Finn Bálor isn’t losing sleep over fans who question whether he belongs in the WrestleMania main event conversation.
During his appearance on Adrian Hernandez’s Unlikely podcast, the former Universal Champion directly addressed criticism from online fans who claim he doesn’t deserve to be featured alongside names like Roman Reigns and CM Punk on a WrestleMania poster. Bálor made it clear from the start that social media criticism doesn’t factor into how he views himself or his career.
“You know, doubters online that are sitting on a computer tweeting and talking doesn’t really enter my mind space at all.”
Instead of focusing on outside negativity, Bálor explained that the only opinions that truly matter to him come from those within WWE — the people who work alongside him and understand what it takes to succeed at the highest level.
“The people who I listen to are my bosses and my colleagues. And to have the respect of your peers is something that is way more valuable than the support of a small group of doubters.”
Bálor didn’t stop there. He backed up his stance by pointing to his 25-year journey through professional wrestling, which included years of training in catch wrestling, time spent sharpening his skills in Japan’s dojo system, and ultimately rising to the top of WWE. He rejected any narrative suggesting he was a missed opportunity or cautionary tale.
“So if after 25 years of doing everything in the business from learning catch wrestling for 6 years to going to Japan and studying in the dojos for 8 years to coming to WWE and being a success, not a what if, not a failure. Oh, he got injured and relinquished the title. No, I showed up in WWE, beat Roman my first night and beat Seth on my first pay-per-view 3 weeks later to become the first Universal Champion.”
Bálor also reflected on how unlikely his rise was, considering his humble beginnings in Ireland, where wrestling infrastructure was nearly nonexistent. For him, his career trajectory alone proves he belongs among WWE’s top-tier talent.
“Being from a small town in Ireland with no wrestling schools, no wrestling promotions, barely wrestling on the TV. So for me, that’s a success story. So if I don’t belong on the WrestleMania poster, I don’t know who does.”
Bálor’s resume speaks loudly. From becoming the first-ever Universal Champion to maintaining a prominent role in WWE for years, he has consistently remained part of the company’s biggest storylines and factions. His comments show that his confidence is rooted not in public opinion, but in the work he has put in and the respect he has earned behind the scenes.
Do you think Finn Bálor deserves to main event WrestleMania based on his career accomplishments, or do you think he still has something left to prove? Let us know your thoughts and feedback in the comments.
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