Though the New Day are currently enjoying great success as square, faux do-gooder heels, their original incarnation was a bizarre mix of vague religious ceremony and spiritual inspiration. Though not explicitly Christian or acknowledging an association with any particular doctrine or deity, the trio debuted after a series of vignettes aired depicting them as gospel-type preachers, surrounded by a clapping African-American choir, twirling and dancing. The similarities to James Brown's character from The Blues Brothers were deep and intentional. What's fascinating about the New Day's first run is that they were an incredibly rare example of the religious babyface, preaching positivity, communal clapping and good feelings, and imploring their audience to 'feel the power". And the fans hated them. One of the few attempts WWE made to make religious characters likeable resulted in a group that thoroughly flopped and evolved into the disingenuously-'goodie two shoes' heels that have been far more successful. The WWE can be blamed for giving the group nothing of interest to say or do other than clap. The audience found nothing with which to empathise, simply being irritated by the team's banal, simplistic joy. Was that the plan from the start? Did WWE have New Day pegged as natural buffoons from the start? It wouldn't surprise.
