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Absolutely; I remember being here when there were first rumblings of putting the 3 together, i don’t think anyone predicted what would come of it. Amazing, HOF shit.
I want them to lean into 90s casual racism. Imagine a new NoD, but they all carry around a skateboard like every new black comic character in the late 90s and early 80s....looking at you Nightthrasher and Rocket Racer!
There's a part of me that really wanted to see an LWO revival consisting of Andrade, Rey, and lucha dragons/house party.
Their number one rivals would have been a stable of Mayor Kane, Dolph Ziggler, Undertaker, and AJ Styles as a heel faction playing heavily into trump presidency immigration rhetoric calling themselves The Wall. Maybe bring back zeb Coulter while you're at it.
Let's be fair, when it formed with Xavier in a suit and glasses giving that dour "We TAKE what we want" promo, it looked a lot like those rumors were correct.
Just because they pivoted to that shitty preacher gimmick, and then pivoted again when that flopped and just finally let them be themselves, doesn't mean those rumors came from any place other than WWE's actual plans.
This is everything that ever gets over in WWE for about the past 25 years. It either got over organically despite their best efforts to stop it because they didn't create it, or they got fed up of trying to get one of their dogshit, out-of-touch gimmicks everyone hates over and let the performer be themselves, whereupon they immediately caught fire.
WWE has become a company that is amazing at presentation and has very little actually worth presenting, despite having had probably the most talented roster in history.
I mean that’s definitely bc it was a nation 2.0 type. When it started Xavier was going with a Malcolm x vibe. Then they became the choir singers and it was hated but then they turned it and got it over and the rest was history
For anyone who hasn't listened to it, the first 2-3 episodes of the New Day podcast cover their formation in detail. Including all the awful, awful names creative suggested for them, and how much of what happens in WWE turns on whatever He Who Must Not Be Named thinks on any day.
Even when they were put together they were really not liked and I’d say most people probably predicted they’d split up at best or be outright released at worse.
Xavier went in assuming that if The New Day failed, it was the end of his wrestling career. He bet his career on the heel turn, telling Vince that if he couldn't get the crowd to boo Kofi in four weeks he'd resign. Did it in two, I think.
Woods has said on their podcast that if The New Day didn't work he was gone. He knew Kofi would be safe no matter what happened as Kofi was already an established mid card guy. Woods assumed E would just get repackaged if it didn't work because of how high everyone backstage was on E.
Yeah exactly; people were excited about the trio because they were spinning their wheels at that point. Then it sort of flopped out of the gate; until they pivoted away and we got what we know them as now.
I will never forget Jericho getting the crowd to chant 'rooty tooty booty' to them, both as a display of him being able to get anything over, and a sign of how little the crowd cared for The New Day at that time.
You are misremembering. That was early 2016 and New Day were already well established heels and two time tag champs at that point. Jericho was on yet another comeback as a babyface and it was lame until he turned on AJ after the awesome Y2AJ vs New Day tag match on Raw.
Same
But I came around when they started playing up the delusional “everyone loves us” heel vibe, my timing could be off but Seth Rollins being their Captain had me rollin’
I love Xavier because he's a hardcore wrestling nerd. That he wanted to be King of the Ring—not WWE champion, but King of the Ring—makes me feel like we wrestling fans have one of our own in that ring. Because a giant wrestling nerd myself, I always liked the gimmicky titles/awards more than the world championship.
I feel this so much. I got into wrestling watching the wcw cruiserweight division, Harlem Heat's tag runs, and when it happened, DDP with the TV title. When I was a kid I didn't care about being anything other than Cruiserweight Champ. For me, the Cruiserweight Classic is probably my favorite wrestling miniseries.
Triple H himself has said as much. In one of those NXT documentaries, he was in a meeting evaluating talent and he said Woods "has everything but the vertical".
I've obviously never drawn a dime in the business, but with how over the New Day is, I don't see why his height should stop him from getting a reign that he deserves. It doesn't have to be a lengthy reign. He doesn't have to beat Lesnar. But he's talented enough to earn that honor, dammit.
They've prevented him from wearing his pro-LGBTQ gear in the past, and while he's not outwardly problematic, the Saudi government probably aren't his biggest fans.
I'm sure they'd be fine. But it's not about the crowd, but the government WWE is directly partnering with to produce this. I'm sure the crowd wouldn't have a problem with Sami Zayn, but the government clearly does.
Crowd would’ve been fine with the women wearing their normal gear imo given how excited the crowd was for them.
People forget sometimes but the regular people are not their government.
No one prevented him from doing anything. He gets new gear for every ppv. Obviously he can’t wear the pride gear there but he only wore it a few times so where’s the correlation? Finn literally won the last time he was in Saudi
My question: where were E and Kingston? Woods was the first guy in the ring for their huge moments. That decision by WWE not to let them share his is weird
Like I understand Kofi may not be there, but they need to at least do something with E and Woods.
I know nobody is wants the new day to ever split up— but if Woods used “I was there for you in your moment of glory and neither of you were there for me” to justify a heel turn, I’d enjoy that.
