He’s 44. Honestly, in the world of pro wrestling, that’s usually when you start looking at the exit signs. But Finn Balor is somehow doing the opposite.
He's faster now. He's sharper. And as of January 2026, he’s become the most unpredictable person on Monday Night Raw. For years, fans complained that WWE was "wasting" him. He was the guy who won the Universal Championship in 2016 and had to give it back 24 hours later because his shoulder basically exploded. Since then, it’s been a decade of "what ifs."
But things just shifted.
The Belfast Homecoming and the CM Punk Factor
Last week on Raw, something weird happened. Finn Balor was backstage, minding his own business, playing video games. Liv Morgan, who’s been on a tear lately, basically walked up and called him a loser. She told him he lost his ambition. She told him he was happy just being a sidekick in The Judgment Day while everyone else chased gold.
Finn didn’t yell. He didn't throw a fit. He just looked at her and said, "Just you watch."
An hour later, he walked out and stood face-to-face with the World Heavyweight Champion, CM Punk. It wasn't the usual heel posturing. It felt... different. Balor told Punk that the line for a title shot starts with him. And the kicker? They’re doing the match next week in Belfast.
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This isn't just another TV match. It’s a home-field advantage for a guy who has spent the last year in a tag team with JD McDonagh. The "Demon" might be on the shelf, but the "Prince" is very much alive.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Demon
Everyone asks the same thing: "When is the Demon coming back?"
It’s the body paint. The entrance. The spectacle. But if you've been paying attention, the Demon actually became a bit of a curse for Balor's career. It was a marketing tool. WWE would trot it out when they needed to sell a pay-per-view, but they didn't always have a plan for what happened after the bell rang.
Remember the top rope breaking against Roman Reigns? Yeah. We all try to forget that.
Finn has been vocal lately about wanting creative control over that persona. He doesn't want it to just be "scary paint guy." In 2025, he proved he didn't need it. His work as the "de facto" leader of The Judgment Day—even though they claim they have no leaders—showed a level of psychological depth we haven't seen since his "Real Rock 'n' Rolla" days in Japan.
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He’s leaning into the "tough love" mentor role. He’s carrying JD McDonagh and Dominik Mysterio on his back while they recover from injuries. It’s a heel move that feels incredibly babyface.
The Judgment Day’s Slow Burn Collapse
Let’s be real: The Judgment Day is 2026's version of the nWo, but with more leather and better abs. But the cracks are everywhere.
- Dominik Mysterio is out with an indefinite injury.
- JD McDonagh is on the shelf.
- Raquel Rodriguez is struggling to keep the gold.
- Liv Morgan is openly questioning Finn’s leadership.
When a group starts losing, they start looking for someone to blame. Finn’s promo about "holding NXT on his back" wasn't just a trip down memory lane. It was a warning. He’s reminding the locker room—and the fans—that before he was a "team player," he was the most dangerous individual in the industry.
Why 2026 Is the Do-Over He Deserves
Finn Balor is a Grand Slam Champion. He's done it all. But he hasn't held the big one—the World Heavyweight or WWE Championship—since that tragic 24-hour reign in 2016.
The move to Netflix has changed the pacing of Raw. It’s grittier. The matches are longer. That favors a guy like Finn. He’s a cardio machine. While the "monsters" start gasping for air at the fifteen-minute mark, Balor is still hitting shotgun dropkicks and Pelé kicks like it’s the opening minute.
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There’s a real feeling that the "Belfast Brawl" against CM Punk is a litmus test. If the crowd reaction is what many expect, WWE might finally pull the trigger on a full-blown solo run.
Actionable Insights for the Modern Fan
If you're following the Balor arc right now, keep an eye on these three things:
- The Video Game Motif: It seems small, but Liv calling him out for "gaming" is a specific character choice. It suggests he was bored. A bored Finn Balor is a dangerous Finn Balor.
- The Absence of the Demon: If he faces Punk without the paint and wins (or comes close), it validates him as a top-tier athlete, not just a gimmick.
- The "No Leaders" Rule: Watch how Finn interacts with the returning members of Judgment Day. The moment he starts giving orders, the group is dead.
Finn Balor isn't just a veteran filling a spot. He’s a guy who survived the "Vince era," thrived in the "Triple H era," and is now reinventing himself for the "Netflix era." Whether he wins the title in Belfast or not, the "Prince" has finally stopped waiting for permission to be the best in the world. He's just doing it.
Keep your eyes on Raw next week. The atmosphere in Ireland is going to be unlike anything we've seen this year.