{{short description|Irish professional wrestler (born 1981)}} {{pp-vandalism|small=yes}} {{good article}} {{Use Hiberno-English|date=January 2016}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}} {{Infobox professional wrestler |name=Finn Bálor |image=Finn Balor 2024 (cropped).jpg |caption=Bálor in 2024 |birthname=Fergal Devitt |birth_date={{birth date and age|df=yes|1981|7|25}} |birth_place=Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland |spouse={{marriage|Vero Rodríguez<br />|19 August 2019}} |names={{unbulleted list | C.T.U Ranger Red (II)<ref name="CTUFarewell"/> | Fergal Devitt | '''”The Demon”''' | '''Finn Bálor''' | Pegasus Kid (II) | Prince Devitt }} |height=5 ft 11 in<ref name="WWE"/> |weight=190 lb<ref name="WWE"/> |billed=Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland<ref name="WWE"/> |trainer={{unbulleted list | New Japan Inoki Dojo | NWA UK Hammerlock }} |debut=23 November 2001<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/FinnBalor/status/1463696376781578240|title=Nov. 23, 2001, I made my pro-wrestling debut. Thank you to everyone who helped me along the way. To everyone that cheered and boo'ed at the shows. To Hammerlock, NJPW, NXT, WWE and the Club. To all the men and women I work with. And to my family and wife for unwavering belief. Today, I ate cake.|last=Bálor|first=Finn|date=25 November 2021|access-date=25 November 2021}}</ref> }} '''Fergal Devitt''' (born 25 July 1981) is an Irish professional wrestler. As of May 2014, he is signed to WWE, where he performs on the SmackDown brand under the ring name '''Finn Bálor''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|æ|l|ər}}).
Devitt began his career in 2001, before becoming widely known for his tenure with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), under the ring name '''Prince Devitt'''. Within the promotion, he is a three-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and six-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, having held the title twice with Minoru and four times with Ryusuke Taguchi.<ref name="nwapro"/> He is also a two-time winner of the Best of the Super Juniors tournament, having won in 2010 and 2013, as well as being a founding member and the original leader of the Bullet Club stable. Through NJPW's working relationship with Mexican promotion Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL), Devitt also wrestled there, becoming a one-time NWA World Historic Middleweight Champion. He also wrestled for a number of independent promotions, becoming a one-time ICW Zero-G Champion, one-time RPW British Cruiserweight Champion and a two-time NWA British Commonwealth Heavyweight Champion.<ref name="OWOW"/><ref name="nwapro">{{cite web|url=http://www.nwapro.net/oz/superstars/fergal-devitt.html |title=Fergal Devitt – Bio |access-date=28 March 2009 |publisher=NWA Pro – Australia |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120219101100/http://www.nwapro.net/oz/superstars/fergal-devitt.html |archive-date=19 February 2012 }}</ref>
After signing with WWE's developmental system, NXT, and adopting his current ring name, Bálor won the NXT Championship, with his 292-day reign being the longest in the championship's history until March 2020.<ref name=NXTChampionship>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/classics/titlehistory/nxt-championship|title=NXT Championship|publisher=WWE|access-date=29 July 2016}}</ref> Also during his time in NXT, Bálor became the first co-winner of the inaugural Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic with Samoa Joe. Shortly after arriving on the main roster, Bálor became the first wrestler in WWE history to win a world title in their pay-per-view debut,<ref>{{cite episode|title=SummerSlam (2016) (Finn Bálor vs. Seth Rollins)|series=''SummerSlam''|network=WWE Network|date=21 August 2016|minutes=200|quote=Finn Bálor becomes the first Superstar to ever win a world title in his debut match on a pay-per-view.}}</ref> the second ever Irish world champion in WWE (after Sheamus) as well as becoming the quickest wrestler in WWE history to win a world title at 27 days following his main roster debut by becoming the inaugural WWE Universal Champion at SummerSlam 2016.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Laboon|first1=Jeff|title=Finn Bálor def. Seth Rollins|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/2016/wwe-universal-championship-finn-balor-seth-rollins-result|work=WWE|access-date=21 August 2016}}</ref> Bálor is also a two-time Intercontinental Champion and a one-time United States Champion. Bálor became a Grand Slam Champion on September 2, 2023, at Payback, winning the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship, and is an overall six-time Tag Team Champion in WWE.
==Early life== Fergal Devitt<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thejournal.ie/fergal-devitt/news/|title=Fergal Devitt · TheJournal.ie|website=TheJournal.ie}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/the-squared-circle/WWE-officially-announces-acquisition-of-Fergal-Devitt.html|title=WWE officially announces acquisition of Fergal Devitt|date=28 July 2014 |access-date=20 August 2017}}</ref> was born on 25 July 1981<ref name="OWOW">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/f/fergal-devitt.html|title=Fergal Devitt profile|access-date=8 July 2009|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|archive-date=27 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111027042956/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/f/fergal-devitt.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=NJPW>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/data/detail_profile.php?f=157|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141105021709/http://www.njpw.co.jp/data/detail_profile.php?f=157|script-title=ja:プリンス・デヴィット|archive-date=5 November 2014|access-date=2 July 2010|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}}</ref> in Bray, County Wicklow,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishmirror.ie/showbiz/irish-showbiz/fergal-prince-devitt-irish-wrestling-3011577|title=Wrestling superstar Fergal: I'm an ordinary guy at home...in Japan I'm a high flier|first=Katie|last=Kierans|date=12 January 2014|work=Irish Mirror|access-date=15 March 2017}}</ref> the son of Leonie and Fintan Devitt.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Harrington|first=Joe|title=WATCH: A fantastic piece with WWE star Finn Bálor's parents about his rise to the top|url=https://www.joe.ie/movies-tv/watch-fantastic-piece-wwe-star-finn-balors-parents-rise-top-578017|access-date=27 May 2021|website=JOE.ie|date=16 February 2017 |language=en}}</ref> He has one older sibling and three younger siblings.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Photos: Close look at Finn Bálor's family|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/my-son-or-daughter-is-a-wwe-superstar/gallery/finn-balor-family-photos|access-date=27 May 2021|website=WWE|language=en}}</ref> He attended St. Cronan's School in Bray. Before deciding to become a professional wrestler, he played association football and Gaelic football.<ref name="wrestlingclothesline">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestlingclothesline.com/FergalDevitt.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101224132538/http://wrestlingclothesline.com/FergalDevitt.htm|title=Ten Question With... Fergal Devitt|year=2005|last=Schwan|first=Brett|archive-date=24 December 2010|access-date=28 March 2009|publisher=Wrestling Clothesline}}</ref> While growing up, he enjoyed watching ''World of Sport'' and WWF (now WWE) shows and was a fan of The British Bulldogs, Shawn Michaels, Mr. Perfect, Rick Rude, Savio Vega, and Koko B. Ware.<ref name="wrestlingclothesline"/><ref name="cultofwhatever">{{cite web|url=https://www.cultofwhatever.com/2014/11/interview-prince-devitt-aka-finn-balor/|title=Interview: Prince Devitt aka Finn Bálor|date=3 November 2014|last=Modaberi|first=Josh|access-date=3 November 2014|publisher=CultOfWhatever}}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
== Professional wrestling career == === National Wrestling Alliance (2001–2007) === After training at NWA UK Hammerlock, Devitt made his professional wrestling debut on 23 November 2001.<ref>{{Cite tweet|number=1463696376781578240|user=FinnBalor|title=Nov. 23, 2001, I made my pro-wrestling debut. Thank you to everyone who helped me along the way. To everyone that cheered & boo'ed at the shows. To Hammerlock, NJPW, NXT, WWE and the Club. To all the men & woman I work with. And to my family & wife for unwavering belief. Today, I ate cake.}}</ref> He quickly won the NWA British Commonwealth Heavyweight Championship. After graduating, his wrestling career started quickly, and he began touring Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In mid-2002, Devitt, along with Paul Tracey, opened NWA Ireland, his own wrestling promotion based in Ireland. The promotion soon became the sister group of NWA UK Hammerlock as both promoted under the NWA banner. As part of NWA Ireland, Devitt trained future WWE competitor Becky Lynch, future European Heavyweight Champion and ICW Zero-G Champion Andy Roberts and future NXT Cruiserweight Champion Jordan Devlin.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.glorywrestling.com/gg/RebeccaKnox/RK.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050708234531/http://www.glorywrestling.com/gg/RebeccaKnox/RK.asp|title=Rebecca Knox|archive-date=8 July 2005|access-date=28 March 2009|publisher=G.L.O.R.Y. Wrestling}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=7435&name=Andy+Roberts|title=Wrestlers Database » Andy Roberts|website=CageMatch|access-date=20 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.sescoops.com/news/jordan-devlin-on-nxt-uk-his-relationship-with-finn-balor#:~:text=Jordan%20Devlin%20And%20Finn%20Balor&text=%22The%20Irish%20Ace%22%20actually%20trained,TakeOver%3A%20Blackpool%20event%20last%20year | title=Jordan Devlin on NXT UK, His Relationship with Finn Balor | newspaper=Se Scoops}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2020/02/jordan-devlin-on-not-being-wwe-average-cruiserweight-665921/ | title=Jordan Devlin Says He's Been Connected with Finn Balor Since Age 12 | date=4 February 2020}}</ref>
[[File:Dru Onyx vs Prince Devitt.jpg|thumb|Devitt squaring off with Dru Onyx in 2004]] On 8 October 2005, in Nashville, Tennessee, at the NWA 57th Anniversary Show, Devitt defeated Dru Onyx for his second British Commonwealth title. After the match both participants were invited to the New Japan Inoki Dojo in Santa Monica, California, to train.<ref name="Toukon">{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.com/news/toukonrep061106.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080412032126/http://www.njpw.com/news/toukonrep061106.php|archive-date=12 April 2008|title=The Toukon Report by Marco Nelson|last=Nelson|first=Marco|work=New Japan Dojo|access-date=2 July 2010}}</ref> During late 2005, Devitt also began competing for the U.S.{{ndash}}based Millennium Wrestling Federation (MWF). He made his debut in a triple threat match at ''Soul Survivor III'' on 5 November, challenging for the MWF Television Championship against the champion Eddie Edwards and R. J. Brewer.<ref name="MWF"/> He made his television debut on the November edition of ''MWF Ultra'', in a match against Osiris.<ref name="MWF"/> After impressing many promoters and trainers, he was invited to train in New Japan's main dojo in Tokyo, where, in early 2006, he began training in the Japanese style of professional wrestling. He lost the British Commonwealth Championship to Karl Anderson in March 2006.<ref name="Toukon"/>
In June 2007, Devitt participated in a tournament for the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) called "Reclaiming the Glory", which was to crown a new NWA World Heavyweight Champion. The championship had been controlled by Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) for several years, but in 2007 NWA had terminated its agreement with TNA. In the first round, Devitt defeated Australian wrestler Mikey Nicholls, but lost in the second round to Bryan Danielson.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2007/06/01/pf-4226855.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160217033852/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2007/06/01/pf-4226855.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 February 2016|title=NWA title tourney set to begin|date=1 June 2007|last=Johns|first=Fred|access-date=28 March 2009|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=Canadian Online Explorer}}</ref>
=== New Japan Pro-Wrestling (2006–2014) === ==== Control Terrorism Unit and RISE (2006–2008) ==== The day after losing the British Commonwealth Championship, Devitt signed a contract with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) in March 2006.<ref name="Toukon"/> In April 2006, he made his NJPW debut against El Samurai, using the ring name Prince Devitt.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/njpw/2006.html|title=16 April 2006—NJPW at Tokyo Korakuen Hall, Japan before 1860 Fans|date=16 April 2006|access-date=8 July 2009|publisher=Online World of Wrestling}}</ref>{{unreliable source?|date=March 2019}} Devitt later stated in an interview with ''PowerSlam Mag'' that New Japan renamed him Prince Devitt because nobody Japanese could pronounce his actual name. He was originally going to be called King David until people started questioning why the 24-year-old would be a king already. Eventually, Simon Inoki came up with the name Prince Devitt, which Devitt himself also preferred.<ref name="auto1">{{cite web | url = https://www.postandcourier.com/staff/mike_mooneyham/from-king-to-prince-to-warrior-nxt-champ-finn-balor/article_54893192-caae-51cf-8bf0-f28a2653d036.html | title = From King to Prince to Warrior, NXT champ Finn Balor could be next big thing in WWE | last=Mooneyham | first=Mike | date=2 April 2016 | access-date=7 September 2017 | work=The Post and Courier}}</ref> In May 2006, New Japan started holding brand{{ndash}}exclusive events, and Devitt was assigned to the Wrestle Land brand, debuting under a mask as the second Pegasus Kid, which led to comparisons between Devitt and the original Pegasus Kid, Chris Benoit.<ref name="pickering">{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/content/view/4431/105/|title=Prince Devitt of New Japan interview recap|last=Pickering|first=Mark|access-date=8 July 2009|publisher=Wrestling Observer/Figure Four Online}}</ref>
During his tour of New Japan in late August and early September, he started competing again as his Prince Devitt identity, utilizing an Irish superstar gimmick. He eventually turned heel and started teaming with the Control Terrorism Unit (CTU) in an apprentice{{ndash}}type role. While teaming with CTU, he began a losing streak, aggravating his teammates to such a degree that they did not want anything to do with him anymore. This led to him being given one final chance on 6 October, where he rose to the occasion and impressed his CTU teammates enough to continue his association with them. To solidify his status with the stable, Devitt teamed with CTU leader, Jushin Thunder Liger to take on Wataru Inoue and Ryusuke Taguchi. In a huge twist, Devitt was the one to make the final cover on Inoue following a stiff brainbuster. From then on he was officially recognized as a member of the CTU.
