#2. The Dreadlocked Dynamo Puts on the Performance of a Lifetime During a Gauntlet Match
After he feuded with Randy Orton, Kingston slid back down into the midcard. He still found championship success, as he would add IC and US Title reigns to his resume. In late 2014, The New Day was born, and the rest is history. Alongside Big E and Xavier Woods, Kingston became a part of one of the most entertaining and successful factions of all time.
Having spent the majority of his career in the midcard as an entertaining act, few would have pictured him with the WWE Championship. However, Kingston did the unthinkable in 2019. We all remember how KofiMania ended, but the dawn of the movement was equally special.
Mustafa Ali was initially slated to compete in the 2019 Men’s Elimination Chamber match, but he suffered an untimely injury. Kofi Kingston was chosen to replace Ali, and he capitalized on this golden opportunity. During a 6-man gauntlet match to determine who gets the final spot, Kingston put on the performance of a lifetime.
Kingston started the match with then-WWE Champion Daniel Bryan. In a surprising twist, the New Day member nailed Bryan with the Trouble in Paradise. This should have been enough for another night, but Kingston was just getting started. Next, he eliminated an energetic Jeff Hardy with the SOS. Unfortunately, things went from bad to worse as Samoa Joe walked out next.
The Samoan Submission Machine relentlessly punished Kingston, but the New Day veteran kept coming for more. Out of nowhere, Kingston countered the Coquine Clutch into a rollup to pin Joe. A livid Samoa Joe lashed out at the high flyer. AJ Styles saved Kingston and sent Joe into retreat.
Styles didn’t want to fight Kingston, but a fired-up and motivated Kingston demanded a fight. The Phenomenal One forced his opponent to tap with the Calf Crusher. Although the Dreadlocked Dynamo lost the gauntlet, he won over the fans and kick-started KofiMania.
Kingston’s push was never meant to happen, as the spot was initially meant for Ali. The New Day veteran cashed in on the opportunity and proved that he was more than a Tag Team Specialist. This was a more serious and committed version of Kingston, and fans loved this new burst of energy.