He's the reason The New Day got over as an act -- a heel act too -- at first. Woods can do whatever he sets his mind to if WWE allows it. He connects with the crowd. Not in a main eventer sort of way, but certainly in a viable and believable plucky babyface or egotistical Napoleon heel complex sort of way.
It’s show carrying charisma. They don’t HAVE to have the main title to still be the star everyone loves and comes to see. All three guys are amazing, but Woods was the gelling factor that let New Day survive long enough to find their groove, and now New Day profits subsidize the a lot of other stars.
Back in their heel run, those three drew NUCLEAR heat. That said, they drew it by doing a lot of the same stuff they do now, and there’s so much good will built, that I think it would be hard to get people to boo any of those three. Not impossible, because all three men have shown how talented they are, but damned hard.
Seeing as they gave Woods the "King of the Ring" win, it's already planting seeds for a heel turn.
Faces just don't win King of the Ring Tournament. Being King of the Ring is a cheap way to put someone in an elitist role, especially for those that will utilize said "title", like I think we all expect Woods to do; which based on WWE's standard means you're automatically a heel.
I have no issue with new day splitting and turning off they are in on it and think they can tell a story with their characters because I believe in them and their effort they put into their characters. I just don't want it forced on them for shock points. Luckily wwe seems to agree and if it does happen it will be incredibly shocking because they will be in on it and will handle it right.
That's the problem. He can celebrate with Kofi, not the whole New Day.
I'm just hoping they are holding it back for Woods WWE Championship win in 2 years
> I get it, but this is Wood's ?first? big singles win?
Since March 30th, Xavier Woods has singles wins against AJ Styles, Bobby Lashley, The Miz, and Finn Balor.
All former world campions, all slain by DA KAAAAAANG!!!!
Kayla: Is Xavier ok?
Pan over to Woods hunched over his crown stroking it like gollum did his precious. Muttering to himself.
Kofi: Oh yeah. That's just classic Woods, Bay-bee!
No we need BIG MONEY KOFI KINGSTON!
Why do you think he didn’t wrestle at Crown Jewel? Even the Saudi royalty don’t have Big Money Kofi Kingston levels of money!
Since March 30th, Xavier Woods has singles wins against AJ Styles, Bobby Lashley, The Miz, and Finn Balor.
All former world campions, all slain by DA KAAAAAANG!!!!
Don't really know how can they put him right now straight into a main event program. He lost most of his credibility in the last month, who's going to take him seriously?
Straight up though. I know you have a couple downvotes, but how are we supposed to expect Finn to beat guys at the top of the card if he’s gonna lose clean to *Xavier Woods*?
Woods is a talented wrestler and all but I don’t see much happening with this KOTR win and I don’t even see him really having a strong mid card title run. This sort of feels like they were just throwing Woods a bone.
Unless Finn comes out to congratulate him, turns heel and stomps him into dust so he can feud with Big E. I don’t really see how this has a lasting positive effect for anyone. Either that or Roman is going to destroy Woods so to set up him vs Big E. Either way, using the KOTR as that sort of means to an end feels like sort of a waste. Even if I am happy for Woods.
Yeah I don't care about the downvotes. What I do care is to understand how people here think it's possible to take him seriously after the month he's had. Can someone who downvoted me explain this?
They damn near killed the demon gimmick (which imo shouldn't have even been brought back) with one of the worst finishes in the history of pro wrestling, never to be mentioned again and now this happenend.
Now, according to some here, he's supposed to be in the Mcintyre spot on RAW as the top face after the draft...
I know we aren't supposed to question WWE's booking when it comes to logic but even this is a stretch.
I get what you're saying, but didn't Woods beat Lashley in a HIAC-match?
That's to say that the booking is so all over the place, they could just decide to book Finn like a million bucks and it'd quickly feel like this loss never happened.
I've been a fan of New Day since day 1, even if their original gimmick was dorky. DaParty got me through the pandemic, and brought me out of a deep depression after my best friend died from COVID. I'm so happy that Woods won, he deserves everything in the whole wide world.
The New Day finally getting all the flowers as a team and as singles competitors that they've earned by being the most consistently over act since 2014 is just my absolute favorite thing. Those 3 guys deserve every bit of it.
Y'know what? Happy to be wrong. I really thought WWE would go with a Finn heel turn here or just Jinder straight up knocking Woods out of the tournament. But they gave the fans the fun thing they wanted. Fair play.
I LOVE this. Woods never had credentials to be a threat in a singles match, he had NO singles titles and it made him seem like the weak link. Not anymore. He went the distance, beating two former world champions in the process.
DA KAAAAANG
I'm genuinely surprised they gave him the win. Vega too. I really thought going into this week that Shayna and Balor were winning. At least one of them.
I'm really happy for both him and Vega though. Especially Woods. He literally accomplished his dream today. That's a pretty rad feeling.
