The Lead: Big E's Career is Finished

Big E is never wrestling again. That is the final verdict from the former WWE Champion himself, speaking during a recent interview on the Notsam Wrestling podcast. The powerhouse clarified the severe medical risks that officially ended his active career.

He suffered a fractured C1 and C6 vertebrae in March 2022 during a live SmackDown broadcast. The injury occurred when Ridge Holland dumped him with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex on the concrete floor. Big E landed directly on his head on the thin ringside padding.

A C1 fracture is often fatal. The atlas vertebra supports the skull and shields the brainstem. Any displacement of the bone by even a millimeter can lead to instant death or permanent paralysis.

The skull screws and conservative healing

Doctors initially struggled to find a healing path for the bone. Big E revealed that medical staff discussed extreme measures when his neck was not recovering. The prospect of having metal hardware bolted directly to his cranium shows the desperate nature of his recovery.

"screwing into his skull to put a halo"

Another specialist suggested fusing his C1 and C2 vertebrae, a high-impact procedure Big E rejected immediately. A fusion that high up in the cervical spine would have locked his skull in place, preventing him from turning his head. He would have been unable to drive or live a normal life.

He chose a conservative recovery instead, letting his bones mend naturally without metal plates or screws. While this preserves his daily mobility, it leaves his neck structure highly vulnerable to high-impact trauma. Taking a single bump in a wrestling ring could lead to catastrophe.

He managed the process with medication and mindfulness. He refused to fixate on a risky comeback. Walking away was the only logical decision for his long-term health.

The New Day's Permanent Demise and WWE's Corporate Shift

This permanent retirement has dismantled the most successful trio in modern WWE history. The New Day will never run as a three-man unit again. The fallout has already triggered a total collapse of the group's presence in the promotion.

Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods officially left WWE in May 2026. The duo refused to accept significant pay cuts and contract restructures. WWE management wanted to squeeze their veteran talent, and both performers walked away instead.

As Paul Jordan reported on PWInsider, Big E addressed their departures. He emphasized that performers must value themselves both creatively and financially. He noted that the company's corporate structure has changed completely since they first signed.

WWE is now under Endeavor and TKO ownership. The era of sentimental bookings and lifetime contracts is dead. Wrestlers are treated as line items on a spreadsheet, leading to veteran departures.

Big E confirmed he does not believe his partners are retired. They are currently spending time with family but will return to the ring. He expects them to wrestle elsewhere with "a chip on their shoulders" to prove WWE wrong.

They have already started appearing on the convention circuit. They are using their pre-WWE names, Kofi and Austin Creed. A run in AEW or the independent circuit seems inevitable.

WWE's floor bump safety issues

The circumstances of Big E's injury expose a major problem in WWE's product. The promotion continues to allow dangerous moves on the thin protective mats outside the ring. Ring mats do not absorb high-velocity impacts on concrete.

Ridge Holland's execution of the suplex was reckless. However, the promotion must share the blame for permitting floor suplexes. Banning floor bumps of this nature is long overdue.

The injury also had severe personal consequences for Holland. The wrestler faced intense fan backlash and death threats. Big E had to publicly defend him, stating that people crossed the line.

Big E has confirmed there is no heat between them. They remain on good terms and reconnected recently. Yet, the toxic fan reaction shows the worst aspects of the modern wrestling fanbase.

Historical Precedents and Cautious Pathways

Wrestling history is filled with stars who rushed back from neck injuries with disastrous results. Stone Cold Steve Austin broke his neck in 1997. He returned to action in just three months, which shortened his career and forced his retirement in 2003.

Edge retired in 2011 due to cervical spinal stenosis, returning in 2020 after a triple-fusion. Tyson Kidd suffered a near-fatal spinal cord injury in 2015 and never wrestled again. Big E has chosen Kidd's cautious path.

Big E's career almost ended early due to creative mismanagement rather than injury. In 2014, he was floundering after AJ Lee's bodyguard run ended. He was stuck working SmackDown-only tapings, which usually preceded a release.

CM Punk intervened behind the scenes, asking to work with him. That match saved Big E's job and led to his Intercontinental Championship run. Without Punk's help, The New Day might never have been formed.

New Champions and Crossover Stars

As the veteran guard departs, new talent is taking over WWE's programming. Kendal Grey captured the NXT Women's Championship on June 29, 2026. She defeated Lola Vice at the NXT Great American Bash.

Grey won the title after hitting her finisher, "Shades of Grey." She signed in 2023 through the NIL program after winning three NAIA amateur titles at Life University. Her rapid rise shows WWE's current reliance on college athletes.

The industry is also seeing a massive crossover between promotions. AEW held a major Dynamite and Collision taping at San Diego's Viejas Arena on July 1, 2026. The city's mayor, Todd Gloria, honored AEW star Thunder Rosa.

He declared July 1 as "Thunder Rosa Day" in San Diego. As Wrestling Inc reported, Gloria praised her "grit, heart, and binational spirit" in the city. The former champion has roots in the area, having attended Montgomery High School.

The History of July 2 and July 3 Title Changes

Historically, July 2 and July 3 have been key dates for major championship changes. According to the historical archives at F4WOnline, July 3 saw Edge win his second WWE Championship in 2006.

He won a triple threat match against John Cena and Rob Van Dam. On that same day in 1986, Velvet McIntyre won the WWF Women's Championship. In 2001, Billy Kidman won the WCW Cruiserweight Championship.

July 2 has also seen major changes. As F4WOnline logged, Edge and Hulk Hogan won the WWE Tag Team Championships on this day in 2002. Bobby Lashley captured the WWE United States Title on July 2, 2022.

On that same night, Liv Morgan won the SmackDown Women's Championship after cashing in her Money in the Bank contract. Historically, these summer dates have always reshaped WWE's top divisions.