Kingston’s Championship Win was a Months-Long Build-Up
Kingston’s rise to the WWE title picture came by chance. The 37-year-old replaced an injured Mustafa Ali in the six-man main event at WWE’s Elimination Chamber pay-per-view in February. In the week leading up to the match, Kingston set the wrestling world ablaze with a breathtaking performance on Smackdown Live. At one point, Kingston pounded his chest and yelled “I’ve been waiting 11 years for this,” as he battled four men for over 50 minutes in a gauntlet match.
He would steal the show again at the Elimination Chamber, Kingston outlasting four other wrestlers before being pinned by WWE champion Daniel Bryan to close the show.
Soon after the show, fans flooded social media with calls for Kingston to face Bryan in a championship match on wrestling’s grandest stage. “Kofimania” was a worldwide trend on social media for weeks leading up to Wrestlemania. Eighty thousand fans roared with excitement as Kingston defeated Bryan to create one of the most memorable moments in the event’s history. With tears flooding the eyes of his “New Day” partners, Kingston celebrated the win with his two young sons by his side.
ICYMI: Kofi Kingston becomes the first black WWE Champion pic.twitter.com/cDx0Pm6eLc
— Reese Waters (@reesewaters) April 8, 2019
That was legitimately an ALL TIME #WrestleMania moment. So genuine. So heartfelt. Perfectly crafted throughout. Phenomenal payoff to Kofi Kingston’s eleven year tenure that I never thought I’d see. Celebration was as good as the match itself.
“YOU DESERVE IT!!!” pic.twitter.com/oie6KFvJWz
— Robbie Fox (@RobbieBarstool) April 8, 2019
KOFI KINGSTON WINS AND THE CROWD CANNOT CONTAIN ITSELF #Wrestlemania35 pic.twitter.com/PHR3Tfm0aJ
— SI Wrestling (@SI_wrestling) April 8, 2019
Here’s a #WrestleMania moment after Kofi wins the title pic.twitter.com/kAeXrM4SxW
— Brandon Creme (@BCcreme) April 8, 2019
