Report: Big E's WWE Title Win Was A Change Of Plans

Here's what WWE originally had planned for Big E's World Title win.

Big E cash in
WWE.com

Big E became WWE Champion on last night's episode of Raw, successfully cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase on Bobby Lashley after his opponent's victory over Randy Orton - but WWE originally had something else in mind for the New Day man's cash-in.

Per The Mat Men Pro Wrestling Podcast's Andrew Zarian, WWE intended on having E cash-in during the 2021 Draft episode of Raw.

Zarian reported the following minutes after Raw had gone off the air:-

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WWE formally announced the 2021 Draft's dates during last night's show. The annual roster reshuffle will commence on the 1 October episode of SmackDown and continue on Raw's 4 October show, as originally reported by Zarian back in July.

E cashing-in on Lashley rather than Universal Champion Roman Reigns was an interesting move, given how he has spent the past few months tormenting the latter's manager, Paul Heyman, with the threat of activating his guaranteed title shot. Nonetheless, E is now a main roster World Champion for the first time in his 12-year WWE career and enjoyed an earned celebration with stablemates Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods as Raw concluded.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.