His momentum was halted in January 2007, when he suffered a serious knee injury, sidelining him from in-ring action in New Japan until early May of that year. Following the injury, he returned to action, showing great improvement and was touted by fellow CTU teammate, Minoru, as the future winner of the 2007 Best of the Super Juniors tournament. However, when the tournament was held in June 2007, Devitt scored no points and was eliminated early from the competition. Following the folding of CTU in August 2007,<ref name=CTUFarewell>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result_game.php?e=606&c=4298|title=Last of C.T.U～C.T.U Farewell in Korakuen Hall～|access-date=30 September 2014|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}}</ref> Devitt and Minoru joined the new RISE stable, forming a tag team named "Prince Prince", a reference to both Devitt's ring name and Minoru's nickname, "Black Prince".<ref name=Circuit2008Ism>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result_game.php?e=323&c=2083|title=Circuit2008 New Japan Ism|access-date=30 September 2014|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}}</ref> In November 2007, TNA made a tour of Japan, during which Devitt and Minoru were defeated by TNA wrestlers Senshi and Christopher Daniels.
On 27 January 2008, Devitt and Minoru won the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship, this served as Devitt's first major tag title reign.<ref name=Circuit2008Ism/><ref name="IWGPtag">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/japan/newjapan/iwgp-j-t.html|title=International Wrestling Grand Prix Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Title|access-date=28 March 2009|publisher=Wrestling-Titles}}</ref> They lost the championship to Akira and Jyushin Thunder Liger in February, before regaining the title on 21 July.<ref name="IWGPtag"/> After a near three-month reign they lost the championship to No Limit (Tetsuya Naito and Yujiro) in October.<ref name="IWGPtag"/>
==== Apollo 55 (2009–2013) ==== {{main|Apollo 55}} Devitt teamed with Ryusuke Taguchi as {{nihongo|Apollo 55|アポロ・ゴー・ゴー|Aporo Gō Gō}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/columns/100244/The-Custom-Made-News-Report-03.25.09.htm|title=The Custom Made News Report 03.25.09|date=25 March 2009|last=Byers|first=Ryan|access-date=27 March 2009|publisher=411mania}}</ref> and on 5 July 2009 at ''Circuit 2009 New Japan Soul'' they defeated The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin) to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.njpw1972.com/champion/iwgp-jr-heavyweight-tag-team-61st|title=IWGP Jr. HEAVYWEIGHT TAG TEAM 61ST {{pipe}} NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING|website=NJPW|access-date=10 January 2020}}</ref> On 30 May, Devitt entered the 2009 Best of the Super Juniors tournament. After winning his block in the round-robin stage of the tournament, Devitt advanced to the semifinals, where he defeated Kota Ibushi. In the end, Devitt was defeated in the finals of the tournament by Koji Kanemoto.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/results/bosj09.html|title=Best of the Super Jr. XVI ~The Hard Luck Soldiers~ (5/30/09 to 6/14/09)|access-date=8 May 2010|publisher=Strong Style Spirit|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924120208/http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/results/bosj09.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> In December, Devitt entered the 2009 Super J-Cup. After defeating Atsushi Aoki, Danshoku Dino and Yamato, Devitt was once again defeated in the finals of the tournament, this time by Naomichi Marufuji.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=1279|title=Results New Japan "SUPER J-CUP 5TH STAGE", 12/23/09|date=23 December 2009|access-date=8 May 2010|publisher=Strong Style Spirit|archive-date=27 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927185125/http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=1279|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 4 January 2010, at Wrestle Kingdom IV in Tokyo Dome, Devitt and Taguchi successfully defended the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship against Averno and Último Guerrero.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/content/view/11848/|title=4 January New Japan Tokyo Dome report – legends, promotional wars|date=4 January 2010|access-date=4 January 2010|publisher=Wrestling Observer}}</ref> On 21 April, Devitt and Taguchi were stripped of the title, after not defending them for 30 days.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=1519|title=Apollo 55 vacate IWGP Jr. Tag Title; new champions on 5/8!|date=21 April 2010|access-date=24 April 2010|publisher=Strong Style Spirit|archive-date=27 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227013016/http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=1519|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 8 May, the two entered the Super J Tag Tournament in an attempt to regain the championship, but were defeated in the finals by the team of El Samurai and Koji Kanemoto.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/result/index.php?COM=result_main&SRNO=160&TKNO=1|title=43歳コンビの金本＆サムライが「SUPER J TAG」初代王者に輝く!!/無念！ タイガー玉砕でまたしてもIWGP Jr.奪還ならず!!|publisher=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|date=8 May 2010|access-date=8 May 2010|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100511115849/http://www.njpw.co.jp/result/index.php?COM=result_main&SRNO=160&TKNO=1|archive-date=11 May 2010}}</ref>
On 30 May, Devitt entered the 2010 Best of the Super Juniors tournament and two weeks later finished second in his block with five victories, advancing to the semifinals of the tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=1591|title=(Results) New Japan 5/30/10|date=30 May 2010|access-date=13 June 2010|publisher=Strong Style Spirit}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=1641|title=(Results) New Japan, 6/12/10|date=12 June 2010|access-date=13 June 2010|publisher=Strong Style Spirit|archive-date=12 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312040112/http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=1641|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 13 June, Devitt first defeated Taiji Ishimori in the semifinals and then Kota Ibushi in the finals to win the tournament and earn a shot at Naomichi Marufuji's IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship.<ref name=BOSJ2010>{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=1646|title=(Results) New Japan, 6/13/10|date=13 June 2010|access-date=13 June 2010|publisher=Strong Style Spirit|archive-date=12 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312040134/http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=1646|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 19 June at Dominion 6.19, Devitt defeated Marufuji to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship for the first time.<ref name=IWGPJunior>{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=1659|title=(Results) New Japan "DOMINION 6.19", 6/19|date=19 June 2010|access-date=19 June 2010|publisher=Strong Style Spirit}}</ref> Eleven days later, Devitt, Taguchi and Hirooki Goto won the J Sports Crown Openweight 6 Man Tag Tournament, defeating Hiroshi Tanahashi, TAJIRI and Kushida in the finals.<ref name=JSportsCrown6Finals>{{cite web |url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/result/index.php?COM=result_main&SRNO=162&TKNO=3 |title=「このチームでメキシコに行こう！」6人タッグ王者・後藤＆田口＆デヴィットの"Apollo555"誕生!! |work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling |date=30 June 2010 |access-date=30 June 2010 |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100702024247/http://www.njpw.co.jp/result/index.php?COM=result_main&SRNO=162&TKNO=3 |archive-date=2 July 2010 }}</ref><ref name=JSportsCrown6FinalsSSS>{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=1709|title=(Results) New Japan, 6/30/10|work=Strong Style Spirit|date=30 June 2010|access-date=30 June 2010|archive-date=12 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312040249/http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=1709|url-status=dead}}</ref> Devitt made his first successful Junior Heavyweight Championship title defense on 11 July, defeating Pro Wrestling Noah's Atsushi Aoki.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=1731|title=(Results) New Japan, 7/11/10 & G1 Climax 2010 cast announced; Shiozaki, Marufuji, Kojima!|work=Strong Style Spirit|date=11 July 2010|access-date=11 July 2010}}</ref> Just over a week later, on 19 July, Devitt and Taguchi defeated Koji Kanemoto and El Samurai to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship for the second time as a team.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=1785|title=(Results) New Japan, 7/19/10|date=19 July 2010|access-date=20 July 2010|work=Strong Style Spirit|archive-date=12 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312040334/http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=1785|url-status=dead}}</ref> In August Devitt entered New Japan's biggest tournament of the year, the G1 Climax, as a substitute for the injured Naomichi Marufuji.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=1833|title=Devitt replaces Marufuji in the G1!|work=Strong Style Spirit|date=5 August 2010|access-date=15 August 2010}}</ref> Devitt managed to win four out of his seven matches in the round-robin stage of the tournament, including a major victory over former four-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi, but finished fifth in his block and missed advancing to the finals by a single point.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=1950|title=(Results) New Japan, 8/14/10|work=Strong Style Spirit|date=14 August 2010|access-date=15 August 2010|archive-date=12 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312040632/http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=1950|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=1973|title=(Results) New Japan, 8/15/10|work=Strong Style Spirit|date=15 August 2010|access-date=15 August 2010|archive-date=12 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312040709/http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=1973|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 3 September, Devitt made his second successful defense of the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, defeating DDT Pro-Wrestling representative Kenny Omega, that he won on 11 November 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=2031|title=(Results) New Japan, 9/3/10|date=3 September 2010|access-date=25 October 2010|work=Strong Style Spirit|archive-date=27 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327035104/http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=2031|url-status=dead}}</ref> Omega and Kota Ibushi, the team known collectively as the Golden☆Lovers, came back on 11 October at Destruction '10 and defeated Devitt and Taguchi to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=2154|title=(Results) New Japan, 10/11/10|work=Strong Style Spirit|date=11 October 2010|access-date=11 October 2010|archive-date=14 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101014184056/http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=2154|url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[File:Kota Ibushi 2011.JPG|thumb|left|Devitt after losing the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship to Kota Ibushi at Dominion 6.18]] On 11 December, Devitt made his third successful IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship defense, defeating another New Japan outsider, Davey Richards.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=2408|title=(Results) New Japan, 12/11/10 & Liger wins another title in USA|date=11 December 2010|work=Strong Style Spirit|access-date=11 December 2010|archive-date=28 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200328193352/http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=2408|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 4 January 2011, at Wrestle Kingdom V in Tokyo Dome, Devitt successfully defended the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship against Kota Ibushi, avenging the loss from the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=132|script-title=ja:レッスルキングダムV ｉｎ 東京ドーム|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|access-date=4 January 2011|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1294158810 |title=1/4 TNA-NJPW Results: Tokyo, Japan |last=Gerweck |first=Steve |date=4 January 2011 |access-date=4 January 2011 |work=Wrestleview |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110107121731/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1294158810 |archive-date=7 January 2011 }}</ref> On 23 January at ''Fantastica Mania 2011'', a New Japan and Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) co–promoted event in Tokyo, Devitt and Taguchi defeated Kenny Omega and Kota Ibushi to regain the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship, making Devitt a double IWGP champion for the second time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=134|title=NJPW Presents CMLL Fantastica Mania 2011|date=23 January 2011|access-date=23 January 2011|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}}</ref><ref name=FantasticaManiaSSS>{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=2525|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120907101533/http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=2525|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 September 2012|title=(Results) New Japan x CMLL, 1/23/11|date=23 January 2011|access-date=23 January 2011|work=Strong Style Spirit}}</ref> Devitt continued his streak of defending the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship against New Japan outsiders, when he successfully defended the title against Taka Michinoku on 20 February and Kushida on 19 March.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=142|title=The New Beginning|date=20 February 2011|access-date=20 February 2011|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=2662|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120919105340/http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=2662|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 September 2012|title=(Results) New Japan, 3/19/11|date=19 March 2011|access-date=19 March 2011|work=Strong Style Spirit}}</ref> In May, Devitt took part in the Invasion Tour 2011, New Japan's first tour of the United States, during which he successfully defended the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship against Low Ki on 14 May in New York City and the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship against the Strong Style Thugz (Homicide and Low Ki) on 15 May in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1305481617 |title=5/14 New Japan Pro-Wrestling Results: New York |last=Martin |first=Adam |date=15 May 2011 |access-date=15 May 2011 |work=Wrestleview |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522041320/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1305481617 |archive-date=22 May 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1305557577|title=5/15 New Japan Pro-Wrestling Results: Philly, PA|last=Martin|first=Adam|date=16 May 2011|access-date=16 May 2011|work=Wrestleview|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610122633/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1305557577|archive-date=10 June 2011}}</ref> On 26 May, Devitt entered the 2011 Best of the Super Juniors tournament. After losing his opening match against Davey Richards, Devitt went on a seven match winning streak to finish first in his block in the round-robin stage of the tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=2861|title=(Results) New Japan, 5/26/11|date=26 May 2011|work=Strong Style Spirit|access-date=8 June 2011|archive-date=14 September 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120914102520/http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=2861|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=2894|title=(Results) New Japan, 6/8/11|date=8 June 2011|work=Strong Style Spirit|access-date=8 June 2011|archive-date=7 September 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120907145645/http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=2894|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 10 June, Devitt was eliminated from the tournament in the semifinals by his own tag team partner, Ryusuke Taguchi.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=229|title= Best of the Super Jr.XVIII ~ Bring it on! ~|access-date= 10 June 2011|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}}</ref> On 18 June at Dominion 6.18, Devitt lost the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship to Best of the Super Juniors winner, Kota Ibushi, ending his reign at 364 days.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=230|title=Dominion 6.18|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|access-date=18 June 2011|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/Other_News_4/article_50865.shtml|title=NJPW News: Results from Dominion PPV Saturday – MVP's first IWGP IC Title defense, TNA wrestler appears, key title change|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=18 June 2011|access-date=19 June 2011|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref>
