10 Wrestling Facts We Didn't Know Last Week (Jan 3)

2. Xavier Woods Put His Career On The Line For New Day

New Day kofi big e xavier woods
WWE.com

It's well-known by now that Vince McMahon envisioned New Day as babyface preachers who loved a touch of gospel singing. Unsurprisingly, the gimmick tanked and boos rang out from the stands whenever Kofi Kingston, Big E and Xavier Woods grinned, danced and tried to get people behind them.

Woods revealed on the trio's 'Feel The Power' podcast that he knocked on the door to McMahon's office and asked for change. The boss was hesitant at first, because he knew the babyface role would click with fans eventually. Xavier said it wouldn't, disagreed that Kofi couldn't turn heel and even offered to leave WWE if that heel run didn't work.

"So that means you'd be fired?", Vince asked. Woods said yes, and said he didn't belong there anyway if he couldn't make something work. If he failed, Xavier suggested one of "70 guys in NXT" take his spot on the main roster instead. His gusto must've impressed McMahon, because he said they'd give it a shot.

Thank God that one worked out.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.