The Man Behind the Performance: Finn Balor’s Battle with the Microphone
In the high-octane world of professional wrestling, the ability to cut a captivating promo is often as valuable as a devastating finisher. However, for Finn Balor, one of WWE’s most decorated athletes, the verbal side of the business has always been a complex challenge. In a revealing conversation on What’s Your Story? With Stephanie McMahon, Balor opened up about why he deliberately avoids certain industry norms to preserve his authenticity.
Authenticity Over Viral Moments
While many wrestlers lean into aggressive trash-talking to generate social media buzz, Finn Balor takes a different path. For Balor, the drive for a viral “retweet” isn’t worth the sacrifice of his personal dignity. He admitted that saying things he doesn’t truly mean feels unnatural and contrary to who he is as a person.
Balor expressed a particular dislike for short, superficial media appearances, such as morning show couch segments. “It’s not my personality,” he explained, noting that he far prefers long, in-depth conversations over 90-second soundbites designed solely to sell a product.
A Steep Learning Curve: From Japan to NXT
The root of Balor’s discomfort with promos lies in his diverse wrestling background. Before joining WWE, his training focused almost entirely on the physical art of the sport:
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- England: His start was rooted in traditional mat wrestling.
- Japan: During his time as Prince Devitt in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, he embraced the “Strong Style,” where the action in the ring spoke louder than any words.
This meant that when he arrived at NXT, he was suddenly thrust into a world where promos were mandatory. He recalls the intense nervousness of his first televised line—“I’m Finn Balor, and I’m the future”—feeling more like a scripted actor than a wrestler in flow.
The Paul Heyman Influence: Promos as Matches
After years of struggling with the “acting” aspect of speaking, Balor found a breakthrough thanks to the legendary Paul Heyman. Heyman provided a paradigm shift in how Balor views the microphone.
The advice was simple: Treat a promo exactly like a wrestling match. In a match, Balor doesn’t memorize every single move; he flows with his emotions and reacts to the moment. Heyman encouraged him to stop trying to recite a script word-for-word and instead rely on key bullet points, allowing him to be more natural and present.
Contrasting Styles: Finn Balor vs. Cody Rhodes
Balor also drew a fascinating comparison between himself and fellow WWE superstar Cody Rhodes. While he holds immense respect for Rhodes, he notes their polar opposite personalities:
“When [Cody] enters a room, he wants to be the center of attention… Where I would rather probably not even enter the room, and if I did, I just want to blend into the background.”
This internal contradiction defines Balor’s career. While he is an introvert in his personal life, the wrestling ring is where he truly finds his voice. For Finn Balor, the physical performance isn’t acting—it’s the purest form of self-expression.
