The rumors of Shinsuke Nakamura, AJ Styles, Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson coming to WWE have the entire sports-entertainment world waiting with bated breath, no one more so than NXT Champion Finn Bálor. Not only did Bálor cross paths with Nakamura on several occasions, he also created and ran the Bullet Club faction that Styles, Gallows and Anderson were most recently members of in New Japan.
Although the offices of WWE COO Triple H offered no comment on the alleged signings, Bálor sent out a barrage of tweets and Instagram posts teasing, poking and prodding at the scuttlebutt, including an instantly-iconic image of himself waiting for his buddies outside the WWE Performance Center. While the whispers swirl, WWE.com got in touch with the reigning NXT Champion to get his thoughts on WWE’s biggest (alleged) acquisition since the Monday Night War.

WWE.COM: The rumors of WWE signing AJ Styles, Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson of The Bullet Club and Shinsuke Nakamura have been all over the Internet this week. Can you provide any insight as to whether or not they’re true?

FINN BÁLOR: I think I was more excited than anyone to read the news about what’s been going on. I have had the guys at Bullet Club, especially Karl Anderson, who’s my best friend outside the ring, give me a couple nuggets of information that leads me to be very confident about the future at NXT and WWE. For me, I think having some friends around would definitely be better for me. But whether I can say for 100% certainty that it’s going to happen …

WWE.COM: Can you tell us about your relationship with The Bullet Club?

BÁLOR: The Bullet Club was essentially in existence long before it was ever onscreen. Myself and Karl Anderson were best friends in and out of the ring. Tama Tonga and Bad Luck Fale were the other foreign wrestlers in New Japan. Essentially we lived together, traveled together, ate together, drank together and spent four years being in each other’s company. We were closer to each other than we were to our own families, due to the fact that we were in a foreign country and all going through the same issues of living in a non-English speaking country. That’s an incredible cultural contrast to where we came from. We were literally best friends. The opportunity arose for me to create a faction in New Japan, and the office said, “Would you be willing to start a faction with your buddies?” I said, “Absolutely. 100%. I would love to.” They said, “Come up with a name next week.” I came up with a name, and it kind of all happened from there.

WWE.COM: Nakamura was never in The Bullet Club, but you two have battled. What’s your relationship with him like?

BÁLOR: We didn’t clash so much in the ring. But outside of the ring, I can honestly say he was one of my one, true Japanese friends I made in the eight years I was in Japan. I spent a lot of time with him outside of the ring just living life. He’s a very cultured guy, and he thinks outside the box. I think we hit it off with our appreciation for just trying to be different.

WWE.COM: What does this mean for WWE to be potentially receiving this influx of talent?

BÁLOR: A year and a half ago, myself, Kevin Owens and Hideo Itami all came in together. And there was kind of a buzz that helped create a special time in NXT. I think, potentially, what is going to happen over the next couple of months if these four names come in is going to be even bigger. I think the growth of NXT in the last year and a half and the growth Bullet Club has made in the last year and a half since I left means this would be a huge coup for WWE. Nakamura, being one of the most charismatic wrestlers on the planet, is an absolute game-changer unlike anyone that is out there right now. Gallows & Machine Gun [Anderson] are one of the world’s most established tag teams. Machine Gun, in my opinion, is the most underrated wrestler on the planet. For years. The fact that he’s getting so much media attention right now makes me happy, but I’m slightly disappointed it’s only happening now and didn’t happen 10 years ago when I first met him. AJ Styles’ reputation speaks for itself. He’s one of the best in-ring performers on the planet, ever. To say this would be a coup is an understatement. I think the next couple of months could change the way pro wrestling is viewed for the next 10 years.

WWE.COM: You’ve gone on record as saying you’re happy to help mold the future of NXT instead of rushing your way to the main roster, but if The Bullet Club shows up on Raw are you going to be with them?

