Big E crashes his challenger onto the unforgiving steel steps during his Intercontinental Title defense in a Nigerian Drum Fight. Catch WWE action on Peacock, WWE Network, FOX, USA Network, Sony India and more.
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Big E may have sealed his own fate the moment he agreed to a Nigerian Drum Fight against Apollo Crews, as the challenger capitalized on the stipulation in a major way to become the new Intercontinental Champion at WrestleMania 37.
The usually boisterous Big E was especially revved-up in front of his hometown crowd for his first WrestleMania singles match, delivering an epic entrance with Grammy-nominated rapper Wale playing the champion to the ring.
The unique match rules stipulated no count-outs or disqualifications, with a win only achievable through pinfall or submission. Drums and other various implements surrounded the ring, paying homage to the same duel created by Crews’ ancestors ages ago.
Big E used the rules to his advantage immediately, including a nasty Uranage to his foe on the steel steps.
Crews battled back with a step-up enziguiri once back inside the ring but miscalculated by attempting to drive Big E through a table with a frogsplash, as the champion rolled out of harm’s way.
Victory appeared academic for Big E after he followed with the Big Ending, but an unknown giant appeared, breaking up the ensuing pin attempt and decimating Big E with a vicious chokeslam.
The hulking man dragged the nearly lifeless Crews atop Big E for the pin. With the count of three, a lineage rooted in Nigerian royalty led to a path paved in gold in Crews’ WrestleMania debut.