On 23 June, Devitt, Taguchi and Hirooki Goto won their second J Sports Crown Openweight 6 Man Tag Tournament in a row by defeating the team of Giant Bernard, Jushin Thunder Liger and Karl Anderson in the finals of the three-day-long tournament.<ref name=JSportsSixMan2011>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=338|title=「J Sports Crown」 ～無差別級6人タッグトーナメント～|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|access-date=23 June 2011|language=ja}}</ref> On 24 July, Devitt received his rematch for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship at Ryōgoku Peter Pan 2011, but was unable to regain the title from Ibushi.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=3023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214184858/http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=3023|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 February 2022|title=Ibushi retains IWGP Jr. over Devitt in DDT|date=24 July 2011|access-date=24 July 2011|work=Strong Style Spirit}}</ref> This led to a match on 14 August, where Apollo 55 successfully defended the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship against the Golden☆Lovers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=322|title=ブシロード Presents G1 Climax XXI ～The Invincible Fighter～|date=14 August 2011|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|access-date=14 August 2011|language=ja}}</ref> On 11 September, Apollo 55 defeated Taichi and Taka Michinoku to make their seventh successful IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship defense, breaking the record for most defenses during a single reign.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=3148|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214184516/http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=3148|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 February 2022|title=(Results) New Japan, 9/11/11|date=11 September 2011|access-date=11 September 2011|work=Strong Style Spirit}}</ref> When Kota Ibushi was forced to vacate the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship after dislocating his left shoulder, Devitt, as the previous champion, was ushered into a decision match to determine a new champion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/news/detail.php?nid=6319|title=9.19神戸大会全カード決定! 飯伏が負傷欠場、デヴィvsKushidaで"新王者"決定戦！金本vs魔界28号は星野勘太郎メモリアルマッチ!!|date=12 September 2011|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|access-date=19 September 2011|language=ja}}</ref> On 19 September, Devitt defeated Kushida to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship for the second time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=394|title=G1 Climax Special 2011|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|access-date=19 September 2011|language=ja}}</ref> On 10 October at Destruction '11, Devitt and Taguchi lost the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship to the No Remorse Corps (Davey Richards and Rocky Romero).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=412|title=Destruction '11|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|access-date=10 October 2011|language=ja}}</ref> Devitt made the first successful title defense of his second IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship reign on 12 November at Power Struggle, defeating Taka Michinoku,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=469|title=Power Struggle|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|access-date=12 November 2011|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111114175302/http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=469|archive-date=14 November 2011}}</ref> and followed that up by defeating the man who had pinned him for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship, Davey Richards, in his second defense on 4 December.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=481|title=New Japan Alive 2011|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|access-date=4 December 2011|language=ja}}</ref> On 23 December, Devitt defeated the other half of No Remorse Corps, Rocky Romero, to make his third IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship defense.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=487|title=Road to Kingdom 1st|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|access-date=23 December 2011|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108173618/http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=487|archive-date=8 January 2012}}</ref> On 4 January 2012 at Wrestle Kingdom VI in Tokyo Dome, Devitt and Taguchi defeated Richards and Romero to once again regain the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship, starting Devitt's record-breaking sixth reign as one half of the champions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=470|title=NJPW 40th anniversary Tour. レッスルキングダムVI in 東京ドーム|access-date=4 January 2012|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108044116/http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=470|archive-date=8 January 2012}}</ref> On 12 February at The New Beginning, Apollo 55 lost the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship back to the No Remorse Corps in their first defense.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=513|title=The New Beginning|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|access-date=12 February 2012|language=ja}}</ref> This led to a match on 10 March, where Devitt defeated Davey Richards to make his fourth successful defense of the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=518|title=NJPW 40th Anniversary Tour New Japan Glory 2012|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|access-date=10 March 2012|language=ja}}</ref>
On 14 March 2012, Devitt traveled to Mexico for his first tour of the country with the Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre promotion, as part of a working relationship between New Japan and CMLL.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/news/detail.php?nid=7209|title=プリンス・デヴィットがメキシコ到着!! CMLL遠征がいよいよ本格スタート!!|date=16 March 2012|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|access-date=16 March 2012|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://superluchas.net/imagen-prince-devitt-ya-esta-en-mexico/|title=Imagen: Prince Devitt ya está en México|last=Ruiz Glez|first=Alex|date=14 March 2012|work=SuperLuchas|access-date=16 March 2012|language=es}}</ref> After being sidelined from in-ring action due to a calf injury for his first week in Mexico, Devitt made his CMLL debut on 23 March, teaming with Marco Corleone and Rush in a six-man tag team main event, where they faced Mephisto, Último Guerrero and Volador Jr. After pinning Volador Jr. for the win, Devitt challenged him to a match for the NWA World Historic Middleweight Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1332011871|title=Viva La Raza! Lucha Weekly|last=Martin|first=Adam|date=17 March 2012|work=Wrestleview|access-date=24 March 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319142600/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1332011871|archive-date=19 March 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://superluchas.net/imagen-prince-devitt-en-la-arena-mexico-logra-su-primera-victoria/|title=Imagen: Prince Devitt en la Arena México – Logra su primera victoria|last=Ruiz Glez|first=Alex|date=24 March 2012|work=SuperLuchas|access-date=24 March 2012|language=es}}</ref> On 30 March, Devitt defeated Volador Jr. to become the new NWA World Historic Middleweight Champion.<ref name=CMLL033012>{{cite web|url=http://cmll.com/02_resultados/super_viernes/super_viernes_cmll.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120920014015/http://cmll.com/02_resultados/super_viernes/super_viernes_cmll.htm |title=Viernes 30 de Marzo '12 |last=Salazar López |first=Alexis A. |work=Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre |date=31 March 2012 |archive-date=20 September 2012 |access-date=1 April 2012 |language=es |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/news/detail.php?nid=7284|title=【写真大量追加!!】メキシコで快挙！デヴィットがボラドールJr.を破って、NWA世界ヒストリック・ミドル級王座を奪取!!|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|date=2 April 2012|access-date=2 April 2012|language=ja}}</ref> On 3 May at Wrestling Dontaku 2012, Devitt lost the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship to Low Ki in his fifth defense, ending his second reign at 227 days.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=543|title=NJPW 40th anniversary レスリングどんたく 2012|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|date=3 May 2012|access-date=3 May 2012|language=ja}}</ref> On 27 May, Devitt entered the 2012 Best of the Super Juniors tournament, which he started off with losses against Kushida and Taichi.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=563|title=NJPW 40th anniversary Tour Best of the Super Jr. XIX ～The door to the glory～|access-date=9 June 2012|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=564|title=NJPW 40th anniversary Tour Best of the Super Jr. XIX ～The door to the glory～|access-date=9 June 2012|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}}</ref> Devitt bounced back, winning five out of his six remaining matches, including a win over Jushin Thunder Liger in the final round-robin match of the tournament on 9 June, to finish second in his block and advance to the semifinals of the tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=571|title=NJPW 40th anniversary Tour Best of the Super Jr. XIX ～The door to the glory～|access-date=9 June 2012|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}}</ref> The following day, Devitt was eliminated from the tournament in the semifinals by Low Ki.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=572|title=NJPW 40th anniversary Tour Best of the Super Jr. XIX ～The door to the glory～|access-date=10 June 2012|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}}</ref> On 8 July, Devitt defeated Taichi to make his first successful defense of the NWA World Historic Middleweight Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=586|title=NJPW 40th anniversary Tour Kizuna Road|access-date=8 July 2012|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}}</ref> His second successful title defense took place on 29 July, when he defeated previous champion Volador Jr. in a rematch in the main event of a New Japan event in Korakuen Hall.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=596|title=NJPW 40th anniversary Last Rebellion|access-date=29 July 2012|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}}</ref> On 12 September, Devitt returned to Mexico for another tour with CMLL.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/news/detail.php?nid=8161|script-title=ja:プリンス・デヴィット選手がメキシコ入り！|date=13 September 2012|access-date=13 September 2012|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}}</ref> Devitt wrestled his first match back in CMLL two days later at the ''79th Anniversary Show'', where he, Atlantis and Místico II were defeated in a six-man tag team match by Dragón Rojo Jr., Negro Casas and Último Guerrero, when Rojo pinned Devitt for the win.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cmll.com/02_resultados/super_viernes/super_viernes_cmll.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120920014015/http://cmll.com/02_resultados/super_viernes/super_viernes_cmll.htm |title=Viernes 14 de Septiembre '12 |last=Salazar López |first=Alexis A. |archive-date=20 September 2012 |date=15 September 2012 |access-date=15 September 2012 |work=Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre |language=es |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/news/detail.php?nid=8178|title=【CMLL】プリンス・デヴィット参戦『アニベルサリオ』試合結果|date=17 September 2012|access-date=18 September 2012|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}}</ref> On 21 September, Devitt was again pinned by Rojo in a six-man tag team match, where he teamed with Blue Panther and La Sombra to face Rojo, Mr. Águila and Taichi. Afterwards, Devitt accepted Rojo's challenge for the NWA World Historic Middleweight Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cmll.com/02_resultados/super_viernes/super_viernes_cmll.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120920014015/http://cmll.com/02_resultados/super_viernes/super_viernes_cmll.htm |title=Viernes 21 de Septiembre '12 |last=Salazar López |first=Alexis A. |archive-date=20 September 2012 |date=22 September 2012 |access-date=22 September 2012 |work=Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre |language=es |url-status=dead }}</ref> On the 28 September CMLL Super Viernes show, Devitt lost the title to Rojo, ending his reign at 182 days.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cmll.com/02_resultados/super_viernes/super_viernes_cmll.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120920014015/http://cmll.com/02_resultados/super_viernes/super_viernes_cmll.htm |title=Viernes 28 de Septiembre '12 |last=Salazar López |first=Alexis A. |archive-date=20 September 2012 |date=29 September 2012 |access-date=29 September 2012 |work=Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre |language=es |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/news/detail.php?nid=8259|title=デヴィットが、ドラゴン・ロホ・ジュニアに敗れ、NWA世界ヒストリック王座から、陥落!!|date=1 October 2012|access-date=2 October 2012|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}}</ref>
