10 Wrestling Facts We Didn't Know Last Week (Sept 28)

10. Xavier Woods Offered An Ultimatum To Vince McMahon

Vince McMahon's original vision for The New Day was that they'd be smiling, singing babyfaces with a gospel edge. Deep down, Kofi Kingston, Big E and Xavier Woods knew the gimmick would bomb, and that they'd be booed out of the building. When that subject was broached backstage, McMahon wasn't having any of it.

Woods had to put his reputation (and possibly his job) on the line to push through a heel turn.

On Booker T's Heated Conversations podcast, Xavier told how Vince didn't think fans would boo Kofi. Confronting his boss, Woods claimed he could make sure they did. When McMahon asked what happened if he couldn't, the wrestler boldly said he shouldn't be in WWE at all if he couldn't draw simple heat or wind a crowd up.

Vince liked that kind of spirit, and he decided to give Woods a chance. Lo and behold, the fans did boo Kingston, partly due to Xavier's cheap tricks on the mic. After that episode, Woods' position in the company was solidified and New Day were off to the races.