Big E says Dolph Ziggler is the man.
Before Big E was a fan-favorite member of The New Day, he joined the main roster as Dolph Ziggler's heater, as he debuted on the December 17, 2012, episode of WWE Raw and aligned with AJ Lee and, by extension, Ziggler. The three of them were paired up together for several months, and Big E was by Ziggler's side as he won the World Heavyweight Championship.
They eventually parted ways, but this chapter of Big E's career was vital to his development. WWE released Ziggler in a wave of cuts on September 21, ending his 19-year run with the company.
Speaking on HOT 97, Ziggler's release came up in the comversation, and Big E was asked to share his thoughts on the former World Heavyweight Champion.
“I just have a lot of respect for him. At the time, he didn’t really need me. I felt like the company was trying to force him to have a heater, and he was over enough, he was willing it enough to not need me. He should have had that opportunity without me, without all that stuff. So I appreciate him kind of taking me under his wing. When I first started, my very first moment on the main roster was laying out John Cena in Philly to close the show. So I am so appreciative of that opportunity. To get to travel the world with Dolph, to learn from him, to be ringside… I still remember vividly, it was at Madison Square Garden, the main event is Cena and Ziggler in a Steel Cage. I’m there ringside, I’m there listening, hearing the crowd, learning. So it was the best learning experience being under Dolph. He’s the smoothest [in the ring], no one’s better. So salute to him, and I just appreciate all he did for me and my career. But yeah, he’s the man," Big E said.
During the interview, Big E describd how Ridge Holland sent him some meat after the botched suplex that caused Big E's neck injury. Click here to see what he had to say.
Ziggler previously discussed Big E's rise in WWE. Check out his comments here.
Jim Ross has stated that he thinks Ziggler will return to WWE in a different role. Click here to see what he had to say.
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