WWE Raw: Feb. 1 – A banner debut for Damian Priest

After appearing in the men’s Rumble match, many wondered if this meant Damian Priest was officially done with NXT and pondered which brand he would move to now. Those questions were answered as Priest debuted on the Feb. 1 episode of WWE Raw.

Priest’s debut was as positive as you could have hoped for if you’re a fan of his.

Say what you want about Bad Bunny (I think he’s fine), but you can’t deny that he has a level of fame that most wrestlers never achieve. Not only did he and Priest interact during the Rumble match, but for those that missed it, WWE was sure to show fans that Priest was getting that Bad Bunny rub.

First, after Bad Bunny arrived in a sweet, sweet Bugatti, they showed the segment embedded above with him and Priest talking to each other in Spanish. Next, after thwarting The Miz & John Morrison’s offer, he introduced Priest (not Mike Rome) for his debut match against The Miz. He even assisted Priest by clocking Morrison with his mic.

What makes his debut match more satisfying was him pinning The Miz clean after hitting his finisher. Known as The Reckoning in NXT (basically a Cross Rhodes), Priest tweeted after the show that it’s now called Hit the Lights.

Also, Priest just oozes charisma and confidence. He didn’t seem like he was affected at all by being on the flagship, though the absence of a live crowd may have helped. Still, he looks like someone who fully believes in his abilities, which should serve him well.

We always discuss WWE looking for that next Latinx and Spanish-speaking star; it seems like they’re working to make Priest just that.

I think that sentiment can be justified by looking no further than the final time Priest was on screen during the episode. As Edge made his way to the entrance area, he saw Priest standing by a wall and approached him. He basically told Priest he respects him and sees big things for him, then shook his hand and he walked away with Priest looking surprised he was just recognized by a former World Champion, Rumble winner, and Hall of Famer.

Outside of a John Cena or The Rock or Steve Austin, receiving props and respect from Edge might be the biggest endorsement a current WWE wrestler could receive. Further, this isn’t one of those endorsements on a podcast or non-WWE-related show; it was on their flagship show.

It really seems like there’s nowhere to go but up for Priest, and he has the talent to go far.

As it happened, I remarked that having a celebrity rub and clean victory over The Miz, a former WWE Champion, sets his trajectory to be, at worst, a secondary titleholder. That’s a perfectly fine career if that’s what happens, but remember, that’s his floor.

His ceiling? If The Miz can be WWE Champion, then Priest can most certainly win one of the two top Championships.

Again, what a banner night of a debut for Priest. I’m already looking to potential feuds for him with the likes of Carlito (for a quick building of Priest), Keith Lee, Sheamus, and Bobby Lashley. Don’t be surprised to see a quick rise for Priest, either, possibly as an entrant in the Elimination Chamber match. Regardless, no one can take Feb. 1, 2021 away from Priest. Bravo.