PWP Nation’s Caden Moran gives his opinion on why and how Monday Night Raw needs Finn Balor back more than ever
Monday Night Raw is in obvious need of help.
Since the brand split back in the summer of 2016, Raw and Smackdown Live were given their own rosters for the first time since the brands merged in 2010-2011. The flagship show, Raw, looked like it would destroy Smackdown Live due to all the talent they drafted such as Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens, Roman Reigns, and many others. One man selected by the red brand stood apart from the rest of the herd of draftees. That man was Finn Balor, the longest reigning NXT Champion in history.
Finn Balor is undoubtedly one of the brightest stars in all of professional wrestling. His rise to the top of New Japan Pro Wrestling and NXT was unprecedented. From the creation of the Bullet Club to becoming the longest reigning NXT Champion, Balor has done brilliant things everywhere he has been. His crowning achievement though was his fast rise to the top of Monday Night Raw and being crowned the first ever WWE Universal Champion by defeating Seth Rollins at WWE SummerSlam. Finn was sure to be the next face of Raw for months to come. Then the nightmare began for the demon. He suffered a torn labrum in the match with Rollins and was forced to vacate his newly won championship the very next night on Raw. The WWE, and specifically, Monday Night Raw, has not been the same with Balor on the shelf. Raw desperately needs the Demon King back sooner than later.
Why? Finn Balor brings something fresh to WWE’s product with his innovative ring work and his split-personality. With his mix of Japanese and traditional wrestling, Balor has given the WWE Universe a new form of entertainment. Because of his duel personalities of what I like to call the “Cool Guy” and the “Demon King”, Balor can appeal to all members of the WWE Universe. Whether you are a child or an adult, Finn Balor is the guy who you never get tired of. A babyface that the fans will regularly cheer. With the monotony of Kevin Owens, Chris Jericho, Seth Rollins, and Roman Reigns in the main event picture, Monday Night Raw needs Finn Balor.
Finn Balor is bound to return very soon and has been rumored to be in the Royal Rumble match this month. That is tremendous news for fans that are sick of the same product shown week in and week out on Monday nights. Finn Balor’s absence has been hard on WWE and has raised the question of “what if?” What if Finn Balor never got hurt? What if he was the top face on Monday Night Raw right now? These questions will never be answered, but I have no doubt that Finn Balor will come back to be the star he was when he got injured. When he finally returns, the Balor Club leader will breathe fresh air into the desperate world of WWE and Monday Night Raw will be more than watchable again.