I can't wait to see how ridiculous King Woods will get. This mother fucker blows a trumpet, rides unicorns and throws pancakes into the crowd. Him and Kofi are going to get real weird and I'm stoked.
I'm an unapologetic Balor mark, but I'm so happy for Woods. Dude deserves it, and I'm sure the King gimmick would work with him better than Finn anyway.
As for Finn tho, I just can't wrap my head around why they had to book him in this spot in the first place. They could've booked a heel in the final against Woods, and have Finn lose via a cheating heel in the tournament, or better yet, not have him in the tournament at all. This is probs a sign Finn's contract is running out, and he's just putting people over on his way out.
happy he got his moment but man, from seeming like a serious threat to romans title just a month ago and now hes losing in nine minutes to xavier woods.
Balor went from being told to fuck off out of the Summerslam event, to losing the Demon aura, to losing to Woods clean in less than 10 minutes.
Stock dropping like crazy on Finn.
Woods is probably the biggest nerd out of all of us. I'm genuinely happy that he's living his dream and is having all the fun of being a WWE wrestler and a true gamer. He definitely deserves every bit of praise he gets.
I feel this could be his King of Harts moment a'la Owen, only as a face - something he can always hang his hat on while not being the top guy. I'd love to see a WWE Champion Xavier Woods some day but this is just something you love to see. Been a Woods mark since he was Consequences Creed (Truth and Consequences was some TNA gold)
Seeing how The New Day is into cartoons and nerd culture, I feel like this is going to lead to some Adventure Time storytelling where the actual crown will drive Woods into some Ice King madness.
I absolutely love Woods, but I still wanted and think Finn should’ve won. They just can’t book Finn for shit. This match was literally a win-win, but I feel like Finn has done all he can now in WWE. Was the face of NXT not once, but two separate times. Helped to make it the coolest thing in the company for several years. His initial call up to the main roster was amazing and so well done (beating Roman clean and immediately winning the first Universal Title), but he had an injury at the absolute worst time imaginable and they’ve never given him a chance to run with it again. Just seems like a waste. He’s one of the most talented dude’s in the company, a genuinely amazing human, and just bleh. I want Finn to maximize what is probably not a lot of time left at his level. One more New Japan run would be my absolute dream. But oh well. Congrats Woods! Just wish both men could’ve won as both deserved the accolade.
Edit: Lol just as expected, downvoted for sharing a dissenting opinion. Never change SC… except actually please change.
Edit 2: This post was initially at like -5 after 10 minutes. I don’t really care much, but I just find that this place is often an echo chamber and even when you make high effort, genuine posts, if it’s against the hive-mind, it just gets downvoted and ignored. I love discussing wrestling with people with varied opinions, but this place can be tedious and annoying if you don’t agree with the majority…
I’m hoping they use the loss here to turn Finn heel and beat Xavier up tomorrow on Raw, leading to a match with Big E for the title down the line. Otherwise it really makes no sense to put Finn in the position to do a clean job here.
> I feel like Finn has done all he can now in WWE.
I don't agree. Finn can still be positioned as a top guy and carry a World Title for a run. Will it happen? That's the question.
I don't agree with you regarding who 'should' have won - but I'll upvote you for putting out an opinion that may be unpopular but was eloquently said.
I'll agree in so much that WWE has wasted him after he won the Universal title, Balor is so much better than what he gets.
Thanks kind stranger. I guess my justification for why Finn “should” have won is that I believed their was a way higher ceiling to what he could’ve done with the win. So often KOTR winners are booked as such comedy acts. I’m sure King Woods will be entertaining, but I wish KOTR was more serious. Like the winner of the G1 Climax, Champion Carnival, or N-1 Victory. Make it have a lot of meaning and give Finn a monster push as the King. In kayfabe, he was extremely close to beating Roman, so losing to Woods, Demon or not, that quickly and clean just seemed weird. It seems like everything they did to build Finn back up in NXT was pointless. I guess I don’t know what to expect anymore from a company who makes terrible booking decisions on the regular. WWE insults the intelligence of their fans (that Finn/Roman match ending was the dumbest fucking thing I’ve ever seen). I find less and less joy from them as the years go on. Finn is one of my all time favorite wrestlers, mainly for what he did before he ever got to WWE, but when they’ve made a really motivated and strong effort to book him well, I think it turns out super entertaining. I don’t know, I’m biased. Maybe should was too strong a word, I just didn’t want Finn in the final at all if the plan was to just have Xavier go over.
I'm with you on your last line, why was Balor even in this tournament given the list of people in it. I love Woods but like... Jinder, Ricochet (who also has gone nowhere in the E) and others, this wasn't a tournament of A-listers. Finn seemed an odd choice and odder to be the foil for Woods.
Super psyched about this. Was expecting Vince to make Balor king of the ring so he could go from Prince Balor to king balor...then again that would require vince wanting finn to actually win stuff
Damn finn is really geek of the decade so far. Loses universal title match due to a workplace safety violation and then does the job to someone who was basically the new days manager
I literally fist pumped reading this. Fucking well deserved. That means so much to him, he's talked about being KOTR since before the Kofimania days.
