[gentle music]

[upbeat music] Greetings and salutations.

It is I, Big E, and I'm here for a very special presentation, and that presentation is my top 10 big meaty man matches of all time.

Of all time.

And look, I don't wanna hear any complaints or gripes.

Will this list be exhaustive? No.

Will it be well-researched? No.

[gentle music]

But for you, of course, being a character and being in front of millions of people for years, what's it like to then write this book that is so unflinching about your mental health and your upbringing and every little good and bad thing that's happened?

I, I think a lot of it for me is now I'm 40, so, you know, a lot of my priorities and how I wanna impact the world changes, uh, as you get older.

And I think for me when I was younger, uh, especially in my career with WWE, my thing was I'm trying to make people, I'm trying to be the highlight of the show.

If you're sitting down for a Raw or SmackDown, but the one time you see something weird or off-beat or, or something, I enjoy entertaining people.

And that, for me, was my purpose.

And I think I have like, from being a little kid, I always wanted to be able to impact the world some way.

I wanted to be able to help people.

And it was, but it was so real to you to say, and to get to the end of this book and be like, "He doesn't hate himself, he loves himself."

How was the process of, of, of writing the book? I have thought many times about the idea of writing a book, and I get completely overwhelmed at how you end up being able to go through your head and really come up with all of the stories and memories, et cetera.

Yeah.

It's, um...

So actually I, uh, last year I decided...

So a lot of this really for me started with the Players Tribune article, uh, Sour, that came out December of 2024.

Actually, the same day that we did the New Day heel turn, uh, that article dropped.

And for me, that process was, uh, really enriching because I had so much feedback.

In the rotation, yeah.

I've done the work to be okay with this, and now we have to move forward in a way that we're okay with this"?

Yeah, and that was...

I mean, I credit, again, I credit meditation and mindfulness so much because for me, uh, one of the great things, and I've, I've heard of the concept of neuroplasticity.

I've heard of this idea of rewiring your brain, and I can understand it logically, but I could not understand it, uh, really in practice until it actually happened.

Because I, there are certain things that others...

This woman that I was seeing at the time, really lovely woman, but we were...

You know, she was mostly in New York, and, like, it was long di- And, and she just kind of sent me this long text message about like, uh, "This can't work." And usually that for me would always have me spiral.

[laughs]

Yes.

Uh, y- we might not like what she had to say, but I also can understand where it comes from.

But her, her confidence, her, the fire in her eyes, the way she stood up for the group that, that, say, "Otis, step aside.

I'm taking the reins of this," I can understand.

And you can say, "Oh, she's been talking to Austin Theory.

Maybe she picked up some of his callous ways." But let's, let's rewind to how long this man was awful to these people, these people who supported him, who were there for him.

So I, I think she sits in this space of, I, I don't really know what this means for Otis and Tozawa, but I can understand the anger, I can understand the vitriol.

Mm.

Mm

... or, or to feel love, those, like, these are things, like, I didn't grow up with those tools.

And so for me, more than anything, so many people know me as this colorful, bright, happy character, and I am.

And I'm, I'm in such a great place now in life.

But for me, like, I had all these struggles that I, I kinda, I kept really tight to myself.

And so many of us are just quietly suffering with depression, with anxiety, and we're barely holding on.

Yeah.

Yeah

Yeah.

And Tony At- Tony Atlas I think just laughed.

All he would do was go, "Ha, ha, ha." He would just do his laugh from time to time.

But I'm telling you, Abe, people didn't get to see the best of Abe.

Abe is one of the best talkers I've ever been around.

He would come in to FCW and he would just, he would cut these promos for, Dusty would give, we would usually have these hard outs.

You have a minute, maybe he lets you give a, a minute and a half.

When did the conversation start happening in 2021 when you did win the WWE title?

um so obviously in the book you you you sort of go through your life and your career and and uh you know you mentioned your your football career amateur wrestling uh powerlifting bodybuilding as well um and even preaching um so i just wondered you know looking back now what what skills do you do you think sort of helped you most in in your wwe career

uh interestingly the the preaching ultimately uh kind of helped me the most so you know i i will say i give a lot of credit to football as well just as far as being a better athlete um being able to move you know we spent a lot of time doing footwork drills uh obviously my time in the weight room has been hugely beneficial uh so i think a lot of that is the more obvious stuff but as a preacher i will say the way i grew up So I grew up in an apostolic church, which is very close to Pentecostal.

But that oratory style is also very close to a lot of the Southern Baptists.

And I think it is so captivating.

And it was something that circa 2014, I dropped the IC title to Bad News Barrett.

who is red hot at the time, and I am anything but red hot.

