Monday Night Heat: A Changing of the Guard at the Golden 1 Center. By Brian Ferguson
- braddrake97
- Oct 21
- 3 min read
On the October 20, 2025 episode of WWE Raw live from the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California, the tag-team landscape shifted dramatically. In the show’s opening championship match, AJ Styles and Dragon Lee defeated the heel duo of Finn Bálor & JD McDonagh (of the faction The Judgment Day) to capture the WWE World Tag Team Championships.
Here’s a breakdown of how it all unfolded, what it means, and why this matters moving forward.
The Match Breakdown
The champions Bálor & McDonagh came in with a sense of entitlement — it was only their second defence since their June title win, and their inactivity seemed to weigh on them.
The match featured dynamic sequences: Lee bringing high-fly offense, Styles mixing in veteran ring psychology and power moves, and the champions trying to exploit their heel tactics.
Key moment: Bálor attempted a Styles Clash on Styles, but Styles reversed it — and used the very same move to pin Bálor for the win.
Notably, the heel tag champs did not get the usual outside interference from their stablemates, which many believe cost them the match.
Why They Won
According to observers and analysts, three major reasons drove the booking decision:
Freshening up the tag divisionThe tag belts had been held by Bálor/McDonagh for a sustained period, and fans had begun to sense stagnation. Giving the titles to a fresh pairing restores interest.
A meaningful run for AJ StylesStyles has publicly announced plans to retire in 2026, and so this tag title win serves as a meaningful final chapter to his storied career — allowing him to stand atop the tag division one more time.
Facilitating change within The Judgment DayBy dethroning Bálor & McDonagh, WWE may be paving the way for internal transformation within the heel faction — perhaps Bálor moving into a singles direction, or McDonagh evolving his role.
Aftermath & Implications
With Styles & Lee now the tag-team champions, the dynamic of the division has shifted: we now have a veteran-rising star team holding gold, which opens up matchups across the roster looking to dethrone them.
The champions’ reign comes at a moment when Styles’ career arc is winding down; it allows for storylines that honour his legacy while giving Lee prominence and credibility.
The defeated side, Bálor & McDonagh, find themselves in limbo: having lost their gold, they will need to rebuild momentum — possibly changing direction or sparking internal tension within The Judgment Day.
On a broader show level, this match set the tone for the night. A title change early on signals that the brand is prepared for bold moves and storyline resets.
Fan Reaction & Locker Room Buzz
From social media and live-thread commentary (such as on r/SquaredCircle), the crowd in Sacramento and fans watching at home responded well to the win by Styles & Lee. Many highlighted how the match delivered both high-flying action (thanks to Lee) and veteran savvy (Styles).
Some fans in the thread remarked on the significance of Styles holding gold again, noting how it adds emotional weight given his upcoming retirement.
What’s Next?
Expect other top tag teams to move in on the new champs: challengers will emerge quickly, looking to exploit any rust between the veteran and the newer star.
For The Judgment Day, look for internal shifts: loss of the belts often triggers storylines of blame, separation, or reinvention.
On the main roster, Styles' title scene opens up: as his in-ring career winds down, WWE may lean into sentimental value, letting him carry the tag gold into major pay-per-views or marquee events.
Dragon Lee’s elevation is important: this tag title win legitimizes him on the main roster and opens singles opportunities for him down the line.
In summary: At the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, AJ Styles and Dragon Lee pulled off a major tag-team upset, dethroning Finn Bálor and JD McDonagh to claim the WWE World Tag Team Championships. It was a well-timed shift that advances multiple storylines — honouring a veteran’s legacy, elevating a rising star, and shaking up a stable that had grown complacent. Watch closely: this fall could be the beginning of a new era in the tag division.
Comments