Ever since The Usos unified the tag team belts, the idea of high-stakes tag matches on Raw has felt like an afterthought. Sure, you'll have factions like Judgment Day and The OC doing battle, and Alpha Academy finding ways to be entertaining even without winning, but those teams haven't even sniffed the tag title scene recently -- or at all, for Judgment Day, until this week.

Raw turned its last hour over to crowning #1 contenders for Raw tag gold, and it solidified the star turn of Judgment Day. Damian Priest was a warrior grinding out nearly an hour of competition. Finn Balor reminded us he's pretty darn good at this wrestling thing. And even Dom Mysterio, forced into action by a kayfabe Balor injury, cheated his way into defeating the always-potent Street Profits.

But JD wasn't the only group that got to shine. The OC had a nice extended match to start things, we saw the gloriously reunited Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander (can we call them The Hurt Business yet?) and the Alpha Academy, with the crowd really getting behind Otis and the big man getting an even bigger pop for pulling The Caterpillar out of mothballs.

All the teams had time to work something more than a brief match with no stakes. And we received a fresh matchup for the belts, which, since they are seemingly just for the Raw straps, might even result in a title change, since Kevin Owens would love one more chance to get back at The Bloodline.

And if Judgment Day does take some kind of gold, Raw reminded us some teams exist that could give them some good title matches.

Whatever happens on that front, Rhea continues to round into a top Royal Rumble contender, taking care of business against Candice LeRae.

And of course, prison-hardened Dom continues to be comedy gold. Him getting wins is really just gravy for his team.

The following Tag Team Power Rankings take into account wins, power and placement of segments, recentness of appearances, creative direction and momentum for teams and factions.

WWE Tag Team Power Rankings through Jan. 13:

1. The Bloodline (last week: 1)

Pro: Roman Reigns and The Usos still carry unified titles. Solo Sikoa defeated Dolph Ziggler.
Con: The Bloodline was unable to take Kevin Owens out on Raw.

2. Judgment Day (5)

Pro: Got the biggest boost of the week by totally looking like stars while winning the Raw tag team gauntlet for a title match. Rhea Ripley defeated Candice LeRae. Dom's straight-faced hilarity continues to be a highlight of the show.
Con: But is this all enough to relieve The Bloodline of any gold?

3. Damage CTRL (2)

Pro: Iyo Sky and Dakota Kai continue to hold tag gold. Bayley picked up a win over Mia Yim, and the whole squad put Yim down backstage later while asking why Becky Lynch didn't have her back.
Con: At some point, The Man is coming back around to take care of the trio.

4. New Day (3)

Pro: Still NXT tag champs. Made sure the Pretty Deadly gauntlet didn't go off the rails.
Con: Except it did kind of go off the rails thanks to Gallus.

5. Katana Chance and Kayden Carter (4)

Pro: Still the NXT women's tag champs.
Con: Still not doing much with the titles.

6. Gallus (not ranked)

Pro: The British squad returned just in time to ruin Pretty Deadly's dreams of a title rematch, and might get one themselves now.
Con: Between Pretty Deadly and Josh Briggs/Brooks Jensen, they will have plenty of folks trying to stop them.

7. Toxic Attraction (not ranked)

Pro: Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne both won a battle royal to face Roxanne Perez in a championship triple threat.
Con: While they both want to take Roxy out, at some point those thoughts are going to turn into getting singles gold.

8. Pretty Deadly (not ranked)

Pro: Defeated Edris Enofe/Malik Blade and *checks notes* The Rockers (?) on NXT.
Con: Gallus showed up and stopped them from winning their gauntlet for a title chance.

9. Indus Sher (not ranked)

Pro: Jinder Mahar has joined his old friends and defeated Julius Creed.
Con: But where's Veer? And is Jinder staying?

10. Imperium (not ranked)

Pro: Gunther picked up a quality win over Braun Strowman to continue his fabulous Intercontinental Championship run.
Con: His fellow members keep looking like just lackeys.

Best tag segment of the week: Judgment Day running the gauntlet for a title shot felt like a big deal, and all participants got some shine.

Grade: A-

Raw was the highlight this week, but NXT had some plot development too. And cool to see SmackDown running a #1 tournament as well.