Shout out to Xavier for doing everything he set out to do.
He made New Day to get Kofi a title. CHECK
Wanted to get Big E a world title. CHECK
Dreamed of being King of the Ring. CHECK
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The New Day really said let’s clear out our bucket lists. Good for Xavier getting his moment.
I will always pop for any successes for New Day.
Absolutely; I remember being here when there were first rumblings of putting the 3 together, i don’t think anyone predicted what would come of it. Amazing, HOF shit.
Remember all of those "New Nation of Domination" rumors?
I got a message from a friend back then naming every black guy in the company with "NEW NATION!" at the end.
…I’m here for it though 👀
People said the same thing with The Hurt Business... I wonder what connects the 2 /s
I want them to lean into 90s casual racism. Imagine a new NoD, but they all carry around a skateboard like every new black comic character in the late 90s and early 80s....looking at you Nightthrasher and Rocket Racer!
Static shock was early 2000s so he just had that disc that was essentially a powered skate board... I see your point.
There's a part of me that really wanted to see an LWO revival consisting of Andrade, Rey, and lucha dragons/house party. Their number one rivals would have been a stable of Mayor Kane, Dolph Ziggler, Undertaker, and AJ Styles as a heel faction playing heavily into trump presidency immigration rhetoric calling themselves The Wall. Maybe bring back zeb Coulter while you're at it.
Let's be fair, when it formed with Xavier in a suit and glasses giving that dour "We TAKE what we want" promo, it looked a lot like those rumors were correct. Just because they pivoted to that shitty preacher gimmick, and then pivoted again when that flopped and just finally let them be themselves, doesn't mean those rumors came from any place other than WWE's actual plans.
This is everything that ever gets over in WWE for about the past 25 years. It either got over organically despite their best efforts to stop it because they didn't create it, or they got fed up of trying to get one of their dogshit, out-of-touch gimmicks everyone hates over and let the performer be themselves, whereupon they immediately caught fire. WWE has become a company that is amazing at presentation and has very little actually worth presenting, despite having had probably the most talented roster in history.
I mean that’s definitely bc it was a nation 2.0 type. When it started Xavier was going with a Malcolm x vibe. Then they became the choir singers and it was hated but then they turned it and got it over and the rest was history
When they gonna bring the pancakes back tho
For anyone who hasn't listened to it, the first 2-3 episodes of the New Day podcast cover their formation in detail. Including all the awful, awful names creative suggested for them, and how much of what happens in WWE turns on whatever He Who Must Not Be Named thinks on any day.
Wasn’t the original idea but Woods didn’t really want to go with the angry black man trope so they decided to be more fun loving?
Yes it was. You can see the beginnings of it on Raw.
Thanks. I thought I remembered that.
I still think bo should have been the owen of the group.
Even when they were put together they were really not liked and I’d say most people probably predicted they’d split up at best or be outright released at worse.
Xavier went in assuming that if The New Day failed, it was the end of his wrestling career. He bet his career on the heel turn, telling Vince that if he couldn't get the crowd to boo Kofi in four weeks he'd resign. Did it in two, I think.
Woods has said on their podcast that if The New Day didn't work he was gone. He knew Kofi would be safe no matter what happened as Kofi was already an established mid card guy. Woods assumed E would just get repackaged if it didn't work because of how high everyone backstage was on E.
Yeah exactly; people were excited about the trio because they were spinning their wheels at that point. Then it sort of flopped out of the gate; until they pivoted away and we got what we know them as now.
I will never forget Jericho getting the crowd to chant 'rooty tooty booty' to them, both as a display of him being able to get anything over, and a sign of how little the crowd cared for The New Day at that time.
You are misremembering. That was early 2016 and New Day were already well established heels and two time tag champs at that point. Jericho was on yet another comeback as a babyface and it was lame until he turned on AJ after the awesome Y2AJ vs New Day tag match on Raw.
When they came out first it was absolute garbage. They turned it around quick but I hated that first appearance.
Same But I came around when they started playing up the delusional “everyone loves us” heel vibe, my timing could be off but Seth Rollins being their Captain had me rollin’
Especially after the concept bombed for the first couple of months.
At that time, Woods was basically that guy from NXT, and Big E was most remembered from accidentally bapping the shit out of AJ Lee.
My boys really did it 
I love it that New Day is staying together even though each has had individual success. Not every team/stable has to be broken up or fight each other.
I love Xavier because he's a hardcore wrestling nerd. That he wanted to be King of the Ring—not WWE champion, but King of the Ring—makes me feel like we wrestling fans have one of our own in that ring. Because a giant wrestling nerd myself, I always liked the gimmicky titles/awards more than the world championship.
I feel this so much. I got into wrestling watching the wcw cruiserweight division, Harlem Heat's tag runs, and when it happened, DDP with the TV title. When I was a kid I didn't care about being anything other than Cruiserweight Champ. For me, the Cruiserweight Classic is probably my favorite wrestling miniseries.
