Finn Balor
Fergal Devitt (born 25 March 1981) is an Irish professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE, where he performs on the SmackDown brand under the ring name Finn Bálor. He was a member of The Judgment Day. He is also well known by his former ring name Prince Devitt.
| Finn Bálor | |
|---|---|
| Ring name(s) | C.T.U Ranger Red (II) Fergal Devitt Finn Bálor Pegasus Kid (II) Prince Devitt The Demon |
| Billed height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) |
| Billed weight | 86 kg (190 lb) |
| Born | 25 March 1981
(aged 45) Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland |
| Billed from | Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland |
| Trained by | NWA UK Hammerlock Andre Baker Johnny Moss Jon Ryan New Japan Inoki Dojo |
| Debut | 2000 |
Devitt is previously known for his work in New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW). During his time there, he was a three-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and six-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, holding the title with Minoru twice and with Ryusuke Taguchi four times. Devitt was also the winner of the Be st of the Super Juniors tournament twice in 2010 and 2013. With New Japan's working promotion with Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL), he made appearances for them and won the NWA World Historic Middleweight Champion once. Devitt was the leader of the Bullet Club stable.
Devitt signed with WWE's NXT in 2014. He started using his current name. Bálor won the NXT Championship twice. He held the title the first time for 292 days. This was the longest time anyone had been champion until Adam Cole broke the record on 19 March 2020. During his time in NXT, Bálor became the first co-winner of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. His partner was Samoa Joe. Shortly after going to the main roster, Bálor became the first wrestler in WWE history to win a world title at their first pay-per-view. He was the second Irish world champion in WWE (after Sheamus). Balor is the quickest wrestler in WWE history to win a world title at 27 days after joining the main roster. He became the first WWE Universal Champion at SummerSlam 2016. Bálor is also a two-time Intercontinental Champion, a one-time United States Champion, and a six-time Tag Team Champion as part of the Judgment Day with both the Raw Tag Team Championship and SmackDown Tag Team Championship.
WWE (2014–present)
NXT (2014–2016)
On 28 July 2014, WWE said that they had signed Devitt to a contract and that he would join NXT that same day.[1] On 24 September, it was announced that his new ring name would be Finn Bálor. This name comes from the Irish mythological figures Fionn mac Cumhaill and Balor. Balor is Gaelic for "Demon King".[2][3]
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- As Finn Bálor
- Coup de grace (Diving double leg foot stomp)[4]
- As Prince Devitt
- Bloody Sunday (Lifting single underhook DDT, he sometimes did it from the top rope)
- Brainbuster
- Devitt's End (High-angle Fujiwara armbar)
- Prince's Throne (Fireman's carry double knee gutbuster)
- Reverse Bloody Sunday (Lifting inverted DDT)
- Shingata Prince's Throne (Overhead gutwrench backbreaker rack dropped into a double knee gutbuster)[5]
- As Finn Bálor
- Signature moves
- Airplane spin
- Diving double foot stomp, sometimes to a tree of woe hung opponent[6]
- Dreamcast (Jumping corkscrew roundhouse kick)[7]
- Overhead kick
- Somersault suicide senton
- With Ryusuke Taguchi
- Double team finishing moves
- Black Hole Vacation (Elevated double chickenwing by Taguchi dropped into a double knee gutbuster by Devitt)
- Black Sunday (Chickenwing facebuster (Taguchi) / Single underhook DDT (Devitt) combination)
- Moon Landing (Powerbomb (Taguchi) / Double knee backbreaker (Devitt) combination)[8]
- Double team finishing moves
- Nicknames
- Entrance themes
- "Jump (DJ Power Mix)" by Eskimo (NJPW; 2006)
- "When the Sun Goes Down" by Arctic Monkeys (NJPW; 2007)
- "You're the Best" by Joe Esposito[12] (NJPW; 2008–2013)
- "Real Rock n Rolla" by New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW; 2013–2014)[13]
- "Last Chance Saloon" by Deviant and Naive Ted[14] (NJPW; 2013–2014; used while a part of Bullet Club)
- "Real Rock 'n Rolla (Breaking Point) (Tokyo Dome ver.)" by Yonosuke Kitamura (NJPW; 2014)[15]
- "Catch Your Breath" by CFO$ (WWE; 2014–2022)[16]
