Kofi Kingston has been reflecting on the legacy of ‘Kofimania’.
The popular Ghanaian-born Superstar shocked the world at WrestleMania 35, pinning Daniel Bryan to lift the WWE Champion at MetLife stadium in New Jersey to rise to the top of the WWE mountain for the first time.
It was an achievement that wasn’t even under discussion just weeks earlier, with Mustafa Ali seemingly positioned for a huge title opportunity at the ‘showcase of the immortals’, but when he suffered a serious injury ahead of February’s Elimination Chamber Premium Live Event, Kingston was given the nod to take his place in the Chamber match.
Despite coming up short in that outing, the groundswell of support for Kingston after his performance in the match was phenonemal and the WWE quickly pivoted to an enthralling storyline that became known as ‘Kofimania’.
What followed was weeks of Kingston being either held back or set impossible tasks by Mr McMahon as he sought a championship opportunity. After defeats in both handicap and gauntlet matches, Kingston was eventually handed an opportunity at Daniel Bryan’s WWE Championship at WrestleMania 35 after New Day team mates Big E and Xavier Woods were successful in a tag team gauntlet match that included defeating Bryan and partner Erik Rowan.
Kingston’s emotional victory over Bryan at WrestleMania saw him become the first African-born WWE Champion. In a recent interview with Fightful, Kingston reflected on the importance of the win for both he and others:
“I believe it is so important, especially as children, for us to see people who look like us achieving incredible accolades. It’s one thing to say that anything is possible in theory. It is another thing entirely to say anything is possible because you’ve seen the impossible happen.
When I became WWE champion, so many people on social media sent me videos of their kids gleefully witnessing the moment. Grown adults were brought to tears when they told me about how they never thought they would see an African-born WWE champion in their lifetime.”
Kofi Kingston Believes WWE Will Host A Premium Live Event In Africa
Kingston recently revealed that he believes a WWE Premium Live Event in Africa is just a matter of time, citing recent tryouts in Nigeria as a step forward for the company in the continent.
Still putting on amazing matches in 2023, Kingston has been highlighted as one of multiple WWE stars impressing backstage officials.
H/T: Fightful for the above transcription