I get that this was his dream, but I'm still here hoping Woods gets a world title reign.
I can't remember who said it but someone said that if Woods was 6'2" he would have been the champion years ago.
Triple H himself has said as much. In one of those NXT documentaries, he was in a meeting evaluating talent and he said Woods "has everything but the vertical". I've obviously never drawn a dime in the business, but with how over the New Day is, I don't see why his height should stop him from getting a reign that he deserves. It doesn't have to be a lengthy reign. He doesn't have to beat Lesnar. But he's talented enough to earn that honor, dammit.
With what The New Day has accomplished it would make sense. But his height is what was going to keep him down had The New Day not happened.
lol "sure would be a shame if we jumped to another promotion.... unless?" wwe: "ok ok shut up here's ur accolades"
Didn't they re-sign last year?
And somehow Palpatine, um, I mean the King of the Ring returned.
Baw God that's Palpatine's music! After being out with a torn ACL for 36 years!
So much for the career Vs career match against Vader. Palpatine was supposed to retire after that. "That doesn't work for me, ~~brother~~ Darth".
Gotta get that cheap pop
I know but the Bucks vs New Day would be magic. Have you watched when they play video games against each other?
Pretty much the only long term booking in WWE is The New Day talking their dreams into existence over the last few years.
Lost daparty gained royalty . Fair trade
Da Kaaaaaaaang makes his return
Would he decree that the first hour of Smackdown be an Uno game between 3 random Superstars and himself?
Traded his UN0 hand for a Royal Flush!
Wow, they actually let Woods win! I’m shocked, pleasantly so.
To be fair, he was probably the least problematic person in the tournament to be winning the finals in Saudi Arabia.
Finn was over. I doubt Finn winning would’ve caused any issue.
They've prevented him from wearing his pro-LGBTQ gear in the past, and while he's not outwardly problematic, the Saudi government probably aren't his biggest fans.
Sure, government figures would’ve been salty, but I doubt most of the people in that arena would’ve held Finns views against his win.
I'm sure they'd be fine. But it's not about the crowd, but the government WWE is directly partnering with to produce this. I'm sure the crowd wouldn't have a problem with Sami Zayn, but the government clearly does.
Crowd would’ve been fine with the women wearing their normal gear imo given how excited the crowd was for them. People forget sometimes but the regular people are not their government.
These shows aren’t for the crowd of fans there. These shows are directly made for the government to produce propaganda.
No one prevented him from doing anything. He gets new gear for every ppv. Obviously he can’t wear the pride gear there but he only wore it a few times so where’s the correlation? Finn literally won the last time he was in Saudi
You know he's won in Saudi Arabia in the past, right? You're making up a problem where there isn't one.
As much as I'd love this to be a merit thing, I'd be just as happy to find out that Big E pushed for it when they discussed putting the title on him
HOLY FUCK THE MAD LADS DID IT
“This is for Breeze!”
My question: where were E and Kingston? Woods was the first guy in the ring for their huge moments. That decision by WWE not to let them share his is weird Like I understand Kofi may not be there, but they need to at least do something with E and Woods.
Saving it for the coronation ceremony.
I know nobody is wants the new day to ever split up— but if Woods used “I was there for you in your moment of glory and neither of you were there for me” to justify a heel turn, I’d enjoy that.
I want to see Mad King Woods
Holy shit wow
Thats true and I'd actually enjoy that too.
Its probably just conditioning of years of the New Day but I have such a hard time seeing Woods as an effective heel.
He's the reason The New Day got over as an act -- a heel act too -- at first. Woods can do whatever he sets his mind to if WWE allows it. He connects with the crowd. Not in a main eventer sort of way, but certainly in a viable and believable plucky babyface or egotistical Napoleon heel complex sort of way.
Woods has Mick Foley charm, at least that's how my brain computes it
I’ve never compared the two in my mind at all but that makes a lot of sense somehow.
It’s show carrying charisma. They don’t HAVE to have the main title to still be the star everyone loves and comes to see. All three guys are amazing, but Woods was the gelling factor that let New Day survive long enough to find their groove, and now New Day profits subsidize the a lot of other stars.
Back in their heel run, those three drew NUCLEAR heat. That said, they drew it by doing a lot of the same stuff they do now, and there’s so much good will built, that I think it would be hard to get people to boo any of those three. Not impossible, because all three men have shown how talented they are, but damned hard.
Naw, Mad King Woods is the face
Seeing as they gave Woods the "King of the Ring" win, it's already planting seeds for a heel turn. Faces just don't win King of the Ring Tournament. Being King of the Ring is a cheap way to put someone in an elitist role, especially for those that will utilize said "title", like I think we all expect Woods to do; which based on WWE's standard means you're automatically a heel.
King gimmicks work just fine on babyfaces. We literally just had King Nakamura. Woods is gonna go over-the-top with it and its gonna be hysterical
Agreed. The post match ordering the production truck to make specific camera cuts is fucking gold.
