It’s been a decade, and The New Day still rocks.
The faction that started as preachers and eventually became a successful, beloved group spreading the power of positivity will reach a feat rarely achieved in WWE: a 10 year anniversary.
To mark the occasion, an upcoming episode of Monday Night Raw will be completely dedicated to The New Day, celebrating all the memories and accomplishments of the members during their remarkable run. The celebration will take place Dec. 2.
There are plenty of mainstays in the company with over a decade of service time, but it’s hardly accomplished with tag teams. While there are iconic groups like D-Generation X and the Hardy Boyz, their runs didn’t happen in consecutive years, typically breaking apart for solo ventures before reuniting again.
That hasn’t been the case with The New Day. Since Xavier Woods, Kofi Kingston and Big E formed the trio in 2014, it has persisted. Even when one member was injured or pursuing singles titles, the others were there rooting for each other.
“It really is crazy when you think about it,” Kingston told USA TODAY Sports. “Ten years is a significant accolade for us. We're just super grateful to have been able to do it and to do it in a way that has been significant, that has been relevant and entertaining.”
The journey to the 10-year milestone wasn’t easy. For anyone who doesn’t remember the beginning of The New Day, it was a rocky start.
Kingston recalled how close the trio became prior to the start of the group. After spending so much time together, they became a “hive mind” and they wanted to be heels (aka bad guys) when they were introduced to the WWE universe. However, “the higher powers didn't want that,” he said.
So, the gimmick they were given to start was to be three positivity preachers. The trio nodded their heads to what was being pitched, but they all knew it wasn’t going to go well and that people wouldn't embrace the preacher persona like executives hoped.
"We're just like, 'There's no way that the people are going to accept this preacher gimmick,’” Kingston said. “Nobody comes to a WWE show to be preached at. You go to church for that. So we knew that people were going to reject the gimmick.”
The New Day was correct in their prediction. They weren’t well received and were booed at the start.
Even when it seemed like crowds were against them and the plan would be abandoned, Kingston said the group knew how to make the most of the opportunity and that their chemistry would carry them no matter how things unfolded. And, they actually were perceived as heels — what they wanted in the first place.
Seen as bad guys, they continued to preach “the power of positivity” and eventually became must-watch TV. They shined with their in-ring performances and antics — from Woods’ trombone, to the unicorn horns and calling anyone that crossed their path “booty,” which eventually led to the creation of the cereal Booty-O’s.
Fans had no choice but to stop booing and start cheering for The New Day. The chants of “New Day sucks” became “New Day rocks” and can still be heard in arenas today.
“We became so good at being bad guys and being so entertaining, that people couldn't help but love what it was that we brought to the table,” Kingston said. “We've never changed. We've always been the same guys.”
The New Day became one of the most decorated tag teams in WWE history, winning titles a whopping 12 times. There was also singles success very much pushed by the audience. “KofiMania” went wild in 2019 as Kingston won the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 35. Big E cashed in his Money in the Bank contract to become champion in 2021, and Woods became King of the Ring that same year. Every win received thunderous ovations and each member of the group was there to celebrate each other.
The future of The New Day
For all the accolades The New Day have accomplished, things aren’t looking so good for the group.
Big E suffered a devastating neck injury in 2022 that has sidelined him since, and while he has been involved in WWE in other capacities, he doesn’t know if he’ll ever be cleared to compete in the ring again. Then there’s the situation between Kingston and Woods, who have been arguing for months and appear to be headed for a soon-to-be breakup.
All of the tension isn’t exactly desired leading to an anniversary, but Kingston said he isn’t worried. He likened it to siblings always bickering and it taking work to get on the same page.
Kingston joked all three members would still be together after their deaths.
“We're all going to get buried in the same grave, one grave — all three of us stacked like pancakes — just for the representation of what we threw out there," he said. "We always believe that The New Day and the power of positivity is going to be around to the end of time."
It’s hard to say where The New Day will go next, but with such a storied tenure, it’s a safe bet to pencil them in as future WWE Hall of Famers.
And Kingston knows it.
“I know the humble thing is supposed to be like, 'Oh, well, hopefully we'll get in the Hall of Fame.' We're already in the Hall of Fame. We're already Hall of Famers — our accolades alone, all the things we've been able to do. Like, I know it's not the humble answer, but it is the truth,” he said. "When they look at our story, they're just going to see a wild ride and just an entertaining ride, and a ride that's been unlike any other in the history of WWE for three guys to come together and be the best of friends for so long and have such an incredible impact on the industry.”
There haven’t been any plans announced as to what the 10-year celebration will include, but Kingston said it will be awesome "to see all the memorable moments and just reminisce" about what they’ve achieved. He didn’t confirm if Big E will be there since he does so much outside of competing, such as hosting shows and community outreach, but Kingston said it would be incomplete if he isn’t there.
Kingston is also looking forward to celebrating all the fans that have cheered them on for so many years. He mentioned how often The New Day members get told they were inspirations or helped people get through dark times, proving the group’s mission from Day 1 has worked.
“It's going to be great vibes all around,” Kingston said. “The power of positivity is going to be just so strong throughout. Everyone is going to leave feeling good about themselves, and that's really what The New Day is all about.
“I can't wait, man.”