And actually that same day at Extreme Rules, I talk about in the book, is going into pre-tapes and trying, you know, they essentially told me that same day.

um so obviously you've talked there about about your career um you have you've made the transition sorry to being a panelist and interviewer in wwe um so i just wondered sort of how sort of tough was it to make such a change uh to sort of essentially a completely different role uh and additionally you know would you ever look to to sort of move into being a commentator or anything like that in the future

Yes.

Uh, y- we might not like what she had to say, but I also can understand where it comes from.

But her, her confidence, her, the fire in her eyes, the way she stood up for the group that, that, say, "Otis, step aside.

I'm taking the reins of this," I can understand.

And you can say, oh, she's been talking to Austin Theory.

Maybe she picked up some of his callous ways.

But let's, let's rewind to how long this man was awful to these people, these people who supported him, who were there for him.

Mm.

Yes.

Uh, y- we might not like what she had to say, but I also can understand where it comes from.

But her, her confidence, her, the fire in her eyes, the way she stood up for the group that, to say, "Otis, step aside.

I'm taking the reins of this," I can understand.

And you can say, "Oh, she's been talking to Austin Theory.

Maybe she picked up some of his callous ways." But let's, let's rewind to how long this man was awful to these people, these people who supported him, who were there for him.

So I, I think she sits in this space of, "I, I don't really know what this means for Otis and Tozawa, but I can understand the anger, I can understand the vitriol." A- and good, good for her for having a backbone and saying, "Look, I, I understand that you are contrite and you are now taking the time to say your apologies to all the people you hurt, but that doesn't mean I need to accept it.

Mm.

It was my Super Bowl

... and Charlotte.

But, o- of course.

But, but it, it...

I think it gives you a lot of insight into at this level, at the very top, this is what the business is.

It is manipulation, it is mind games, it is, it is finding a way not only to be physically superior to your opponent, but to have that mental edge, and I think Becky has been through it.

When you, when you go to battle with your best friend a- and you're able to deal with the ups and downs, and not just your best friend, but someone who is as accomplished as Charlotte is, one of the greatest women to ever do it.

Hmm

Go to your Southern California Ford dealers today and tell them Big Game James sent you.

It c- even if you're very talented, it, it's easy to be lost.

And I think in many ways, Austin Theory's being thrust into this position where he's not just one of four or five, and other people have the mic and have the opportunities.

And we're seeing, you know, Bronson with Tsunamis and Bron with Spears.

Now because of injuries, he's being thrust into a position where he has to step up.

And I love that we got to see Austin Theory out there on his own swinging a chair.

That it wasn't nefarious or not, I love that he wasn't hiding behind other people, that it was essentially he was given the ball.

... who are you? Who are you, LA Knight? You're not Uce.

Oh.

There are a lot of other things that Sami, uh, I think is concerned with.

And I think it's hard when you're someone who has done so many incredible things in this industry, watching a young superstar, and not just on this rise, but really just kind of snatch the limelight from you.

This doesn't feel like two stars with the same reception from fans.

It feels like people are all in on Trick Williams, and I get it.

The, the way this man, uh, every time he cuts a promo, I, I'm putting my phone down.

I'm not l- I'm not talking to anyone else.

I cannot wait to watch the entire room change when this match begins, and see what this match even looks like.

Big for JD.

Absolutely is.

Uh, and, and I think, and I'm glad we're getting, uh, we're putting some more respect on JD's name.

Uh, truly, he's one of those guys who we, we see him backstage with The Judgment Day, we see him interfering often, but he's not really given the spotlight that often to be able to have singles matches.

But man, like, let's put all the Judgment Day run-ins, and backstages, and clubhouse, let's put all that aside and let's just talk about this man's ability.

Truly one of our best in-ring workers, uh, across the board.

This guy can absolutely go.

Mm-hmm.

It was my Super Bowl

... and Charlotte.

But...

O- of course.

But, but it, it...

I think it gives you a lot of insight into, at this level, at the very top, this is what the business is.

It is manipulation, it is mind games, it is, it is finding a way not only to be physically superior to your opponent, but to have that mental edge, and I think Becky has been through it.

Hmm

It was my Super Bowl

... and Charlotte.

But...

O- of course.

But, but it, it...

I think it gives you a lot of insight into at this level, at the very top, this is what the business is.

It is manipulation, it is mind games, it is, it is finding a way not only to be physically superior to your opponent, but to have that mental edge, and I think Becky has been through it.

Hmm

I'll say this, an unexpected treat tonight to have that match bestowed upon us.

Uh, absolutely, man.

And I think i- in this ecosystem, there's so many new young stars to be excited about.

But let's not forget some of the guys.

