'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
What's the story?
Amidst the confusions surrounding reported plans for Finn Balor to main event the Royal Rumble pay-per-view against the current WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar, Sports Illustrated have reported how exactly the WWE view former NXT Champion Finn Balor, indicated that they don't see him as a main-event draw.
In case you didn't know...
Finn Balor is arguably the most successful NXT champion in the yellow brand's existence, but has failed to live up to the hype he built-up during his title run in WWE's third show, despite becoming the company's first ever WWE Universal Champion.
A large part of this is due to the unfortunate timing of his injury, forcing him to vacate the title just a day after he had won it, and his inconsistent booking since his return, an example of which is him beating AJ Styles at TLC and then getting squashed by Kane the night after.
The heart of the matter
A lot of people in the WWE Universe have been waiting for Finn to get back in the WWE Universal Title picture that he was thoroughly in before he was injured. However, new reports from Sports Illustrated seem to suggest that the company no longer see him as a potential 'top guy.'
Balor is slowly transitioning into a newer version of Dolph Ziggler as a performer with a great series of matches but no reward atop the card or faith from the office.
Being in the Dolph Ziggler position isn't necessarily a bad position to be in, but it is arguably one that is beneath a man of Balor's skill and talents, however SI go on to suggest the reason for Balor's current status within the WWE
A source close to WWE creative relayed that McMahon sees Balor as bland when he is not portraying “The Demon” character
What's next?
Currently it looks like Finn Balor is embroiled in a feud with Samoa Joe, although quite how long that'll last is anyone's guess. After that we'll have to wait and see what the WWE do in the build to the Royal Rumble and see if Balor and Lesnar starts looking like a possibility.
Author's take
I also have my fingers crossed that the WWE can make the most of what they have in Balor, because he really could be their top guy if they wanted him to.
