The New Day’s WWE Farewell Video Is A Not-So-Subtle Shot At Triple H

WWE New Day’s ‘Daybreak’ Video Features Big E Cameo, Triple H Diss

The New Day’s Daybreak video, designed by Jonathan Davenport, opens with the not-so-subtle imagery of a ringleader in a circus. The first shot is three bowling pins being juggled in the air. This could be the symbolism of each bowling pin representing a member of the New Day, three professional wrestlers who put their bodies through the ringer the way a bowling pin is constantly obliterated by a bowling ball time and again. The pins, much like wrestlers, are expected to get up, fall in line and endure that same damage all over again. This could also be a nod to the New Days’ bowling series on Up Up Down Down, where the group bowled against fellow tag teams the Usos and the Bar.

Then comes the introduction of the villain. A mysteriously familiar figure standing underneath a spotlight. The villain symbolism is clear from the start with white eyes, sharp teeth and a hat-mask combination similar to the Hamburglar, the resident villain of McDonalds. The individual’s beard and status as a ringleader leaves little doubt as to whom this is supposed to represent.

It’s Triple H.

Many fans in the comments pointed out the striking resemblance, with some going as far as to use AI to make the animated character look even more like Triple H.

Paul Levesque has taken over the helm of WWE, and after a two-year honeymoon period that saw the greatest creative WWE has ever had, many fans and critics have since turned on Triple H amid questionable creative and personnel decisions. With Triple H basking in the spotlight, the camera pans over to two shackled unicorns who have been chained to a stable so long it is beginning to develop cobwebs. The unicorns are resentful toward their ringleader. This obviously represents Kofi Kingston, the unicorn with the goatee and braids, and Xavier Woods.

It’s interesting that the New Day chose the circus as an allegory for their time in WWE. Circus animals are notoriously mistreated. In the article Three Rings of Abuse, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) paint a bleak picture about how “colorful pageantry disguises the fact that animals used in circuses are captives who are forced—under threat of punishment—to perform confusing, uncomfortable, repetitious, and often painful acts.” The New Day has collectively endured countless injuries throughout their legendary career. It’s worth noting that Kofi Kingston suffered one of the most soul-crushing WWE Title losses in history when he was booked to lose to Brock Lesnar after one F5 in a matter of seconds.

The unicorns chained to a wall is symbolic of the New Days’ final year in WWE, where they were seldom used, watered-down and relegated to a secondary act. A far fall from grace after the group’s defining moment when Kofi Kingston became the first African-born WWE champion at WrestleMania 35. The New Day was an iconic Black stable that broke barriers and glass ceilings in WWE, so in addition to the golden shackles suggesting that they were held back, this is also emblematic of slaves being shackled in chains against their will.

Triple H in the spotlight also gives credence to reports that WWE and TKO want Paul Levesque to be the main character as the Dana White of WWE. Triple H as the central figure on WWE Unreal over the past three seasons has illustrated just that.

The frustrated unicorns eventually shed the golden shackles and rush their ringleader, whose initial reaction is furious and confrontational. The ringleader then becomes confused as the unicorns run right past him, paying him no mind. This is a possible symbol of the New Day refusing to re-sign with WWE at a lower rate, thereby leaving the worldwide leader of sports entertainment on their own terms with their heads held high. WWE is notoriously controlling of its talent—who are misclassified as independent contractors—and this level of contractual defiance is historically frowned upon. This is why Triple H goes from confrontational to confused.

“Why would anybody want to leave the industry leader?”

Then comes the most heartbreaking scene in the entire short as the defiant unicorns gallop past a third unicorn. This horse is thicker, with a buzzed mane and a broken horn. This is none other than Big E, the second New Day member to become WWE champion whose career-ending neck injury forced him to the sidelines as a WWE on-air host.

Big E’s broken horn is reminiscent of this injury, and for the first time in the video, the escaping unicorns’ angry expressions change on a dime. In a poignant moment, they are now remorseful. It’s time to leave the territory, but in doing so, they are also leaving their brother behind. The Big E analog nods approvingly at his brothers, giving them his blessing to seek greener pastures. With that, the Kofi and Woods nod back and finally break out of their circus of employment.

WWE Fans React To Emotional Big E Cameo In New Day Video

The animated short ends with Kofi and Woods transforming back to their human forms immediately after leaving the circus. But they’re not in their ring gear. There are no colorful tights, no pageantry, no New Day merch or even Francesca the trombone.

Just two proud Black men walking off into the sunset and ready for their next chapter, likely in AEW.