Big E Calls JD McDonagh One Of WWE’s Best In-Ring Workers: “He’s Not Really Given The Spotlight To Be Able To Have Singles Matches”

WWE

Following last night’s WWE Raw, Big E has shared his thoughts on JD McDonagh being in the spotlight after a victory over Finn Balor.

The May 4 episode of WWE Raw saw JD McDonagh defeat Finn Balor, something he had been unable to do after their last encounter following WrestleMania 42.

Speaking on Raw Recap, Big E shared his thoughts on McDonagh getting his time in the spotlight, saying:

“I’m glad that we’re putting more respect on JD’s name. We see him backstage with the Judgment Day, we see him interfering often, but he’s not really given the spotlight that often to be able to have singles matches.

“All the Judgment Day run-ins, backstages and clubhouse, let’s put all that aside, and let’s talk about this man’s ability. Truly one of our best in-ring workers across the board.

“This guy can absolutely go. I think he takes more risks than anyone else, as well. I remember him nearly dying, hitting that announce table, but that hasn’t stopped him. It seemingly only upped the ante on the risks as well.

“So, we can talk a lot about the Judgment Day and how big this was for them and the group dynamics, but I feel like we don’t get to spend enough time talking about JD and his in-ring ability. He’s a joy to watch as a wrestler. He’s got it, man.”

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The announce table incident in question took place in January 2025, with JD McDonagh being hospitalized after hitting a springboard moonsault that saw the back of his neck hit the announcer’s table.

During Monday’s match, it would be Roxanne Perez who would interfere, striking Finn Balor with a hammer, reinforcing her allegiance with Judgment Day.

Liv Morgan has since praised Perez, stating that WWE’s future will be “more than safe” in her hands.

The Judgment Day’s Silent Assassin

A member of Judgment Day since November 2023, JD McDonagh was brought into the faction by Finn Balor, who would later introduce Roxanne Perez to the collective.

A two-time WWE World Tag Team Champion alongside Balor, singles match success hasn’t been a high point of McDonagh’s recent run, with his last one-on-one Raw victory prior to Balor being all the way back in October of last year, beating Sheamus.

That said, singles matches aren’t something that McDonagh has regularly competed in over the past few months, losing to Rey Mysterio in November of last year and Finn Balor on the Raw after WrestleMania 42 on April 20.

He would defeat Akira Tozawa on the April 2 episode of WWE Main Event, qualifying for the Intercontinental Championship six-man ladder match at WrestleMania 42 in a match that saw Penta retain.

Having competed in the United Kingdom Championship Tournament of 2016, the former Jordan Devlin would head to NXT UK before being reborn as JD McDonagh in 2022. An NXT Cruiserweight Champion, his main roster call-up would take place in 2023, with his Judgment Day association taking place later that year.

For a star who has demonstrated his ability in singles competition on multiple occasions, McDonagh, as Big E notes, has spent considerable time in an almost supplementary role in Judgment Day, interfering where it’s necessary or competing in tag team matches. As a singles competitor, however, is where McDonagh could shine in the future, particularly after a victory over his former teammate, close friend and mentor, Finn Balor.

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• Judgment Day
• JD MCDONAGH
• wwe
• RAW
• Finn Balor

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