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Now that's NXT's participation in the Royal Rumble match is confirmed, we can hope to see a number of surprise names entering the Royal Rumble match. In case you are not aware, WWE recently posted the annual By The Numbers video on their YouTube channel where the announcers said this:
"Three brands collide in two Royal Rumble matches on one historic night".
Right now, one of the biggest wrestlers in NXT is former Universal Champion Finn Balor, who'll likely appear in the Royal Rumble match. Fans were once speculating that Balor could win this year's Rumble and finally get this WrestleMania moment. When he returned to NXT, this didn't seem likely to happen. Have things changed now? They might have, and we'll look into why that might be the case. Here are 5 reasons why the Finn Balor should win the Royal Rumble match.
#5 He can unleash The Demon against The Fiend
It's been a long time since Finn Balor brought The Demon into action. The last time we saw this character on the main roster was in mid-2019 against Andrade at Super ShowDown (The Demon also appeared on NXT this past October).
SummerSlam had been Balor's spot to unleash his dark side and bring The Demon, except that Finn's internal darkness did not come to light at the biggest show of the summer. Balor (and not The Demon King) faced The Fiend at SummerSlam last year, surely WWE's way of protecting his alter-ego from taking a blow.
However, fans are waiting for these two marquee wrestlers to clash against each other once again, this time with both men's evil sides butting heads. With a Royal Rumble victory, we can see this match at The Grandest Stage of Them All, WrestleMania. Nothing could get the fans more excited than this dream rivalry!
#4 A win could earn a bigger reaction than any other Superstar
We know that Finn Balor has been a fan favorite since day one. His debut in NXT garnered a huge reaction from the live crowd at Full Sail and an even bigger reaction across the wrestling world as a whole, and his main roster debut in the summer of 2016 was even bigger than that. Even as a heel, he’s getting cheers in large quantities from the WWE Universe. The former Bullet Club leader has been through some ups-and-downs in his WWE career, but he has never lost the support of the crowd.
When he first joined the main roster, he was the most protected Superstar for some time. After relinquishing his Universal Championship just one night after becoming inaugural champion, Balor never quite recaptured his main event position. One thing remains with him: the support of the fans. Even in tough times, the WWE Universe didn’t turn their backs on Balor. They cheered for him, even when he had no momentum to speak of.
Balor would definitely receive a great reaction at Royal Rumble if he emerges victorious. That’s something we can’t have a second thought about. However, does WWE think the same?
#3 He has earned it
Finn Balor became the first-ever WWE Universal Champion at SummerSlam 2016. It took a while to get a chance to regain the title when he returned from his injury, and he was unsuccessful in his attempt when he received the shot. Right now he is working under the NXT banner and is one of the most important wrestlers on the show.
Also read: 5 signs Drew McIntyre is going to eliminate Brock Lesnar at the Royal Rumble
Only a few men from the NXT roster have appeared in the Rumble match in the 7 that have occurred since the brand was re-launched in 2012, and none of them were able to shock the world by pulling off a massive victory. It would be a historic moment if Balor wins the match.
After NXT's big night at Survivor Series a few months ago, it seems much more possible that one of the Superstars from that roster could win the Royal Rumble. With NXT's participation at the pay-per-view confirmed, why not make a wrestler from this brand win the whole thing, and why not have it go to the man who has definitely earned it and may be the most deserving Superstar? We know it's something no one is expecting. Speaking of which…
#2 It would be the biggest shock of the night
Definitely one of the most unpredictable pay-per-views of every year, Royal Rumble is known for surprises. While the winner may seem obvious some years, it's difficult to be sure that the dead-on favorite is going to take home the victory and move on to WrestleMania.
WWE management can turn the tables at any moment and make things more unpredictable than they already are. Finn Balor's Royal Rumble victory would be one big opportunity. Nobody at this moment is expecting him to win the 30-man battle royal and if it were to happen, not only would WWE fans be extremely happy, but the shock of seeing a winner from what most people still consider the "developmental" roster would be huge
Also read: 3 WWE Superstars who are rumored to return at Royal Rumble and 2 we wish could return too
Imagine Balor climbing the turnbuckle and pointing at the WrestleMania logo. What follows is even more interesting: which champion would he challenge? What will we see at 'Mania? The Demon vs. Brock Lesnar or a rematch against The Fiend?
#1 To promote NXT as a true third brand
Finn Balor returned to NXT in late 2019. The Yellow and Black brand was lacking major star power, and when Balor joined the crew, the brand's stock certainly went up. Since beginning to air the weekly show live every week on the USA Network, NXT has garnered decent viewership, but it's not likely the success WWE was hoping or expecting it would be.
NXT is still falling behind in the ratings war with AEW and a big way to turn the tides would be making the brand feel more legitimate. An NXT roster member winning the show's eponymous match would garner a lot of exposure for WWE's Wednesday night offering. How would a Finn Balor Royal Rumble victory benefit NXT? The biggest reason is that Balor is the biggest name on the show right now.
A Royal Rumble victory from an established Superstar like Balor would help create more buzz for NXT than any other wrestler they currently have to offer. He could have a match against either champion of RAW and SmackDown, or even make a giant statement by deciding to challenge for the NXT Championship on April 5. A Balor victory would send a loud and clear message -- NXT is no longer a developmental brand, and they match up with anybody the "main roster" can put in front of them.
Do you want Finn Balor to win the Royal Rumble match this Sunday? Have your say in the comments below!
