On 4th January 2016, news broke that WWE had signed his former Bullet Club stable-mates Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows leading to speculation that Finn Balor would reform the Bullet Club in WWE as the Balor Club.
With the Balor Club’s debut on the main roster seemingly round the corner, it’s high time WWE fans get to know its leader, Finn Balor. Balor, whose real name is Fergal Devitt, signed with NXT in 2014 and is the current face of the brand.
For those who aren’t familiar with him, here are the 5 lesser known facts you need to know about Finn Balor.
5) He started his own promotion in Ireland at the early age of 20
Finn Balor made his professional debut at NWA Hammerlock in the year 2000 aged just 18. Within two years, Balor along with Paul Tracey started their own wrestling school and promotion in Ireland which was affiliated to the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA).
The NWA are one of the most recognized promotions in professional wrestling history with their beginnings dating back to the 1940’s. At the helm of NWA Ireland aged just 20, Balor helped build the brand in Ireland. He’s also helped train many wrestlers including Rebecca Knox AKA WWE Superstar Becky Lynch.
Now aged 33, Balor already has 16 years of experience in the ring including time spent at NXT including one of the longest NXT Championship reigns in the promotions history. His turn to make an impact in the WWE main roster has come and he’s more than ready.
4) He spent 8 years in New Japan Pro Wrestling where he formed the Bullet Club
Balor signed for New Japan the night after he lost the British Commonwealth Championship to future Bullet Club comrade Machinegun Karl Anderson in March 2006. He earned his stripes in the New Japan dojo training with the veterans. He adapted quickly to New Japan’s stiffer style of wrestling and earned the respect of both his colleagues and the New Japan fans.
In 2013 Balor formed the Bullet Club along with Bad Luck Fale, Karl Anderson, Tama Tonga and continued as its leader. Balor led the Bullet Club and New Japan into international prominence as the top heels in NJPW. The Bullet Club didn’t care about the tradition of respect in Japanese wrestling and broke rules every step of their journey and constantly wreaked havoc on the rest of the locker room.
Finn Balor wasn’t a follower. He orchestrated the Bullet Club’s path of destruction.
3) He’s addicted to Legos
Whenever you ask Finn Balor about how he copes with his insane schedule, days spent training and life in a foreign country away from family his answer is always the same, Legos. In his own words, Balor grew up an introvert in the banter filled society of Ireland.
His earliest memories of WWE are sitting in front of the TV watching Summerslam ’95 and playing with his Legos. Even now, he uses Legos to unwind after long days on the road.
Never change Finn, never.
2) He’s a very good friend of NXT head coach, Matt Bloom
Matt Bloom (a.k.a. Albert) and Finn Balor go back, way back. They met at the New Japan dojo in 2006 where Bloom was wrestling as Giant Bernard. They hit it off immediately and their unlikely friendship has crossed over from New Japan all the way across the pacific to WWE.
When Matt Bloom resigned with WWE and eventually took over as NXT head coach, he immediately recommended that they sign Balor. Soon after that, Finn Balor signed with NXT.
1). Accolades
Finn Balor is one of the best technical pro wrestlers in WWE today. Along with his ability he also brings with him a boatload of titles from across three continents. He’s not only a former CMLL Middleweight Champion, ICW Zero G Champion and RPW Cruiserweight champion but also a 3 time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion.
His longest Junior Heavyweight Championship reign lasted an astonishing 14 months. Since signing with WWE, Balor has excelled both in the ring and out of it. He’s popular with both fans and his peers.
Balor won the NXT Championship against Kevin Owens in his second home of Tokyo at WWE Beast in the East where the Japanese crowd gave him a hero’s reception. He’s is currently one of the longest reigning NXT Champions of all time after successfully retaining his title against Samoa Joe at NXT Takeover: Dallas.
It looks like his time on the main roster has finally come. The boyhood dream is within touching distance. Now, it’s only a matter of time.
