After several months in a background role within The Judgment Day, JD McDonagh appears to be embarking on a new chapter in his on-screen character, solidified by the release of new WWE merchandise centered around a new moniker: “Iron Lung.” This development suggests a more defined television role for the performer, who has been largely overlooked amid the internal strife within the faction.
The new nickname is a direct reference to a severe injury McDonagh sustained during a match on the January 27, 2025, episode of WWE RAW. In that contest, he suffered broken ribs and a punctured lung but displayed considerable resilience by continuing and finishing the bout. His ability to wrestle through such a significant injury has cemented his reputation as one of the toughest individuals in the locker room.
New Moniker Stems from Real-Life Injury
Following the injury, McDonagh was sidelined for several months. During his recovery period in March and April, he expressed optimism about a swift return to in-ring action. His return to WWE programming occurred after WrestleMania, when he interfered in the Intercontinental Championship match between Dominik Mysterio and Penta on May 5, costing Penta the victory.
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This set the stage for his continued involvement in The Judgment Day’s affairs. In a notable match on the May 19 edition of WWE RAW, McDonagh teamed with fellow faction member Finn Bálor to defeat the duo of AJ Styles and Penta. More recently, during the June 2 broadcast of RAW, he and Bálor were involved in a tag team match against The War Raiders, continuing their presence in the tag team division.
This character pivot to “Iron Lung” leverages a real-life display of fortitude into a core component of his persona. With the potential for a WWE Draft on the horizon, this rebranding could position McDonagh for a renewed push, either as a singles competitor or by continuing his tag team partnership with Finn Bálor.
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