A Path to Punishment: Revitalizing Damian Priest in WWE

Damian Priest has been ascending into a new phase of WWE, a phase that no longer includes The Judgment Day. Previously, the strong arm and consistent presence of one of the most successful alliances in WWE, Priest now stands on his own, carrying both the weight of expectations and the scars of past alliances. With his move to SmackDown earlier this year and creative plans still in progress, the question is not whether he will survive without The Judgment Day but whether he will soar even higher.

Damian Priest Sealing the Judgment Day Chapter

The Judgment Day officially ended their time with Damian Priest around August 2024 when the group, currently comprising Finn Bálor, Dominik Mysterio, JD McDonagh, Liv Morgan, and Carlito, moved forward without him. Speaking to WrestleZone, Priest declared that Judgment Day had accomplished its mission and that his chapter with the group was over.

His departure was more than a plot element. It marked the conclusion of a group that helped reinvent the contemporary WWE narrative. For Damian Priest, it was part of personal development. It was a break from the security of a dominant faction to make his own mark on history.

He took a significant step to SmackDown in January 2025, declaring it a new chapter and an opportunity to face fresh challenges. After conquering much of Raw, Priest set his sights on new goals, including the Undisputed WWE and United States Championships. WWE positioned his bouts as prime main event material on SmackDown, signaling their confidence in him.

A Rebirth Through Violence

In recent weeks, Priest has begun carving a new identity on SmackDown, adopting more of an aggressive style, harkening back to his days as Punishment Martinez in the indie scene. His involvement in the October 3, 2025, episode, which cost Aleister Black a U.S. Title shot against Sami Zayn, reminded everyone of his destructive streak.

The result was utter carnage. Priest threw Black through the commentary table with a Razor’s Edge, setting up a Last Man Standing Match on SmackDown scheduled for October 10, 2025.