In a candid conversation with Cody Rhodes, Finn Balor opened up about the struggles of maintaining his iconic Demon persona on the WWE main roster, accusing the company of mishandling the character that made him a global sensation.
A Fallen Empire: The Rise and Fall of the Demon King
Finn Balor’s Demon persona, born in NXT, quickly became an integral part of his character, striking fear into the hearts of his opponents with its ominous presence and unmatched in-ring prowess. However, as he transitioned to the main roster, the Demon began to lose its luster. According to Balor, the shift in creative direction and lack of cohesive storytelling led to a decline in the character’s mystique.
“I think when I first came to the main roster, there was a bit of a disconnect in terms of how the Demon was being used,” Balor said in an exclusive interview with Cody Rhodes. “NXT had a very clear understanding of what the Demon was and how it was supposed to be booked. But when I got to the main roster, I felt like that understanding was lost, and we started to deviate from the original vision.”
This sentiment is shared by a WWE insider, who wished to remain anonymous, but provided insight into the company’s creative process.
“When Finn was in NXT, the Demon was a character that was deeply rooted in his own mythology,” the insider explained. “It was a character that was built around him, and it was something that the fans really responded to. But when he got to the main roster, the character became more of a gimmick, and it lost its original purpose.”
Lost in the Shuffle: The Decline of the Demon King
The Demon’s decline can be attributed to several factors, including a lack of cohesive storytelling and the character’s overexposure. WWE’s attempt to make the Demon a ‘big-time’ player led to its downfall, as it was pushed to the forefront without a clear direction.
“I think when we started to overdo it with the Demon, that’s when it started to lose its magic,” Balor said. “It went from being this really cool, edgy character to just being a gimmick that we’d bust out every now and then. And I think that’s when the fans started to lose interest.”
According to sources close to Cody Rhodes, the lack of creative direction and poor booking decisions ultimately led to the decline of the Demon.
“Finn was trying to hold on to the character, but it was like trying to grasp a handful of sand,” a source revealed. “As soon as he let go, it slipped right through his fingers. And I think that’s what happened with the Demon – it just became a character that was pushed and pulled in every direction, without any real purpose or direction.”
Reviving the Empire: A Call to Action
Finn Balor’s candid comments serve as a wake-up call for WWE, urging the company to revisit its creative process and re-examine its approach to booking the Demon King.
“I think WWE needs to take a step back and look at what made the Demon so great in the first place,” Balor said. “It’s not just about the character itself, it’s about the storytelling and the way it’s presented to the fans. If we can get back to that, I think the Demon can be something really special again.”
A WWE insider echoed Balor’s sentiments, emphasizing the importance of a clear creative direction.
“When WWE can get back to its roots and focus on storytelling, that’s when we start to see characters like the Demon truly thrive,” the insider said. “It’s not just about the character itself, it’s about the world that it inhabits, and the stories that we can tell within that world.”
As Finn Balor continues to navigate his WWE career, his call to action serves as a reminder that even the most iconic characters can fall victim to poor creative decisions. Only time will tell if WWE will take heed of Balor’s words and revive the Demon King to its former glory.