Devitt returned to New Japan on 8 October at King of Pro-Wrestling, challenging IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Low Ki to a title match, after he had regained the title from Kota Ibushi.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=619|title=NJPW 40ｔｈ anniversary King of Pro-Wrestling|access-date=8 October 2012|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014185115/http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=619|archive-date=14 October 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/Other_News_4/article_65783.shtml|title=Japan News: TNA stars drop Tag Titles, former WWE stars win Tag Titles, Low-Ki recaptures title, more|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=8 October 2012|access-date=8 October 2012|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> On 21 October, Apollo 55 entered the 2012 Super Jr. Tag Tournament, defeating Chaos World Wrestling Warriors (Brian Kendrick and Low Ki) in their first round match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=621|title=NJPW 40ｔｈ anniversary Tour Road to Power Struggle|access-date=21 October 2012|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}}</ref> On 2 November, Devitt and Taguchi defeated the reigning IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions, the Forever Hooligans (Alex Koslov and Rocky Romero), to advance to the finals of the tournament, where, later that same day, they were defeated by the Time Splitters (Alex Shelley and Kushida).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=624|title=NJPW 40ｔｈ anniversary Tour Road to Power Struggle|access-date=2 November 2012|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}}</ref> On 11 November at Power Struggle, Devitt defeated Low Ki to win the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship for the third time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=625|title=NJPW 40th anniversary Power Struggle|access-date=11 November 2012|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/more/more-top-stories/118-daily-updates/28337-sun-update-turning-point-preview-ppv-title-change-mania-tickets-big-show-cena-linda-mcmahon-campaign-new-wwe-announcer-debuts-major-wrestling-historical-anniversary|title=Sun. update: Turning Point preview, PPV title change, Mania tickets, Big Show, Cena, Linda McMahon campaign, New WWE announcer debuts, Major wrestling historical anniversary|last=Meltzer|first=Dave|author-link=Dave Meltzer|date=11 November 2012|access-date=11 November 2012|work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}}</ref> On 4 January 2013 at Wrestle Kingdom 7 in Tokyo Dome, Devitt defeated Low Ki and Kota Ibushi in a rare three-way match for his first successful defense of the title.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=657|title=Wrestle Kingdom 7 ～Evolution～ in 東京ドーム|access-date=4 January 2013|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/Arena_Reports_10/article_67650.shtml|title=Show Results – 1/4 New Japan Tokyo Dome Show: Former WWE stars in undercard matches, Tanahashi vs. Okada, did any titles change hands?|date=4 January 2013|access-date=4 January 2013|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> Following his win, Devitt accepted a challenge for the title made by his tag team partner, Ryusuke Taguchi.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result_game.php?e=657&c=5007|title=Wrestle Kingdom 7 ～Evolution～ in 東京ドーム|access-date=4 January 2013|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}}</ref> On 3 February, Devitt picked up a big win, when he pinned reigning IWGP Heavyweight Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi in a tag team match, where he and Karl Anderson faced Tanahashi and Taguchi.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=684|title=Road to The New Beginning|access-date=3 February 2013|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}}</ref> Seven days later, Devitt defeated Taguchi at The New Beginning for his second successful defense of the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=687|title=The New Beginning|access-date=10 February 2013|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}}</ref> On 3 March, Devitt main evented New Japan's 41st anniversary event, losing to Hiroshi Tanahashi in a non-title match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=691|script-title=ja:旗揚げ記念日|access-date=3 March 2013|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}}</ref> Following the loss, Devitt began portraying a more cocky and villainous persona, regularly disrespecting both partners and opponents, with the exception of Ryusuke Taguchi, whom he tried to get to go along with his new attitude.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result_game.php?e=695&c=5198 |title=New Japan Cup 2013 |access-date=5 April 2013 |work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130414144213/http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result_game.php?e=695&c=5198 |archive-date=14 April 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result_game.php?e=701&c=5242|title=New Japan Cup 2013|access-date=5 April 2013|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}}</ref> On 5 April, Devitt defeated Alex Shelley for his third successful defense of the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=705|title=Road to Invasion Attack|access-date=5 April 2013|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}}</ref> Two days later at Invasion Attack, Apollo 55 unsuccessfully challenged Time Splitters for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship, after which Devitt turned on Taguchi, ending the longtime partnership between the two, and debuted Bad Luck Fale as his new "bouncer", while also dubbing himself the "Real Rocknrolla".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result_game.php?e=706&c=5259 |title=Invasion Attack |access-date=7 April 2013 |work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130506090056/http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result_game.php?e=706&c=5259 |archive-date=6 May 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/otherppvs/article_69827.shtml|title=Caldwell's New Japan "Invasion Attack" iPPV report 4/7: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of new IWGP World champion, U.S. stars in title matches, more|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=7 April 2013|access-date=7 April 2013|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref>
==== Bullet Club (2013–2014) ==== {{main|Bullet Club}}
thumb|left|upright|Devitt in June 2013 The first match between the former members of Apollo 55 took place on 3 May at Wrestling Dontaku 2013, where Devitt and Fale defeated Taguchi and Captain New Japan in a tag team match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result_game.php?e=708&c=5313 |script-title=ja:レスリングどんたく 2013 |access-date=3 May 2013 |work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130527033945/http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result_game.php?e=708&c=5313 |archive-date=27 May 2013 }}</ref> Later in the event, Devitt and Fale were joined by Karl Anderson and Tama Tonga for an attack on Hiroshi Tanahashi.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result_game.php?e=708&c=5320 |script-title=ja:レスリングどんたく 2013 |access-date=3 May 2013 |work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130601033010/http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result_game.php?e=708&c=5320 |archive-date=1 June 2013 }}</ref> The new group was subsequently named "Bullet Club".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/news/detail.php?nid=9478 |title=「イッツ・リィィィアル!! 」なんとアンダーソン、トンガとも合体!! デヴィットが外国人軍団"Bullet Club"結成!! |date=3 May 2013 |access-date=3 May 2013 |work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509181451/http://www.njpw.co.jp/news/detail.php?nid=9478 |archive-date=9 May 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/Arena_Reports_10/article_70387.shtml|title=Show results – 5/3 NJPW Dontaku PPV: U.S. stars lose titles or title matches, Okada's first IWGP Title defense, more|date=4 May 2013|access-date=4 May 2013|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> On 24 May, Devitt entered the 2013 Best of the Super Juniors, where he ended up winning his block with a clean record of eight wins,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=726|title=Best of the Super Jr. XX|access-date=6 June 2013|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}}</ref> though often using outside help from his Bullet Club stablemates to win his matches.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result_game.php?e=719&c=5371|title=Best of the Super Jr. XX|access-date=6 June 2013|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result_game.php?e=722&c=5400|title=Best of the Super Jr. XX|access-date=6 June 2013|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result_game.php?e=724&c=5418|title=Best of the Super Jr. XX|access-date=6 June 2013|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}}</ref> On 9 June, Devitt first defeated Kenny Omega in the semifinals and then Alex Shelley in the finals to win his second Best of the Super Juniors.<ref name=BOSJ2013>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=727 |title=Best of the Super Jr. XX |access-date=9 June 2013 |work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615005439/http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=727 |archive-date=15 June 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/more/more-top-stories/102-japan/31701-and-the-winner-of-the-2013-best-of-the-super-juniors-is|title=And the winner of the 2013 Best Of The Super Juniors is.....|date=9 June 2013|access-date=9 June 2013|work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nikkansports.com/battle/news/f-bt-tp0-20130610-1140368.html|script-title=ja:デヴィット優勝「次は棚橋」／新日本|date=10 June 2013|access-date=9 June 2013|work=Nikkan Sports|language=ja}}</ref> Following his win, Devitt challenged Hiroshi Tanahashi, while also naming his next goal; becoming the first wrestler to hold the IWGP Junior Heavyweight and IWGP Heavyweight Championships simultaneously.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/151220/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130614075049/http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/151220/|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 June 2013|script-title=ja:新日スーパージュニア全勝Ｖのデヴィットが棚橋狩りへ|date=11 June 2013|access-date=11 June 2013|work=Tokyo Sports|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nikkansports.com/battle/news/p-bt-tp0-20130611-1140860.html|script-title=ja:デヴィットＩＷＧＰシングル２冠を狙う|date=11 June 2013|access-date=11 June 2013|work=Nikkan Sports|language=ja}}</ref>
On 22 June at Dominion 6.22, Devitt defeated Tanahashi with help from Bullet Club to earn his first shot at the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.<ref name=Dominion622>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=729|title=Dominion 6.22|access-date=22 June 2013|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}}</ref> Later in the event, reigning IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada accepted Devitt's challenge for his title on the condition that he first defend the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship against his Chaos stablemate Gedo.<ref name=Dominion622/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/Arena_Reports_10/article_71461.shtml|title=Show results – 6/22 NJPW Dominion iPPV: Devitt vs. Tanahashi, NWA Title defended, Benjamin, Hoyt, Shelley, more|date=22 June 2013|access-date=22 June 2013|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> On 5 July, Devitt defeated Gedo in his fourth successful title defense, advancing to the IWGP Heavyweight Championship match against Okada.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=730|title=吉野家Presents Kizuna Road 2013|access-date=5 July 2013|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/159947/|script-title=ja:デヴィットＶ４！オカダ戦に弾み|date=6 July 2013|access-date=6 July 2013|work=Tokyo Sports|language=ja|archive-date=11 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811143624/http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/159947/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The title match between the two took place on 20 July and saw Okada defeat Devitt, despite interference from the rest of Bullet Club, to retain his title.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=738|title=吉野家Presents Kizuna Road 2013|access-date=20 July 2013|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nikkansports.com/battle/news/f-bt-tp0-20130721-1160750.html|script-title=ja:王者オカダ、３度目防衛成功／新日本|date=21 July 2013|access-date=20 July 2013|work=Nikkan Sports|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/sports/fight/headlines/article/20130721-00000000-spnavi|script-title=ja:Ｖ３成功のＩＷＧＰ王者・オカダがＧ１連覇宣言＝新日本プロレス|date=21 July 2013|access-date=20 July 2013|work=Sports Navi|publisher=Yahoo!|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002175549/http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/sports/fight/headlines/article/20130721-00000000-spnavi|archive-date=2 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/misc-news/42741-7-20-njpw-results-akita-japan-devitt-vs-okada|title=7/20 NJPW iPPV Results: Akita, Japan (Devitt vs. Okada)|last=Namako|first=Jason|date=20 July 2013|access-date=20 July 2013|work=Wrestleview}}</ref> On 1 August, Devitt defeated Okada, with help from Fale, in the main event of the first day of the 2013 G1 Climax.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=739|title=ブシモ Presents G1 Climax 23|access-date=1 August 2013|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}}</ref> Despite three other big wins over former IWGP Heavyweight Champions Hiroshi Tanahashi,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=742|title=ブシモ Presents G1 Climax 23|access-date=11 August 2013|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}}</ref> Satoshi Kojima,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=744|title=ブシモ Presents G1 Climax 23|access-date=11 August 2013|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}}</ref> and Togi Makabe,<ref name=G1081113/> Devitt failed to advance from his block, finishing with a record of five wins and four losses.<ref name=G1081113>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=747 |title=ブシモ Presents G1 Climax 23 |access-date=11 August 2013 |work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130816170459/http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=747 |archive-date=16 August 2013 }}</ref> The rivalry between Devitt and Tanahashi culminated in a Lumberjack Deathmatch on 29 September at Destruction, where Tanahashi was victorious.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=759|title=Destruction|access-date=29 September 2013|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}}</ref>
[[File:BULLET CLUB.JPG|thumb|Devitt with Bullet Club in September 2013]] With the Tanahashi rivalry behind him, Devitt moved onto a new rivalry with Togi Makabe, who played a big part in him losing the Lumberjack Deathmatch.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/news/detail.php?nid=10344|title=10.14両国、全カード発表!! オカダvs棚橋! 中邑vs丸藤! 内藤vs裕二郎! 永田vs桜庭! 柴田vs石井! "X"とは？|date=30 September 2013|access-date=30 September 2013|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}}</ref> Meanwhile, Devitt also found himself a new challenger for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, recent NJPW signee Kota Ibushi, who pinned him a tag team match on 9 November at Power Struggle, where he and Bad Luck Fale were defeated by Ibushi and Makabe.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=772|title=Power Struggle|access-date=9 November 2013|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}}</ref> From 23 November to 7 December, Devitt and Fale took part in the 2013 World Tag League, where they finished with a record of three wins and three losses, with a loss against the previously winless Captain New Japan and Hiroshi Tanahashi on the final day costing them a spot in the semifinals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=782|title=World Tag League 2013|access-date=7 December 2013|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=792|title=World Tag League 2013|access-date=7 December 2013|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212005338/http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=792|archive-date=12 December 2013}}</ref>