BÁLOR: Well, I am happy in NXT. And I am proud to be the champion and proud to be the standard-bearer at the Performance Center and proud of the growth that NXT has experienced in the last year. But make no mistake about it: I am very ambitious. And I want to be in the place that is causing the most controversy and getting the most media attention and getting the most focus put on it. I did that in New Japan, I did that in NXT. And perhaps, in the future, if Bullet Club were to arrive on Monday Night Raw, there would be no better way for Finn Bálor to make his debut than with his best friends by his side.

Finn Bálor brought his NXT Championship along for a visit to the sets of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and Great Britain’s longest-running soap series “Coronation Street.”

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»FINNishing TOUCH: World Wrestling Entertainment > Miscellaneous > NXT Champion Finn Bálor visits BBC, ‘Coronation Street’

Finn Bálor vs. Apollo Crews – NXT Championship
 
As soon as they lock up Crews rolls up Bálor for a two count. Crews is not wasting any time tonight. Crews puts Bálor in a side headlock. Bálor fights out and drives Crews into the ropes. Bálor whips Crews into the ropes, Crews goes to the mat, kips up, hops over Bálor then does a backflip before drop kicking Bálor. Not to be outdone, Bálor immediately drops kicks Crews. Crews picks up Bálor for a delayed vertical suplex for another two count.
 
Crews misses a jumping elbow drop. Bálor hits a penalty kick to a seated Crews for another near fall. Bálor locks in a cobra clutch, which Crews fights out of. Crews hits the ropes and Bálor sets up for a back body drop, but Crews reverse into a sunset flip. Bálor rolls out of the flip and dropkicks Crews in the face. Bálor puts on another clutch that Crews stands up in. Crews rolls through and kicks Bálor in the face. Crews sits on the top rope, but Bálor kicks him off the top with a enziguri. Bálor dives to the outside with a tope con hilo, which takes Crews off his feet.
 
After a short break Bálor is chopping Crews from corner to corner. Bálor almost hits the Bloody Sunday, but Crews reverse it into a tossing Samoan drop. Crews press slams Bálor, but Bálor slips out and hits the sling blade on Crews. Crews finally hit the gorilla press, but Bálor gets his knees up. Bálor hits the Bloody Sunday, but Crews kicks out. Bálor sends Crews flying across the ring after a running drop kick. Bálor ascends the top rope, but misses the Coup De Grâce. Crews hits an enziguri, but Bálor immediately hits a Pelé kick. As both superstars are on the mat, Baron Corbin hits the ring and destroys both Crews and Bálor, causing the match to be thrown out.
 
Winner- No contest
 
After the match Samoa Joe chases off Corbin. As Bálor gets to his feet Joe clotheslines him! Joe beats down Bálor before hitting the muscle buster to close the show.

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»FINNishing TOUCH: World Wrestling Entertainment > Live Event Digitals > NXT > 2015 > November 4th
»FINNishing TOUCH: Screen Captures > World Wrestling Entertainment > NXT > 2015 > November 4th

Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Semi-Final Match: Finn Balor and Samoa Joe vs. The Mechanics

 

We go to the ring and out comes NXT Champion Finn Balor to a big pop. His partner Samoa Joe is out next to another pop.

 

Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder are out next. Joe unloads on Dash in the corner early on. Joe misses in the corner as Dawson provides an assist. Dash beats Joe down and tags in Dawson for some double teaming in the corner. Balor is back on the apron now. Dawson works over Joe in the corner and rakes his face over the top rope. Dash tags back in as they keep up the quick offense on Joe. Dash with a 2 count. Joe nails an enziguri in the corner.

 

Dawson comes in but Balor also gets a tag. He kicks Dawson in the head coming in. Balor with a clothesline and a kick to Dash. Finn with chops and another kick to Dash to knock him off the apron. Finn ends up diving out onto both Mechanics and taking them out to a big pop. Balor brings it back in and dropkicks Dawson into the corner. The Mechanics turn it around and beat Balor down as Joe looks on for a tag. They focus on Finn’s injured leg now.

