The Moment Finn Balor Became A Midcarder

Finn Balor is often regarded as one of the most underutilized talents in WWE by both fans and pundits. After making a huge impact in NXT and becoming the inaugural Universal Champion, an untimely injury derailed his momentum. Since then, many believe he has never truly regained the top spot he once held.

While Balor has captured secondary titles and is currently a Tag Team Champion alongside JD McDonagh, the general sentiment is that he deserves far more. Yet with WWEâ€s current booking direction, it appears that Balor is firmly entrenched in the midcard for the foreseeable future. This raises the question: when exactly did this shift happen?

[Before we proceed, we would like to inform you that this is an opinion piece with no implications on ongoing storylines.]

Finn Balor: From Main Eventer To Midcarder

Pinpointing when that shift happened isnâ€t just about a single match loss or a stalled storyline; itâ€s about a series of booking decisions that quietly redefined his role in the company.

After his 2017 return, WWE failed to capitalize on his star power. Though he competed in high-profile matches, these rarely translated into long-term momentum. His excellent second run in NXT, which carried the brand through the pandemic era, gave him a darker edge, but this evolution wasnâ€t translated effectively when he returned to the main roster.

A major turning point came during his much-hyped match with Roman Reigns at Extreme Rules 2021. While anticipation was high, the bizarre booking of “The Demon†character against Reigns left fans frustrated. The backlash further cemented the notion that Balor was no longer a serious world title contender.

The Rise Of The Judgment Day And The Fall Of Finn Balor

Ironically, Balorâ€s position slipped further just as he joined one of WWEâ€s hottest factions, The Judgment Day. After ousting Edge (aka Adam Copeland) from the stable he created, many assumed Balor would become its de facto leader. For a brief period, it seemed his career trajectory might change.

While the group always maintained that they had no leader, fans automatically assumed The Demon to be the de facto head, and for a while, it looked like things were about to change for Balor. However, as fate would have it, the inclusion of Dominik Mysterio and his consequent storyline with Rhea Ripley shifted the focus from him completely, as WWE saw Dirty Dom as the breakout star from the group.

Even when Ripley left, the void was filled by Liv Morgan, and though these days Balor is seen scheming to get Dom out of the stable, his place within the World Wrestling Entertainment’s hierarchy is cemented. Even if he ends up taking over the group and having a feud with Mysterio, it’ll be to put the latter over and won’t really elevate him up the ranks.

So What Can Finn Balor Do?

At 44 years old, Balor still looks and performs at a world-class level, but WWE clearly views him differently from a business perspective. Instead of building him as a future world champion, the company positions him as a veteran presence; someone who can elevate younger stars like JD McDonagh while adding credibility to midcard titles.

The silver lining is that whenever Balor holds a secondary championship, it carries added prestige. His consistent in-ring excellence and loyal fan following ensure that his matches remain highlights, regardless of card placement.

Still, fans cling to wrestlingâ€s golden rule: “Never say never.†While it seems unlikely that WWE will crown Balor as a world champion again, the possibility of a short, feel-good title reign canâ€t be dismissed entirely.

For now, Finn Balorâ€s role is clear; he is the seasoned veteran who enhances everyone around him. Yet, for many fans, the hope remains that one last main event push could give The Prince the recognition he has long deserved.

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