How CM Punk Helped Save Big E's WWE Career
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Right now, CM Punk, along with his acid tongue and piss-poor behavior, is all over the news. As much as he revealed himself during the AEW All Out Media Melee, he has also been revealed to be just as equal a kind and decent person to his circle of friends and those he respects. On hisWWE Best In The World documentary, Joey Matthews said that Punk bought his house and saved him from being homeless.
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While he was very angry after All Out, there is also a vocal and outspoken person who does love the wrestling business. He has made suggestions of all kinds during the years to upper management. One of those suggestions was about The Powerhouse of Positivity, Big E. The Voice of the Voiceless had spoken up for the young NXT prospect and The New Day member credits Punk with saving his career.
CM Punk Noticed Big E's Potential
Whether Punk has ever truly been able to handle the weight of being a top guy is debatable, but he did achieve that status in the WWE. Once you’re there, it does come with certain benefits, such as the ear of the boss. He had felt the WWE brass were “GTS’ing” on Big E Langston, who had recently been moved up to the main roster and was paired up with Dolph Ziggler and Punk's future wife, AJ Lee. Much like a lot of early NXT call-ups not named Ambrose, Rollins, or Reigns, the company didn’t seem to know what to do with the big man and were even yanking aspects of his character away from him, such as utilizing King Kong Bundy’s old Five Count and even his last name. It was Punk who pointed out to the company that Big E was going to be a huge star.
CM Punks Told Vince McMahon He Wanted To Work With Big E
Over the years, the former WWE Champion has spoken about Punk sticking a hand out for him on various podcasts. He also knows how important it was to his career. Shortly after his run with Ziggler and Lee ended, he was being designated to SmackDown and working more and more pre-taped shows, like Main Event. He knew that didn’t necessarily mean it was the end, but it also meant less and less exposure on the main shows. AJ Lee pulled Big E aside and told him that CM Punk wanted to work with him.
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He explained once during an episode of Talk Is Jericho just how much that meant to his career. Punk was high up on the card and Big E was treading water. “I talked to AJ, and she told me that Punk asked to work with me, and I got the opportunity later to thank him. He said some really positive things. For a guy who had no real allegiance to me and was in a much better spot than me, to stick his neck out and asked Vince to work with me, it meant a lot.”
Big E Found Huge Success With The New Day
While Big E as a singles star didn’t exactly take off right away, Punk’s suggestion got Big E a reprieve. He was able to work with Punk, who certainly helped let him shine. He’d also claim the Intercontinental title for the first time. His career was back on track, albeit slightly. It wouldn’t be before long that Xavier Woods and Big E started putting the pieces together to help form The New Day with Kofi Kingston, who initially needed some convincing. The group of course took off, first as annoying heels and then beloved babyfaces.
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Once The New Day was formed, the group didn’t instantly become an overnight sensation, but after about a year or so, the WWE Universe started showering the smarmy heels with love, and they’ve all been huge babyfaces ever since. Punk’s thoughts on Big E were proven to be correct, as The Powerhouse of Positivity was able to capture The Money In The Bank, and later on the WWE title. He recently suffered a life neck threatening injury. Thankfully he doesn’t seem in any rush to get back, only to get better.
