Remember when the Judgment Day started? Back in 2022, Edge created a brooding group with Damian Priest that was quickly ridiculed across online spaces. Funny how much things can change in three years. Since then, Judgment Day has not only become one of the most successful stables in WWE history, but the group is a pillar in weekly programming.
It is easy to denigrate WWE creative. There’s a lot to not like about what is put in front of fans each week and how some of the top talent on the show are used or not used. There were times when The Judgment Day was a part of those complaints. But looking at the totality of the stable’s work, it would be incorrect to deem this group anything other than a success.
The Judgment Day created multiple title runs and launched careers
Let’s start the conversation from the simple point of titles accumulated. Throughout its multiple iterations, the Judgment Day has seen many of its members win titles. Damian Priest and Rhea Ripley have held their division’s respective World Heavyweight Championships. Liv Morgan has also held that title, while also capturing the WWE Women’s Crown Jewel Championship. Dominik Mysterio has captured several titles on his own. He’s held both the WWE NXT North American Championship and WWE Intercontinental Championship on two separate occasions, plus he’s the current AAA Mega Champion.
While the state of the tag team division is up for debate (it sucks), that doesn’t take away from the fact that this stable has captured those titles several times as well. The women’s titles have been within the group three times, while the tag team titles have been in the group a combined six times across both Raw and SmackDown.
There are several other accolades of note, but the point has been made, the Judgment Day brings home the gold. However, it is even more important to note that this faction launched several top names to higher heights.
Without The Judgment Day, Rhea Ripley isn’t rebuilt as a main event star on the main roster after her initial run was botched. Without this faction, Damian Priest isn’t a former world champion and someone who can step into that role at a moment’s notice. Bad Bunny may not have the big moment at BackLash in Puerto Rico. WWE failed to get Dominik Mysterio over as Rey’s son, but seeing him step outside of that has put him into a position to be a huge babyface in the next one to two years. JD McDonagh may not even be on the roster. Even Liv Morgan went through a needed refresh within the stable.
The only one who fans can raise an eyebrow at is Finn Balor. Balor was already a multiple-time champion in NXT and the first WWE Universal Champion. WWE had a superstar in its ranks and he’s been relegated to more of a support role within Judgment Day. His ceiling is higher than what he’s able to do in the group, but he is on television weekly which is something that may not be true if this stable didn’t exist.
Judgment Day has remained a vital part of WWE television for much of the last two years. While The Bloodline angle was seen as the bigger draw on SmackDown, whatever was going on with the Judgment Day on Monday was the more consistent offering. That consistency is a big part of this group’s success.
WWE boasts some amazing stables in recent years. Everyone will point toward The New Day or The Shield as examples of more important groups, which is true. But do not ignore the success that has come within the Judgment Day. This is one of the better stables in professional wrestling in recent years.