 

Finn looks to finally be going for the tag but Joe gets pulled off the apron by Dash. Dawson with an elbow from the top for a 2 count. Dawson with more kicks to the leg. Finn gets stopped from tagging again but finally makes it. Joe unloads on Dash and nails a big boot, then the senton. Joe with a big powerslam for a 2 count. Joe misses in the corner but catches Dash with a big slam. Joe takes Dash up for a Musclebuster but Finn asks for a tag. Joe nails the Musclebuster and Finn follows up with the Coup de Grace. Joe nails Dawson as Finn covers for the win and the spot in the finals.

 

Winners: Finn Balor and Samoa Joe

 

– After the match, Finn sells the leg injury as Joe checks on him and we go to replays. Joe and Finn make their exit as we see the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Cup.

Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Finals: Samoa Joe and Finn Balor vs. Rhyno and Baron Corbin

 

We go to the ring and Dusty’s daughter-in-law Eden is doing the announcing. Baron Corbin is out first followed by Rhyno. Samoa Joe is out next followed by NXT Champion Finn Balor.

 

Finn starts off with Rhyno. Balor with an early pin attempt. More back and forth as Corbin comes in. We’re off to a slow start until Corbin decks Finn. Finn comes right back with a dropkick. Joe tags in and unloads on Corbin. Joe with a chop, a kick and a knee drop for a 2 count. Joe with more strikes and offense until Corbin catches him for a 2 count. Corbin mounts Joe with right hands and a 2 count. Rhyno tags in for a bit of double teaming. Rhyno with chops and strikes in the corner. Rhyno keeps control and hits a belly to belly for a 2 count.

 

Corbin comes back in and keeps control of Joe for another 2 count. Finn finally gets the hot tag and has issues with his leg. He runs into a big boot. Finn still nails an enziguri. Rhyno comes over and takes out Finn’s bad knee on the apron while the referee is distracted. Corbin slams Finn’s leg into the ring post a few times. Corbin keeps control for another pin attempt. Balor nails a Slingblade out of nowhere as fans rally. Joe and Rhyno get the hot tags and go at it. Joe unloads and nails a big boot. Joe with the senton. Rhyno whips Joe into the corner but Joe slams him. Joe with a STO on Corbin. Joe turns around to a Gore from Rhyno but Finn breaks the pin up. Finn with a DDT on Cobin. Finn sends Corbin to the floor. Rhyno knocks Finn to the floor. Rhyno runs into a kick from Joe. More back and forth until Joe and Balor get the win.

 

Winners of the WWE NXT Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic: Samoa Joe and Finn Balor

 

– After the match, the Rhodes family comes in to present the cup to Joe and Balor. Cody Rhodes talks about remembering and respecting The Dream. Cody talks about how fans let Dusty into their homes for years and makes it official – everyone is a Rhodes tonight. Fans chant for Dusty as his theme music hits. Joe and Balor raise the cup as a “thank you Dusty” chant starts. Joe and Balor pose with the Rhodes family to end it.

Finn Bálor vs. Kevin Owens for the NXT Championship

 

The ladders are out as Kevin Owens makes his way to the ring to a mixed reaction but he definitely has fans in the crowd. Finn Balor is out next with another awesome Demon entrance as Owens looks on from a chair. We get formal ring introductions as the title is raised above the ring.

 

Owens talks trash to start and Finn unloads on him. Finn with a dropkick. Finn with a big chop and back and forth to the corners. They run the ropes and Owens drops Finn with an elbow. Owens with the senton. More back and forth. Owens hits the corner cannonball. They trade shots now as the “ole!” chants start up. We’re going past 11pm now as Balor hits the Slingblade. Finn charges and Owens escapes to the floor. He goes for a ladder on the ramp and Finn nails him from behind. Finn brings the ladder back to the ring but Owens follows. They do tug-of-war for the ladder and Owens uses it to ram Balor into the apron. Owens with another shot to the chest. Owens uses the ladder again and leans it up against Balor. He goes to run up it but stops and just nails a right hand to the face for a big pop.

