The New Day‘s heel turn on WWE RAW, which saw Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods betray Big E last December, was intended to spark a fresh chapter for the famed tag team. However, many fans believe the WWE RAW New Day heel storyline has fallen short of expectations, struggling to capitalize on its initial shock value and promising setup.
New Day’s Failed Transformation into Villains
The New Day, celebrating their 10th anniversary together, ended this milestone on a sour note when Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods turned against their longtime partner Big E. Big E, absent from the group since a serious neck injury in March 2022, had seemed welcomed back initially before being harshly labeled “a cancer” to the team by Kingston and Woods. This unexpected development stunned viewers, as the buildup suggested only one member would turn heel amid tension within the trio.
To reinforce their new villainous status, WWE assigned the duo fresh entrance music and arrogant personas, distinct from the team’s previous comedic and uplifting style. Early in their run, they entertained audiences by blending humor with their antagonistic new roles, eventually capturing the WWE Tag Team Championships at WrestleMania 41. Despite this championship success, fans believe the storyline failed to deliver consistent excitement or growth throughout their time as heels.
Audience reactions highlighted disappointment and frustration with the direction. One fan simply termed the turn “The biggest fumble.” Another stressed the need for change, writing,
Had so much potential , they need a brand switch badly.
Others suggested involving Big E more in the narrative despite his injury, as one fan remarked,
Agreed. They could have involved Big E more, even if he couldn’t wrestle. But we don’t know what we don’t know and I think they just wanted to acknowledge their anniversary and nothing more.
Fans also debated if turning only one member heel, specifically Xavier Woods, might have been more impactful. One user asserted,
Xavier Woods as a singles heel would’ve been money, ESPECIALLY after Kofi said he was the only New Day member to never win a WWE title. Woods vs Rhodes for the WWE title would’ve fed us A LOT.
However, other voices expressed deeper dismay, with one fan stating,
100%! This was insane but…they didn’t just fumble, they tripped and went face first into the concrete.
Despite criticisms, some recognized the initial shock as memorable television, with one fan reflecting,
Best TV moment of the year easily, probably the last couple. Such a shame they did nothing with it because the raw tag division is non-existent.
Since their formation in November 2014, the New Day had evolved from a struggling heel trio inspired by preacherman characters into one of WWE’s most beloved comedic acts, amassing 13 tag team title reigns and engaging in a high-profile rivalry with The Usos.
Impact of Odyssey Jones’ Departure On New Day’s Heel Story
The downfall of the New Day’s heel storyline is closely tied to the abrupt firing of Odyssey Jones in September 2024. Jones, who had been woven into the New Day factions’ RAW storylines—often teaming with Kingston and Woods—was removed from WWE amid serious allegations of domestic abuse, which led to his rapid removal from television and company platforms.
According to reports from Wrestling Observer Newsletter’s Dave Meltzer, WWE had plans for Odyssey Jones to eventually be embraced by Kingston and Woods in their heel faction, replacing Big E and solidifying their villainous dominance. These plans abruptly shifted following Jones’ dismissal, forcing the storyline to proceed solely with Kingston and Woods betraying their friend.
Jones has maintained his innocence, declaring in January 2025 that he is pursuing legal action regarding the allegations. On The Generation of Wrestling podcast, he expressed that WWE mishandled his case during a sensitive period coinciding with the early phase of the TKO merger, stating the company was scared of the situation.
Where the New Day Heel Angle Stands and What Lies Ahead
The WWE RAW New Day heel storyline began with high stakes and emotional heat, but the combination of unexpected internal conflict and external disruptions, such as Odyssey Jones’ firing, left the narrative struggling to maintain momentum. Fans who had anticipated a multi-layered, evolving heel saga have voiced their disappointment, highlighting missed opportunities to fully exploit Big E’s return and Woods’ potential as a solo villain.
Looking forward, the trajectory of the New Day remains uncertain. The tag division on RAW shows limited depth, and the group’s future role could hinge on WWE’s willingness to reinvigorate the story, consider a brand switch, or revisit individual runs that might steadily rebuild fan interest. For now, the New Day’s heel journey stands as a cautionary example of how promising developments can falter without sustained creative support and external stability.
