I can’t say I expected a big main event push, especially a pretty interesting one, for Finn Balor in the year 2026, but I also can’t say I’m disappointed by it, as a fan of his. I didn’t think any more would come of Balor and CM Punk’s story in the ring after Balor lost to the World Heavyweight Champion in his home country of Ireland a few weeks ago, and I’m glad to be wrong. Balor’s story tonight was kind of a rollercoaster, and I really enjoyed it.

It started off with babyface turn tease in a backstage segment with Punk, when Balor thanked him for what he did at the end of their match last week, when Punk raised his hand to celebrate in front of the Irish crowd. Punk then told Balor if he wanted to become champion, he needed to leave Judgment Day. The faction’s breakup has been an ongoing story for what feels like forever now on “Raw,” I thought we actually might be headed toward it this time. Liv Morgan wasn’t a huge fan of that, as we saw in another backstage segment, which did further the power struggle storyline between the two of them, which I thought was good no matter what Balor decided to do.

Balor then went to do the right thing and ask “Raw” General Manager Adam Pearce if he could enter the Royal Rumble, doing the honorable thing to try and get another title match, and Pearce told him the Rumble match was full. That’s when I started to think Balor wasn’t actually turning face like they’d be teasing, because now, he has to whip some a**, perhaps maybe even pulling out The Demon, to get into the match. Or, he could just go out there and attack Punk during his main event match with AJ Styles, like we saw at the end of the night tonight. If “Raw” was going to end in yet another DQ, at least it was Balor doing something rather than The Vision.

If we’re not just speed running Styles’ retirement tour, I think he gets a match against Balor. WWE would never acknowledge the meeting of the former Bullet Club leaders, but fans would sure know. I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself, because I do think Styles retires at the Royal Rumble, but a Styles vs. Balor short storyline and number one contender’s match would be really good. The Royal Rumble is certainly shaping up to be an interesting PLE for many different reasons, and I’m excited to see what happens for Balor moving forward.

Written by Daisy Ruth