Ranking The Subsequent Success Of Every NXT Champion

As just the second ever NXT call-up towards the end of 2012, Big E was shoehorned into a role that failed to capitalise on the goofiness and charisma that had quickly endeared him to the Full Sail crowds, for the benefit of whom he would insist on pinning opponents for five seconds instead of three. As Dolph Ziggler and AJ Lee's bodyguard, he was nevertheless given plenty of opportunity to establish himself, but he was in dire need of reinvigoration by the time The New Day came around.

At this point, The New Day will go down in history as one of WWE's most notable tag teams - but it's easy to forget that the grouping of Big E, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods was downright terrible at first. A heel turn forced by hostile reactions ultimately became the catalyst for something magical.

Embracing their natural chemistry and shared sense of humour, the trio quickly transitioned into the most entertaining act on the roster, earning considerable levels of creative freedom on the mic and getting a number of seemingly ridiculous things over. The fans that had booed them then quickly changed their tune.

Their act has certainly become stale in patches, but The New Day remain consistently dependable and should they ever split, Big E would be the natural beneficiary given his size.