On a late morning last month ahead of Money in the Bank in London, under the grey but promising sky, Finn Balor and his Judgment Day allies found themselves retracing a famous stride of yesteryears, on the iconic Abbey Road.
Balor, alongside Rhea Ripley, Damian Priest, and Dominik Mysterio, had come together to recreate the Beatles’ legendary album cover. A fitting tribute to a band they felt a kinship with, and as Balor, an Irish native and avid Beatles fan admits, “Surprisingly, to me, the group is too,” in an interview with Sports Illustrated.
With Balor embodying Paul McCartney, Mysterio as Ringo Starr, Ripley as John Lennon, and Priest as George Harrison, this striking recreation of a moment in music history was a meticulous labor of love. McCartney, just as Balor did, had crossed Abbey Road barefoot, a detail not lost in their tribute. The parallels between the Beatles and their wrestling counterparts were far from unintentional, providing a glimpse into the unique bond of the Judgment Day faction.
Just like the Beatles, the members of Judgment Day, although each distinct and talented in their own right, have found a collective harmony that has seen them rise to the top in WWE. Once perceived as a group of heels, today, they’re now the heart of Monday Night RAW, overcoming a directionless creative past to become essential players, undeniably the MVPs of Monday nights.
Twelve months ago, it wasn’t like this. The Judgment Day, while already a faction, lacked the creative direction that it has sported since Triple H took over the creative reins of the WWE.
For the better part of the year, The Judgment Day has roared with vigor and tenacity, taking over RAW and becoming on par with The Bloodline, in terms of accolades and draws. The group might not necessarily have a Roman Reigns, who’s been the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion for over a thousand days, but they have two champions in Dominik Mysterio and Rhea Ripley. On the other hand, Priest is still Señor Money in the Bank the last we heard. Finally, Balor, who fashions himself The Prince, is the No. 1 contender to the World Heavyweight Championship belt currently held by his bitter rival, Seth Rollins.
Mind you, their success hasn’t come with its fair share of bumps. As with any group, there’s the challenge of potential inner turmoil – the mounting tension between Balor and Priest will spill over at some point, possibly resulting to a civil war within the faction.
Yet, it’s this gripping narrative that has kept the audiences intrigued and entertained, awaiting whether or not the WWE will see yet another faction fall after The Bloodline.
The current holder of the Money in the Bank briefcase, Priest has the right to cash in his contract anytime he wants. As the Judgment Day’s dynamics unfold, it brings an intriguing twist to Balor’s upcoming SummerSlam match against Seth Rollins. The threat of Balor winning the title only to lose it moments later to Priest adds a thrilling edge to the upcoming bouts.
With that said, Balor is more focused on the present and future than on dwelling on nostalgia. He says, “Seven years later, SummerSlam 2023 is not the end of the story. It’s the beginning of a new chapter.”
Despite the impending challenges, the Judgment Day faction has evolved from a ragtag bunch of competitors into a group that WWE can build its stories around, becoming a creative centerpiece for Raw. It’s a testament to the talent, creative patience, and fans who have embraced the faction when the odds were stacked against them.
In the world of wrestling, just like in the world of music, success has its layers. Much like the Beatles, the Judgment Day has seen its share of struggles, unity, creativity, and breakthroughs, shaping the narrative of WWE and leaving an indelible mark in the annals of wrestling history.
