Long before he was on top of the WWE world, Ettore Ewen was still trying to find his way at the University of Iowa in the US.
More than a decade ago, he was a collegiate American football player who had his promising career cut short owing to injuries, including two torn ACLs and a broken patella. Although his football dreams were dashed, it would only end up leading him on to a new path.
These days Ewen goes by a shorter moniker of “Big E” and is the current WWE Champion, becoming the fourth black wrestler to hold the title in the company’s history. He will defend his lead against Drew McIntyre at Crown Jewel in Riyadh on Thursday.
Ewen says his journey from the football field to the wrestling ring was a long one and that it took him a while to get to where he is today.
“In football, in my mind, it's always about ‘just work hard, shut your mouth and put your head down’. And that's kind of the mould that I've been in, but in WWE you have to be an entertainer," he tells The National. "You have to be charismatic and comfortable talking.”
Although he realised his dreams of playing professional football were probably over, he knew his athletic career hadn't ended. That's when an opportunity came with the WWE in 2009, something he had never envisioned for himself, but it was “worth the gamble", he says.
It was the right decision. Fans who watch him on a weekly basis are used to seeing his colourful and quirky personality, most notably when he was a member of The New Day, a popular trio with fellow wrestlers Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston.
But it did take some getting used to. "It took me a little while just to get my footing and find my comfort zone. That’s an adjustment, too, walking around in spandex. So that did take me a little bit of time, but I feel like I found what I was meant to do.”
Despite his success, Ewen admits the journey wasn’t always smooth. He reflects on when The New Day were pitched to WWE creative as a wrestling faction in early 2014, saying there were people who weren’t originally very supportive of the idea.
“The three of us really believed in our collective chemistry. We spent so much time around each other. We really felt like that kind of [obstacle] brought us together more. We had so many doors slammed in our faces, people who laughed at us.
“But instead of that pushing us to give up or move on, we all felt that we knew what no one else outside of the three of us can understand, what we have here in our abilities and chemistry."
The New Day would make its debut in July 2014 and go on to become one of WWE’s most popular groups, setting several records along the way, including the longest tag team championship reign as well as the most reigns as SmackDown Tag Team Champions.
This resilience is something Ewen has shown throughout not only his career, but his life outside the ring, too, in particular when it comes to his mental health.
“I really struggled with mental health for so much of my life," he says. "Just a lot of issues with self-loathing and not really valuing myself. And over time, meditation has helped me immensely.
“I feel so settled in myself, who I am. I feel like for the first time I found actual self-love and it feels good to be proud of myself and feel like I’m settled in who I am, and that’s been a journey.”
He says it took “years and years” of work to feel this way. But this positive outlook has helped to boost his career and make him feel confident about performing abroad.
In Saudi Arabia, he hopes to put on a good show for fans.
“I really appreciate going over there and getting to entertain all the fans in Saudi Arabia, they are so into it and excited for the show. That feels fun to give people all across the world an opportunity to have a brief escape from their life, troubles – whatever it is,” he says.
“The past couple of years have not been easy for so many of us." Travelling to Saudi Arabia, he says, "is really a blessing".
"I’m grateful. And it's also fulfilling. That's another part that makes me feel like I found my purpose. When I was younger, I found so much value in entertainment.
“I really resonated with the fact that entertainment does have a real impact and, sure, maybe I might not actually be saving lives. I'm not, you know, sewing people's bodies or fixing their hearts or anything like that, but I’m happy to provide a positive escape. That's what I'm excited about.”
WWE Crown Jewel can be streamed on the WWE Network on Thursday at 8pm
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Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
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Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
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World Mental Health Day
Why your domicile status is important
Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.
Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born.
UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.
A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.
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Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
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Bio
Born in Dibba, Sharjah in 1972.
He is the eldest among 11 brothers and sisters.
He was educated in Sharjah schools and is a graduate of UAE University in Al Ain.
He has written poetry for 30 years and has had work published in local newspapers.
He likes all kinds of adventure movies that relate to his work.
His dream is a safe and preserved environment for all humankind.
His favourite book is The Quran, and 'Maze of Innovation and Creativity', written by his brother.
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The five pillars of Islam
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2.
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4.
5.
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
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Neighbourhood Watch
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The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
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Tomorrow 2021
The National photo project
Chris Whiteoak, a photographer at The National, spent months taking some of Jacqui Allan's props around the UAE, positioning them perfectly in front of some of the country's most recognisable landmarks. He placed a pirate on Kite Beach, in front of the Burj Al Arab, the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland at the Burj Khalifa, and brought one of Allan's snails (Freddie, which represents her grandfather) to the Dubai Frame. In Abu Dhabi, a dinosaur went to Al Ain's Jebel Hafeet. And a flamingo was taken all the way to the Hatta Mountains. This special project suitably brings to life the quirky nature of Allan's prop shop (and Allan herself!).
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The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
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6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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The Details
Article 15
Produced by: Carnival Cinemas, Zee Studios
Directed by: Anubhav Sinha
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Kumud Mishra, Manoj Pahwa, Sayani Gupta, Zeeshan Ayyub
Our rating: 4/5
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The Facility’s Versatility
Between the start of the 2020 IPL on September 20, and the end of the Pakistan Super League this coming Thursday, the Zayed Cricket Stadium has had an unprecedented amount of traffic.
Never before has a ground in this country – or perhaps anywhere in the world – had such a volume of major-match cricket.
And yet scoring has remained high, and Abu Dhabi has seen some classic encounters in every format of the game.
October 18, IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders tied with Sunrisers Hyderabad
The two playoff-chasing sides put on 163 apiece, before Kolkata went on to win the Super Over
January 8, ODI, UAE beat Ireland by six wickets
A century by CP Rizwan underpinned one of UAE’s greatest ever wins, as they chased 270 to win with an over to spare
February 6, T10, Northern Warriors beat Delhi Bulls by eight wickets
The final of the T10 was chiefly memorable for a ferocious over of fast bowling from Fidel Edwards to Nicholas Pooran
March 14, Test, Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by six wickets
Eleven wickets for Rashid Khan, 1,305 runs scored in five days, and a last session finish
June 17, PSL, Islamabad United beat Peshawar Zalmi by 15 runs
Usman Khawaja scored a hundred as Islamabad posted the highest score ever by a Pakistan team in T20 cricket
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