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WWE Money in the Bank 2018 Profile: Can Finn Balor OVERcome Seven Opponents?

By Bryan Heaton

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At Money in the Bank, Finn Balor aims to beat seven other superstars to the briefcase suspended above the ring. Can he do it?

They say Balor Club is for everyone. But this Sunday at Money in the Bank, seven superstars won’t be racing for membership. Instead, their aim will be to get to the top of ladder before the leader of siad club — Finn Balor himself.

For a while now, Finn Balor has been one of the most popular superstars in WWE. The Irish grappler made a name for himself before coming to WWE, and his arrival in NXT was accompanied with much fanfare.

But before reaching the Raw roster, and even before taking NXT by storm, Balor competed as Prince Devitt around the world. He really stood out as one of the hottest performers on the planet during his tenure in New Japan Pro Wrestling. During his time there, he established himself as one of the best junior heavyweights in the world.

Perhaps the most notable thing Devitt/Balor did in New Japan was create the Bullet Club in 2013. The villainous stable of foreigners has been compared to the New World Order from WCW, right down to the ever-expanding roster of members. But the group has become immensely popular around the world, with merchandise being sold in Hot Topic.

Despite founding the group, Balor only remained with Bullet Club for a year. In 2014, he signed a developmental contract with WWE, and debuted in NXT that September. Originally appearing as Hideo Itami’s backup against The Ascension (yes, that is a real thing that happened in NXT in 2014), Balor quickly proved he was one of NXT’s top talents.

Within a year of his NXT debut, Balor became NXT Champion. He defeated Kevin Owens at The Beast in the East in Tokyo on July 4, and embarked on a record reign. To date, Balor’s 293 day reign as NXT Champion is the longest reign of any champion.

While NXT Champion, Balor teamed with Samoa Joe to win the inaugural Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. But following the tournament, Joe became infuriated that he wasn’t receiving a championship, and he attacked Balor to set up one of NXT’s best championship feuds. Finn eventually lost to Joe in April 2016, and competed in the first NXT Steel Cage Match before heading up to Raw.

As a first round Raw draft pick, Balor quickly ascended to the main event. A clean victory over Roman Reigns followed up a fatal four way win, and put Balor up against Seth Rollins to crown the first ever Universal Champion at SummerSlam. Of course, we know how that turned out — Balor won the match, but sustained a serious shoulder injury that forced him to vacate the title a mere 24 hours after winning it.

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Since returning from injury in April 2017, Balor has been supremely popular with the crowd, but has never had much opportunity to get back to that world title hunt. He feuded with The Miz and Seth Rollins over the Intercontinental Championship, but was unable to capture the gold. And, as many will be quick to tell you, Finn has yet to receive a rematch for the Universal Championship — a title he never lost.

There have definitely been some bright spots. After much teasing, Balor reunited with his old Bullet Club buddies Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows. Dubbed “Balor Club,” there were a few weeks where the trio had much promise. But the Superstar Shake-Up sent Gallows and Anderson over to SmackDown Live, leaving Finn on his own again.

Or his he on his own? He may be flying solo, but he’s made it clear that Balor Club is for everyone. His all-inclusive mindset means he’s got a ton of fan support. Heading into Money in the Bank, that could prove to be the difference maker. Hearing the roar of the crowd getting behind him may be what Balor needs to ascend the ladder and retrieve the briefcase after a long battle with seven other superstars.

Next: MITB Profile: The Miz

What do you think Finn Balor’s chances are at Money in the Bank?

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