Making his debut in 2001, Finn Balor signed to WWE in 2014, the place he made an enormous impression on followers in NXT earlier than transferring on to the principle roster. Whereas his run thus far has been a combined bag because of some odd reserving, he’s actually reached some spectacular milestones. Not solely was Balor the first-ever Common Champion, however he additionally held the Intercontinental Championship and the US Championship in addition to, extra lately, the Undisputed Tag Group Championship.
Given {that a} veteran at this level, Finn Balor has had quite a few distinct seems to be all through his profession. Let’s have a look (and rank) all of them, which vary from his days in NJPW all the way in which to his present look in WWE.
Important Roster Babyface Finn
This Was Balor At His Most Generic
Important Roster Babyface Run
Accomplishments
2016-2019
WWE Common Championship, WWE Intercontinental Champion
The yr 2016 noticed Finn Balor transfer on to the principle roster from NXT, a interval marred by one ridiculously unlucky damage and what, on the time, felt like countless toiling on the midcard as an underutilized babyface. As he feuded with Baron Corbin over his peak and obtained fed to Bray Wyatt for The Fiend’s debut, Balor maintained largely the identical look that followers had been aware of — trunks, kickpads, and too many abs to rely — however appeared weirdly generic. Often the colour of his gear would change, which might show to be probably the most dynamic factor about his character at this level.
Prince Devitt Additionally Seemed Like A Generic Babyface In Apollo 55
In Retrospect, The Look Completely Labored
Apollo 55 Run
Accomplishments
2009-2013
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Group Champion, IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion
Earlier than WWE, Finn Balor was in New Japan Professional-Wrestling, the place he wrestled as Prince Devitt. Considered one of his earliest runs within the firm had him teaming with junior heavyweight goofball Ryusuke Taguchi because the vaguely astronaut themed Apollo 55, with Devitt sporting a generic look just like the one above. The distinction, nevertheless, was that the long run Balor was fairly younger, so the look labored. On prime of that, the look particularly labored trying again on it, as a result of this was his period simply earlier than turning heel and forming Bullet Membership.
Prince Devitt Used Physique Paint Earlier than WWE
Devitt Shouted Out A Selection Of Comedian E book Characters
Chosen Prince Devitt Physique Paint Characters
The Joker
Spawn
Carnage
Venom
Spider-Man
Spider-Man 2099
The Punisher
As followers know, The Demon is Finn Balor’s alter ego, however the concept of donning physique paint for particular matches predates his WWE run. By the point he ended up in NXT, Prince Devitt was identified for his use of physique paint, which he employed each in New Japan and on the indies.
![](https://static0.thesportsterimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Finn-Balor-Demon-King.jpg)
As a rule, Devitt’s physique paint was a reference to a comic book ebook character. Examples embrace a number of Spider-Man characters and the ever-popular Heath Ledger model of Joker in addition to Todd McFarlane’s Spawn.
Prince Devitt’s Gentle Up Jacket
Devitt Used The Gimmick After Chris Jericho
Prince Devitt Gentle-Up Jacket Debut
Chris Jericho Gentle-Up Jacket Debut
2013
2012
As soon as he turned heel and shaped Bullet Membership, Prince Devitt started dubbing himself “The Actual RocknRolla,” a reference to the 2008 Man Ritchie film RocknRolla. To make his gimmick much more bombastic, Devitt started sporting a jacket adorned in LED lights to the ring, making for a cool picture, one which Devitt claimed that was impressed by Tron quite than Chris Jericho. That stated, it wasn’t Devitt’s greatest look, particularly contemplating that El Phantasmo — a later NJPW junior heavyweight turned Bullet Membership heel — had a way more efficient model of it within the late 2010s.
Finn Balor Modified His Gear In Judgment Day
Balor Started Carrying Tights For The First Time
Finn Balor Joins Judgment Day
Date
WWE Uncooked
6/6/2022
In mid-2022, Finn Balor surprisingly turned heel to affix Edge’s gothic heel faction The Judgment Day, solely to oust the Rated-R Famous person within the course of. As a part of his change in angle, Balor additionally had a change in look, as he began sporting sneakers, two taking pictures sleeves (as a substitute of his ordinary one) and lengthy tights that usually had joshi-like flaps dangling from them. It was probably the most dramatic change in Finn’s look in his total WWE profession, and has largely labored — even when generally he feels just like the least necessary man within the group.
The Demon Is Finn Balor’s Iconic Alter Ego
The Look Instantly Impressed Followers
The Demon Debut
Date
Opponents
NXT TakeOveR: R Evolution
12/11/2014
The Ascension
Quickly after debuting in NXT, Finn Balor and Hideo Itami obtained right into a feud with The Ascension, throughout which Balor promised to debut one thing that no person had ever seen earlier than on the upcoming TakeOver. Whereas the die-hards already knew concerning the physique paint factor, they doubtless weren’t ready for it to be a full-on alter ego.
![Finn-Balor-Demon](https://static0.thesportsterimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Finn-Balor-Demon.jpg)
There are too many variations to listing, however as The Demon, Balor adorned himself in black, pink, and white physique paint, with a great deal of tongue and enamel drawn on his physique. Whereas generally his entrance gear and headpieces had been a bit foolish, Balor as The Demon appeared undeniably cool when it got here time to really wrestle.
Prince Devitt Based Bullet Membership
Devitt Modified The Sport, And Seemed Nice Doing So
Bullet Membership Run
Accomplishments
2013-2014
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, RevPro British Cruiserweight Champion
In 2013, Prince Devitt turned on Ryusuke Taguchi, teaming as a substitute with Tama Tonga, Karl Anderson, and Unhealthy Luck Fale to kind a brand new heel faction, Bullet Membership. It might kick off a domino impact that arguably led to the formation of AEW, however it shouldn’t be forgotten how superior Devitt appeared throughout this era. Whereas his gear remained largely unchanged, his new angle made him look cooler, which was additional bolstered by the now-iconic Bullet Membership T-shirt. Devitt appeared particularly cool with the T-shirt and bandana mixture.
The Prince Would possibly Be Finn’s Coolest Look
Balor Performed Off His Bullet Membership Days In His Return To NXT
Finn Balor NXT Return Run
Accomplishments
2019-2021
NXT Champion
Finn Balor’s dismal major roster run got here to an finish in 2019 when Balor returned to NXT. However it wasn’t only for a victory lap — Balor surprisingly turned heel and reinvented himself as The Prince, a vicious, assured play off of his previous NJPW unhealthy man persona that shortly advanced right into a tweener character. Largely eschewing the Demon gimmick, The Prince was most frequently seen sporting modern leather-based jackets, which is secretly his greatest look, even when it isn’t the flashiest.