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Before he joined WWE, Finn Balor had a very successful run with NJPW. He feuded with some of the company's biggest stars and was one of the founding members of the Bullet Club.
At the time, Balor rubbed shoulders with a number of up-and-comers, who went on to become core members of AEW.
This leaves him with a plethora of cross-promotional opponents if he were to ever leave WWE. While he appears content at present, the Irishman might just be enticed by the prospect of taking on a different challenge when his contract comes due.
With that being said, here is the ranking of the five best cross-promotional matches for Finn Balor:
#5. Finn Balor vs. Ryusuke Taguchi
In NJPW, Finn Balor and Ryusuke Taguchi were a successful unit together, winning the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship four times. Balor eventually turned on Taguchi and formed the Bullet Club. The current WWE Superstar even put over Taguchi in his last NJPW match.
However, things have gone very differently for both men since their last encounter. Balor became a big star in WWE and was the first person to hold the Universal Championship. Taguchi, on the other hand, remained in NJPW's junior heavyweight division. Even though he's a respected member of the roster, he hasn't been nearly as successful as his former tag team partner.
With a story centered on jealousy and resentment, Balor and Taguchi would undoubtedly steal the show if they were to have a rematch.
#4. Finn Balor vs. Jay White
While they were once one of the hottest acts in professional wrestling, the Bullet Club are now a shadow of their former selves. Although the leader, Jay White, is a talented performer in his own right, the rest of the faction seriously lacks star power.
Over the years, the Bullet Club has lost a number of its top stars to WWE and AEW. Replenishing the pool of talent wasn't a problem initially, but they've long since passed the point of no return. A dream match between Finn Balor and Jay White would revolve around the Irishman attempting to take back control and restore the group to its former glory.
Even though they're a diminished force, the audience still cares enough about the Bullet Club to make the story work. Balor and White have the chops required to make it one to remember.
#3. Finn Balor vs. Malakai Black
Ever since his debut in AEW, Malakai Black has managed to get across his occultist persona effectively. In addition to being presented as a legitimate main eventer, Black's character now also has a focus and doesn't just cut incoherent promos.
Fans have taken to the Dutchman's Muay-Thai-based in-ring style, and he might have the best-looking finisher in the industry. Black even ran through the Nightmare Family, laying waste to Cody Rhodes, Lee Johnson, Brock Anderson, and Dustin Rhodes.
His macabre character might just be the perfect foil for The Demon. While Finn Balor isn't always booked strongly on the main roster, he's a bonafide star once he dons the paint. Black vs. The Demon would truly be a clash between two unstoppable forces.
#2. Finn Balor vs. Bryan Danielson
Finn Balor and Bryan Danielson's only singles match came at an NWA tournament in 2007. Even though large portions of their WWE careers overlapped, the two stars never got the opportunity to work together.
Danielson's understanding of in-ring psychology and storytelling is unparalleled. He can excel as the ultimate underdog he portrayed in WWE or as The American Dragon -- a lethal grappler who can also 'kick his opponent's head in.'
The former WWE Champion could have an incredible match with The Demon and even a heel version of Balor at the head of the Bullet Club. Danielson could make both matches work and feel different from each other.
#1. Finn Balor and The Good Brothers vs. Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks
Finn Balor made his name as the first leader of the Bullet Club. The group made ripples which were felt throughout the professional wrestling industry. Eventually, Bullet Club's t-shirts became a staple at shows around the world, including WWE events.
When Balor went to WWE in 2014 and The Good Brothers joined him a couple of years later, Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks emerged as the pre-eminent members of the Bullet Club. The trio took the faction to even greater heights with Omega headlining several Wrestle Kingdom shows and selling out the Tokyo Dome with the likes of Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kazuchika Okada.
The stage is set for a six-man tag team match featuring Finn Balor and The Good Brothers going up against The Young Bucks and Kenny Omega. While the competitors have enough in-ring talent to put on a classic match, there is also the potential to present a rich narrative about the legacy of the Bullet Club.