[[File:Prince Devitt bodypaint 2014.jpg|thumb|left|Devitt in his final NJPW match, wrestling Ryusuke Taguchi at Invasion Attack 2014]] On 4 January 2014 at Wrestle Kingdom 8 in Tokyo Dome, Devitt's fourteen-month reign as the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion came to an end when he lost the title to Kota Ibushi in his fifth defense.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=781|title=バディファイトPresents Wrestle Kingdom 8 in 東京ドーム|access-date=4 January 2014|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}}</ref><ref name=Dome010414>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/otherppvs/article_75461.shtml|title=Caldwell's NJPW Tokyo Dome results 1/4: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of New Japan's biggest show of the year – four title changes, former WWE/TNA stars featured, more|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=4 January 2014|access-date=4 January 2014|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> Devitt wrestled the entire match in a full face and body paint, which he continued using for his bigger matches for the rest of his NJPW run.<ref name=Dome010414/><ref name=ChivertonPreview>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/The_Specialists_34/article_80025.shtml|title=Chiverton's NXT rankings & evaluation: Latest Network Era Rankings, plus Prince Devitt preview, more|last=Chiverton|first=George|date=7 August 2014|access-date=12 December 2014|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> The following day, Devitt was attacked by the returning Ryusuke Taguchi, who had been sidelined with an injury for the past seven months, re-igniting the rivalry between the two former partners.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result_game.php?e=806&c=6010|title=New Year Dash !!|access-date=5 January 2014|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}}</ref> On 6 April at Invasion Attack 2014, one year after the break-up of Apollo 55, Devitt faced Taguchi in a singles grudge match. During the match, Devitt repeatedly told The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson), the two newest members of Bullet Club, not to interfere in the match, which eventually led to them turning on him. In the end, Taguchi defeated Devitt, after which the two men shook hands, ending their rivalry with each other.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result.php?e=827|title=Invasion Attack 2014|access-date=6 April 2014|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}}</ref> The following day, New Japan announced Devitt's resignation from the promotion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/news/detail.php?nid=11363 |script-title=ja:プリンス・デヴィット選手から、新日本プロレス退団の申し入れ |date=7 April 2014 |access-date=7 April 2014 |work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408211614/http://www.njpw.co.jp/news/detail.php?nid=11363 |archive-date=8 April 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/Other_News_4/article_77548.shtml|title=NJPW news: A.J. Styles to challenge for New Japan's top title, Prince Devitt "submits resignation," NWA World Title & Tag Title matches announced for next week|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=7 April 2014|access-date=7 April 2014|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> {{clear}}
=== WWE ===
==== NXT Champion (2014–2016) ==== [[File:Finn Balor at NXT in March 2015.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Bálor with body paint in March 2015]] On 15 May 2014, Devitt was reported to have signed with WWE and would join NXT, then the promotion's developmental territory, once he obtained a visa.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/article/85673/update-on-big-wwe-signing.html?p=1|title=Update on big WWE signing|date=15 May 2014|last=Johnson|first=Mike|access-date=16 May 2014|work=Pro Wrestling Insider}}</ref> On 28 July, WWE officially confirmed Devitt's signing, announcing he would report to NXT that same day.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/wwe-signs-fergal-devitt-26515616|title=WWE signs Fergal Devitt to NXT|date=28 July 2014|last=Clapp|first=John|access-date=28 July 2014|work=WWE|archive-date=16 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150616225408/http://www.wwe.com/inside/wwe-signs-fergal-devitt-26515616|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=McDonald|first=Karl|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/wwe-mma-wrestling/fergal-devitt-signs-with-wwe-an-utter-phenomenon-who-is-likely-to-succeed-9634664.html|title=Fergal Devitt signs with WWE|date=29 July 2014|access-date=14 August 2014|work=The Independent|archive-date=26 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826162334/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/wwe-mma-wrestling/fergal-devitt-signs-with-wwe-an-utter-phenomenon-who-is-likely-to-succeed-9634664.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 24 September, his new ring name was revealed to be Finn Bálor,<ref name=WWENamePWI>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/article/88489/prince-devitts-wwe-name-is.html?p=1|title=Prince Devitt's WWE name is...|last=Johnson|first=Mike|date=24 September 2014|access-date=25 September 2014|work=Pro Wrestling Insider}}</ref> derived from Irish mythological figures Fionn mac Cumhaill and Balor (the latter is also Gaelic for "Demon King").<ref name="WWE">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/finnbalor|title=Finn Bálor|access-date=7 November 2014|work=WWE}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/article/88543/details-behind-prince-devitts-new-wwe-persona.html?p=1|title=Details behind Prince Devitt's new WWE persona|last=Johnson|first=Mike|date=27 September 2014|access-date=12 October 2014|work=Pro Wrestling Insider}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6TFjjOe_pw| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211115/w6TFjjOe_pw| archive-date=15 November 2021 | url-status=live|title=NXT GM William Regal comments on Finn Bálor's NXT debut|date=6 November 2014|access-date=8 November 2014|work=WWE|publisher=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Bálor made his NXT debut on 6 November, aiding Hideo Itami against The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor).<ref name=NXTTaping092514>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/WWE_News_3/article_80935.shtml|title=WWE news: NXT spoilers for Oct. & November – Full Results from Thursday's TV taping at Full Sail University|last=Parry|first=Josh|date=25 September 2014|access-date=26 September 2014|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> In his debut match on 23 October, he and Itami defeated Justin Gabriel and Tyson Kidd in a tag team match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwinsider.com/article/89084/complete-1024-wwe-nxt-spoilers-from-full-sail-university.html?p=1|title=Complete 10/24 WWE NXT spoilers from Full Sail University|last=Twiss|first=Andrew|date=24 October 2014|access-date=24 October 2014|work=Pro Wrestling Insider}}</ref> After feuding with The Ascension, Bálor and Itami defeated them at NXT TakeOver: R Evolution on 11 December, where he also debuted his signature body paint.<ref name="NXTR-Evolution">{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwenxtreport/article_82237.shtml|title=Caldwell's WWE NXT Takeover results 12/11: Complete virtual-time coverage of Neville vs. Zayn for the NXT Title, Itami & Balor, Charlotte, Kevin Steen/Owens's debut, Corey Graves retires|date=11 December 2014|access-date=11 December 2014|last=Caldwell|first=James|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> Bálor then entered an NXT Championship number one contender's tournament, defeating Curtis Axel in the first round,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwenxtreport/article_82899.shtml|title=James's WWE NXT report 1/21 - Week 136: Zayn-Owens announced for next "Takeover" special, #1 contender tournament begins, Charlotte defends Women's Title; Overall Reax|date=21 January 2015|access-date=22 January 2015|last=James|first=Justin|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> Itami in the semi-finals<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwenxtreport/article_83152.shtml|title=James's WWE NXT report 2/4 - Week 138: Final hype for "Takeover" special, Balor vs. Itami in #1 contender tournament, Zayn-Owens video packages, more; Overall Reax|date=4 February 2015|access-date=4 February 2015|last=James|first=Justin|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> and Adrian Neville in the finals on 11 February at NXT TakeOver: Rival.<ref name="NXT-Rival">{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwenxtreport/article_83281.shtml|title=James's WWE NXT Takeover report 2/11: Zayn vs. Owens NXT Title match, Women's Title semi-main event, Neville vs. Balor, Itaml; Overall Reax|date=11 February 2015|access-date=12 February 2015|author=James, Justin|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> Bálor received his title match against Kevin Owens on 25 March, but was unsuccessful.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwenxtreport/article_84089.shtml|title=James' WWE NXT report 3/25 - Week 145: Owens vs. Balor for NXT Title, Sasha Banks defends Women's Title; Overall Reax|author=James, Justin|website=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=25 March 2015|access-date=26 March 2015}}</ref>
[[File:NXT Champion Finn Balor 2016.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Bálor after he retained the NXT Championship at NXT TakeOver: Dallas in April 2016]] After defeating Tyler Breeze on 20 May at NXT TakeOver: Unstoppable,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/article/93868/live-ongoing-wwe-nxt-takeover-unstoppable-report-finn-balor-versus-tyler-breeze.html?p=1|title=WWE NXT TakeOver Unstoppable report: Banks vs. Lynch, Owens vs. Zayn, a new debut, who is the number one contender, and more|author=Trionfo, Richard|website=PWInsider|date=20 May 2015|access-date=20 May 2015}}</ref> Bálor received another title shot against Owens on 4 July at The Beast in the East in Tokyo, Japan, defeating Owens to win the NXT Championship.<ref name="BeastEast">{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wweppvs/article_86018.shtml|title=Caldwell's WWE Network special report 7/4: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of "Beast in the East" - Lesnar's in-ring return, Owens vs. Balor for NXT Title, more|author=Caldwell, James|website=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=4 July 2015|access-date=4 July 2015}}</ref> Bálor defeated Owens in a ladder match to retain the title at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn on 22 August.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/more/more-top-stories/96-wwe-news/44186-wwe-nxt-takeover-live-results-a-main-card-finn-balor-vs-kevin-owens-sasha-banks-vs-bayley-samoa-joe-jushin-qthunderq-liger|title=WWE NXT TakeOver live results & main card: Finn Balor vs. Kevin Owens, Sasha Banks vs. Bayley, Samoa Joe, Jushin "Thunder" Liger|last=Witner|first=Emerson|date=22 August 2015|access-date=19 September 2015|work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter|archive-date=23 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150823140341/http://www.f4wonline.com/more/more-top-stories/96-wwe-news/44186-wwe-nxt-takeover-live-results-a-main-card-finn-balor-vs-kevin-owens-sasha-banks-vs-bayley-samoa-joe-jushin-qthunderq-liger|url-status=dead}}</ref> Bálor later entered the ''Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic'' tournament in August, pairing with Samoa Joe and defeating The Lucha Dragons (Sin Cara and Kalisto) in the first round,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/WWE_News_3/article_87144.shtml|title=WWE NEWS: Smackdown TV spoilers 8/27 - Radican's detailed in-person report|last=Radican|first=Sean|date=25 August 2015|access-date=25 August 2015|website=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady in the quarter-finals,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwenxtreport/article_87774.shtml|title=James's WWE NXT report 9/30 - Week 182: Balor & Joe in Dusty tournament, Ciampa and Gargano in singles matches, final "Takeover" card, more; Overall Reax|last=James|first=Justin|date=30 September 2015|access-date=30 September 2015|website=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson in the semi-finals and Baron Corbin and Rhyno in the finals on 7 October at NXT TakeOver: Respect to win the tournament.<ref name=NXTRespect>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2015/10/07/22560127.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151122073021/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2015/10/07/22560127.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 November 2015|title=Bayley is the Iron Woman against Banks at NXT TakeOver: Respect|last=Howell|first=Nolan|date=7 October 2015|access-date=8 October 2015|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=Canadian Online Explorer}}</ref> On 4 November episode of ''NXT'', Bálor defended the NXT Championship against Apollo Crews, but the match ended in a no contest after Baron Corbin interfered, attacking both men. Joe came out and chased Corbin away before turning on Bálor and attacking him,<ref>{{cite web|last=Trionfo|first=Richard|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/article/97631/ongoing-wwe-nxt-report-balor-versus-crews-continues.html?p=1|title=WWE NXT report: Balor versus Crews, Asuka and a Total Diva, bonjour Eva Marie, tag title match next week, turmoil at the end of the show|date=4 November 2015|work=Pro Wrestling Insider|access-date=17 December 2015}}</ref> which ignited a feud between the two.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/article/97778/wwe-nxt-report-tag-title-match-bayley-and-alexa-in-six-person-tag-action-samoa-joe-explains-himself-the-ascension-are-back-next-week-and-what-is-going-on-with-nia-jax-and-eva-marie.html?p=1|title=WWE NXT report: tag title match, Bayley and Alexa in six person tag action, Samoa Joe explains himself, the Ascension are back next week, and what is going on with Nia Jax and Eva Marie?|author=Trionfo, Richard|website=Pro Wrestling Insider|date=11 November 2015|access-date=17 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/article/97910/wwe-nxt-report-womens-title-match-a-lot-of-stuff-for-next-week-tag-champs-in-action-the-plan-is-afoot-and-more.html?p=1|title=WWE NXT report: women's title match, a lot of stuff for next week, tag champs in action, the plan is afoot, and more|author=Trionfo, Richard|work=Pro Wrestling Insider|date=18 November 2015|access-date=17 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Trionfo|first1=Richard|title=#WWE #NXT report: Eva Marie versus Bailey...did the impossible happen?, a contract signing, a lot of attacks before and after matches, and more|url=http://pwinsider.com/article/98083/wwe-nxt-report-eva-marie-versus-bayley-did-the-impossible-happen-a-contract-signing-a-lot-of-attacks-before-and-after-matches-and-more.html?p=1|website=PWInsider|date=25 November 2015|access-date=17 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Trionfo|first=Richard|title=WWE NXT report: Joe vs. Ciampa, matches made official for TakeOver, were the Vaudevillains ready willing and Gable?, and more|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/article/98185/wwe-nxt-report-joe-vs-ciampa-matches-made-official-for-takeover-were-the-vaudevillains-ready-willing-and-gable-and-more.html?p=1|date=2 December 2015|work=Pro Wrestling Insider|access-date=17 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/article/98331/wwe-nxt-report-final-tune-up-for-nxt-takeover-london-balor-and-crews-versus-joe-and-corbin-in-the-main-event-challengers-on-a-mission-and-more.html?p=1|title=WWE NXT report: final tune up for NXT TAkeOver London, Balor and Crews versus Joe and Corbin in the main event, challengers on a mission, and more|author=Trionfo, Richard|work=Pro Wrestling Insider|date=9 December 2015|access-date=17 December 2015}}</ref> At NXT TakeOver: London on 16 December, Bálor defeated Joe to retain the title.