- "I AM DANGER" by Def Rebel (WWE; 2022–present)[17]
Championships and accomplishments
- American Wrestling Roadshow
- Wrestling.Ie Championship (1 time)[18]
- Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre
- NWA World Historic Middleweight Championship (1 time)[19]
- Insane Championship Wrestling
- ICW Zero-G Championship (1 time)[20]
- Kaientai Dojo
- Best Tag Team Match (2010) with Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Makoto Oishi and Shiori Asahi on 17 April[21]
- New Japan Pro-Wrestling
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship (3 times)[22]
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship (6 times) – with Minoru (2) and Ryusuke Taguchi (4)[23]
- Best of the Super Juniors (2010, 2013)[24][25]
- J Sports Crown Openweight 6 Man Tag Tournament (2010, 2011) – with Ryusuke Taguchi and Hirooki Goto[26][27][28]
- New York Post
- Faction of the Year (2023) as part of The Judgment Day[29]
- NWA UK Hammerlock
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Faction of the Year (2023) as part of The Judgment Day
- Ranked No. 3 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2016[32]
- Revolution Pro Wrestling
- Rolling Stone
- NXT Star of the Year (2015)[35]
- Tokyo Sports
- Best Bout Award (2010) with Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Kenny Omega and Kota Ibushi on 11 October[36]
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- WWE
- WWE Universal Championship (1 time, first)[39][40]
- NXT Championship (2 times)[41]
- WWE Intercontinental Championship (2 times)[42]
- WWE United States Championship (1 time)[43]
- WWE Raw/World Tag Team Championship[a] (4 times) – with Damian Priest (2), and JD McDonagh (2)[44]
- WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship[b] (2 times) – with Damian Priest[45]
- 17th Grand Slam Champion (under current format; 24th overall)
- Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic (2015) – with Samoa Joe[46]
- NXT Championship #1 Contender's Tournament (2015)[47]
- Slammy Award (1 time)
- Faction of the Year (2024) – as a member of The Judgment Day
- NXT Year-End Award (3 times)[48]
Finn Balor Media
Devitt squaring off with Dru Onyx in 2004
Devitt in his final NJPW match, wrestling Ryusuke Taguchi at Invasion Attack 2014
Bálor after he retained the NXT Championship at NXT TakeOver: Dallas in April 2016
Bálor making his entrance at WrestleMania 34 in April 2018
Bálor joined The Judgment Day in June 2022.
Footnotes
References
- ↑ WWE signs Fergal Devitt to NXTWWE. Retrieved 2014-09-03.
- ↑ NXT GM William Regal comments on Finn Bálor's NXT debut. WWEYouTube. Retrieved 2014-11-16.
- ↑ Details Behind Prince Devitt's New WWE PersonaWWE. Retrieved 2014-11-16.
- ↑ NXT: Neville gives Zayn another big loss. Slam! SportsCanadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 2014-12-13.[dead link]
- ↑ NJPW "Best of the Super Juniors 2009" 6/14/09 reportWrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved 2014-09-03.
- ↑ Rising Sun Soliloquy Newsletter #33 – New Japan – Results – NJPW, 7/10/09 (SXW)WrestleView. Retrieved 2014-09-03.
- ↑ NJPW 40th anniversary Tour Best of the Super Jr. XIX ~The door to the glory~New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2014-09-03.
- ↑ Resolution '09New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2014-09-03.
- ↑ 『Super Jr.』参戦選手決定! 全日本から "レンタル移籍"のBushi、ロウ・キー、そしてドラゲーの"超・鳥人"Pacが初参戦!!New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2014-09-03.
- ↑ 『Super Jr.』出場メンバー決定!! DDTからケニー・オメガ! ドラゲーからリコシェ! CMLLのティタンも再来日!!New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2014-09-03.
- ↑ 吉野家Presents Kizuna Road 2013New Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2014-09-03.
- ↑ プリンス・デヴィットNew Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2014-09-03.
- ↑ プリンス・デヴィットNew Japan Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2014-09-03.
- ↑ Last Chance Saloon (Bullet Club Theme)DeviantandNaiveTed.Bandcamp.com. Retrieved 2014-09-03.
- ↑ 待望の第3弾! 12月10日(水)発売「NJPWグレイテストミュージックIII」の収録内容が遂に決定!!New Japn Pro Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved 2014-12-13.
- ↑ WWE NXT: Catch Your Breath (Finn Bálor) - SingleiTunes. Retrieved 2014-09-03.
- ↑ WWE: I AM DANGER (Finn Bálor) - def rebel on iTunes. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
- ↑ Johnson, Mike. Prince Devitt-WWE update. Pro Wrestling Insider (30 January 2014). Retrieved 31 January 2014.
