WWE's Original Plans For Big E At Day 1 Revealed?

Brock Lesnar defeated Big E for the WWE Title at Day 1, BUT...

by Andy H Murray
Big E
WWE.com

WWE courted controversy with its decision to have Brock Lesnar unseat Big E as WWE Champion at Day 1 (1 January), though a piece of promotional material suggests its original plans were much different.

The WWE on FOX Twitter account posted an image of the pay-per-view's match results after it had gone off the air on Saturday. All the night's outcomes were present and correct, except the WWE Title match, which was listed as "Big E Def. Lashley, Rollins and Owens."

Here is the image, which WWE on FOX were quick to delete (h/t Wrestling Headlines):-

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WWE day 1 results
WWE

It was also stated on the latest episode of Wrestling Observer Live that E was originally set to retain the WWE Championship prior to Lesnar's addition to the match, which also featured Kevin Owens, Seth Rollins, and Bobby Lashley.

Brock was originally booked to face Universal Champion Roman Reigns at Day 1. This was scrapped when it was announced Reigns had tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday, leading to Lesnar being inserted into the WWE Championship match instead. Brock ended up taking the gold by pinning Big E after a single F-5.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.