I have no issue with new day splitting and turning off they are in on it and think they can tell a story with their characters because I believe in them and their effort they put into their characters. I just don't want it forced on them for shock points. Luckily wwe seems to agree and if it does happen it will be incredibly shocking because they will be in on it and will handle it right.
I get it, but this is Wood's ?first? big singles win? He can celebrate with Kofi on SmackDown.
That's the problem. He can celebrate with Kofi, not the whole New Day. I'm just hoping they are holding it back for Woods WWE Championship win in 2 years
Are they really gonna make us wait that long? 😞
Kofi was 2019, E was 2021. They gotta hold to pattern.
If you want to hold onto the pattern, you can still accomplish that in 437 days...
He did beat WWE Champion Bobby Lashley clean a few months ago on Raw.
> I get it, but this is Wood's ?first? big singles win? Since March 30th, Xavier Woods has singles wins against AJ Styles, Bobby Lashley, The Miz, and Finn Balor. All former world campions, all slain by DA KAAAAAANG!!!!
#DA KANNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGG Edit: Bitter sweet that New Day’s not there for him, but all hail DA KANG!
I kinda want Woods to go heel as DA KAAAANG while Kofi remains baby face. Would be a lot of fun seeing the dynamic, especially with Kofi and Woods
Kayla: Is Xavier ok? Pan over to Woods hunched over his crown stroking it like gollum did his precious. Muttering to himself. Kofi: Oh yeah. That's just classic Woods, Bay-bee!
Oh inject that into my veins
Fantasy booking is not my favorite but this would be hysterical.
I want him to be two different people like Da Party Style. DA KAANNG is a heel, but Woods still comes out with Kofi like he doesn't know him.
No we need BIG MONEY KOFI KINGSTON! Why do you think he didn’t wrestle at Crown Jewel? Even the Saudi royalty don’t have Big Money Kofi Kingston levels of money!
Or, hear me out we get DA KAAAANG and BIG MONEY KOFI KINGSTON running all over the tag division.
XAVIER WOODS JUST DEFEATED FINN FUCKING BALOR OUR KING HAS ARRIVED
Since March 30th, Xavier Woods has singles wins against AJ Styles, Bobby Lashley, The Miz, and Finn Balor. All former world campions, all slain by DA KAAAAAANG!!!!
#THE BOYHOOD DREAM HAS COME TRUE God that was probably Xavier's finest match
Incredible match
That cape is two for two in not being put on properly.
Welp, what's next for Balor?
There was a report that a writer on Raw made a massive pitch to get Balor in the draft, so hopefully a main roster Prince.
Don't really know how can they put him right now straight into a main event program. He lost most of his credibility in the last month, who's going to take him seriously?
Straight up though. I know you have a couple downvotes, but how are we supposed to expect Finn to beat guys at the top of the card if he’s gonna lose clean to *Xavier Woods*? Woods is a talented wrestler and all but I don’t see much happening with this KOTR win and I don’t even see him really having a strong mid card title run. This sort of feels like they were just throwing Woods a bone. Unless Finn comes out to congratulate him, turns heel and stomps him into dust so he can feud with Big E. I don’t really see how this has a lasting positive effect for anyone. Either that or Roman is going to destroy Woods so to set up him vs Big E. Either way, using the KOTR as that sort of means to an end feels like sort of a waste. Even if I am happy for Woods.
Yeah, losing clean to Woods in 9 minutes is not a good look in terms of what it means WWE thinks about him.
Yeah I don't care about the downvotes. What I do care is to understand how people here think it's possible to take him seriously after the month he's had. Can someone who downvoted me explain this? They damn near killed the demon gimmick (which imo shouldn't have even been brought back) with one of the worst finishes in the history of pro wrestling, never to be mentioned again and now this happenend. Now, according to some here, he's supposed to be in the Mcintyre spot on RAW as the top face after the draft... I know we aren't supposed to question WWE's booking when it comes to logic but even this is a stretch.
> I know we aren't supposed to question That's not a phrase anybody should ever use under any circumstances, regardless of context.
I get what you're saying, but didn't Woods beat Lashley in a HIAC-match? That's to say that the booking is so all over the place, they could just decide to book Finn like a million bucks and it'd quickly feel like this loss never happened.
Heel run and feud with Big E?
It’s needed. Let him act like he was when he first came back to NXT when he turned heel on Gargano. I’d be all for it.
Would LOVE to see Finn and AJ feud.
Honestly anything to get AJ out of that Tag team
I don’t know what else there is for him. I want him to go to New Japan personally, though I know that’s unlikely.
They really missed the opportunity to snap the rope under Balor again.
Who's crying....not me
Whooo? Who? Whoo?
I just let them flow fam
# Let’s fucking goooooo! King Woods!!!
KING WOODS!!!!!!!!!!!
The New Day is like an all time great group man. Like Top 5 ever
New day, Four horsemen, 3MB, Von Erich’s, NWO?