<ref name=NXTTakeOverLondon>{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/wwe-news/nxt-takeover-london-live-results-finn-balor-vs-samoa-joe-bayley-vs-nia-jax-203856|title=NXT TakeOver London live results: Finn Balor vs. Samoa Joe, Bayley vs. Nia Jax|last=Meltzer|first=Dave|author-link=Dave Meltzer|date=16 December 2015|access-date=17 December 2015|work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}}</ref> On 1 April at NXT TakeOver: Dallas, Bálor retained the NXT Championship in a rematch with Joe.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/04/01/nxttakeoverdallasresults/|title=4/1 NXT Takeover: Dallas Results – Caldwell's Complete Live Report on Nakamura vs. Zayn|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=1 April 2016|access-date=2 April 2016|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> On 17 April, Bálor became the longest reigning NXT Champion in history (the record has since broken by Adam Cole in 2020) by surpassing Neville's previous record of 287 days.<ref name=JoeNXTChamp/> On 21 April, Bálor lost the NXT Championship to Joe at a live event in Lowell, Massachusetts, ending his reign at 292 days.<ref name=JoeNXTChamp>{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/wwe-news/samoa-joe-beats-finn-balor-win-nxt-title-211521|title=Samoa Joe beats Finn Balor to win the NXT Title|last=Meltzer|first=Dave|author-link=Dave Meltzer|date=21 April 2016|access-date=22 April 2016|work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}}</ref> At NXT TakeOver: The End on 8 June, Bálor lost to Joe in the first ever NXT steel cage match in a rematch for the NXT Championship, marking his first TakeOver loss, and subsequently his first loss under his "Demon" persona.<ref name="NXTTheEnd">{{cite web|last=Caldwell|first=James|title=6/8 "NXT Takeover" Results – CALDWELL'S Complete Live Report on "The End"|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/06/08/nxtresultsjune8/|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=8 June 2016}}</ref> Bálor wrestled his final NXT match on 30 July, teaming with Shinsuke Nakamura to defeat Bobby Roode and Samoa Joe.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/07/30/finn-balors-official-nxt-send-off-saturday-night-houston/|title=Finn Balor's official NXT send-off Saturday night in Houston|access-date=31 July 2016|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=31 July 2016}}</ref>
==== Universal Champion and injury (2016–2017) ==== On 19 July 2016, Bálor was drafted to the Raw brand as the fifth overall pick in the 2016 WWE draft,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/wwe-news/wwe-raw-and-smackdown-live-rosters-216866|title=WWE Raw and SmackDown live rosters|last=Currier|first=Joseph|date=19 July 2016|access-date=19 July 2016|work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}}</ref><ref name="2016WWEdraft">{{cite web|title=2016 WWE Draft results: WWE officially ushers in New Era|url=http://www.wwe.com/2016-wwe-draft-results|publisher=WWE|access-date=19 July 2016}}</ref> later declaring that he should have been the first pick.<ref>{{cite web|title=Finn Balor joins the main roster as a Raw superstar|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQX5N7LPuX| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826065755/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQX5N7LPuX| archive-date=26 August 2021 | url-status=dead|publisher=WWE|access-date=19 July 2016}}</ref> He made his first appearance for the brand on 25 July episode of ''Raw'' (on his 35th birthday), where he won the right to compete for the newly established WWE Universal Championship at SummerSlam by first defeating Rusev, Cesaro, and Kevin Owens in a fatal four–way match and then defeating Roman Reigns, who had won a similar fatal four–way match.<ref>{{cite web|title=Raw highlights: July 25, 2016|date=21 July 2016 |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/july-25-2016|publisher=WWE|access-date=25 July 2016}}</ref> At SummerSlam on 21 August, Bálor defeated Seth Rollins to become the inaugural Universal Champion and win his first world title.<ref name="SSlam2016">{{cite web|last=Caldwell|first=James|title=8/21 WWE Summerslam Results – CALDWELL'S Complete Live Report|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/08/21/summerslam2016resultsfinal/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=21 August 2016}}</ref> Since then, WWE reported that he sustained a shoulder injury during the match and an MRI revealed a labrum tear that would require surgery, which was successful.<ref>{{cite web|title=UPDATE: Finn Bálor relinquishes WWE Universal Championship due to injury, undergoes successful surgery|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2016-08-22/article/wwe-universal-champion-finn-balor-injured-at-summerslam|work=WWE|access-date=24 August 2016}}</ref> Because of this, it was expected that Bálor would be out four to six months, thus Raw General Manager Mick Foley later announced on Twitter that Bálor would be relinquishing his newly won WWE Universal Championship due to his injury after just 22 hours of holding it.<ref>{{cite web|last=Caldwell|first=James|title=BREAKING – Finn Bálor relinquishes Universal Title, out six months|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/08/22/breaking-finn-balor-relinquishes-universal-title-raw/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|location=Minnesota|access-date=22 August 2016|date=22 August 2016}}</ref><ref name="Raw08222016">{{cite web|last1=Caldwell|first1=James|title=8/22 WWE Raw Results – CALDWELL'S Complete Live TV Report|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/08/22/aug22rawresultsfinal/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=22 August 2016}}</ref> While recovering from his injury, Bálor would appear on the WWE Network–exclusive United Kingdom Championship Tournament event.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Soucek|first1=Andrew|title=SOUCEK'S WWE UK CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT REPORT 1/14: Ongoing coverage of night one of UK Championship tournament|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/01/14/souceks-wwe-uk-championship-tournament-report-114/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=14 January 2017|date=14 January 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Soucek|first1=Andrew|title=SOUCEK'S WWE UK CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT REPORT 1/15: Ongoing coverage of night two of UK Championship tournament|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/01/15/souceks-wwe-uk-championship-tournament-report-115-ongoing-coverage-night-two-uk-championship-tournament/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=15 January 2017|date=15 January 2017}}</ref>
On 22 February 2017, Bálor returned to NXT to assist Shinsuke Nakamura, who was outnumbered by Andrade "Cien" Almas and Bobby Roode.<ref>{{cite web|title=Finn Balor returns at WWE NXT as he steps up recovery from injury|url=http://www.skysports.com/wwe/news/14203/10778437/finn-balor-appears-on-wwe-nxt-as-he-steps-up-recovery-from-injury|website=SkySports|access-date=11 March 2017|date=23 February 2017}}</ref> On 10 March, Bálor made his in–ring return at a live event in a six–man tag team match, teaming with Chris Jericho and Sami Zayn to defeat Kevin Owens, Samoa Joe and Triple H.<ref>{{cite web|title=WWE: Finn Balor and Triple H return to in-ring action on Friday night|url=http://www.skysports.com/wwe/news/14203/10797794/wwe-finn-balor-and-triple-h-return-to-in-ring-action-on-friday-night|website=SkySports|access-date=11 March 2017|date=11 March 2017}}</ref> Bálor made his television return after WrestleMania 33 on 3 April episode of ''Raw'', where he teamed with his former rival Seth Rollins as the two defeated Owens and Joe in a tag team match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/04/03/kellers-wwe-monday-night-raw-23-remarkable-opening-ten-minutes-raw-history-perhaps-crowd-berates-reigns/|title=KELLER'S WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW 2/3: The most remarkable opening ten minutes of Raw in history, perhaps, as crowd berates Reigns|last=Keller|first=Wade|date=3 April 2017|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=3 April 2017}}</ref> Over the following weeks, Bálor would score victories over Jinder Mahal and Curt Hawkins<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/04/17/kellers-wwe-raw-report-417-post-superstar-shake-edition-including-follow-roman-braun-beatdown-angle/|title=KELLER'S WWE RAW REPORT 4/17: Post-Superstar Shake-up edition including follow-up on Roman-Braun beatdown angle|last=Keller|first=Wade|date=17 April 2017|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=17 April 2017}}</ref> while also receiving an ominous warning from Bray Wyatt<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/04/10/kellers-wwe-monday-night-raw-410-superstar-shakeup-begins-two-smackdown-wrestlers-coming-ring-full-report/|title=KELLER'S WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW 4/10: Superstar Shakeup begins with two Smackdown wrestlers coming to the ring, full report|last1=Keller|first1=Wade|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=10 April 2017}}</ref> and confronting Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/04/24/kellers-wwe-raw-report-424-braun-vs-kalisto-dumpster-match-jericho-transitions-miz-tv-ambrose/|title=KELLER'S WWE RAW REPORT 4/24: Braun vs. Kalisto in a dumpster match, Jericho transitions to Miz TV with Ambrose, more|last=Keller|first=Wade|date=24 April 2017|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=24 April 2017}}</ref> On 4 June at Extreme Rules, Bálor competed in a fatal five–way extreme rules match to determine the number one contender for Brock Lesnar's Universal Championship,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/05/15/kellers-wwe-raw-report-515-ongoing-coverage-including-miz-vs-dean-ambrose-latest-strowman-reigns-sheamus-cesaro/|title=KELLER'S WWE RAW REPORT 5/15: Ongoing coverage including Miz vs. Dean Ambrose, latest on Strowman-Reigns, Sheamus & Cesaro|last=Keller|first=Wade|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=15 May 2017}}</ref> in which Bálor lost after he passed out from Samoa Joe's ''Coquina Clutch''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/extremerules/2017/roman-reigns-seth-rollins-finn-balor-bray-wyatt-samoa-joe-results|title=Samoa Joe won the Extreme Rules Fatal 5-Way Match to become No. 1 contender to the Universal Title|last=Laboon|first=Jeff|work=WWE|access-date=4 June 2017}}</ref>
==== Bálor Club (2017–2018) ==== [[File:Balor WM34.jpg|thumb|left|Bálor making his entrance at WrestleMania 34 in April 2018]] In the weeks leading up to SummerSlam, Bálor began a feud with Elias after he inadvertently interrupted one of his performances.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/article/110387/wwe-raw-report-putting-a-good-spin-on-joelesnar-who-was-the-one-armed-man-who-attacked-enzo-bearing-down-with-miz-and-maryse-romans-big-announcement-for-summerslam-and-more.html?p=1|title=WWE RAW REPORT: PUTTING A GOOD SPIN ON JOE/LESNAR, WHO WAS THE ONE ARMED MAN WHO ATTACKED ENZO?, BEARING DOWN WITH MIZ AND MARYSE, ROMAN'S BIG ANNOUNCEMENT FOR SUMMERSLAM, AND MORE|last=Trionfo|first=Richard|date=19 June 2017|work=PWInsider}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/article/110870/the-mizzies-live-ongoing-wwe-raw-report.html?p=1|title=WWE RAW REPORT: EVERYONE WANTS A PIECE OF THE HARDYS . . . BUT WILL THEY BREAK?, BROCK'S NEXT OPPONENT WILL BE DETERMINED NEXT WEEK, THE ANGLE CONTROVERSY ENDS NEXT WEEK, AND MORE|last=Trionfo|first=Richard|date=10 July 2017|work=PWInsider}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=110994&p=2|title=WWE RAW REPORT: KURT INTRODUCES A NEW ANGLE TO RAW, REVIVAL VERSUS HARDYS, WHO FACES LESNAR AT SUMMERSLAM?, WHO WILL FACE ALEXA BLISS AT SUMMERSLAM, AND MORE|last=Trionfo|first=Richard|date=17 July 2017|work=PWInsider}}</ref> This led to a No Disqualification match between the two, which Bálor lost after interference from Bray Wyatt.<ref name="Raw07242017">{{cite web|url=https://pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=111127&p=1|title=WWE RAW REPORT: WHO FACES LESNAR AT SUMMERSLAM?, WHO FACES ALEXA AT SUMMERSLAM?, KURT'S KID HAS HIS FIRST MATCH ON RAW, A NEW CRUISERWEIGHT CONTENDER?, AND MORE|last=Trionfo|first=Richard|date=24 July 2017|work=PWInsider}}</ref> This led to a match between the two, where Wyatt defeated Bálor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2017-08-14#full-detail-40029201|title=WWE Raw results, Aug. 14, 2017: SummerSlam comes early for Fatal 4-Way Match participants|date=8 August 2017 |access-date=24 August 2017}}</ref> At SummerSlam on 20 August, Bálor returned his "Demon King" character and defeated Wyatt in a rematch.<ref name="Demon">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/2017/finn-balor-bray-wyatt-results|title=The Demon engages The New Face of Fear in a battle for the Underworld|access-date=24 August 2017}}</ref> The feud between the two continued throughout the following months and led to another match on 24 September at No Mercy, where Bálor once again defeated Wyatt.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pc9yGAavs_Q| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211115/Pc9yGAavs_Q| archive-date=15 November 2021 | url-status=live|title=15-Man Battle Royal - Winner Faces The Miz for the Intercontinental Title: Raw, Aug. 28, 2017|last=WWE|date=28 August 2017|access-date=2 March 2018|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/WWE/status/912116515406725120|title=So, perhaps THE MAN is more dangerous than THE DEMON.... @FinnBalor stands tall at #WWENoMercy!|last=WWE|access-date=2 March 2018}}</ref> The two were also set to face in a rematch between Bálor's "Demon King" and Wyatt's "Sister Abigail" at TLC on 20 October. However, Wyatt was ruled out for the event due to an illness, and was instead replaced by AJ Styles.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2017/10/20/wwe-stars-hit-with-viral-infection-company-to-test-everyone/|first=Chris|last=Perez|title=WWE stars hit with viral infection, company to test everyone|date=20 October 2017|access-date=2 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Woodward |first=Hamish |date=2023-01-26 |title=Finn Balor On Why The Demon Didn't Work In WWE - Atletifo |url=https://atletifo.com/wrestling/finn-balor-on-why-the-demon-didnt-work-in-wwe/ |access-date=2023-01-27 |language=en-GB |archive-date=26 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126220032/https://atletifo.com/wrestling/finn-balor-on-why-the-demon-didnt-work-in-wwe/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Bálor defeated Styles, and following the match, the two showed mutual respect, gesturing the "Too Sweet" hand symbol to each other.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwetlc/2017/the-demon-finn-balor-aj-styles-results|title=Demonic meets Phenomenal at WWE TLC|access-date=2 March 2018}}</ref> At the Survivor Series event on 19 November, Bálor took part in the traditional inter-brand five–on–five elimination match as part of Team Raw where he was the fifth man eliminated by Randy Orton, although his team was ultimately victorious.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thesportster.com/wrestling/finn-balor-samoa-joe-named-team-raw/|title=Two More Superstars Announced For Team Raw|date=6 November 2017|access-date=2 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/2017/men-5-on-5-traditional-survivor-series-elimination-match-results|title=Triple H lays waste to Angle and Shane as Raw Team triumphs at Survivor Series|access-date=2 March 2018}}</ref>
