I thought I was done having any opinions about Judgment Day after weeks (and months, and years, really) of both loving and hating the near-constant teases of dissension and a full-blown breakup, but tonight, I specifically loved, or perhaps was just relieved by, the fact Finn Balor is officially out of the group. It seems like we’re finally getting a Balor and Dominik Mysterio match at WrestleMania 42, though I am surprised that it’s not for the Intercontinental Championship.

When Mysterio made his way out to the ring tonight and said there was only one person to blame for him losing the title to Penta last week, I admit, I did get a bit excited thinking he was going to call out Danhausen for something ridiculous. But, of course he meant Balor, who prevented JD McDonagh from giving Mysterio the ring bell to cheat in his title match, as Balor wanted Mysterio to do things for himself. Balor had been on a big kick of doing things for himself without Judgment Day interference, ever since he took on CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship in Ireland, then at Elimination Chamber.

Mysterio said he hoped Balor was going to tell him he got him a rematch, and Balor did apologize and admitted if he hadn’t been there, Mysterio would still be champion, but he was trying to teach him a lesson. If Mysterio wants to be the greatest Mysterio of all time, he has to learn to fight his own battles. But, he said the more he tries with Mysterio, the more “Dirty Dom” proves his father, Rey, right, that he’s a “spoiled little b****.” It was a good explanation for it all, and it worked since Balor had been adamant about doing things himself lately.

Then things got physical, with Balor starting it all. But, rather than just Balor and Mysterio brawling, the entire Judgment Day turned on Balor, including McDonagh, and beat him down. Mysterio hit a 619 with his boot loaded with the ring bell, and McDonagh beat him down with a chair before Mysterio hit two frog splashes. Even Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez got involved, which was a nice touch.

While I’m still pretty sick of writing about Judgment Day after all this time, it felt almost like a relief. The stable had run its course, and while it’s still going strong with the four members now, I guess, at least Balor is out. I’m hopeful that he and Mysterio are on a course to a WrestleMania match, as it’s been reported they were set for a SummerSlam match last year, and this grudge match will work well on “The Grandest Stage of Them All.”

Written by Daisy Ruth

Match 1 – Women’s Intercontinental Championship No. 1 Contender’s Gauntlet Match: Lyra Valkyria -vs- Iyo Sky -vs- Raquel Rodriguez -vs- Ivy Nile -vs- Bayley – vs- Asuka w/Kairi SaneValkyria and Sky are the first two in the gauntlet match. They lock up and Sky kicks Valkyria and gets her in an arm lock. Valkyria flips out of the hold and Sky reverses and gets Valkyria back in the hold. Valkyria breaks the hold with a monkey flip and Sky gets Valkyria again in a hold. Valkyria throws Sky down and Sky gets Valkyria in a leg scissors and the hold is broken. Valkyria gets Sky in a headlock and then takes Sky down with a spinning heel kick and covers Sky for a two count. Sky flips around the ring, and takes down Valkyria and then hits Valkyria with a dropkick. Valkyria sends Sky out of the ring and tries to get her through the ropes but misses. Sky gets back in the ring and flies out onto Valkyria with a suicide dive. Back in the ring, Sky climbs the ropes but is dropped by Valkyria and Valkyria kicks her through the ropes and we cut to a commercial break.Lyra Valkyria has been eliminatedRaquel Rodriguez has been eliminatedIyo Sky has been eliminatedIvy Nile has been eliminatedWinner: Bayley