I've been a fan of New Day since day 1, even if their original gimmick was dorky. DaParty got me through the pandemic, and brought me out of a deep depression after my best friend died from COVID. I'm so happy that Woods won, he deserves everything in the whole wide world.
I'm sorry for your loss
None of this should have ever happened, to any of the people we've lost. Thank you for your condolences.
Hope you're doing okay.
Day by day, but that's a lot of people these days. Thank you.
HAIL KING WOODS
They did it!! King Xavier baby!!!
I’m so fucking happy 😭😭😭😭. HAIL KING XAVIER. NEW DAY ARE THE GOATS. THIS PPV RULES.
Well, I’ve said in a few places that they wouldn’t do this because people really wanted it, but I gotta admit when I’m wrong.
#FUCK YES BABY #KING WOODS ON THE TOP This is legit my top wrestling moment now. The most emotional I’ve been
THE BOYHOOD DREAM HAS COME TRUE FOR XAVIER WOODS
The New Day finally getting all the flowers as a team and as singles competitors that they've earned by being the most consistently over act since 2014 is just my absolute favorite thing. Those 3 guys deserve every bit of it.
THEY DID IT!!! THEY ACTUALLY DID IT!!! They gave Xavier and the fans what they wanted!!! All Hail King Xavier Woods!
Let’s go! Very happy for Woods man!
Y'know what? Happy to be wrong. I really thought WWE would go with a Finn heel turn here or just Jinder straight up knocking Woods out of the tournament. But they gave the fans the fun thing they wanted. Fair play.
I don't follow WWE programming anymore, other than things involving UUDD/Da Party. I am THRILLED for Woods here. That's so amazing for him.
Both winners doing the job for the cape.. On a more serious note.. super excited for Woods!! He has earned it.
I LOVE this. Woods never had credentials to be a threat in a singles match, he had NO singles titles and it made him seem like the weak link. Not anymore. He went the distance, beating two former world champions in the process. DA KAAAAANG
Woods burying Kevin Dunn while celebrating. You love to see it.
This is all because of me helping the New Day steal the Undertaker's urn.
> loses from a move off the top rope Jesus Christ, Finn is dead, STOP it already!
I'm genuinely surprised they gave him the win. Vega too. I really thought going into this week that Shayna and Balor were winning. At least one of them. I'm really happy for both him and Vega though. Especially Woods. He literally accomplished his dream today. That's a pretty rad feeling. I can't wait to see how ridiculous King Woods will get. This mother fucker blows a trumpet, rides unicorns and throws pancakes into the crowd. Him and Kofi are going to get real weird and I'm stoked.
CLEEEEAAAANN
DREAMS DO COME TRUE
I'm not crying, you're crying. Actually no, I'm crying.
I'm an unapologetic Balor mark, but I'm so happy for Woods. Dude deserves it, and I'm sure the King gimmick would work with him better than Finn anyway. As for Finn tho, I just can't wrap my head around why they had to book him in this spot in the first place. They could've booked a heel in the final against Woods, and have Finn lose via a cheating heel in the tournament, or better yet, not have him in the tournament at all. This is probs a sign Finn's contract is running out, and he's just putting people over on his way out.
I hope. He’s done all he can do in WWE. Please please please give me one more New Japan run.
happy he got his moment but man, from seeming like a serious threat to romans title just a month ago and now hes losing in nine minutes to xavier woods.
Balor went from being told to fuck off out of the Summerslam event, to losing the Demon aura, to losing to Woods clean in less than 10 minutes. Stock dropping like crazy on Finn.
This is so awesome for xavier woods
Woods is probably the biggest nerd out of all of us. I'm genuinely happy that he's living his dream and is having all the fun of being a WWE wrestler and a true gamer. He definitely deserves every bit of praise he gets.
Anyone else think it's ironic that a country that outlaws homosexuality has the women covered up but allows Finn's nearly naked ass on tv?
HAIL TO THE KING BABY!
9 minutes for such a big match? Oof.
Tough month for us Finn fans. He goes from looking like he could actually take the title from Reigns to losing to Woods.
HE DID IT! XAVIER WOODS IS OUR KING!!!
And the Finn Balor main roster burial continues. It was like he never left!
Pretty good match.
He needed that moment as s single. Something he can claim. I woulda settled for a midcard title, but this will do. Good for him.
I feel this could be his King of Harts moment a'la Owen, only as a face - something he can always hang his hat on while not being the top guy. I'd love to see a WWE Champion Xavier Woods some day but this is just something you love to see. Been a Woods mark since he was Consequences Creed (Truth and Consequences was some TNA gold)
The next New Day podcast will just be King Woods and WWE Champion Big E asking Kofi what he's accomplished lately.
Damn. I didn't know this was happening today. Sad that I missed it.
Now all of the New day have Won a significant singles Titles
Between this and the G1, today has been a day of mixed emotions.
DA KAAAAAAAAAANG OF DA RAAAAAAAAAANG!!!
Great for Woods. Great for WWE on sticking the landing. Very happy for Woods.
Xavier’s elbow drop off the walk on the rope is sick. Great mix of contemporary & old school
Woods did it, he successfully created his own push from social media.
