Finn Balor In WWE - What Went Wrong?

Though there are arguments to be made for (Adrian) Neville and Sami Zayn, Finn Balor is the most important male wrestler in NXT history.

His 292 day reign as developmental champion was once the longest in NXT history, and this period saw him engage in acclaimed rivalries and matches with Kevin Owens, Samoa Joe, and more, firmly establishing him as the brand's MVP. By the time he was done, Balor had carried the baton passed to him by Zayn to new heights. NXT's popularity had surged with his own, and as the black and gold show's franchise player during their most creatively exciting period, he was at the top while NXT transitioned from super developmental territory to a viable third brand designed to appease the workrate crowd.

Having made his name as a New Japan heel, Finn was now soaring as a WWE babyface, and universal popularity followed. In the Demon, he retained shades of the artistry that helped him stand out on wrestling's smaller stages, with his outlandish TakeOver entrances as hotly anticipated as his matches. This gave him a presence, an aura, a mystique, and a unique identity in Vince McMahon and Triple H's vast wrestling world.

Finn Balor was minted.

He signed off soon after an electric farewell bout with Shinsuke Nakamura in June 2016, and trepidation followed. Balor was NXT's "Icon," but McMahon had dismantled is son-in-law's precious toys before, and the fans' fear for what would become of him was earned.

Miraculously, Balor's success followed him to Monday Night Raw. Immediately.

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