After spending five years as Mikel Arteta’s assistant at Arsenal, Carlos Cuesta is now in his first managerial role at Parma and is the youngest head coach in Europe’s top five leagues.

At 30, he has already coached youth sides at Atletico Madrid and Juventus and this season steered Parma to a 13th-placed finish in Serie A after taking the reins last summer.

After retiring from a playing career at 18, Cuesta began a sports science degree but always knew he wanted to coach.

“You need to increase the probabilities and that comes from doing the things that you think will help you,” he said on his pathway into coaching.

One way the Spaniard did this early in his career was by messaging members of staff at Real Madrid and Atletico on social media. It was through this that Cuesta eventually found himself volunteering with the youth sides at Atletico.

“I was very lucky,” Cuesta said. “During the journey I found incredible people that were super willing to help me to grow, that were super available, opening the doors of their knowledge. I learnt a lot. I had great inspirations.”

One of those people was Arteta, his friend and mentor, with whom Cuesta shared the touchline at Arsenal for half a decade.

When he left the club last June, he said “I’m convinced that the best moments for this football club are still yet to come”.

After Arsenal’s recent success, Cuesta was glowing about both his former club and their manager, but careful to draw a line between their achievements and his own involvement.

“I’m extremely happy for them,” he said. “They deserve everything. Every person from this organisation, and especially Mikel.

“A lot of people can see how incredible he is, and the only thing I can say is that he’s even better than what people see.

“When you know him day to day, only then can you understand that he’s even better. He’s an incredible human being, leader and coach.”

The Judgment Day has undergone countless changes since its inception in 2022. What started as a dark faction led by Edge evolved into one of WWE’s most successful groups. It has helped elevate stars such as Finn Balor, Damian Priest, Rhea Ripley, Dominik Mysterio, and many more.

However, the stable looks very different in 2026. Balor has been ousted from the group. Also, Ripley and Priest have long been removed from its ranks. Interestingly, recent developments have placed several former Judgment Day members on SmackDown.

Finn Balor was officially traded to the blue brand. Already, he has teased interactions with several familiar faces, including Damian Priest, Rhea Ripley, and R-Truth. With all the pieces seemingly falling into place, WWE could be preparing to revisit one of its most successful factions.

That said, in this article, we look at four stars who could form The Judgment Day 2.0 on SmackDown.

#4. Finn Balor

If there is going to be a new version of The Judgment Day, Finn Balor has to be involved. The Irish star spent years serving as one of the group’s central figures before ultimately being cast aside by the current version of the faction.

After his recent move to SmackDown, Balor immediately mentioned several names he could either align with or feud against, including former stablemates Damian Priest, Rhea Ripley, and R-Truth. That alone feels significant.

The Prince’s current character is at a crossroads. His departure from RAW gives him a fresh start. However, WWE also has an opportunity to revisit unfinished business from his Judgment Day history. Rather than attempting another singles run that could leave him floating in the mid-card, Triple H could position him as the mastermind behind a re-formed faction.

Unlike the original version, Finn Balor would enter this group as a wiser and more experienced leader. His betrayal by Dominik Mysterio and the current Judgment Day gives him a strong motivation to build something new and stronger.

Hence, a new faction led by Balor could instantly become one of SmackDown’s top factions.

#3. R-Truth

At first glance, R-Truth might seem like the odd choice. However, longtime WWE fans know that his association with The Judgment Day has been one of the funniest stories of the last several years.

Despite never officially being a member, Truth constantly believed he belonged in the group. Also, he created countless memorable segments with Damina Priest, Rhea Ripley, and Finn Balor.

In 2026, things are even more interesting. R-Truth is currently one-half of the WWE Tag Team Champions alongside Damian Priest on SmackDown. Hence, that partnership already gives Triple H and his creative team a natural pathway toward a Judgment Day reunion.

Although Truth would still provide comedic moments, he could also serve an important role as the group’s heart and soul. The veteran’s popularity with fans would make the faction more entertaining and less predictable. Every dominant group benefits from having a wildcard. Hence, R-Truth would fit that role perfectly.

More importantly, Truth’s long-running desire to be part of The Judgment Day has never truly diminished. Hence, WWE could finally reward him by making him an official member of the rebooted faction.

#2. Damian Priest

Damian Priest was one of the founding pillars of the original Judgment Day. From his early days alongside Edge to his rise as a World Heavyweight Champion, Priest became one of the group’s greatest success stories. Even after being betrayed by the faction, he remained closely linked to its legacy.

Today, Priest finds himself in an interesting position on SmackDown. Unlike his previous run, he would likely approach a reunion with caution. After everything that happened between him and Finn Balor, trust would be difficult to rebuild. That tension could become one of the most compelling aspects of a new Judgment Day.

At the same time, Damian Priest‘s presence would immediately give the group credibility. He is one of SmackDown’s most established stars and currently carries the WWE Tag Team Championship gold alongside R-Truth.

A faction featuring Priest, Balor, and Truth would already have a unique dynamic. However, there is one person who could truly make the group feel complete.

#1. WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley

Perhaps no superstar is more important to the idea of Judgment Day 2.0 than Rhea Ripley. Mami was arguably the breakout star of the original faction and remains one of the company’s biggest attractions. Since moving to SmackDown, she has continued her dominance and currently reigns as WWE Women’s Champion.

More importantly, Ripley and Priest shared a special connection throughout their time in Judgment Day. Even after the group’s internal collapse, they remained united against those who betrayed them.

Adding Finn Balor back into the equation would create fascinating storytelling opportunities. There would be unresolved tension, lingering resentment, and years of shared history.

There is speculation that the company may already be laying the groundwork for an original Judgment Day reunion on SmackDown, especially with Balor, Priest, Ripley, and even R-Truth now connected to the same brand.

If that is the case, Finn Balor may provide the vision and Damian Priest the power. Meanwhile, Rhea Ripley could serve as the undeniable centerpiece of The Judgment Day 2.0.

A reunion featuring Ripley, Priest, Balor, and R-Truth would combine star power, history, humor, and championship pedigree. It would make it one of the most intriguing factions WWE could assemble on SmackDown.