The New Day Returns to WWE: Why Were They Gone?

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The New Day, a tag team consisting of Big E, Xavier Woods, and Kofi Kingston. (WWE.com)

Big E, Kofi Kingston, and Xavier Woods have just returned to WWE television. On SmackDown Live this evening, The New Day made their debut on the blue brand after being absent for several weeks. So why exactly was this tag team gone for so long? Where have they been?

The New Day have been gone since the Monday Night Raw following WrestleMania 33, the main reason being that Kofi Kingston was injured. Kingston has now evidently recovered, and he’s ready to get back in action on SmackDown Live.

Within the WWE storyline, Kofi Kingston was injured in April after a match with The Revival. Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder specifically targeted Kofi Kingston’s ankle, and they subsequently wore shirts on Monday Night Raw that said, “We Broke Kofi’s Ankle.”

Obviously, Kofi Kingston did not really get injured during that match with The Revival, but it seems this segment was scripted in order to explain away Kingston’s absence, and he really did need to leave to deal with some medical issues.

About two weeks ago, Kofi Kingston posted an Instagram video showing him getting out of his walking boot, suggesting that he was nearly ready for action.

A lot has happened since The New Day last appeared on WWE programming, the main thing being the “superstar shake up.” In that mini drafting ceremony, The New Day got drafted to SmackDown Live, and May 23rd’s show was their first time debuting as superstars exclusive to the blue brand.

Unfortunately, The New Day’s feud with The Revival won’t be able to continue, as The Revival are still on Monday Night Raw. Instead, according to the Wrestling Observer, the plan is reportedly to have The New Day feud with The Usos, the current SmackDown Tag Team Champions.