Celebrating Finn Balor ten years since joining WWE

October 23 marked the tenth anniversary of Finn Balor’s run in WWE. He first walked through the curtain for the company back in 2014, when he defeated Tyson Kidd by DQ in WWE NXT. Since then, he’s been one of the most beloved figures in not only WWE, but all professional wrestling. Some will argue whether his run with the company has been “successful,” but there’s no debate that Finn Balor should always be celebrated.

There are a lot of reasons why some of Balor’s fans will consider his run with the company a success. This is a man that has been a two-time NXT Champion, a two-time WWE Intercontinental Champion, one-time WWE United States Champion, and has been a tag team champion on five separate occasions, including his current reign with JD McDonagh.

It’s also important to recognize that Balor was the first WWE Universal Champion, stepping onto the main roster and immediately snatching some space in the main event scene. He made the jump from NXT and picked up wins over two of the biggest names in WWE at the time, Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins. Unfortunately, the shoulder injury he suffered at SummerSlam 2016 seemed to not only cut into his momentum then, but his momentum almost a decade later.

Balor has held several championships but he’s never felt like “The Guy.” In fact, it seems like WWE consistently slotted him into the position that Bryan Danielson was once in; seen as a “B+ player.” Even when he is elevated into a main event angle, it’s usually to put someone else over. Examples such as Karrion Kross, Gunther, Damian Priest, and even Liv Morgan or Rhea Ripley to an extent with the current direction of the Judgment Day. It seems like the time to present Balor as the man to lead the promotion has passed, but there’s still hope to see that happen one day.

Even at 43 years of age, Balor still checks all the boxes of a performer who could reach superstar status. He has the in-ring abilities to put on excellent matches, regardless of opponent. Whether it’s babyface or heel, he has a look that demands attention. His second run in NXT is widely considered to be his best presentation in the company to date. He’s been embraced by a large swath of pro wrestling fans, especially as an outspoken ally to the LGBTQ+ community. Balor has everything it takes to be yet another big star in the coffers that WWE covets. The company just needs to give him the opportunity to be that guy.

Finn Balor remains one of the better parts of WWE’s roster, ten years after his debut with the company. An unfortunate accident cut into his ability to be the man for WWE, and that still rings true ten years later. But that doesn’t take away from what he’s achieved and what he’s capable of achieving in the future. Finn Balor is an exceptional professional wrestler and there’s still hope that he will get one run where he stands firmly in the spotlight.