WWE SummerSlam: Kofi Kingston talks The New Day and brand split
'We knew we'd be most entertaining thing on the roster'
Monday 22 August 2016 01:01, UK
Kofi Kingston is a WWE history maker.
The Ghanaian and his New Day colleagues, Xavier Woods and Big E, have become the longest reigning WWE Tag Team Champions in history - their stint with the straps now in excess of 360 days.
The New Day won their titles at the 2015 edition of SummerSlam and will defend them against Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson at the 2016 event on Sunday night at The Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Kingston, who will team with Woods in that match with Big E nursing an injury, says he never doubted his faction would take the WWE by storm and expects their supremacy to continue.
The former Intercontinental and United States Champion also discussed SummerSlam's other high-profile bouts, the recent brand extension, and his favourite wrestling arena...
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Kofi on... The New Day
"We always knew that as long as we stayed together, we would be the most entertaining thing on the roster. Becoming the longest reigning Tag Team Champions in history is pretty cool but we hold pretty high expectations and we always said we would be champions until we chose to relinquish them. Gallows and Anderson are very well seasoned - they have wrestled all around the world and done some pretty cool things. They have a great following, too, so it will be interesting to see how the crowd reacts. If I had to make a guess, though, I'd say The New Day will come out on top."
Kofi on... SummerSlam
"SummerSlam is always special but the cool thing is that we have so many unique matches right now. You have Sasha Banks taking on Charlotte for the Women's Championship - Sasha had one of the greatest matches off all time in the same building last year [against Bayley at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn] so I am sure she will be looking to do even better. Plus, Brock Lesnar versus Randy Orton is a match 15 years in the making - these guys came in to WWE together and have had very different careers but now they are meeting again. It's going to be awesome."
Kofi on... the WWE brand extension
"A lot of people were concerned The New Day would be drafted to different brands - but if WWE had done that, we probably would have quit! The great thing about the brand extension is the competition - you not only want to do well for yourself and have a great match but also be on the brand that has a better showing [at SummerSlam]. You want to be better than the other team - and that provides a great product for people to watch. It's a really special time in the industry right now and we just want to continue to make an impact."
Kofi on... a potential pay-per-view in the UK
"It could happen because the fan-base over there is huge. A very large portion of the crowd comes to WrestleMania and SummerSlam from the UK and they add to the overall splendour and hype - there would be a big void without fans from the UK. If we could put broadcast logistics aside, I think it would definitely be a viable option to have a pay-per-view over there."
Kofi on... his favourite places to travel
"We just came back from Australia and New Zealand a few days ago so that was pretty cool but my favourite arena of all time was the Arena of Nimes in France - we set up the ring outside and battled inside a coliseum where people gave their lives. In terms of holidays, I have been fortunate enough to be on the roster for so long that I haven't really had any time off, except for two and a half months when I had elbow surgery. My job can be both a gift and a curse in that way."
WWE SummerSlam booking details
WWE SummerSlam will be shown on Sky Sports Box Office (channel 491) AND Sky Sports HD Box Office (492) at midnight on Sunday, August 21 (Monday morning).
WWE SummerSlam will be repeated on Sky Sports Box Office (channel 491) BUT NOT Sky Sports HD Box Office (492) between 10am on Monday, August 22 and 8pm on Thursday, August 25.
Repeat showings will air at 10am, 3pm, 8pm and 1am, with THE FINAL PLAYOUT starting at 8pm on Thursday, August 25.
The event is priced at £19.95 for UK customers, €24.95 for viewers in the Republic of Ireland.
UK viewers can call 03442 410 888 to book WWE SummerSlam NOW, while customers in the Republic of Ireland should call 0818 220 225. (There may be an additional charge for telephone bookings).
You can also book WWE SummerSlam online NOW by visiting this link:https://my.sky.com/orderboxoffice/
Viewers can also book using their Sky TV remote by pressing the 'Box office' button, scrolling across to the sports tab and following on-screen instructions. (Only bookings via Sky TV remote are recordable using Sky Plus).
Sky TV residential customers only. Commercial customers contact Sky for price and to order. Sky Box Office terms apply. Cable customers should contact their local cable operator.
