Speaking in a new interview, Big E recalled his uncertainty about reaching the world title picture. He expressed gratitude towards individuals like Daniel Bryan, who he stated was in creative at the time. According to Big E, Danielson was the one who proposed exploring opportunities for him as a solo performer. Following this suggestion and creative's approval, Big E went on to win the Intercontinental Championship from Sami Zayn and later dropped it to Apollo Crews, before moving towards a push that included a Money in the Bank opportunity.

I’m so grateful, I’ve got to give a lot of credit, if it wasn’t for guys like Daniel Bryan, who was in creative at the time. He was the one who said, look, I think we should do something with Big E as a singles performer. When he gave me that opportunity and creative said, okay let’s do it, I took the IC Title off Sami. I dropped it to Apollo but after that, it wasn’t like cooling off, it was going from the IC Title to now, let’s get you moving towards Money In The Bank.

Big E eventually captured the WWE Championship approximately one week after Bryan Danielson made his debut for AEW.