Finn Balor’s Immediate WWE Future Revealed Ahead Of SmackDown

Finn Balor will be seeking revenge in a match on WWE SmackDown. 

The former Universal Champion Finn Balor is finding his way on SmackDown after spending several years on Raw.

Since joining SmackDown, Balor has had some altercations with former ally Damian Priest, who isn’t happy to see Balor since they feuded following their time in The Judgment Day.

On the July 3rd edition of SmackDown, Tama Tonga approached Balor in the backstage area. The two men were allies from their New Japan Pro Wrestling days many years ago. Tama said he went to the elders for guidance on what he should do next. That’s when Tama’s brother, Talla Tonga, attacked Balor from behind. After the Tonga brothers beat up Balor, Tama said he was closing the books on everything from his past, and Finn was next.

To follow up on the story, WWE has announced that Finn Balor will face Tama Tonga on the July 10th SmackDown from Oklahoma City.

Finn Balor Almost Had A Different WWE Name

When Finn Balor signed with WWE around 2014, he was already established in New Japan as Prince Devitt, but he would be given a new name as part of the WWE roster. Fans are used to the name Finn Balor, but Balor explained earlier this year that there was a bit of a process involved in coming up with it.

“The name Finn Balor is based in mythology because Balor is the one-eyed Demon King from Gaelic folklore, and Finn McCool is… kind of like David versus Goliath.”

Balor went on to reveal names he discussed with Paul “Triple H” Levesque, who was running NXT in the 2010s. Balor said the name “Liv” was suggested, and it would later be used for Liv Morgan, who became an ally of Balor’s in The Judgment Day.

“I’ve never said this to anyone else. One of those names, and Paul was especially leaning towards this name, was Liv.

Rux was on there. But then Paul said, no, no, no. People think of RuPaul.

And this was before Conor had really blown up. I remember thinking, no, this guy’s going to be a mega star.

When I signed with WWE, everyone said, ah, you’re going to be the Irish leprechaun. You’re going to be Hornswoggle’s tag team partner.”

Things changed for the better for Balor when he spoke directly with Triple H and William Regal, who is also a key figure behind the scenes in NXT.

“We’re talking back and forth… and then Paul just kind of folds his arms, and he says, ‘So tell me about this body paint.’”

That would, of course, lead to the “Demon” Balor character that would become a popular part of Balor’s act.

As of this writing, WWE has announced the following segments and matches for SmackDown.

• CM Punk returns to SmackDown as the new Undisputed WWE Champion
• Trick Williams to battle Carmelo Hayes in a non-title match
• Finn Bálor goes head-to-head with Tama Tonga

Also Read: Finn Balor Reveals The True Origins Of The Iconic Bullet Club