Following his Intercontinental Championship win at the end of 2020, Big E has spent the majority of 2021 feuding with Apollo Crews.
Since becoming a singles competitor when he was drafted to SmackDown in the 2020 WWE Draft, many pundits wanted Big E to drop the comedy and prove he could be serious. In the feud with Crews, which included a Nigerian Drum Fight at WrestleMania, Big E believes he accomplished just that.
"Has it been perfect?" Big E questioned when asked by Ryan Satin on Out of Character about his feud with Crews before saying, "I'll say, he's extremely talented and a guy who I have enjoyed seeing him step up. He's a guy, if you paid any attention, you always knew 'he's extremely talented and he can do a bunch of things.' The fact that he's a high-flier but can do strong stuff, he's a weird hybrid who can do it all and has a great look. To finally see him get more opportunities and to kill it. He's a guy who, I feel like we have great chemistry in the ring and we never really had done much of anything until this past year because he was always a babyface and I had been a babyface for a long time. It's been rewarding to see him step up and kill it. He and I have done a good job in-ring. I'm pleased with what we brought to the table."
Big E continued by saying, "One of the things I liked is being able to show a serious side. As much as I enjoy being funny and making people laugh, being able to show a certain intensity -- a few months ago we were really in the midst of a program leading into WrestleMania where things got to a real boil as far as intensity is concerned. I was appreciative of that opportunity where I didn't have to be always smiling or not caring about losing and putting on a smile and going out there. I liked being able to show that different side."
The rivalry between Crews and Big E seemingly concluded in a Money in the Bank qualifying match, which was won by Big E. Crews remains the Intercontinental Champion.
You can view the current lineup for WWE Money in the Bank by clicking here.
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