Finn Balor is set to face CM Punk for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship on Monday Night RAW next week, creating anticipation around the upcoming bout. In the build-up to the match, Balor shared a nostalgic photo featuring a young Punk fan while taunting the current champion on social media.
CM Punk secured the World Heavyweight Championship during Saturday Night’s Main Event on November 1, 2025, by defeating Jey Uso for the vacant title. He successfully defended the championship against Bron Breakker during RAW’s first 2026 episode, confirming his status as the reigning titleholder. This week on RAW, Balor directly confronted Punk, escalating the tension before their showdown.
On social media, Balor took a jab at Punk with the comment:
“Man, they grow up so fast,” Balor wrote.
Balor’s Views on Reintroducing The Demon Persona
Finn Balor recently discussed the status of his wrestling character, The Demon, expressing his dissatisfaction with how WWE has handled the persona in recent years. During a conversation on Cody Rhodes’s podcast, What Do You Wanna Talk About?, Balor explained that WWE’s approach to The Demon was ineffective and caused confusion among fans regarding his appearances as either Finn Balor or The Demon.
He stated:
“The way it was booked and presented by the company, I think it just wasn’t effective. And then there was some confusion about why is it Finn some nights and the Demon some other nights, and maybe some people are getting let down when I’m not the Demon. I would love to go back to doing it. But I would love to have more creative control, and I feel like I lost a lot of that, especially on the main roster.”
Balor’s longing to revive The Demon highlights his desire for greater creative input, a challenge he feels strongly about, especially in the main roster context.
The Stakes of the Upcoming Title Match
Next week’s event presents Balor with a chance to capture his first WWE World Championship in nearly ten years. The last time Balor held a major world title was in 2016 as the inaugural Universal Champion, marking a significant milestone in his career. Challenging CM Punk for the prestigious World Heavyweight Championship signals a pivotal moment for Balor’s pursuit of wrestling excellence.
This high-profile clash between Finn Balor and CM Punk is expected to not only reshape the championship scene but also impact storylines in WWE moving forward. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Balor can overcome the seasoned champion and claim the title that has eluded him for years.