On 1 January 2018 episode of ''Raw'', Bálor teamed with Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson to defeat Elias and The Miztourage (Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas) in a six–man tag team match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2018-01-01/article/finn-balor-luke-gallows-karl-anderson-def-elias-the-miztourage|title=Bálor, Gallows & Anderson reunite!|access-date=2 March 2018}}</ref> The following week, the trio officially reunited and formed "Bálor Club", an homage to their former stable. That same night, they defeated Intercontinental Champion Roman Reigns and Raw Tag Team Champions Seth Rollins and Jason Jordan in a six–man tag team match.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2018-01-08/article/the-balor-club-def-roman-reigns-seth-rollins-jason-jordan|title= The Bálor Club def. Intercontinental Champion Roman Reigns & Raw Tag Team Champions Seth Rollins & Jason Jordan|date=8 January 2018|publisher=WWE|access-date=13 June 2019}}</ref> On 28 January, at the Royal Rumble, Bálor entered his first Royal Rumble match at number 2, lasting over 57 minutes and eliminating four participants before being eliminated by John Cena.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=115167&p=2|title=FULL ROYAL RUMBLE COVERAGE|last=Strode|first=Cory|date=28 January 2018|access-date=28 January 2018|work=PWInsider}}</ref> Bálor competed for the first time in an Elimination Chamber match at the namesake pay–per–view on 25 February, where he was first entered but was the second participant eliminated by Braun Strowman.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=115732&p=4|title=COMPLETE WWE ELIMINATION CHAMBER PPV COVERAGE INCLUDING RAW TALK COVERAGE|last=Johnson|first=Mike|date=25 February 2018|access-date=25 February 2018|work=PWInsider}}</ref> Over the next two months, Bálor started a short feud with The Miz and Seth Rollins over the Intercontinental Championship, which led to a triple threat match at WrestleMania 34 on 8 April (which was also Bálor's Wrestlemania debut) where Rollins won the title.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=116719&p=3|title=COMPLETE WRESTLEMANIA 34 COVERAGE: NEW CHAMPIONS ARE CROWNED, MORE SHOCKING MOMENTS THAN YOU CAN SHAKE A STICK AT, AND DID WE GET THE UNDERTAKER?|last=Carapola|first=Stuart|date=9 April 2018|work=PWInsider}}</ref> At the Greatest Royal Rumble event on 27 April, Bálor once again unsuccessfully challenged for the Intercontinental Championship in a fatal four–way ladder match against Rollins, Miz and Samoa Joe.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=117129&p=4|title=COMPLETE WWE GREATEST ROYAL RUMBLE COVERAGE FROM SAUDI ARABIA|last=Johnson|first=Mike|date=27 April 2018|work=PWInsider}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/article/117047/wwe-raw-report.html?p=1|title=WWE RAW REPORT|last=Trionfo|first=Richard|date=23 April 2018|work=PWInsider}}</ref> Bálor competed in a Money in the Bank ladder match on 17 June, however, the match was ultimately won by Braun Strowman.<ref>{{cite web|last=Johnson|first=Mike|title=A GREAT SHOW, A SURPRISE TITLE CHANGE, A RETURN & MORE: COMPLETE WWE MONEY IN THE BANK COVERAGE|url=https://pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=118196&p=4|work=PWInsider|access-date=17 June 2018}}</ref>
After the Money in the Bank pay–per–view, Bálor engaged in a feud with Baron Corbin, whom he defeated on two different occasions—on 15 July at Extreme Rules<ref>{{cite web|last=Trionfo|first=Richard|title=COMPLETE WWE EXTREME RULES PPV COVERAGE: IRON MAN MATCH, TITLE CHANGES, KURT GIVES BROCK AN ULTIMATUM, FORMER WWE CHAMP RETURNS AND MORE|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=118871&p=2|work=PWInsider|access-date=15 July 2018}}</ref> and on 19 August at SummerSlam under his "Demon King" persona.<ref>{{cite web|last=Carapola|first=Stuart|title=COMPLETE SUMMERSLAM 2018 COVERAGE|url=https://pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=119765&p=4|work=PWInsider|access-date=19 August 2018}}</ref> The next night on ''Raw'', Bálor was finally awarded with his Universal Championship rematch against newly crowned champion Roman Reigns, but was unsuccessful in regaining the title.<ref>{{cite web|last=Trionfo|first=Richard|title=WWE RAW REPORT: STEPHANIE TAKES CREDIT, TRIPLE H TALKS UNDERTAKER, ROMAN HAS HIS FIRST TITLE DEFENSE, AND MORE|url=https://pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=119787&p=3|work=PWInsider|access-date=20 August 2018}}</ref> Throughout the next few months, Bálor would compete in various matches against competitors<ref>{{cite web|last=Trionfo|first=Richard|title=WWE RAW REPORT: SHAWN MICHAELS TALKS TAKER/HHH AND HAS A GUEST, TAG TITLE MATCH, AND MORE|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=120067&p=3|work=PWInsider|date=3 September 2018}}</ref> such as Jinder Mahal,<ref>{{cite web|last=Trionfo|first=Richard|title=WWE RAW REPORT: MIND GAMES, TRIPLE H AND STEPHANIE, TAG TITLE MATCH, AND MORE|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/article/120513/wwe-raw-report-mind-games-triple-h-and-stephanie-tag-title-match-and-more.html?p=1|work=PWInsider|date=24 September 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Trionfo|first=Richard|title=WWE RAW REPORT: SHAWN MICHAELS BRINGS SOME FRIENDS, SHIELD VERSUS BRAUN AND BUDDIES IN SINGLES MATCHES, RONDA VERSUS RUBY, AND MORE|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=120657&p=3|work=PWInsider|date=1 October 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=121007&p=2|title=WWE RAW REPORT: A THREE MAN TEAM IN TURMOIL, RONDA HAS SOME CHOICE WORDS FOR NIKKI, A NUMBER OF RETURNS, AND MORE|last=Trionfo|first=Richard|date=15 October 2018|work=PWInsider}}</ref> and Bobby Lashley.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=121185&p=1|title=WWE RAW REPORT: THE FUTURE OF THE SHIELD, THE TAG AND UNIVERSAL TITLE TURMOIL, A BIG ANNOUNCEMENT FROM ROMAN REIGNS, AND MORE|last=Trionfo|first=Richard|date=22 October 2018|work=PWInsider}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=121382&p=1|title=WWE RAW REPORT: WHAT WOULD DEAN SAY?, BUILDING ON EVOLUTION, BUILDING TO FRIDAY, AND MORE|last=Trionfo|first=Richard|date=29 October 2018|access-date=29 October 2018|work=PWInsider}}</ref> Bálor then started a feud with Drew McIntyre who saved him from an attack by Lashley only to attack Bálor himself.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=121557&p=3|title=WWE RAW REPORT: WE HAVE CAPTAINS, BRAUN IS ON A QUEST FOR TREASURE, A NEW TEAM FORMS, TAG TITLE MATCH, AND MORE|last=Trionfo|first=Richard|date=5 November 2018|work=PWInsider}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=121707&p=2|title=LIVE ONGOING WWE RAW REPORT: NO OVERRUN FOR TIME. . . BUT SOMEONE GOT OVERRUN, THE TEAMS FOR SURVIVOR SERIES ARE COMPLETE, SETH STILL WANTS ANSWERS FROM DEAN, AND MORE|last=Trionfo|first=Richard|date=12 November 2018|work=PWInsider}}</ref> During that time, Bálor was announced as part of Team Raw for the traditional interbrand five–on–five elimination match at Survivor Series on 18 November, where he was the first man from the team to be eliminated by Rey Mysterio.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=121867&p=3|title=BROCK LESNAR VS. DANIEL BRYAN, CHARLOTTE FLAIR VS. RONDA ROUSEY, RAW VS. SMACKDOWN & MORE: COMPLETE WWE SURVIVOR SERIES 2018 PPV COVERAGE|last=Johnson|first=Mike|date=18 November 2018|access-date=18 November 2018|work=PWInsider}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=121897&p=1|title=WWE RAW REPORT: RONDA DEFENDS THE TITLE, BRAUN GETS HIS MATCHES, DEAN AND SETH, AND MORE|last=Trionfo|first=Richard|date=19 November 2018|work=PWInsider}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=122047&p=3|title=WWE RAW REPORT: ROLLINS HAS AN OPEN CHALLENGE AND MORE|last=Trionfo|first=Richard|date=26 November 2018|work=PWInsider}}</ref>
====Intercontinental Champion (2018–2019)==== On 16 December at TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs, Bálor gained revenge over McIntyre, defeating him in a singles match after interference by McIntyre's former ally Dolph Ziggler.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=122222&p=2|title=WWE RAW REPORT: ANOTHER Q&A SESSION, ABUSE OF POWER BY BARON?, DREW IS NOT IN A GOOD MOOD . . . BUT HE GETS A MEDAL, AND MORE|last=Trionfo|first=Richard|date=3 December 2018|work=PWInsider}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/article/122392/wwe-raw-report-a-tlc-match-a-tag-title-match-seth-speaks-for-all-of-us-and-more.html?p=1|title=WWE RAW REPORT: A TLC MATCH, A TAG TITLE MATCH, SETH SPEAKS FOR ALL OF US, AND MORE|last=Trionfo|first=Richard|date=10 December 2018|work=PWInsider}}</ref> After the match, Ziggler attacked Bálor backstage after the latter implied that he did not need his help to beat McIntyre.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=122523&p=2|title=THE MAN VS. THE QUEEN VS. THE EMPRESS, BRYAN VS STYLES, DEAN VS. SETH & MORE: COMPLETE WWE TLC PPV COVERAGE|last=Johnson|first=Mike|date=16 December 2018|work=PWInsider|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181217202359/https://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=122523&p=2|archive-date=17 December 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> This sparked a match between the two that took place the following night on ''Raw'', which ended in a no contest as McIntyre would attack both of them.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=122550&p=3|title=WWE RAW REPORT: DO YOU LIKE MCMAHONS?, BARON'S SWAN SONG?, A GAUNTLET, AND MORE|last=Trionfo|first=Richard|date=17 December 2018|work=PWInsider}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/article/122558/complete-christmas-eve-raw-spoilers-from-sacramento-ca.html?p=1|title=COMPLETE CHRISTMAS EVE RAW SPOILERS FROM SACRAMENTO, CA|last=Krotchsen|first=Billy|date=17 December 2018|work=PWInsider|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181219001240/https://www.pwinsider.com/article/122558/complete-christmas-eve-raw-spoilers-from-sacramento-ca.html?p=1|archive-date=19 December 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> On 17 December tapings of 24 December edition of ''Raw'', Bálor defeated Ziggler and McIntyre in a triple threat match, ending the feud.<ref>{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=WWE Raw taping spoilers: Full results of the Christmas Eve edition (spoilers)|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2018/12/18/wwe-raw-taping-spoilers-full-results-of-the-christmas-eve-edition-spoilers/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|access-date=18 December 2018|date=18 December 2018}}</ref> On 12 January 2019 at NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool, Bálor made a surprise appearance as Travis Banks's replacement in his match against Jordan Devlin, as Banks was attacked by Devlin earlier that day, and subsequently defeated Devlin.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://wrestlingnews.co/wwe-news/watch-finn-balor-wrestled-at-nxt-uk-takeover-blackpool/|title=WATCH: Finn Balor wrestled at NXT UK Takeover: Blackpool|last=Davis|first=Paul|date=12 January 2019|newspaper=Wrestling News|language=en-US|access-date=7 March 2019}}</ref> On 14 January episode of ''Raw'', after Braun Strowman was removed from his Universal Championship match against Brock Lesnar at the Royal Rumble after damaging Vince McMahon's limo, Bálor was booked in a fatal-four way match against Drew McIntyre, John Cena and Baron Corbin to determine who would take Strowman's place against Lesnar at the pay-per-view, in which Bálor emerged victorious after pinning Cena.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://wrestlingnews.co/wwe-news/braun-strowman-is-out-finn-balor-will-face-brock-lesnar-at-wwe-royal-rumble/|title=Braun Strowman is out - Finn Balor will face Brock Lesnar at WWE Royal Rumble|last=Davis|first=Paul|date=15 January 2019|newspaper=Wrestling News|language=en-US|access-date=7 March 2019}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite news|url=https://wrestlingnews.co/wwe-news/reason-why-finn-balor-will-be-facing-brock-lesnar-at-wwe-royal-rumble/|title=Reason why Finn Balor will be facing Brock Lesnar at WWE Royal Rumble|last=Davis|first=Paul|date=15 January 2019|newspaper=Wrestling News|language=en-US|access-date=7 March 2019}}</ref> On 27 January at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view, Bálor was defeated by Lesnar via submission. After the match, Lesnar attacked Bálor with three ''F-5''s.<ref name="auto"/>
On the ''Raw'' episode of 28 January, Bálor was interrupted by Intercontinental Champion Bobby Lashley and Lio Rush while addressing his loss and was subsequently attacked by Lashley, sparking a feud between the two. On 17 February at the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view, Bálor defeated Lashley and Rush in a two-on-one handicap match to capture the Intercontinental Championship after Bálor pinned Rush.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.in/wwe/story/_/id/26019517/live-wwe-elimination-chamber-results-analysis|title=Live WWE Elimination Chamber results and analysis|date=17 February 2019}}</ref> Bálor faced Lashley on 11 March edition of ''Raw'' in a rematch, where he lost the title to Lashley following interference from Rush.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2019-03-11/article/bobby-lashley-def-finn-balor-win-intercontinental-championship|title=Bobby Lashley def. Finn Bálor to become the new Intercontinental Champion|date=11 March 2019|last=Benigno|first=Anthony|work=WWE|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327092458/https://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2019-03-11/article/bobby-lashley-def-finn-balor-win-intercontinental-championship|archive-date=27 March 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> On 25 March edition of ''Raw'', Bálor defeated Lashley and Jinder Mahal in a handicap match to gain a rematch for the Intercontinental title at WrestleMania 35.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mandatory.com/wrestlezone/news/1071767-bobby-lashley-vs-finn-balor-set-for-wrestlemania-35/amp?|title=Bobby Lashley vs. Finn Balor Set for WrestleMania 35|work=WrestleZone|date=25 March 2019|access-date=26 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327090740/https://www.mandatory.com/wrestlezone/news/1071767-bobby-lashley-vs-finn-balor-set-for-wrestlemania-35/amp|archive-date=27 March 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> Bálor, using his "Demon" persona, went on to defeat Lashley on 7 April at WrestleMania and regained the Intercontinental Championship. The following night on ''Raw'', Bálor defeated the returning Sami Zayn in an impromptu title defense. On 15 April episode of ''Raw'', he lost a non-title match to the debuting Andrade after interference from Zelina Vega. In the 2019 WWE Superstar Shake-up, Bálor moved to the SmackDown brand, making his debut on 16 April episode of ''SmackDown'', defeating Ali in a non-title match. At Super ShowDown on 7 June, Balor successfully defended his title against Andrade under his "Demon" persona. At the Extreme Rules kick-off show on 14 July, Bálor lost the championship to Shinsuke Nakamura. The following night on ''Raw'', Bálor was assaulted by "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt, culminating in a match at SummerSlam on 11 August, where Bálor was defeated by Wyatt.
