Finn Balor recently shared his perspective on his long-standing rivalry with Roman Reigns during an interview, highlighting key moments from their encounters in WWE. Their first significant meeting took place on July 25, 2016, when Balor defeated Reigns to earn a shot at the WWE Universal Championship on that night’s episode of Raw. The two have clashed multiple times since then, with their most notable bout occurring at Extreme Rules 2021. In that match, Balor nearly captured the Universal Title, but a broken top rope prevented a clean finish, allowing Reigns to retain the championship.
Upcoming Match and Possible WrestleMania Confrontation
Balor is scheduled to challenge CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship at the Elimination Chamber event this weekend. If Balor wins, he will face Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 42 instead of Punk. In his conversation with Adrian Hernandez for Unlikely, Balor acknowledged the unfinished business he still has with Reigns and addressed critics who question his right to be featured prominently at WrestleMania alongside wrestlers like Punk and Reigns.
Balor’s High Regard for Reigns as a Competitor
Balor expressed deep respect for Reigns as one of the best professionals in the industry. He recalled his first encounter with Reigns on Raw as an eye-opening experience, contrasting it with a similar impression he had wrestling in Japan with Jushin Liger.
“As a professional? He’s one of the greatest of all time. I remember the first time I locked up with Roman was my first night on Raw. And when I locked up with him, it was just like a different feeling. I was like, ‘Oh, this is how they do it here.’ And it was a real eye-opening moment for me. I had one very similar in Japan when I wrestled with Justin Liger. But I — you know, with Roman he’s just at another level. And it’s someone who I admire and respect.”
— Finn Balor
Despite his respect, Balor admitted there remains some bitterness related to the malfunctioning top rope during their Extreme Rules match. He reflected on the what-if scenario of that moment, noting that Reigns was in a vulnerable position when the rope broke.
“But obviously, there’s still that little bit of bitterness that like, that top rope malfunction of — that’s another ‘What if?,’ right? What if the top rope didn’t break? Roman was laying in the middle of the ring and I was about to hit the foot stomp. So you know, that’s something that I’d not really forgotten about, but maybe moved on from. But with what’s been going on with Punk and Roman, I felt like, ‘Oh.’ It kind of like reminded me, ‘Oh, I still got an issue with him, too.’”
— Finn Balor
Response to Critics Questioning His Place on the WrestleMania Stage
Balor addressed detractors who doubt his legitimacy as a main event player, stating that negative comments on social media do not affect him. Instead, he values the opinions of his bosses and fellow wrestlers more highly.
“You know, doubters online that are sitting on a computer tweeting and talking doesn’t really enter my mind space at all. The people who I listen to are my bosses and my colleagues. And to have the respect of your peers is something that is way more valuable than the support of a small group of doubters.”
— Finn Balor
He further emphasized his credentials and journey, highlighting his extensive experience across different wrestling styles and countries, as well as his early success in WWE.
“So if after 25 years of doing everything in the business, from learning catch wrestling for six years to going to Japan and studying in the djos for eight years, to coming to WWE and being a success. Not a ‘What if?,’ not a failure. ‘Oh, he got injured and relinquished the title.’ No, I showed up in WWE, beat Roman my first night, and beat Seth on my first PPV three weeks later to become the first Universal Champion. Being from a small town in Ireland with no wrestling schools, no wrestling promotions, barely wrestling on the TV. So for me, that’s a success story. So if I don’t belong on the Wrestlemania poster, I don’t know who does.”
— Finn Balor
Impact of Balor’s Rivalry and What Lies Ahead
Finn Balor’s ongoing feud with Roman Reigns remains one of WWE’s most compelling storylines, blending respect with unresolved tension. His upcoming match against CM Punk at Elimination Chamber carries added weight, as a victory would set up a high-profile showdown with Reigns at WrestleMania 42. This rivalry signifies much more than a championship clash; it represents years of competition and personal stakes that continue to drive Balor’s career forward. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Balor can finally settle the score with Reigns on WWE’s biggest stage.
