WWE Champion Issues Statement After Confirming Retirement
During an interview on Compas On The Beat, Big E confirmed that he’s retired from in-ring competition:
“I’m content. In wrestling, they always say ‘never say never’, but right now I’m retired, and that for me is it. I’m focused on other things right now.”
Big E issued the following statement on X later:
“I entered the pro wrestling industry at age 23 with an injury history that included a Torn Left ACL, Torn Right ACL, Torn Left Pec, and a Broken Right Patella.
At 39, I’m well aware, that I will one day have to pay the piper. I’ve put my body through a lot. And somehow, I feel great. I don’t battle daily pain. I’m able to function normally and healthfully.
I’m eternally grateful for the wonderful career I stumbled into. I pray for all of my fellow athletes and performers who have not had the same good fortune.
A sincere thank you to everyone who has taken the time to follow my in-ring career. It was an immeasurable gift to get to perform for you all.”
Big E’s final match took place on the March 11, 2022 episode of SmackDown, where he injured his neck. He teamed up with his New Day brother, Kofi Kingston, to take on Sheamus and Ridge Holland of The Brawling Brutes on that night.
Below are Big E’s top accomplishments in WWE:
– 1x WWE Champion
– 2x Intercontinental Champion
– 8x Tag Team Champion (RAW and SmackDown)
– 2021 Men’s Money In The Bank winner
– 1x NXT Champion
– Triple Crown Champion
• Who WWE Officials View As Their 3 Biggest Stars
According to the Wrestling Observer, WWE officials view Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, and CM Punk as their 3 biggest stars right now.
This is the reason why they were featured in the WrestleMania 42 promo and this is also the reason all 3 of them will main event the biggest WWE event of 2026.
Punk will defend the World Heavyweight Championship against Reigns (who won the 2026 Men’s Royal Rumble match) in the main event of Night 2 of WrestleMania 42.
In the Night 1 main event, Drew McIntyre is expected to defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes. There’s a possibility that Jacob Fatu gets added to this match.
