10 Wrestling Facts We Didn't Know Last Week (Feb 1)

6. How Overstaying His Welcome In The States Helped Finn Bálor

Devitt Ibushi
NJPW

Pro wrestling is all about risk.

Performers take risks every time they step foot in the ring, and, if you're Finn Bálor, you also take calculated ones outside it that could cause you to be deported. Back in 2005, that's exactly what the Irishman did when he overstayed a week-long visa so he could get some more experience in the States.

On E&C's Pod Of Awesomeness, Bálor revealed that he'd already been in the US on a 90-day agreement before. After that ran out, he returned back to Ireland and thought he'd never get the chance again. That's when promoter Dave Marquez offered him an all-expenses-paid, week-long training camp in California.

Authorities were skeptical, but they agreed to let him in. Finn ended up staying longer than scheduled, and that's when he was spotted by New Japan talent scouts. Their decision to invite him over to dojo changed Bálor's life. That wouldn't have happened had he flown home when he was supposed to.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.