You know, Montez at this point is a vet, but still to me, one of the most underrated superstars on the roster.

His level of athleticism, uh, truly incredible.

I know he's been out for, for quite some time.

I love the way that Paul's always wheeling, and dealing, and adjusting for whatever, you know, The Vision presents him with, and right now it's Logan Paul being out with an injury.

Mm-hmm.

You remember how Theory got into The Vision? Like everybody else was kind of chosen to be like, yeah, that's, that's, 'cause that's gonna be one of the future stars.

Theory had to show up with a mask on, and then even when he unmasked it was like Paul Heyman was like, "News to me, but okay." And even after he unmasked, he was like, "Here, let me prove it to you guys.

Let me do this.

Let me do that." And it was, you know, Austin Theory has always been in that position where he's fighting to find his spot, and I think that the, the hug probably had a lot to do with that sort of you're now my guy.

You're not proving it.

You're not an assistant.

All because he tagged with him at WrestleMania

Oh.

There are a lot of other things that Sami, uh, I think is concerned with.

And I think it's hard when you're someone who has done so many incredible things in this industry, watching a young superstar, not just on this rise, but really just kind of snatch the limelight from you.

This doesn't feel like two stars with the same reception from fans.

It feels like people are all in on Trick Williams, and I get it.

The, the way this man, uh, every time he cuts a promo, I- I'm putting my phone down.

I'm not l- I'm not talking to anyone else.

I cannot wait to watch the entire room change when this match begins and see what this match even looks like.

Big for JD.

Absolutely is.

Uh, and, and I think, and I'm glad we're getting, uh, we're putting some more respect on JD's name.

Uh, truly, he's one of those guys who we, we see him backstage with the Judgment Day, we see him interfering often, but he's not really given the spotlight that often to be able to have singles matches.

But man, like, let's put all the Judgment Day run-ins and backstages and clubhouse, let's put all that aside and let's just talk about this man's ability.

Truly one of our best in-ring workers, uh, across the board.

This guy can absolutely go.

Mm-hmm.

[laughs]

He, you see a big guy, I'm telling you, it's not just p- puffy and soft, he, it, it's a ton of muscle.

He is, this dude trained at the Olympic, uh, grounds for, for wrestling, trained with some of the best.

Like, people see Otis and they say he's fun.

This dude is legitimately one of the strongest human beings you will ever meet as well.

And to see Oba just toy with him, uh, truly, truly incredible.

I, I hope we all, I, I know we understand how, how beloved Oba is, how much the crowd is behind him, but I hope we also understand you're not getting an athlete like this to come around very often.

Mm-hmm.

Mm-hmm.

He's someone who is ...

He's just built very different.

Um, but you're right.

I was actually ...

I was sitting down watching the show thinking, "When's the last time you've seen someone skyrocket like this?" I think of Rusev having that year of being undefeated on the way to having the WrestleMania match, coming out in a tank against John Cena, but ultimately he ends up losing to Cena.

Uh, I, I think about, uh, Sheamus having an incredible rise on the main roster.

What did you think of, of Pat McAfee's declarative statements on SmackDown on Friday?

[laughs]

Uh, but our very first question that we wanna n- see answered at WrestleMania is Jade Cargill, is she ready for the moment? Look, you, you talked about Rhea Ripley.

Rhea is someone who put on a classic at Evolution in the match with IYO.

She had an incredible match.

Also, a Triple Threat match, probably match of the year at WrestleMania last year.

People are n- when you see a Rhea Ripley match, you know to expect a world title match.

You know to expect this match is going to steal it.

Go ahead.

... and what does that say for what they're, what they're doing at WrestleMania now? What's the tag team that goes to WrestleMania? I don't know.

No, that, that's a great question.

But, you know, one of the things I was thinking about is, so I think Paul does his best work with opponents that he has history with.

You know, there's so much he knows about Seth Rollins.

There is so much history with Punk.

But one of the things I find intriguing is we don't really know a ton about Oba's backstory.

Uh, there, there, there aren't past entanglements.

Yeah, that's right.

[laughs]

It's like they made it for me.

Ah, look, I, I'm telling you, I knew Obafemi.

When I, when I saw Obafemi, uh, when I met him for the first time, I knew this guy was ...

He, he had something.

I, I got to watch him at, at a tryout at IMG in Central Florida, and like presence, had it.

Then I watched him on NXT, and I thought, "Yeah, this guy can go." Then I got to watch him more and more and more, and I thought, "He's the future." But I will say I'm still a little surprised at how quickly fans have taken to him.

Um, but first question before we get there, what did you think of, of Pat McAfee's declarative statements on SmackDown on Friday?