- ↑ Salazar López, Alexis A.. Viernes 30 de Marzo '12 (in es). Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (31 March 2012). Retrieved 1 April 2012.
- ↑ Johnson, Mike. Prince Devitt comments on his wrestling future. Pro Wrestling Insider (31 March 2014). Retrieved 31 March 2014.
- ↑ K-Award'11受賞結果 (in ja). Kaientai Dojo (9 December 2010)Livedoor. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
- ↑ Jr. Heavy weight class (in ja). New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Retrieved 19 September 2011.
- ↑ Jr. Heavy tag weight class (in ja). New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Retrieved 19 September 2011.
- ↑ (Results) New Japan, 6/13/10 (13 June 2010)Strong Style Spirit. Retrieved 13 June 2010.
- ↑ Best of the Super Jr. XX (in ja). New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
- ↑ 「このチームでメキシコに行こう!」6人タッグ王者・後藤&田口&デヴィットの"Apollo555"誕生!! (in ja). New Japan Pro-Wrestling (30 June 2010). Retrieved 30 June 2010.
- ↑ (Results) New Japan, 6/30/10. Strong Style Spirit (30 June 2010). Retrieved 30 June 2010.
- ↑ 「J Sports Crown」 ~無差別級6人タッグトーナメント~ (in ja). New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Retrieved 23 June 2011.
- ↑ Staszewski, Joseph. The Post's 2023 pro wrestling awards. New York Post (26 December 2023). Retrieved 29 December 2023.
- ↑ Fergal Devitt profileOnline World of Wrestling. Retrieved 8 July 2009.
- ↑ Fergal Devitt – BioNWA Pro – Australia. Retrieved 28 March 2009.
- ↑ Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2016. The Internet Wrestling Database. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
- ↑ Meltzer, Dave. Sat. update: Great TV show, WWE multiple releases, Austin talks WWE Hall of Fame, Best night for Bellator, PPV predictions, NWA Hall of Fame, James Storm headlines benefit show, Devitt takes another title. Wrestling Observer Newsletter (17 November 2012). Retrieved 17 November 2012.
- ↑ British Cruiserweight Champion History. Revolution Pro Wrestling. Retrieved 17 November 2012.
- ↑ WWE Wrestler(s) of the Year (14 December 2015)Rolling Stone. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
- ↑ 2010 Tokyo Sports awards – New Japan involvement. Strong Style Spirit (9 December 2010). Retrieved 9 December 2010.
- ↑ Stoughton, Derek. 2018 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards Revealed. Wrestling Rumors (22 March 2019). Retrieved 23 March 2019.
- ↑ BONUS SHOW: Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards. Post Wrestling (17 March 2019). Retrieved 23 March 2019.
- ↑ Werner, Barry. Finn Balor captures first WWE Universal championship. Fox Sports (21 August 2016). Retrieved 7 September 2016.
- ↑ WWE Universal ChampionshipWorld Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
- ↑ NXT ChampionshipWorld Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
- ↑ WWE Intercontinental ChampionshipWorld Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
- ↑ WWE United States ChampionshipWorld Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
- ↑ WWE Raw Tag Team ChampionshipWorld Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
- ↑ WWE SmackDown Tag Team ChampionshipWorld Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
- ↑ Howell, Nolan. Bayley is the Iron Woman against Banks at NXT TakeOver: Respect. Slam! Sports (7 October 2015)Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved 8 October 2015.
- ↑ James, Justin. James's WWE NXT Takeover report 2/11: Zayn vs. Owens NXT Title match, Women's Title semi-main event, Neville vs. Balor, Itaml; Overall Reax (11 February 2015)Pro Wrestling Torch. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
- ↑ WWE.com Staff. The first-ever NXT Year-End Awards will be presented Jan. 13 at 8/7 C on WWE NetworkWWE. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
- ↑ 49.0 49.1 Zimmerman, Zack. 1/13 Zim's WWE NXT Live Coverage: Battle Royal to determine Bayley's next challenger for the NXT Women's Championship, Dash and Dawson vs. The Ascension, plus Elias Sampson and Tommaso Ciampa in action. prowrestling.net. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
- ↑ WWE.com Staff. 2020 NXT Year-End Award Winners. World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) (30 December 2020). Retrieved 1 March 2021.
Other websites
- WWE profile
- New Japan Pro Wrestling profile (in Japanese)
- Finn Balor on Twitter