Imagine a world where the most iconic wrestling factions of the 21st century collided not in a ring, but in the neon glow of a gaming console. That’s exactly what almost happened in 2018, when WWE’s New Day and AEW’s The Elite faced off in a Street Fighter V showdown at E3. The result? A missed opportunity that still haunts wrestling purists. Let me tell you why this near-miss matters more than you might think.
When I first heard about the New Day vs. The Elite rivalry, I thought it was a joke. Two of the most polarizing, creative, and technically gifted groups in wrestling history? It felt like a match made in heaven. But here’s the twist: it never happened. Instead, we got a bizarre hybrid of gaming and wrestling—a promo battle between the two factions during a Street Fighter V tournament. And honestly? It felt like watching a dream deferred.
What makes this particularly fascinating is the context. At the time, AEW didn’t even exist yet. The Elite was still a WWE faction, and the idea of New Day partnering with them in a non-ring setting was seen as a bold move. Big E’s recent comments on Westwood One Sports Night reveal just how close they were to making it happen. ‘We were trying to slowly find a way to see if we could push it,’ he said. ‘Imagine the six of us in a ring one night only, man. I think would have been beautiful.’
But here’s the thing: that ‘beauty’ was undercut by the very structure of WWE’s business model. In my opinion, the company’s reluctance to let New Day partner with outside talent—especially when AEW was still in its infancy—was a calculated risk. They didn’t want to cannibalize their own product. And honestly? I get it. Wrestling is a business, not a utopia. But what’s more interesting is the cultural shift this almost-feud represents. Gaming isn’t just a side hustle anymore; it’s a battleground for creative control. The fact that New Day and The Elite could even be in the same room at E3 speaks volumes about how the industry is evolving.
Let’s talk about what this really suggests. The gaming rivalry wasn’t just a gimmick—it was a glimpse into a future where wrestling’s storytelling isn’t confined to the ring. Think about it: the promo battles, the trash talk, the sheer energy of two rival factions clashing in a virtual arena. It was a masterclass in cross-platform storytelling. And yet, WWE chose to let it fade into obscurity. Why? Because they’re terrified of losing control. The Elite, with their AEW pedigree, represented a threat to WWE’s dominance. And honestly? I think they were right to be cautious.
But here’s a thought: what if the six-man tag match between New Day and The Elite had actually happened? Would it have been the greatest wrestling match of all time? Or would it have been a disaster? I’m not sure, but I do know this: the absence of that match has left a void in wrestling history. It’s like watching a film where the final act is cut—the tension, the buildup, the payoff—all missing. And that’s not just sad; it’s a reminder of how fragile the creative process in wrestling can be.
So what does this mean for the future? I think we’re seeing the beginning of a new era where wrestling’s boundaries are being pushed in unexpected ways. Gaming, social media, even streaming—all these platforms are becoming part of the storytelling. But for that to happen, companies like WWE need to loosen their grip on the narrative. They need to trust their performers, their fans, and the chaos of creativity. Otherwise, we’ll keep missing out on moments like the New Day vs. The Elite showdown. And honestly? That’s a loss for everyone involved.
