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(Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images)

Earlier this month, on May 2, the pro wrestling world was stunned by the report that Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods were leaving WWE. On May 4, both Woods and Kingston would confirm their departure, posting separate posts on their X accounts.

It’s been a few days since the two made their exit from WWE, and different wrestlers are sharing their thoughts on the stunning news. One wrestler who didn’t hesitate to share his views on the situation is AEW star Swerve Strickland.

On the May 9 edition of TMZ’s “Inside the Ring,“ Strickland spoke about Kingston specifically.

“It’s hard to find anybody who has anything negative to say about him,“ Strickland said. “He’s had such a polished record for 20 years. Never a bad thing to say about anyone, never in the news for anything negative, never saying the wrong things, and never being in the wrong places.

“He’s the epitome of professionalism, especially in our culture. You look at Kofi as one of the top five greatest to ever do it, and he’s a role model. He’s truly the model type of role model.”

Woods and Kingston, along with Big E, would form the New Day in 2014. Furthermore, the trio would go on to win 13 WWE-branded tag team titles, including the most SmackDown tag team title reigns (seven) and the longest Raw tag team title reign (483 days). 

The New Day’s Impact on Swerve Strickland

Moreover, Strickland spoke about how the three were able to be themselves and parlay that into over a decade of success.

“Just the fact that he was so expressive and was just himself,” Strickland added. “I think that’s the biggest thing about those two guys, with Big E adjacent to them. They were themselves [and] they made guys feel and showed that you don’t have to put on a mask or a shade and pretend to portray what you think the perception of you should be. They were themselves.”

The trio eventually transformed the New Day act from a one-dimensional, overly cheerful gospel-inspired group into something far more authentic. Once they turned heel and were given the freedom to lean into their real personalities, the presentation clicked.

From unicorn horns and pancakes to anime nods and Woods’ trombone, everything felt natural and helped make the group one of WWE’s most entertaining acts.

Swerve Strickland on Working With New Day Post-WWE

Additionally, Strickland revealed that seeing New Day be themselves influenced him to believe it’s okay to be himself.

“That’s where it got me comfortable enough to just be myself and show little pieces of it through my entrances and things like that,” Strickland noted. “All the little things I like, I’m going to show those things, express them and put little trinkets here and there. It comes from guys like that being able to take those risks. So no matter where he goes, he’s a legend.”

While many are speculating what’s next for Kingston and Woods, Strickland didn’t hide that he would like to work with them in the future. However, he noted that it’s important they do what’s best for them.

“Absolutely,” Strickland said. “I also just want them to do what’s best for them. If they want to take a five-year hiatus, they deserve it. They really earned it. They’re the ones that are there every single night.

“When I go to house shows, there they are. You go to SmackDown, Raw, whatever it is, they are always there. They know their value as well, and that’s the most important thing.”