WWE Almost Booked THIS Cross-Brand Mega-Match In 2019
SmackDown and NXT almost collided in a big, fan-pleasing way back in 2019.
Big E has told the 'My Mom's Basement' podcast that he and fellow New Day members Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods pushed for matches with The Undisputed Era back in 2019.
WWE did book some SmackDown vs. NXT action as part of that year's Survivor Series pay-per-view, but that was it - they seemingly weren't interested in following up on things or promoting New Day vs. Undisputed Era as a fully-fleshed out feud.
Reigning WWE Champ E told the show that Adam Cole, Bobby Fish, Kyle O'Reilly and Roderick Strong were "incredibly hot" at the time. He, Kofi and Woods noticed that, and they approached company management about sticking both factions in the ring together again.
It wasn't going to happen, and that's something that still sort of bugs New Day.
E, Kingston and Woods wanted to "go down to NXT" and strike up some inter-brand warfare. The champion didn't reveal who put the brakes on this happening, but it's not too difficult to imagine that Vince McMahon was involved.
The WWE boss has always had a strange relationship with NXT. Maybe he didn't like the thought of SmackDown stars working the show weekly.