Wyatt Sicks Debut, Orton Challenges Gunther, Priest & Ripley Outlast Judgement Day

Wyatt Sicks Debut, Orton Challenges Gunther, Priest & Ripley Outlast Judgement Day: Don't Say It Here But We Kinda Like It

Raw after SummerSlam?

You know it's gonna be a wild one, folks. And this past Monday night did not disappoint! We got big debuts, title challenges, and a whole lotta faction drama. Let's break it down, because there's a lot to unpack. And we will go deeper on our live show on Instagram Wednesday 5:05pm est.

Wyatt Sicks Light Up Raw

They finally did it! The Wyatt Sicks, Erick Rowan, Dexter Lumis, and Joe Gacy, made their in-ring debut against Chad Gable and The Creed Brothers. I wish they would have gone with the name Team Gable but I guess for now they are known as American Made

And let me tell you, it was a hell of a way to kick things off for both groups

These guys looked like a cohesive unit right out of the gate. The entrance with Bray's theme, "Shatter," sent chills down my spine, and the match itself was a banger. Each member got a chance to shine, and it felt like a story that could run for years to come. Plus, seeing Rowan back in the ring, especially with nods to his friend Luke Harper, was a nice touch.

Sure, a SummerSlam debut would've been ideal, but hey, better late than never, right? Now let's just hope they keep the momentum going with matches that have this much weight behind them.

Orton Steps Up as First Challenger for Gunther

With all the Bloodline stuff going on over on SmackDown, it seemed like Randy Orton was a lock to stay there. But, surprise surprise, The Viper slithered his way onto Raw and challenged the new World Heavyweight Champion, Gunther.

Now, these two have a bit of history thanks to that weird King of the Ring finish, but this is more about Gunther than Orton. The Ring General needs to erase any doubts about his reign and take down a challenger who adds some serious cred.

Think about it, Gunther spent most of his IC Title run elevating his opponents. Now, it's his turn to be elevated. Put him against legends like Orton, guys who will push him to his absolute limits. A definitive win over The Viper would solidify Gunther as a permanent main event player.

Priest & Ripley Don't Need Judgement Day (And They'll Be Better Off For It)

Let's be honest, Priest never quite clicked as a heel champ. But a face turn? It's what my illegal brother in law Joe has been calling for on our show for months now. That could be just what he needs to solidify himself as a main event threat. The crowd was definitely behind him on Raw, and he's got that dangerous big man vibe that doesn't need a faction to be intimidating.

As for Rhea Ripley? She's already the top woman on Raw, hands down. Liv Morgan might have the title, but Mami gets the biggest pop every time she steps out there. Priest and Ripley were already too good for Judgement Day before they got kicked out. They work so much better just supporting each other, not holding up whoever they were saddled with before.

These two have already established themselves as the present-day Raw megastars, right alongside guys like Drew, Seth, and Punk. There's no reason to think they won't keep thriving without the group.

Bálor's Time to Shine (or Sink)?

The new-look Judgement Day lost a lot of its shine after the SummerSlam breakup. The only one with any real main event cred is Finn Bálor, but it's been a while since he's been at that level.

He was a regular with the group, but Priest and Ripley always seemed to steal the spotlight. Now, he's the clear leader, but his crew lacks the star power he needs. JD McDonagh feels like Bálor's sidekick, and Carlito isn't exactly setting the world on fire.

Dominik and Liv are busy with their own stuff, not really invested in the Judgement Day's future. This is Bálor's chance to step up and be the top guy in WWE. At 43, he's likely on his last full-time contract. This is his last shot.

With a crew that leans more comedy act than championship contenders, the pressure's all on The Prince to deliver. The question is can he get back to where he once was in NXT or even New Japan?

Bronson Reed: Make or Break Feud with Rollins?

Bronson Reed has shown a lot of trust in WWE, especially after getting released in 2021. He had a good run in New Japan, but then came back to the company in December. He's had some solid matches, but nothing that's really pushed him to the next level.

That might be changing finally. His attack on Seth Rollins on Raw was a statement. He looked like a legit danger, willing to hurt a top name to get ahead. This feud with The Visionary is make-or-break for Reed. If he steps up and delivers a show-stealing performance when it matters most, he can rise to a main event monster heel role in the style of Vader or Yokozuna.

And I for one would love to see him with a Big Van Vader style entrance helmet with the smoke and pyro. I've been calling for Reed to be booked as a monster heel for a long time. He's got the size, the power, and the intensity to be a truly terrifying force. If WWE can capture that Vader-esque aura, they could have a major star on their hands.

If he can't keep up with Rollins, the 35-year-old will likely return to a midcard role for the rest of his time with WWE.

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