10 Ways Wrestlemania 35 set the stage for the rest of 2019

#9 It's a New Day for Kofi Kingston's career

Kofi Kingston is hefted to the capable shoulders of Xavier Woods and Big E.

WWE officials were reportedly taken aback by the massive approval given by the crowd to Kofi Kingston's recent push to main event status.

Kingston had been intended as a one-off replacement for an injured Ali for the Elimination Chamber Pay Per View. However, in order to make sure that Kingston 'earned' his title shot he first had to compete in a gauntlet match in order to qualify for Elimination Chamber.

The move was a brilliant one, because not only did it get Kingston over as a credible contender, it revealed what many have already figured out long ago; The fans love Kofi Kingston. There comes a certain point where a wrestler has been on television for so long that fans feel as if they know them, bled with them, and suffered with them.

That was the case with Kofi, whose unexpected popularity has led to this feel-good moment. Kingston's career will never be the same--and that's a good thing. Congratulations to Kingston for making it to the top tier -- you've earned it.