The Best WWE Raw Storyline That Nobody Is Talking About

Who would've guessed that The New Day would be a part of one of the most intriguing stories on Monday nights at the start of 2024?

It shouldn't come as that much of a surprise because the trio joined forces on the Nov. 28, 2014 episode of SmackDown and turned a gimmick that never should've worked into a golden goose. Every time we've doubted them, they've miraculously produced comedy gold and added another achievement to their impressive list of accolades.

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

The New Day has 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 grisly injury in 2022.

Their brief jump to NXT was a fun side quest because they desperately needed new opponents and a change of direction. Still, becoming the third triple-crown champions wasn't enough to silence detractors again and shift their fortunes.

The once-popular act had grown stagnant, and many fans wondered if it had finally run its course. Nevertheless, 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 uncharacteristically adrift. The ensuing tension between Kingston and Woods has arguably produced the most compelling storyline on WWE Raw.

Cracks in the Foundation

Vince McMahon reportedly tried to split the group for years, but their onscreen friendship persevered. According to Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful, the former chairman and CEO even pitched an angle where Woods would turn on 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 antiquated stereotypes.

Their values and selfless dedication to uplifting each other make them special because most well-known teams have broken up to pursue personal gain. It's hard to imagine they could ever let greed or ambition drive a wedge between them when Kingston's WWE Championship win united them.

Enter Karrion Kross. In May, the leader of The Final Testament invited Woods to join him and get out of his partner's shadow. Eventually, his words hit the mark, and frustration and insecurities rose to the surface.

Miscommunications turned into arguments between the two as couldn't agree on the best route forward. While Kingston fights to preserve their image and rapport, Woods has veered in the opposite direction, hoping to prove his worth to his more accomplished stablemates.

This disconnect is even apparent in their choice of ring gear. The New Day routinely wore matching gear, but they're currently out of sync. The eldest member is symbolically sporting a look inspired by DC Comics' Green Lantern, but his partner's is seemingly an homage to the Black Lanterns from Geoff Johns' 2009 crossover "Blackest Night."

More to the point, this is an excellent metaphor for Kingston's trademark tenacity and Woods' current despair. The Green Lantern Corps' strength comes from their indomitable willpower, but the Black Lanterns are powered by insatiable emptiness.

It's surreal to think the man who initially brought the trio together could turn heel and betray one of his best friends. Nevertheless, it has been a plausible threat to their legacy as the duo approaches their 10-year anniversary next month.

Champion Gold or Bust

On the latest episode of Raw, The New Day advanced to the next round in the WWE World Tag Team Title No. 1 Contendership Tournament. In the process, Woods showed more signs that he's willing to break bad to win.

Longtime fans may remember that this fits 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 the trio's mouthpiece, the 38-year-old also didn't pin an opponent as a part of the winning tandem until their third tag 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 they were all recognized as champions, but this set the precedent that the Atlanta native didn't earn a decisive win until well into their run together.

As the only member who has won a world championship, his potential regrets and insecurities drove his need to secure the Intercontinental title. On the surface, that makes him seem selfish, but this is a nuanced story we don't often see in pro wrestling.

It would be inaccurate to say he put his dreams in the background for the group because his friends inspired him to attain them together. Woods was there for their career highlights, but his singles title win never came and one has to wonder how much time they realistically have left as a stable.

E's neck injury tragically cut his career short and Kingston will eventually retire. So where does that leave the dark horse of the group? Kross' mind games worked so well because The New Day's storied run seems to be winding down and he's still chasing an unspoken sibling rivalry with his friends.

Even more, he's seemingly worried that he won't be enough to fill E's role long-term. No one considered what the stable would look like without its powerhouse, and this storyline is an ingenious way to address the effects of absence.

As such, this push to win the tag titles feels like a make-or-break win for Kingston and Woods. It will either exacerbate the strain on their relationship or galvanize the pair to end their time together on a high note.

Either way, we're on the edge of our seats to see how the most enduring three-man act in the company will celebrate their upcoming anniversary. The New Day deserves a proper send-off, and this story has been just as unconventional as you would expect.