From heavy lifting to the squared circle: the evolution of Ettore Ewen
In short: Before he was a mainstay in WWE, Ettore Ewen was a force of nature in powerlifting. Breaking national records with massive deadlifts, the former University of Iowa football player transitioned from a championship strength athlete to a decorated professional wrestling champion and media personality.
Ettore Ewen’s athletic foundation was built on raw strength and collegiate competition. A former defensive lineman for the Iowa Hawkeyes, Ewen transitioned into powerlifting following injuries that ended his football aspirations. His prowess in the sport was immense; during the 2010 United States Open Championships, he became the top heavyweight lifter in the 275-pound class, breaking all four Florida state raw powerlifting records. By the 2011 USAPL Raw Nationals, competing in the super heavyweight division, he set raw American and national records in both the deadlift and total.
In 2009, Ewen entered professional wrestling through WWE's developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling, performing as Big E Langston. His ascent through the ranks was marked by significant milestones, including becoming the second-ever NXT Champion after defeating Seth Rollins in early 2013. He transitioned from acting as AJ Lee's villainous bodyguard to becoming a fan favourite within the New Day group with Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston. As part of this trio, he achieved a historic 483-day reign as Raw Tag Team Champions, the longest in the brand's history.
Ewen achieved his greatest solo glory in 2021, securing the Money in the Bank ladder contest victory and later using it to claim the WWE Championship, marking his status as the 33rd Triple Crown Champion ever. However, his in-ring career faced a sudden halt in March 2022 following a cervical fracture sustained during a match. After a period away from competition, Ewen announced his retirement from professional wrestling in 2025, though he remains a prominent media spokesperson and analyst for WWE.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Big E (wrestler)
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