The moment Negan swung Lucille and crushed Abraham’s skull, the entire Walking Dead fandom was left in shock. It was one of the most brutal and heartbreaking deaths in the series, followed immediately by Glenn’s horrifying execution that left fans emotionally devastated.

But looking back, there’s an uncomfortable truth that many fans have come to admit: Rick’s group brought this upon themselves.

Yes, Negan was a monster. Yes, he was cruel beyond belief. But if we take a step back, was his attack truly unprovoked? Or did Rick’s team set themselves up for this nightmare?

Let’s break it down.

🔥 Abraham Thought He Was Saving Everyone

Abraham was always one of the toughest members of Rick’s group. He faced near-death experiences countless times, but in the end, he met his fate at the hands of Negan.

Some fans believe that Abraham took the first hit because he wanted to protect everyone else—his final act of defiance was to take Negan’s bat head-on, standing tall, refusing to beg. But did he really save them?

If Negan had stopped there, maybe. But Daryl’s emotional outburst ruined everything.

🤬 The Moment Daryl Doomed Glenn

Negan had already made his statement by killing Abraham. As brutal as it was, he was about to move on. But then, Daryl lost control and punched Negan in the face—and that’s when everything went to hell.

Negan immediately decided to make an example out of another victim—and that victim was Glenn.

“You got guts. Not anymore.”

Those words will haunt Walking Dead fans forever. In one moment, Glenn’s fate was sealed.

Daryl’s actions were understandable—who wouldn’t want to punch Negan? But at the same time, his recklessness cost Glenn his life.

Was it worth it?

⚔️ Rick’s Group Started the War

Here’s where things get controversial. Many fans hated Negan for what he did, but let’s rewind:

Before Negan ever attacked Rick’s group, before he made them kneel in the dirt, before he smashed their skulls in—Rick’s team was the one who attacked first.

They raided and massacred one of Negan’s outposts without even fully understanding what they were up against. They thought they were taking down just another group of thugs.

Remember the scene where Rick and his people slaughtered Saviors in their sleep? It was cold, calculated, and done without hesitation.

At that moment, Rick had convinced himself that they were the heroes—but in reality, they had just declared war on an enemy far bigger and stronger than they realized.

And as much as we love Rick and the gang, we have to admit: Negan had every reason to retaliate.

⚖️ Was Negan’s Revenge Justified?

Let’s be real—Negan didn’t need much of an excuse to flex his power. He was always a sadistic, egotistical dictator who loved breaking people’s spirits. But when it comes to The Walking Dead, morality is always in the gray area.

If we look at it from Negan’s perspective:

Rick’s group attacked first
The Saviors lost men in that attack
Rick’s people underestimated Negan’s power
Negan delivered a brutal but calculated punishment

From a leadership standpoint, Negan did exactly what was necessary to maintain control. If he let Rick’s people off easy, other groups would start challenging him. By publicly executing two of Rick’s strongest allies, he made sure everyone knew who was in charge.

It was brutal, but effective.

😰 The Moment Rick Realized He Was Powerless

One of the most haunting moments in The Walking Dead was when Rick fully broke down.

After losing Abraham and Glenn, after being forced to nearly chop off Carl’s hand, after watching Negan laugh in his face, Rick finally understood—they weren’t the strongest group anymore.

For the first time in a long time, Rick had lost.

Negan had won.

And it was a tough pill to swallow for fans who had always seen Rick as the ultimate survivor.

🎭 The Tragic Irony: Negan Would Have Found Them Anyway

Some fans argue that even if Rick hadn’t attacked first, Negan would have still come for them eventually.

And they’re probably right. The Saviors had a vast network of spies, and Alexandria was one of the last thriving communities. It was only a matter of time before Negan showed up demanding tribute.

But there’s a huge difference between being forced into an unfair deal and starting a war without knowing the consequences.

Rick’s preemptive strike meant that by the time they met Negan, there was no room for negotiation—only punishment.

💭 Final Thoughts: Could It Have Gone Differently?

It’s easy to blame Negan for everything. He was cruel, sadistic, and unforgiving. But was he truly the villain in this scenario, or was he just doing what any leader would do to protect his power?

Rick’s arrogance led them straight into one of the darkest moments in the show’s history.

So, should we be mad at Daryl for punching Negan and causing Glenn’s death? Yes.
Should we blame Rick for leading them into a fight they weren’t prepared for? Absolutely.
Did Negan take things too far? Without a doubt.

But at the end of the day, The Walking Dead has always been about the brutal reality of survival. And in a world where the strong rule over the weak, Negan was just playing the game better than anyone else.

🔥 What Do You Think?

Did Rick’s group bring this on themselves? Should Daryl have held back? Or was Negan just pure evil from the start?

Drop your thoughts in the comments below!