When Big E secured the Money in the Bank briefcase? The crowd at the event chanted en masse, “You deserve this!”
The Boston, Massachusetts crowd of September 13’s Monday Night Raw were no less enthusiastic as Big E secured his first WWE championship after cashing in on Bobby Lashley. Subdued for most of the three-hour, live broadcast, they came alive for Big E’s win, as he celebrated in the ring with his brothers and arms from The New Day, Kofi Kington and Xavier Woods.
“The Princes of Positivity” are a beloved part of the WWE landscape, and World Wrestling Entertainment’s most decorated tag team with 11 championships to their name. Now, two out of its three members have also been WWE champion in their own right.
E’s win came after an impressive solo run that began on Raw in 2020, later securing the Intercontinental Championship from Sami Zayn in a lumberjack match after being drafted to Friday Night SmackDown. The draft is looming once again, and it is probably safe to assume that Big E will end up back on Raw, where the WWE championship is currently housed.
A staple of Lashley’s reign was former champion Drew McIntyre repeatedly trying to land a shot at reclaiming the title. Will Lashley similarly antagonize Big E, in order to reclaim what he lost?
Another route, however… would be casting Karrion Kross vs. Big E as his rival for the belt.
It would be a reversal in fortunes. Kross vs. Big E is the angle that he sorely needs. His debut on the red brand was a notoriously sour note with fans. A short match that saw his defeat to Jeff Hardy didn’t go over well.
Neither the debut, or the changes to Kross’s character-his Roman gladiator inspired costume. And the absence of his valet, real life partner Scarlett was not well received, either.
After the outcry? WWE changed course with Kross. He is currently on a winning streak with victories against Hardy, Keith Lee, and John Morrison. In a videotaped promo on Raw, Kross mused on his brutality so far. Then, he promised that the violence would continue.
While it seems likely that Big E will return to Raw, it could also be the case that Kross will end up on SmackDown. But, if they are on the same brand after the draft… a feud between the two would be an intriguing way to go. Before Malakai Black was released and washed ashore on AEW, he was beginning a storyline as Big E’s antagonist on SmackDown. Kross has a similar dark allure and Gothic mien as Black. A stark contrast in personality to the ebullient, boisterously charismatic Big E. Both are powerful forces in the ring. Matches between them would be a hard hitting spectacle.
Then, there’s the simple fact that Kross should NOT be wasted.
He’s well known from the indies and had a stellar NXT run. Kross can be an enigma or an aggressor with equally convincing aplomb.
In the ring, Kross’ matches can tend to run short and heavily utilize his array of suplex variations. But against Big E? His own advantage is his considerable strength. He could provide a credible challenge for an opponent who often seems too dominate, with ease.
Complimentary in skill set – and a clashing contrast in characters – Big E vs. Karrion Kross would make intriguing adversaries. That is? If Kross’s recent string of brutal victories is leading anywhere substantive.
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