Finn Balor On Difficulty Being A Babyface In PG Era, How He Likes Feud With Bray Wyatt
Finn Balor's feud with Bray Wyatt has continued longer than initially expected, and some fans are losing interest in it. But as a guest on the In This Corner podcast, Balor said he's not concerned with critics of the rivalry because he's enjoying it.
Balor and Wyatt have been feuding since the buildup to SummerSlam. After a solid match at No Mercy, it seemed their program had reached its conclusion, but Wyatt has continued to call out Balor. They will face off on Sunday at the TLC pay-per-view in a match where Balor will use his Demon King persona against Wyatt's Sister Abigail alter-ego. Balor said he enjoys the rivalry because it's a completely new challenge in his storied career.
"I'm loving it. I'm seeing as a challenge; something new, something fresh. I have been wrestling for almost 18 years now, and I've done grappler vs striker; striker vs high-flyer, high-flyer vs mat-technician; I have done every match you can possibly think of," Balor said. "To be put in a situation where probably one of the most interesting characters of its time and be given the opportunity to work this program and adapt into the situation; figure out his character, learn how he works, it's been a challenge for me. You can only get better by challenging yourself. I don't know how fans are reacting to it; I don't know how critics are reacting to it, but to me I am welcoming the challenge and enjoying it."
Balor also explained the differences between wrestling with and without the Demon King gimmick. He said the persona gives him the chance to release his inhibitions and go all out, while he takes a more measured approach without it.
"If I go out there as Finn Balor, I am going to take my time, and trust myself and my abilities to adapt to the situation at hand," he said. "I'm not going to go 100 miles per hour, I am going to go to the point of being kind of standoff-ish to the point where I am going to wait for Wyatt to make the first move and counter it. On the switch-side, at The Demon, I would literally go out there at 100 miles per hour, straight ahead with my head down and fight. Go fully 'Demon King Mode.'"
As one of the top babyfaces on the entire WWE roster, Balor is counted on to be the quintessential good guy. He said he enjoys the challenge of trying to convince the PG-era audience to like him.
"It's very difficult to be a 'good guy badass' in the PG Era," he said. "So, I'm enjoying the challenge of being a good guy performer in the PG Era because it's a very difficult thing to do, but it can be difficult, but all you have to do is give it everything you have every week and the fans will react to that. Just go out there, be yourself, and don't be someone else, be yourself."
If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit In This Corner with an H/T to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.
Source: In This Corner
Peter Bahi contributed to this article.