Big E: The Work Starts Now, I Want To Be The Guy Main-Eventing Shows
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Big E reached the next level of stardom when he won the WWE Championship, but he’s still striving for more.
Even as the champion, Big E kicked off the Extreme Rules pay-per-view in a somewhat impromptu six-man tag team bout. On the other hand, WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns closed the show in a main event Extreme Rules bout against “The Demon” Finn Balor.
In an interview with Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated, Big E explained that he wants to be “the guy,” the one who main-events shows on a nighly basis. He noted that he fully intends to put the work in and earn this responsibility.
“You know you’re the guy when you’re working on top and closing the show,” said Big E. “That’s the spot, and you’ve got to put work in to get there. That’s the spot I want. But I’m not going to complain about it—because I know the only way you earn that spot is through your performances.
“I’ve got to go out there on a nightly basis and do my work. Now the work begins, and I’m excited for the opportunity to have great match after great match after great match.”
Speaking of Big E’s match at Extreme Rules, “The Powerhouse of Positivity” faced off with AJ Styles at various points in the bout, leading many fans to dream of an actual bout betwen the two. During the interview, Big E made it clear that he’s in favor of this idea, as he respects “The Phenomenal One” and believes they could work well together.
“I can’t say yes to that idea any stronger or louder,” said Big E. “Styles is a pioneer. I have so much respect for what he’s done throughout his career. If his whole career stopped before he got to WWE, he still would have been one of the best of this generation. The fact that he was able to do everything he did outside of here, and then come here and keep cooking, it’s amazing. I have so much respect for him as a performer.
“We’ve had a few interactions, and we had a couple matches with Y2AJ [Styles and Chris Jericho] when they were together, but I would love a proper one-on-one program with him. He is ideal—he’s so good, his offense is so believable, and I could fly around him.”
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