4 Directions for The Judgment Day following Rhea Ripley's forced departure: Title pursuits, inner turmoil & more

The Judgment Day was riding high after WrestleMania 40.
The Judgment Day was riding high after WrestleMania 40.

The dynamics for The Judgment Day changed drastically on the latest episode of RAW. Rhea Ripley was forced to relinquish her Women's World Championship after an attack from Liv Morgan on last week's show.

The reality of her situation also means that The Eradicator will be out of action, and The Judgment Day—for the next few months. The group embraced Mami backstage after she left her title in the ring.

What's next for Damian Priest, Finn Balor, and the rest of the group? The Judgment Day could take one of the next four paths following Rhea Ripley's departure due to injury.


#4. Infighting tears the group apart

Dominik Mysterio has ventured off on his own without talking with the group first.
Dominik Mysterio has ventured off on his own without talking with the group first.

After Damian Priest won the Money in the Bank briefcase last year, he had a lot of tension with Finn Balor. Balor was attempting to win the World Heavyweight Championship from then-champion Seth Rollins but was unable to do so.

Priest teased cashing in a few times, furthering that tension. Once the duo won the Undisputed WWE Tag Team titles, that tension dissipated. Some squabbling did still exist but it wasn't on the level before they won the belts.

Without the de facto leader in Rhea Ripley, group members may consistently fight amongst each other. Ripley was usually the final voice. Without that voice each week, some members may not follow Priest or Balor's direction. It may even lead to The Judgment Day fracturing into two groups.


#3. The Judgment Day targets the rest of the titles on RAW

With Priest holding the World Heavyweight Championship, he probably doesn't have personal aspirations to recapture the RAW Tag Team belts. Finn Balor is likely going back to the singles division, or he may team up with JD McDonagh or Dominik Mysterio.

To prove that the group still runs Monday nights, Balor may pursue the Intercontinental Championship. That would free McDonagh and Dominik to go after The Awesome Truth and tag team gold.

It would give every group member a direction while Mami recovers from injury. They could even dedicate their wins to her.


#2. Someone gets kicked out

Priest didn't like it when the rest of his allies attacked Jey Uso after he beat Finn Balor.
Priest didn't like it when the rest of his allies attacked Jey Uso after he beat Finn Balor.

While R-Truth was acting like a full-blown member of The Judgment Day, Damian Priest was the group member who tolerated his antics the most. He eventually tired of them but Truth still got through Priest's rough exterior.

The new World Heavyweight Champ also refused to attack Jey Uso after his match against Finn Balor on the latest episode of RAW. The rest of the group, however, proceeded to beat down Uso until he turned the tide.

It would seem strange for the major Champ in the group to get kicked out, but Balor may bring Dominik and McDonagh to his side. They may want to keep being heels while Priest tries to act with honour. While Rhea Ripley is out of action, someone may be excommunicated from The Judgment Day.


#1. The Judgment Day adds a new member

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In the summer of 2023, Rhea Ripley crossed paths with Lyra Valkyria. She told her to remind everyone that she was a person who should not be messed with.

Valkyria lost the NXT Women's title to Roxanne Perez and may be selected in the 2024 WWE Draft. She could fill a need in the group in Ripley's absence. A star like Blair Davenport or Gigi Dolin could also join the group in the interim. Even Isla Dawn and Alba Fyre could add another dimension to the faction.

Adding another male star could also be in the works. Dijak or Josh Briggs could be drafted next week. Cameron Grimes or Xyon Quinn could finally get a meaningful angle if one somehow joined The Judgment Day. The group could look different once Mami returns from her injury.

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