7 Times WWE Cast Doubt On Finn Bálor's Future

Finn Bálor had a history of losing to Samoa Joe. ‘The Demon King’s’ NXT reign came to an end at the wrong end of a Muscle Buster. The two fought to no-contest to qualify for Team RAW at Survivor Series. At Extreme Rules, the Coquina Clutch left him lifeless in the ring.

What made the clean submission loss to Joe on the 20 November 2017 episode of RAW alarming, though, was how it was executed.

Bálor was a former NXT Champion, who went toe-to-toe with the likes of Samoa Joe before. He was drafted #5 to RAW, and he was the first Universal Champion, beating stars such as Seth Rollins. Upon returning, he had few notable feuds, and more often not, was simply a dependable performer not much different from a Cesaro.

If ‘The Demon’ had any chance of reclaiming fame, he needed to be consistently used as a top contender, which involved being protected even during defeat. Instead, Bálor was left to look weak for a second time as he passed out in the middle of the ring, whereas a pinfall could have left both men looking strong.