Finn Balor made a surprise return to NXT, one of the main brands of WWE. A former champion on the black and gold brand, Balor hasn’t been seen on WWE TV since he was defeated by The Fiend at Summerslam. Many fans assumed he’d reemerge on Raw or Smackdown, which made his appearance and brief statement all the more surprising.
A standout on the wrestling scene outside of WWE, and particularly in New Japan Pro Wrestling, Balor made his NXT debut in late 2014. He quickly grabbed attention, not just for his reputation as a versatilely skilled grappler but also for his creative entrances and impressive physique. During his time in NXT, Balor feuded with the likes of Neville, Kevin Owens, and Samoa Joe. He captured NXT’s top prize, holding the brand’s main championship for more than 200 days. He would be called up to Raw, WWE’s flagship program, in 2016. But many have cited the arrival of Balor as part of a larger turning point for what was once considered merely a developmental system for aspiring wrestlers. Now, at a crucial time for NXT, and WWE more broadly, Balor is returning to the show where he made his debut.
On the October 2nd episode of NXT, the first episode where the full two hours were aired on USA Network, Balor unexpectedly appeared after Adam Cole successfully retained the NXT Title. Defeating Matt Riddle in the opening bout, Cole’s celebration was interrupted by Balor. Soaking in the shock and admiration of the crowd, Balor took the mic and announced that he’s back in NXT for the time being. It was a short promo and, more than likely, a tease for more to come in the future.
While it would be understandable to read the return of a top star as a response to AEW, which airs in the timeslot as NXT, performers from Raw and Smackdown have somewhat routinely made appearances in NXT. It was more common in the brand’s early days, prior to the launch of WWE’s streaming service. But, even now, names like Fandango, Apollo Crews, and Tyler Breeze have all returned to the show where they first started. Balor may be a more high-profile example, though he’s only the latest.
It remains to be seen what the plans are for Balor in the long run. He wasn’t the only returning star to confront Cole. But given his popularity, and given his talent, it shouldn’t be too difficult for the NXT alum to adjust to the WWE brand he helped to elevate.
Source: WWE NXT