 

Balor nails Owens with the ladder on the floor. Balor with a forearm now as they fight around the ring. Balor tosses Owens over the barrier but Owens pulls him over also. They fight near the crowd. Owens goes for a powerbomb on the floor but Balor backdrops him back over the barrier. Finn jumps off the barrier but Owens catches him in mid-air and rams him into the barrier. Owens launches Balor a good distance and over the announce table and into the barrier. He takes the top off the announce table and tosses it at Finn’s had. Owens stands on top of the announce table for a pop. Owens pulls a ladder from under the ring while Balor is still down. Owens turns around to Balor dropkicking him off the top of the announce table. The ladder hits Owens and also falls on Balor. Fans chant “holy s–t” now.

 

Fans chant for tables as Balor brings the ladder into the ring and looks up at the title. Owens pulls the ladder to the floor and Balor leaps out onto him. A big “NXT” chant starts now. Balor stands a ladder up and goes for the title now. Owens grabs his leg and pulls him down. Owens pushes Balor face first into the ladder and it falls over. Owens tosses Balor out of the ring and he hits another ladder. Owens positions a ladder and climbs up. Balor slides a ladder in and Owens comes down to stomp him. Balor tries to smash a ladder into Balor in the corner but he moves and sends Owens face first into a ladder that’s standing up in the corner. Balor goes across the ring to charge back but Owens blasts out of the corner with a clothesline. Owens with another nasty ladder shot as we get dueling chants for the two now. Owens jabs the ladder at Balor again and slams him on it. Owens hits the senton on top of a ladder. Owens yells, poses and looks up at the title but is wasting time. Balor fights back.

 

They trade shots. Owens goes to powerbomb Balor on a ladder but it’s reversed and Owens lands on the ladder bad. Fans chant “holy s–t” again. Balor gets up first and positions a ladder. Owens pulls him down and shoves him into a ladder in the corner. Owens goes to do the cannonball into Balor and the ladder but Balor moves and Owens cannonballs the ladder. Balor with a big dropkick. Balor goes to the top and hits the Coupe de Grace. Balor positions another ladder and climbs. Owens grabs him and powerbombs him from the ladder. Owens climbs up but Balor tips the ladder over and Owens lands in the corner. Owens rolls out to the floor after hitting hard against the turnbuckles. Finn goes for a ladder but Owens pulls him to the floor. Owens goes for a powerbomb on the floor but Finn jumps to the apron and kicks him in the face. Finn rolls through on a foot stomp from the apron. Owens nails the pop-up powerbomb on the apron.

 

Owens makes it back in the ring first. He climbs up for the title but Balor tips it over again. Owens lands on his feet and nails a kick to the jaw. Balor hits the ladder hard on his way down. Owens tells Balor to stay down and kicks him in the face again. Owens talks more trash and bridges a ladder from the bottom rope to the bottom rung of another ladder that’s standing. Balor gets up ad Owens drags him up the ladder. Owens goes to suplex Balor from up high on one side of the ladder to the ladder bridge underneath. Finn fights him off and Owens falls back onto the ladder bridge. The back of his head hits hard as Finn looks on from the top of the ladder but he’s dazed. Finn reaches but he’s away from the belt. Owens comes up but gets kicked back down. Finn still can’t reach the belt. He looks around in anticipation of leaping out. Finn goes to to the top of the ladder for a big Coup de Grace on Owens.

 

Finn repositions the ladder now and climbs up to grab the belt for the win.

 

Winner: Finn Balor

 

After the match, Finn poses on top of the ladder with the NXT Title as Owens tries to recover on the mat. We go to replays. We come back to Finn still celebrating on top of the ladder. Takeover goes off the air.

A Superstar that slinks into battle donning nightmare-inducing body paint and calls himself “The Demon” doesn’t exactly seem like the embodiment of “Hustle, Loyalty and Respect.” Yet, Finn Bálor is just the type of indomitable competitor who can carry John Cena’s torch into a new era.

 

Ensnaring the collective imagination of the WWE Universe with spellbinding entrance theatrics, Bálor supplements his dichotomous personas with intense athleticism between the ropes, making this enigmatic warrior a bona fide Raw main-eventer in the not-too-distant future. Need proof? Just watch his stunning NXT Championship victory over Kevin Owens at

 

The Champ is here in WWE, for sure, but NXT’s Demon is coming. — JAMES WORTMAN