Finn Balor is the inaugural WWE Universal Heavyweight Champion and he is a huge attraction in WWE. Right now, he is involved in a mega feud with Seth Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship and his fans are pretty happy that he is finally being restored on the main event level where he actually belongs.
Balor had a long running feud with WWE Hall of Famer Edge and this mega feud continued till WrestleMania 39. They might have been rivals on screen but behind the kayfabe, Balor had massive respect for the WWE Hall of Famer. Speaking on the After The Bell podcast, Balor shared his admiration for the Rated R Superstar;
A Superstar’s Praise: Finn Balor Reveals the Impactful Role Played by a Respected WWE Legend
I’ve been a huge admirer of Edge, not only as a performer but as a person for his whole career. We became close many, many years ago. When he retired, I was personally disappointed for the fact that I’d thought I’d missed out on that opportunity to possibly someday share a ring with him.
“I always admired how he transitioned out of pro wrestling so gracefully, and I thought ‘If someday I’m gonna retire from this business, I wanna do it the same way Edge has done it.’ A lot of people don’t transition out of the business as gracefully or with as much dignity as he returned the first time, and for that, I respect and admire him.
Finn Balor Discusses His Hell In A Cell Match Against Edge From WrestleMania 39
“On top of that, for him to have the opportunity to come back, that spark that had been extinguished was reignited on the thought, ‘Oh, maybe this match will happen, maybe there is a possibility that I’ll get to share the ring with him.” Said the inaugural WWE Universal Champion.
“Fast foward three years, and all of the sudden, I’m almost in an eight-month program with someone I’ve looked up to for many many years, in and outside of the ring. Despite the rivalry or the disagreements or the fourteen staples, there’s still a mutual respect, certainly from my end, I hope from Edge’s end.
“He started something in the Judgment Day that has certainly had a profound impact on my career, Damian’s career, Rhea’s career, and Dominik’s career. If not just for him starting the Judgment Day, there’s a lot to be grateful to Edge for.”
In spite of losing the feud, Finn Balor finally got the recognition he deserved. He is very much a main eventer now his feud against Edge helped him to get this boost a lot. Their final match took place WrestleMania 39 inside Hell in a Cell and Balor lost the final clash. Just a quick reminder, Edge is coming back to Smackdown this week to feature on the Grayson Waller Effect.
(H/T and transcribed by Fightful)