The Judgment Day Better Off with Finn Balor over Edge; More WWE Raw Takes

Following Sunday's relatively successful Hell in a Cell pay-per-view, the June 6 edition of WWE Raw delivered on its big promises with some game-changing moments.

The Judgment Day got a complete shake-up. Finn Balor joined the group and then led a revolt with Damian Priest and Rhea Ripley by attacking Edge. The Nightmare then went on to win a Fatal 4-Way match to earn the next shot at Bianca Belair.

Cody Rhodes addressed the audience after his incredible performance inside Hell in a Cell. While his torn pectoral will require surgery, he is still looking to the future.

Becky Lynch got a surprising title match, fighting Dana Brooke for the 24/7 Championship. However, Asuka cost her that shot, getting in the way of a potentially interesting story for Big Time Becks and the underused championship.

It was a big night for Raw that could have helped jump-start the red brand heading into the summer.

The Judgment Day are the most interesting angle on Raw at the moment. WWE has been able to build the mystique of the group since their arrival, and much came to a head this week.

Edge formed the group, but it seems Finn Balor is the true captain of this stable. Taking out The Rated-R Superstar this early in his run as the top man in The Judgment Day was shocking, but it has set the stage for the best run of The Prince's career.

An argument can be made that Balor's turn happened too soon, but nothing has been explained yet. The six-person mixed tag team match at Hell in a Cell did not even hint at this. Nothing that came before made clear why the Irishman was right for The Judgment Day.

That said, this is the right opportunity to capitalize on what makes The Prince special. He is a leader who can make any story work. He just needed a character, and he now has one that makes him an instant main event threat.

Edge never needed The Judgment Day. He elevated the angle to relevancy, but he quickly became the least important member of the faction.

Rhea Ripley and Damian Priest are the building blocks, and Balor is the man who brings it together, turning these underused stars into franchise players.

Cody Rhodes put on the performance of a lifetime at Hell in a Cell. Despite having a painful torn pectoral muscle, he battled through to defeat Seth Rollins to solidify himself as Raw's top babyface.

However, the former All Elite Wrestling executive needs surgery, and based on the severity of the tear, that could keep him out for much of the rest of 2022.

Monday, WWE smartly let him speak while also continuing to build up his story.

Rollins helped write him off television, likely setting up a final match between the two down the road. Until then, Raw will miss Rhodes.

It is rare for WWE to build up a genuine babyface, but The American Nightmare has the overwhelming support of the fans. When he returns, it will be one of the biggest pops of the modern era in the company, as long as it comes on the right stage.

This year was the beginning of his rise, but 2023 will belong to Rhodes. He is the only man right now who could defeat Roman Reigns and win all the gold when he wants it.

Add to this how much he needs to bring the world title home for his family legacy, and WWE has a guaranteed moment.

Take all the time you need, Cody, and the rest will be easy.

The 24/7 Championship is the least credible title in WWE. It may even be the least credible title the company has ever produced. It has become a comedy belt, chased by those who aren't given real ring time anymore.

However, there is one way to turn that around. Every title can be revitalized with the right star attached to it. When Becky Lynch made her claim for the 24/7 Championship on Monday night, it sold the importance of the gold.

Big Time Becks is untouchable. She is at the level of Roman Reigns in that she can do whatever she wants and still be over.

The 24/7 Championship has fallen in credibility, but Lynch could raise it to a more respectable spot if she held it. She could force talent to challenge her in the ring rather than go jumping through hoops in catering.

This would require WWE to care enough about the gold to take that leap. Given the booking of Lynch's match with Dana Brooke, that care is non-existent.

Monday's contest had potential as a rare genuine title defense of the 24/7 Championship, but it all fell apart in the moment.

It's still worth considering giving the title to Big Time Becks soon, though.

Rhea Ripley had a big night on Raw. After helping Finn Balor topple Edge as the leader of The Judgment Day, she walked into a difficult Fatal 4-Way match—and won it.

It was an important first step in what should be the feud of the summer for the women's division on the red brand. Bianca Belair and The Nightmare have a history that stretches back to their days in NXT, but the two had limited exposure one-on-one there.

This will be a fresh matchup with unique Superstars at its center. Especially considering Ripley's rebirth with The Judgment Day, she has every chance to dethrone Belair. Whether she wins or not, though, this cannot be a one-and-done rivalry.

Ripley and Belair are the future of the women's division. They have been the rare stars to take some of the spotlight away from the Four Horsewomen. That must continue.

They can tell an incredible story. Ripley would be the entitled contender who wants the Raw Women's Championship handed to her, but she will have to fight a champion who never quits.