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One of professional wrestling's most beloved stars finally won WWE's top prize.
Longtime New Day member Big E cashed in his Money in the Bank contract to win the WWE championship, defeating former champion Bobby Lashley during the latest episode of RAW on Monday (September 13) night.
Hours prior, the multi-time former tag-team and Intercontinental champion tweeted his intention to cash-in his contract for an automatic title match later in the evening.
"Let’s let that cat out of the bag…I intend on cashing in my Money in the Bank contract tonight and cashing in to become WWE Champion," Big E tweeted.
Big E won the Money in the Bank contract at the pay-per-view event with the same name in July, which allows him the option to cash-in for an immediate title match against the WWE or Universal Champion at any time.
The Tampa native lived up to his promise, cashing in on the title match after Lashley successfully defended the title against Randy Orton during RAW's initial main event and hitting his finisher, 'The Big Ending,' to earn a pinfall victory.
Big E's victory over Lashley also marked the first time the WWE championship changed hands between two consecutive Black wrestlers in its 58-year history.
Big E celebrated his first world championship with longtime New Day partners Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods as RAW went off-air.
Numerous WWE superstars, including Kingston and Woods, as well as former colleagues in other wrestling promotions, congratulated the new champion via Twitter.
Big E was drafted to SmackDown last October while his former New Day teammates were drafted to RAW, setting up a singles push for the former Iowa football player and powerlifter.
However, winning the WWE Championship could put Big E back on RAW full-time and allow him to simultaneously represent New Day during a singles title run, much like Kingston did as WWE Champion in 2019, although that could be affected by the upcoming WWE Draft.