Big E. Respects Dolph Ziggler, Appreciates Ziggler Taking Him Under His Wing

Big E. has a lot of respect for Dolph Ziggler, saying he appreciates what the former WWE star did to help out his career. Big E. was originally brought in as an associate of Ziggler’s back in 2012 before E. joined The New Day, and he took some time to praise the now-released WWE star during an interview with HOT 97.

“I just have a lot of respect for him. At the time, he didn’t really need me,” E. said (per Fightful). “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.”

He continued, “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.”