If there’s a wrestler that fans and fellow talent alike are rooting for, it’s Big E. The former champion and founding member of The New Day has been sidelined since March of 2022 after suffering broken vertebrae in his neck, and while his recovery has thankfully progressed very well, we’re now coming up on the two-year mark of his absence from WWE programming.

While the 37-year-old has made it clear he’d like to wrestle again if possible, he’s also spoken about the changing priorities that come naturally with getting further into adulthood. He’s not as likely to risk it all to return to the ring as he might have in his mid-20s, which is why he’s taking it as cautiously as possible.

He sounded a similar note this week in an interview with TMZ. While he thanked the outlet for asking about a potential return, he said “I don’t have a timeline, unfortunately” and noted again his overriding goal is to do what’s in his best long term interest.

I just want to make a smart decision … I didn’t start wrestling to end up in a wheelchair, so I just want to make sure I’m just making the best decision for myself.

His New Day teammates have soldiered on without him, though they, too, have had their share of injury woes — Xavier Woods only recently returned to the ring after missing some time. While it would be great to see the trio reunited, and hope springs eternal with the Royal Rumble just around the corner, Big E won’t compete again unless he feels it’s not going to jeopardize his long term health, and that’s something that all of his fans can get behind.