WATCH: Big E Wins WWE Championship, Numerous Other Wrestlers Respond
By Jason Hall
September 14, 2021
One of professional wrestling's most beloved stars finally won WWE's top prize.
Longtime New Day member Big E cashed in his Money in the Bank contract to win the WWE championship, defeating former champion Bobby Lashley during the latest episode of RAW on Monday (September 13) night.
Hours prior, the multi-time former tag-team and Intercontinental champion tweeted his intention to cash-in his contract for an automatic title match later in the evening.
"Let’s let that cat out of the bag…I intend on cashing in my Money in the Bank contract tonight and cashing in to become WWE Champion," Big E tweeted.
Let’s let that cat out of the bag…I intend on cashing in my Money in the Bank contract tonight and cashing in to become WWE Champion.
— Ettore “Big E” Ewen (@WWEBigE) September 13, 2021
Big E won the Money in the Bank contract at the pay-per-view event with the same name in July, which allows him the option to cash-in for an immediate title match against the WWE or Universal Champion at any time.
The Tampa native lived up to his promise, cashing in on the title match after Lashley successfully defended the title against Randy Orton during RAW's initial main event and hitting his finisher, 'The Big Ending,' to earn a pinfall victory.
Big E's victory over Lashley also marked the first time the WWE championship changed hands between two consecutive Black wrestlers in its 58-year history.
Big E celebrated his first world championship with longtime New Day partners Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods as RAW went off-air.
— Ettore “Big E” Ewen (@WWEBigE) September 14, 2021
Numerous WWE superstars, including Kingston and Woods, as well as former colleagues in other wrestling promotions, congratulated the new champion via Twitter.
I’m on cloud 9 right now! Words cannot describe how incredibly proud of my brother! So well deserved! The BIGGEST congratulations to @WWEBigE. Hard work pays off!
— ⚔️ KOFNAN the Barbarian ⚔️ (@TrueKofi) September 14, 2021
How it started How it’s going pic.twitter.com/fjKGbbO0q3
— Austin #Creed4KOTR - Future King of The Ring (@AustinCreedWins) September 14, 2021
Morning thoughts:@WWEBigE winning the title is really good for pro wrestling. He’s a genuine person who loves what he does and wants nothing but the best for everyone around him. Top tier human and I’m proud to call him my brother pic.twitter.com/oVoXvGGrRN
— Austin #Creed4KOTR - Future King of The Ring (@AustinCreedWins) September 14, 2021
Congratulations @WWEBigE. ❤️💜💙#AndNew #WWEChampion #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/G8puiAWnIo
— BIG E IS WWE CHAMPION (@WWE) September 14, 2021
My Ma also says congrats. https://t.co/GKVw9zQKxW
— The Man (@BeckyLynchWWE) September 14, 2021
Smart decision. https://t.co/F98oGkaZ3n
— Roman Reigns (@WWERomanReigns) September 14, 2021
I’m so happy for my friend @WWEBigE 🥺
— Cassie Lee (@CassieLee) September 14, 2021
It’s so satisfying when the good people win 🤩😭👏💛 pic.twitter.com/aZESUcGS8S
So happy for you, @WWEBigE!!!!!!!! #AndNew @WWE CHAMPION! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ggiPn0nSMX
— Nattie (@NatbyNature) September 14, 2021
Nice! Big E @WWEBigE 👊🏼👊🏼👊🏼
— “EL IDOLO” ANDRADE (@AndradeElIdolo) September 14, 2021
I’ll never forget being on the floor after being powerbombed through that ladder, and being jolted back to consciousness by the loudest reaction I ever heard in my career. It was the roar of the crowd when @WWEBigE won the contract. It was special.
— Kevin (@FightOwensFight) September 14, 2021
Congrats, man!
Well deserved.
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!! REAL HAPPINESS!!!! @WWEBigE You are incredible https://t.co/oKb76RBNyh
— Bayley (@itsBayleyWWE) September 14, 2021
Big E!!!!!! Congrats fam #AndNew #WWEChampion #WWERaw
— Angelo Dawkins (@AngeloDawkins) September 14, 2021
Evil Uno would like to congratulate Big E.
— EVIL UNO of the DARK ORDER (@EvilUno) September 14, 2021
The outpouring of love for E on my timeline 🥲🥲🥲 this dude is the most legit. Love when organic magic happens.
— Renee Paquette (@ReneePaquette) September 14, 2021
Brodie would be so happy
— Mustafa Ali / Adeel Alam (@AliWWE) September 14, 2021
I can only imagine how happy Jon would be.
— Stu Grayson of Dark Order (@stu_dos) September 14, 2021
Congratulations @WWEBigE
Big E was drafted to SmackDown last October while his former New Day teammates were drafted to RAW, setting up a singles push for the former Iowa football player and powerlifter.
However, winning the WWE Championship could put Big E back on RAW full-time and allow him to simultaneously represent New Day during a singles title run, much like Kingston did as WWE Champion in 2019, although that could be affected by the upcoming WWE Draft.