Big E Reveals New Day’s Original Lineup Included Abraham Washington and Byron Saxton, Group Was Called ‘The Clan’

The New Day has become one of the most beloved factions in WWE history, but the group fans came to know almost looked very different. Big E has revealed that the original pitch for what eventually became The New Day included Abraham Washington and Byron Saxton — and the group was set to go by the name ‘The Clan.’

As it turned out, neither Washington nor Saxton ended up part of the unit that made it to television. When The New Day debuted in late 2014, it was Xavier Woods who recruited Big E and Kofi Kingston, with all three men playing motivational speakers — a gimmick that landed with a thud. The group struggled badly in its early months, rarely picking up wins and looking very much like a dead end for all involved.

Of course, what happened next is one of the better turnaround stories in recent WWE history. Rather than scrap the idea entirely, the trio leaned into a heel persona, embraced the power of positivity as an over-the-top bit, and eventually found a connection with audiences that made them one of the most durable acts in the company. By the time they celebrated their ten-year anniversary, The New Day had racked up multiple tag title reigns and a genuine place in WWE lore.

The detail about the group’s original name is a notable footnote — ‘The Clan’ carries very different connotations than the upbeat New Day brand they ultimately built, and it’s easy to see why the concept was overhauled before reaching TV. The roster shake-up that swapped in Woods, Kingston, and Big E while dropping Washington and Saxton turned out to be one of the more consequential behind-the-scenes decisions of that era.