The best WWE Raw story that no one talks about | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

Who would have imagined that The New Day would be part of one of the most intriguing Monday night stories in early 2024?

It shouldn’t be a big surprise because the trio joined forces on the November 28 episode of SmackDown and turned a gimmick that should never have worked into a golden goose. Every time we doubted them, they miraculously produced comedy gold and added another achievement to their impressive list of accolades.

That’s the beauty of professional wrestling. Sometimes a throwaway segment or the slightest reaction can organically create an opportunity to win back the crowd, and that’s what they represent.

The New Day have cemented their legacy as a generational tag team and one of the greatest stables of all time. However, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Wood have struggled to remain relevant since Big E’s grizzly bear injury in 2022.

Their brief jump to NXT was a fun side mission because they desperately needed new opponents and a change of direction. Still, becoming the third Triple Crown champion was not enough to silence the naysayers again and change his fortunes.

The once popular act had stalled and many fans were wondering if it had finally run its course. However, their latest conflict is uncharted territory for The Purveyors of Positivity.

Their unmatched chemistry and unbreakable bond have always been their most endearing attribute, but years of bad luck and missed opportunities have left them unusually adrift. The resulting tension between Kingston and Woods has arguably produced the most compelling storyline on WWE Raw.

Vince McMahon reportedly tried to break up the group for years, but their on-screen friendship persevered. According to Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp, the former president and CEO even inclined an angle in which Woods would turn against his longtime partner after he achieved his dream of winning The King of the Ring tournament in 2021.

The fact that the stable has lasted this long is truly a testament to their commitment to deconstructing wrestling tropes and creating new norms for Black wrestlers. After all, The New Day prioritized loyalty and positivity in a cutthroat industry and challenged many outdated stereotypes.

Their values ​​and selfless dedication to elevating each other make them special because most well-known teams have broken up to seek personal gain. It’s hard to imagine they could ever let greed or ambition drive a wedge between them when Kingston’s WWE Championship victory brought them together.

Enter Karrion Kross. In May, The Final Testament frontman invited Woods to join him and step out of his partner’s shadow. Finally, his words hit home and frustration and insecurities came to the surface.

Miscommunications turned into arguments as the two seemingly grew apart. As Kingston fights to preserve his image and relationship, Woods has veered in the opposite direction, hoping to prove himself to his more accomplished peers.

This disconnection is even evident in the choice of ring gear. The New Day routinely wore matching gear, but they are currently out of sync. The oldest member symbolically sports a look inspired by DC Comics. Green Lanternbut his partner’s is apparently an homage to the Black Lanterns from Geoff Johns’ 2009 crossover, “Blackest Night.”

On the contrary, this is an excellent metaphor for Kingston’s characteristic tenacity and Woods’ current desperation. The Green Lantern Corps’ strength comes from their indomitable willpower, but the Black Lanterns are driven by an insatiable void.

It’s surreal to think that the man who initially brought the trio together could turn evil and betray one of his best friends. However, it has been a plausible threat to their legacy as the duo approaches their 10th anniversary next month.

On the latest episode of Raw, The New Day advanced to the next round in the No.1 Contenders Tournament for the WWE World Tag Team Title. In the process, Woods showed more signs who is willing to break to win.

Longtime fans may remember that this fits with his established character because he originally convinced E and Kingston that they didn’t need to be respectable to win when he formed the group. As a spokesman for the trio, the 38-year-old also did not pin any opponents as part of the winning tandem until his third tag team title victory on July 23, 2017.

His stablemates had already enjoyed success as singles competitors and Kingston was already a tag team specialist in his own right. The Freebird rule meant that everyone was recognized as champion, but this set the precedent that the Atlanta native did not obtain a decisive victory until well into their career together.

As the only member to win a world championship, his potential regrets and insecurities fueled his need to secure the Intercontinental title. On the surface, that makes him seem selfish, but this is a nuanced story that we don’t often see in professional wrestling.

It would be inaccurate to say that he put his dreams on the back burner for the group because his friends inspired him to achieve them together. Woods was there for the highlights of his career, but his individual title never came and one has to wonder how much time they realistically have left as a team.

E’s neck injury tragically cut his career short and Kingston will eventually retire. So where is the dark horse of the group? Kross’ temptation worked very well because The New Day’s story seems to be coming to an end and he is still pursuing an unspoken brotherly rivalry with his friends.

Even more, he’s apparently worried that he won’t be enough to fill E’s role in the long run. No one considered what the stable would be like without its power, and this story is an ingenious way to address the effects of absence.

As such, this push to win the tag team titles feels like a decisive victory for Kingston and Woods. It will exacerbate the tension in your relationship or prompt the couple to end their time together on a high note.

Either way, we’re on the edge of our seats to see how the company’s longest-running three-man act will celebrate its upcoming anniversary. The New Day deserves a proper send-off, and this story has been as unconventional as you’d expect.