Stunning debut, Judgment Day's next step? - 4 ways RAW after SummerSlam upheld competition with the WWE show after WrestleMania 40

WWE has a few traditions that many fans hold sacred. One of the most notable is the RAW and SmackDown after WrestleMania being extremely important and memorable. Sometimes some shows are better than others, but the mission statement remains the same.

In recent years, however, SummerSlam has begun filling a similar role, albeit typically to a lesser degree. Sometimes, the RAW or SmackDown after The Biggest Party of the Summer features big reveals, debuts, or surprises of some kind.

This year's RAW after SummerSlam was a stellar program. In fact, an argument could be made that it was as good, if not better than the RAW after WrestleMania XL. This article will break down four things that Triple H booked on the show that show why it upheld the competition from the RAW after 'Mania in April.

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#4 The show featured Odyssey Jones' surprise debut

The Final Testament and The New Day have been feuding on WWE Monday Night RAW for weeks. This continued last night when The Authors of Pain took on Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods.

To the surprise of nobody, Karrion Kross interfered. This led to a beatdown, but things changed when Odyssey Jones appeared. The big man who was drafted to RAW in 2023 made his official main roster debut by taking out Akam, Rezar, and Kross in stunning fashion.

Many fans wondered whether Jones would ever show up on WWE television. Thankfully, the big man made a major splash on the Monday Night RAW following SummerSlam 2024. Viewers seemed to love it, and Triple H has a hit with this one.

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#3 The Judgment Day saga took new steps forward

The Judgment Day has long been a top faction in WWE. That looked to change at SummerSlam, however, when both Damian Priest and Rhea Ripley were betrayed by members of the stable. Many wondered whether the group was done, but RAW cleared up those questions.

The villainous faction is still alive and well. Finn Balor revealed the new version of the group featuring himself, Carlito, JD McDonagh, Dominik Mysterio, and Liv Morgan. This dramatically shook things up on WWE RAW and for the stable.

That's not all, though. Rhea Ripley and Damian Priest, affectionately known as The Terror Twins, are united to fight their former stablemates. They destroyed McDonagh, and the crowd ate it up. The segment was electric, and Triple H had to be happy with it.

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#2 Randy Orton made a surprise appearance on WWE RAW

WWE Monday Night RAW kicked off with the new World Heavyweight Champion Gunther. He was bragging about his victory and made it clear he intended to remain champion for a long time. However, things took a turn when Randy Orton's music hit.

The Viper approached Gunther in the middle of the ring and noted that at the 2024 King and Queen of the Ring, his shoulder wasn't down for the count. This led to Orton challenging The Ring General to a match at Bash in Berlin.

This is a big deal, as The Viper isn't part of the WWE Monday Night RAW roster. It isn't clear if he switched shows or if this was a special appearance, but it was a great surprise nonetheless, courtesy of Triple H.

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#1 The Wyatt Sicks' in-ring debut delivered

The Wyatt Sicks is among the most popular factions in WWE. It consists of Uncle Howdy (aka Bo Dallas), Nikki Cross, Erick Rowan, Dexter Lumis, and Joe Gacy. Monday Night RAW featured their debut match, as Lumis, Gacy, and Rowan were in action.

The trio took on the newly established stable known as American Made, comprising Chad Gable, Julius Creed, and Brutus Creed. In the end, The Wyatt Sicks won its debut match as a stable in WWE.

More than their victory, the entire presentation was as good as anything found on the RAW after WrestleMania. The group had an epic entrance using "Shatter" as its theme song. Additionally, the bout delivered in spades, and Triple H nailed the presentation of the stable altogether. It was a hit, and the crowd loved it.