JD McDonagh and Royce Keys were both backstage at WWE Raw in Memphis, Tennessee, on February 16, 2026, according to reports from PWInsider. McDonagh, a member of The Judgment Day, has been absent from television since December 2025, undergoing surgery to address lingering injuries.
Prior to his surgery, McDonagh announced on social media that he needed to “pump the brakes and get put back together,” indicating a planned recovery period. His appearance in Memphis suggests he is nearing a return to active competition.
Royce Keys, formerly known as Powerhouse Hobbs in AEW, made his WWE debut at the 2026 Royal Rumble in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he eliminated former World Champion Damian Priest. He subsequently competed in a dark match against Nathan Frazer before SmackDown last Friday.
Tonight’s Raw featured two Elimination Chamber qualifying matches: Je’Von Evans versus Gunther versus Dominik Mysterio for a spot in the Men’s Elimination Chamber, and Bayley versus Asuka versus Nattie for the Women’s Elimination Chamber. World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk is scheduled to address the WWE Universe regarding his upcoming title defenses against Finn Bálor and Roman Reigns.
The 2026 Women’s Royal Rumble winner, Liv Morgan, also appeared on the program to speak to the audience ahead of her championship pursuit, and AJ Lee made a live appearance after securing a future match for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship.
During the event, as reported by ProWrestling.net, a situation unfolded where Finn Bálor, Dominik Mysterio, and JD McDonagh surrounded the ring, suggesting a potential continuation of The Judgment Day’s storyline. Earlier in the evening, Paul Heyman, alongside Bronson Reed, Logan Paul, and Austin Theory, complained about interference from a masked man in a previous match, prompting a six-man tag team match involving LA Knight.