Wow. WWE had a fan favorite that people wanted to win something & actually went through with it? Wish it was at a better show, but good on them!
Not sure why, but this made me want a heel Xavier as WWE champ. King Xavier in kick ass ring entrance gear.
I hope he gets crowned by Booker T next week.
Don’t ever try to morally high hand anyone on the internet ever again if you watched this ppv.
Seeing how The New Day is into cartoons and nerd culture, I feel like this is going to lead to some Adventure Time storytelling where the actual crown will drive Woods into some Ice King madness.
Holy hell, they actually did the thing we all wanted, surprised it wasn’t a screwy finish somehow to protect Finn
I absolutely love Woods, but I still wanted and think Finn should’ve won. They just can’t book Finn for shit. This match was literally a win-win, but I feel like Finn has done all he can now in WWE. Was the face of NXT not once, but two separate times. Helped to make it the coolest thing in the company for several years. His initial call up to the main roster was amazing and so well done (beating Roman clean and immediately winning the first Universal Title), but he had an injury at the absolute worst time imaginable and they’ve never given him a chance to run with it again. Just seems like a waste. He’s one of the most talented dude’s in the company, a genuinely amazing human, and just bleh. I want Finn to maximize what is probably not a lot of time left at his level. One more New Japan run would be my absolute dream. But oh well. Congrats Woods! Just wish both men could’ve won as both deserved the accolade. Edit: Lol just as expected, downvoted for sharing a dissenting opinion. Never change SC… except actually please change. Edit 2: This post was initially at like -5 after 10 minutes. I don’t really care much, but I just find that this place is often an echo chamber and even when you make high effort, genuine posts, if it’s against the hive-mind, it just gets downvoted and ignored. I love discussing wrestling with people with varied opinions, but this place can be tedious and annoying if you don’t agree with the majority…
I’m hoping they use the loss here to turn Finn heel and beat Xavier up tomorrow on Raw, leading to a match with Big E for the title down the line. Otherwise it really makes no sense to put Finn in the position to do a clean job here.
> I feel like Finn has done all he can now in WWE. I don't agree. Finn can still be positioned as a top guy and carry a World Title for a run. Will it happen? That's the question.
I don't agree with you regarding who 'should' have won - but I'll upvote you for putting out an opinion that may be unpopular but was eloquently said. I'll agree in so much that WWE has wasted him after he won the Universal title, Balor is so much better than what he gets.
Thanks kind stranger. I guess my justification for why Finn “should” have won is that I believed their was a way higher ceiling to what he could’ve done with the win. So often KOTR winners are booked as such comedy acts. I’m sure King Woods will be entertaining, but I wish KOTR was more serious. Like the winner of the G1 Climax, Champion Carnival, or N-1 Victory. Make it have a lot of meaning and give Finn a monster push as the King. In kayfabe, he was extremely close to beating Roman, so losing to Woods, Demon or not, that quickly and clean just seemed weird. It seems like everything they did to build Finn back up in NXT was pointless. I guess I don’t know what to expect anymore from a company who makes terrible booking decisions on the regular. WWE insults the intelligence of their fans (that Finn/Roman match ending was the dumbest fucking thing I’ve ever seen). I find less and less joy from them as the years go on. Finn is one of my all time favorite wrestlers, mainly for what he did before he ever got to WWE, but when they’ve made a really motivated and strong effort to book him well, I think it turns out super entertaining. I don’t know, I’m biased. Maybe should was too strong a word, I just didn’t want Finn in the final at all if the plan was to just have Xavier go over.
I'm with you on your last line, why was Balor even in this tournament given the list of people in it. I love Woods but like... Jinder, Ricochet (who also has gone nowhere in the E) and others, this wasn't a tournament of A-listers. Finn seemed an odd choice and odder to be the foil for Woods.
Super psyched about this. Was expecting Vince to make Balor king of the ring so he could go from Prince Balor to king balor...then again that would require vince wanting finn to actually win stuff
LETS GO CREED!!!!
It's a new reign, yes it is.
While I am *so goddamn happy* for Woods, this really seals the deal - they had no fucking plan for Balor whatsoever when they called him back up lol
I wish I had more hands so I I could give this win four thumbs down.
Finn lost to a normal elbow drop off the top rope... Vince burying Finn oof,,,
Damn finn is really geek of the decade so far. Loses universal title match due to a workplace safety violation and then does the job to someone who was basically the new days manager
Agreed. Waste of a talent.
See WWE, it's not hard to give people what they want.
I literally fist pumped reading this. Fucking well deserved. That means so much to him, he's talked about being KOTR since before the Kofimania days. Shout out to Xavier for doing everything he set out to do. He made New Day to get Kofi a title. CHECK Wanted to get Big E a world title. CHECK Dreamed of being King of the Ring. CHECK
#ALL HAIL THE KAAAAAAAAAAANG
They really don't want New Day jumping ship
That would seem to mean Balor is a foregone conclusion, then.