On the night of April 18, 2018, fans and supporters watched in shock as Finn Balor was being whisked away for what appeared to be an emergency. The Irish wrestler had reportedly developed a concussion after multiple hits in the face during his match against major contender Jinder Mahal. More worrisome was the fact that he just got back from a major injury that saw him away for almost a year. Following his title loss at Extreme Rules in July 2019, he has decided to take some time off beginning August, after SummerSlam. But the question still rings, why does he need time off? And when is he coming back to WWE Raw? This piece digs right to the answers.
A Brief Bio of Finn Balor
Finn Balor was born— Fergal Devitt—in Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland, United Kingdom, on July 25, 1981; to parents Fintan and Leonie Devitt. He was raised in Bray alongside his four siblings (three brothers and a sister), where he went to St. Cronan’s School. While at St. Cronan, Balor excelled in sports, football especially and played on the school’s team. However, he also had an affinity for wrestling and went all in; eventually growing to become a first-degree black-belter in IBF submission wrestling. Hee is an avid fan of World of Sport and The British Bulldogs, Rick Rude, and Mr. Perfect.
WWE Career
Even though Fin Balor doesn’t come back to the WWE, he has left some indelible marks in pro wrestling. Finn Balor got his start back in 2000, shortly after concluding the training with NWA UK Hammerlock. Soon afterwards, he won the NWA British Commonwealth Heavyweight Championship. A title he later lost to Karl Anderson in 2006. He began taking tours although the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the United States. After only two years, Finn Balor, alongside Paul Tracey, launched his wrestling promotion based in Ireland; NWA Ireland. The NWA Ireland platform would go on to train several wrestlers. Some of whom became WWE challengers such as Becky Lynch.
In the same year he lost the NWA British Commonwealth Heavyweight Championship, Balor signed a contract that would mark the beginning of his career at New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). What was supposed to be a great start, turned out sour. However, things picked up in August of 2007 when Finn Balor, alongside Minoru, formed the tag team—Prince Prince—under which they won IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship. The title was however lost in February of 2008—to Akira and Jushin Thunder Liger—and was reclaimed in July. Only to be lost months later to the tag team No Limit.
The following season, Finn Balor formed what analysts have described as one of the most successful tag teams ever—the Apollo 55. The tag team went on to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship four times and successfully defended it seven times. Balor’s success not only remained in the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship only. By January of 2010, he had repeatedly won the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship. And in 2013, he became the first wrestler to hold the IWGP Junior Heavyweight and IWGP Heavyweight Championships simultaneously with the tag team Bullet Cub.
In October 2014, Finn Balor made his debut with WWE after signing a contract in May of that year. He also joined NXT, with Itami and successfully challenged Tyson Kidd and Justin Gabriel. After defeating major contender, Joe, Balor clinched the NXT Championship title at NXT TakeOver: London. A title he held for 292 days; making him the longest holder. Finn Balor was later drafted into RAW and won his first-ever match; earning him a slot to contend for the WWE Universal Championship. He’d defeated Cesaro, Rusev, and Kevin Owens and also Roman Reigns. In 2016, Balor won the WWE Universal Championship when he beat Seth Rollins at SummerSlam.
Despite his successful stint, Finn Balor’s career has been laced with injuries and too. With the most severe causing him to take a year-long break from the ring back in 2017.
Why Does He Need A Time Off?
Following his title loss to Shinsuke Nakamura at Extreme Rules in July 2019, Balor again took a hiatus from wrestling beginning from August, after SummerSlam. According to sources, the Irish star asked for some time off to recharge. Balor’s request was reportedly granted and his hiatus began in August after SummerSlam. It is not clear what he’ll be doing over the said period, but it most likely won’t have much to do with wrestling.
When Is Finn Balor Coming Back To WWE Raw
It is reported that Balor’s hiatus will take two whole months. If the calendar serves us right, he’s scheduled to be back by October 2019; before Survivor Series. Whenever he returns, there’ll surely be a spot reserved for him in the WWE Championship.