==== Return to NXT (2019–2021) ==== [[File:Finn Balor 2020.jpg|thumb|upright|Bálor made his return to NXT in October 2019.]] After a near two-month absence from television, Bálor made his return to WWE programming on 2 October episode of ''NXT'', confronting NXT Champion Adam Cole following the latter's title defense against Matt Riddle and officially announced his return to NXT (as it had grown from a developmental territory in Bálor's first stint into a third global brand within WWE).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/article/130093/nxt-gets-a-big-roster-addition.html?p=1|title=NXT GETS A BIG ROSTER ADDITION|date=2 October 2019|last=Johnson|first=Mike|work=PWInsider|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003013247/https://www.pwinsider.com/article/130093/nxt-gets-a-big-roster-addition.html?p=1|archive-date=3 October 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> On 23 October episode of ''NXT'', Bálor turned heel when he aided The Undisputed Era by injuring Johnny Gargano and attacking Tommaso Ciampa.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.f4wonline.com/wwe-news/wwe-nxt-video-highlights-finn-balor-turns-heel-295681 |title = WWE NXT video highlights: Finn Balor turns heel| newspaper=Won/F4W |date = 24 October 2019}}</ref> Bálor began a feud with Matt Riddle the next month leading to a match between the two being scheduled for NXT TakeOver: WarGames on 23 November,<ref name="NXT11132019">{{cite web |last=Moore |first=John |title=11/13 NXT TV results: Moore's live review of Io Shirai vs. Mia Yim in a ladder match for the advantage in the WarGames match, Lio Rush vs. Angel Garza for the NXT Cruiserweight Championship, the build to NXT WarGames continues|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2019/11/13/11-13-nxt-tv-results-moores-live-review-of-io-shirai-vs-mia-yim-in-a-ladder-match-for-the-advantage-in-the-wargames-match-lio-rush-vs-angel-garza-for-the-nxt-cruiserweight-championship-the-buil/ |work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net |date=13 November 2019 |access-date=14 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191114035859/https://prowrestling.net/site/2019/11/13/11-13-nxt-tv-results-moores-live-review-of-io-shirai-vs-mia-yim-in-a-ladder-match-for-the-advantage-in-the-wargames-match-lio-rush-vs-angel-garza-for-the-nxt-cruiserweight-championship-the-buil/ |archive-date=14 November 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> where Bálor emerged victorious.<ref name="NXTWarGames2019">{{cite web|last=Moore|first=John|title=11/23 NXT Takeover: WarGames results – Moore's live review of Undisputed Era vs. Tommaso Ciampa, Keith Lee, Dominik Dijakovic, a partner in a WarGames match, Rhea Ripley, Candice LeRae, Tegan Nox, and Mia Yim vs. Shayna Baszler, Io Shirai, Bianca Belair and Kay Lee Ray in a WarGames match, Finn Balor vs. Matt Riddle|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2019/11/23/11-23-nxt-takeover-wargames-results-moores-live-review-of-undisputed-era-vs-tommaso-ciampa-keith-lee-dominik-dijakovic-a-partner-in-a-wargames-match-rhea-ripley-candice-lerae-tegan-nox-an/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|access-date=23 November 2019|date=23 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191129004258/https://prowrestling.net/site/2019/11/23/11-23-nxt-takeover-wargames-results-moores-live-review-of-undisputed-era-vs-tommaso-ciampa-keith-lee-dominik-dijakovic-a-partner-in-a-wargames-match-rhea-ripley-candice-lerae-tegan-nox-an/|archive-date=29 November 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Following this, Bálor challenged Adam Cole for the NXT Championship on 18 December episode of ''NXT'', which he lost after a distraction from the returning Johnny Gargano.<ref name="NXT181219">{{cite web|last=Crosby|first=Jack|title=WWE NXT results, recap, grades: Two incredible title matches, big return highlight stacked show|url=https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-nxt-results-recap-grades-two-incredible-title-matches-big-return-highlight-stacked-show/|work=CBS Sports|date=18 December 2019|access-date=18 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219132945/https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-nxt-results-recap-grades-two-incredible-title-matches-big-return-highlight-stacked-show/|archive-date=19 December 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Afterwards, Gargano challenged Bálor to a match at NXT TakeOver: Portland on 16 February 2020,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/2020-01-08/article/finn-bálor-challenged-johnny-gargano-to-a-match-at-nxt-takeover|title=Finn Bálor challenged Johnny Gargano to a match at NXT TakeOver: Portland|work=WWE|first=Jordan|last=Garretson|date=8 January 2020|access-date=11 January 2020}}</ref> which Bálor won.<ref>{{cite web|last=Garretson|first=Jordan|title=Finn Bálor def. Johnny Gargano|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/nxt-takeover-portland/article/johnny-gargano-finn-balor-results|work=WWE|date=16 February 2020|access-date=16 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200217040242/https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/nxt-takeover-portland/article/johnny-gargano-finn-balor-results|archive-date=17 February 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>
On 22 April episode of ''NXT'', Bálor was scheduled to have a match against Velveteen Dream, but Bálor was knocked out by an unknown attacker before he could leave his dressing room.<ref>{{cite web|last=Moore|first=John|title=4/22 NXT TV results: Moore's review of Velveteen Dream and Keith Lee vs. Adam Cole and Roderick Strong, Shotzi Blackheart and Tegan Nox vs. Dakota Kai and Raquel Gonzalez, Interim NXT Cruiserweight Title tournament matches with Kushida vs. Tony Nese, Drake Maverick vs. Jake Atlas, and El Hijo Del Fantasma vs. Jack Gallagher|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2020/04/22/4-22-nxt-tv-results-moores-review-of-finn-balor-vs-velveteen-dream-shotzi-blackheart-and-tegan-nox-vs-dakota-kai-and-raquel-gonzalez-interim-nxt-cruiserweight-title-tournament-matches-with-kush/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=22 April 2020|access-date=22 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200427100850/https://prowrestling.net/site/2020/04/22/4-22-nxt-tv-results-moores-review-of-finn-balor-vs-velveteen-dream-shotzi-blackheart-and-tegan-nox-vs-dakota-kai-and-raquel-gonzalez-interim-nxt-cruiserweight-title-tournament-matches-with-kush/|archive-date=27 April 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Two weeks later, Bálor concluded that there was a "snake hiding in the long grass back there" and that whoever attacked him wanted a push. Bálor assured the audience that it would not be a push, but rather a squash. Later that night, he got into an altercation with Cameron Grimes,<ref>{{cite web|last=Moore|first=John|title=5/6 NXT TV results: Moore's review of Adam Cole vs. Velveteen Dream for the NXT Championship, Charlotte Flair vs. Io Shirai for the NXT Women's Championship, Johnny Gargano vs. Dominik Dijakovic, Karrion Kross makes his in-ring debut|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2020/05/06/5-6-nxt-tv-results-moores-review-of-adam-cole-vs-velveteen-dream-for-the-nxt-championship-charlotte-flair-vs-io-shirai-for-the-nxt-womens-championship-johnny-gargano-vs-dominik-dijakovic-ka/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=6 May 2020|access-date=6 May 2020}}</ref> leading to a match between the two on 13 May episode of ''NXT'', where Damian Priest cost Bálor the match by using a nightstick behind the referee's back. Priest then revealed that he was the one who knocked out Bálor three weeks prior, thus turning Bálor face once again.<ref>{{cite web|last=Moore|first=John|title=5/13 NXT TV results: Moore's review of the major announcement delivered by Triple H and Shawn Michaels, Matt Riddle and Timothy Thatcher vs. Fabian Aichner and Marcel Barthel for the NXT Tag Titles, Finn Balor vs. Cameron Grimes, Rhea Ripley's appearance|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2020/05/13/5-13-nxt-tv-results-moores-review-of-the-major-announcement-delivered-by-triple-h-and-shawn-michaels-matt-riddle-and-timothy-thatcher-vs-fabian-aichner-and-marcel-barthel-for-the-nxt-tag-titles/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=13 May 2020|access-date=13 May 2020}}</ref> At TakeOver: In Your House on 7 June, Bálor defeated Priest.<ref>{{cite web|last=Melok|first=Bobby|title=Finn Bálor def. Damian Priest|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/nxt-takeover-in-your-house/article/finn-balor-vs-damian-priest-results|work=WWE|date=7 June 2020|access-date=7 June 2020}}</ref> At NXT TakeOver XXX on 22 August, Bálor defeated Timothy Thatcher.<ref name="NXTXXX">{{cite web|last=Moore|first=John|title=NXT Takeover: XXX results – Moore's live review of Keith Lee vs. Karrion Kross for the NXT Championship, Adam Cole vs. Pat McAfee, Io Shirai vs. Dakota Kai for the NXT Women's Championship, a ladder match for the vacant NXT North American Title, Finn Balor vs. Timothy Thatcher|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2020/08/22/nxt-takeover-xxx-results-moores-live-review-of-keith-lee-vs-karrion-kross-for-the-nxt-championship-adam-cole-vs-pat-mcafee-io-shirai-vs-dakota-kai-for-the-nxt-womens-championship-a-ladder/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=22 August 2020|access-date=22 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200824101053/https://prowrestling.net/site/2020/08/22/nxt-takeover-xxx-results-moores-live-review-of-keith-lee-vs-karrion-kross-for-the-nxt-championship-adam-cole-vs-pat-mcafee-io-shirai-vs-dakota-kai-for-the-nxt-womens-championship-a-ladder/|archive-date=24 August 2020}}</ref>
On 8 September at ''NXT'': Super Tuesday II, Bálor defeated Adam Cole to win the vacant NXT Championship for the second time.<ref name="NXT09082020">{{cite web|last=Moore|first=John|title=9/8 NXT TV results: Moore's review of Super Tuesday II featuring Finn Balor vs. Adam Cole for the vacant NXT Championship, Rhea Ripley vs. Mercedes Martinez in a cage match, Bronson Reed vs. Austin Theory, Killian Dain vs. Roderick Strong|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2020/09/08/9-8-nxt-tv-results-moores-review-of-super-tuesday-ii-featuring-finn-balor-vs-adam-cole-for-the-vacant-nxt-championship-rhea-ripley-vs-mercedes-martinez-in-a-cage-match-bronson-reed-vs/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=8 September 2020|access-date=9 September 2020}}</ref> At NXT TakeOver 31 on 4 October, Bálor made a successful title defense against Kyle O'Reilly.<ref>{{cite web|last=Moore|first=John|title=NXT Takeover 31 results – Moore's live review of Finn Balor vs. Kyle O'Reilly for the NXT Title, Io Shirai vs. Candice LeRae for the NXT Women's Title, Damian Priest vs. Johnny Gargano for the NXT North American Title, Santos Escobar vs. Isaiah Scott for the NXT Cruiserweight Title, Kushida vs. Velveteen Dream|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2020/10/04/nxt-takeover-31-results-moores-live-review-of-finn-balor-vs-kyle-oreilly-for-the-nxt-title-io-shirai-vs-candice-lerae-for-the-nxt-womens-title-damian-priest-vs-johnny-gargano-for-the-nxt/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=4 October 2020|access-date=4 October 2020}}</ref> It was revealed he had suffered a broken jaw during the match and was forced to undergo surgery.<ref>{{cite web |last=Dangoor |first=Louis |title=How Long Finn Balor Is Expected To Be Out Injured For |url=https://wrestletalk.com/news/how-long-finn-balor-is-expected-to-be-out-injured-for/#:~:text=During%20his%20fantastic%20main%20event,about%20recently%20on%20social%20media. |website=WrestleTalk |access-date=1 October 2020}}</ref> Bálor made his return on 9 December episode of ''NXT'' where he was confronted by O'Reilly, Pete Dunne, Damian Priest and Scarlett (on behalf of Karrion Kross).<ref>{{cite web |title=WWE NXT results, Dec. 9, 2020: Contenders line up to challenge The Prince |url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/2020-12-09 |website=WWE.com |date=3 December 2020 |access-date=9 December 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Berge |first1=Kevin |title=WWE NXT Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from December 9 |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2921743-wwe-nxt-results-winners-grades-reaction-and-highlights-from-december-9|date=9 December 2020|website=Bleacher Report |access-date=9 December 2020}}</ref> Balor would then successfully defend the championship in a rematch against O'Reilly on 6 January 2021 at NXT: New Year's Evil. He would also defend the championship against Pete Dunne and Adam Cole at NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day on 14 February and on 10 March episode of ''NXT'' respectively with both times successfully defending it. At NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver on 8 April, Bálor lost the championship to Karrion Kross, ending his second reign at 212 days.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Karrion Kross topples Finn Bálor to reclaim NXT Championship|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/nxttakeover/nxt-takeover-stand-deliver-night-2/article/karrion-kross-def-finn-balor-nxt-title|access-date=10 April 2021|website=WWE|language=en}}</ref> Balor would face Kross in a rematch for the title on 25 May episode of ''NXT'', but was defeated; his rematch with Kross would mark Bálor's final match in NXT.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/2021-05-25|title=WWE NXT results, May 25, 2021: Karrion Kross stands tall after epic battle against Finn Bálor|date=25 May 2021|work=WWE|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526043341/https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/2021-05-25|archive-date=26 May 2021}}</ref>
After a two-month hiatus from television, Bálor made his return on 16 July episode of ''SmackDown''.<ref name="SmackDown07162021">{{cite web |last=Powell |first=Jason |date=16 July 2021 |title=7/16 WWE Friday Night Smackdown results: Powell's review of the return of fans for the MITB go-home show featuring Roman Reigns, Jey Uso, and Jimmy Uso vs. Edge, Rey Mysterio, and Dominik Mysterio, Bianca Belair vs. Carmella for the Smackdown Women's Championship, Seth Rollins vs. Big E vs. Kevin Owens vs. Shinsuke Nakamura in a four-way |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2021/07/16/7-16-wwe-friday-night-smackdown-results-powells-review-of-the-return-of-fans-for-the-mitb-go-home-show-featuring-roman-reigns-jey-uso-and-jimmy-uso-vs-edge-rey-mysterio-and-dominik-mysterio/ |access-date=18 July 2021 |work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net}}</ref> He would face WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns on two occasions, once at ''SmackDown'' and the second one at Extreme Rules on 26 September under his "Demon" persona, but he was defeated.<ref name="SmackDown09032021">{{cite web|last=McDonald|first=Alex|title=9/3 WWE SmackDown TV Results: McDonald's "alt perspective" report on Balor-Reigns, Cesaro-Rollins, Street Profits-Usos, Becky-Belair follow up|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2021/09/03/9-3-wwe-smackdown-tv-results-mcdonalds-alt-perspective-report-on-balor-reigns-cesaro-rollins-street-profits-usos-becky-belair-follow-up/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=3 September 2021|access-date=3 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211128080433/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2021/09/03/9-3-wwe-smackdown-tv-results-mcdonalds-alt-perspective-report-on-balor-reigns-cesaro-rollins-street-profits-usos-becky-belair-follow-up/|archive-date=28 November 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ER2021">{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|date=26 September 2021|title=WWE Extreme Rules results: Powell's review of Roman Reigns vs. "The Demon" Finn Balor in an Extreme Rules match for the WWE Universal Championship, Becky Lynch vs. Bianca Belair for the Smackdown Women's Championship, The Usos vs. The Street Profits for the Smackdown Tag Titles|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2021/09/26/wwe-extreme-rules-results-powells-review-of-roman-reigns-vs-the-demon-finn-balor-in-an-extreme-rules-match-for-the-wwe-universal-championship-becky-lynch-vs-bianca-belair-for-the-smackdown-w/ |access-date=26 September 2021 |work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net}}</ref> As part of the 2021 Draft, Bálor was drafted to the Raw brand,<ref>{{Cite web |title=See all the results from the 2021 Draft |url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/article/latest-wwe-draft-results-2021}}</ref><ref name="Raw10042021">{{cite web |last=Powell |first=Jason |date=4 October 2021 |title=10/4 WWE Raw Results: Powell's live review of the WWE Draft night two, Goldberg returns, the build to WWE Crown Jewel continues |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2021/10/04/10-4-wwe-raw-results-powells-live-review-of-the-wwe-draft-night-two-goldberg-returns-the-build-to-wwe-crown-jewel-continues/ |access-date=5 October 2021 |work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net}}</ref> where he participated in the King of the Ring tournament, being defeated in the finals by Xavier Woods on 21 October at Crown Jewel.<ref name="SmackDown10082021">{{cite web |last=Powell |first=Jason |date=8 October 2021 |title=10/08 WWE Friday Night Smackdown results: Powell's review of Rey Mysterio vs. Sami Zayn in a King of the Ring tournament match, Liv Morgan vs. Carmella in a Queens Crown tournament match, contract signing for Becky Lynch vs. Bianca Belair vs. Sasha Banks at WWE Crown Jewel |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2021/10/08/10-08-wwe-friday-night-smackdown-results-powells-review-of-rey-mysterio-vs-sami-zayn-in-a-king-of-the-ring-tournament-match-liv-morgan-vs-carmella-in-a-queens-crown-tournament-match-contract-si/ |access-date=9 October 2021 |work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=15 October 2021 |title=SmackDown results, Oct. 15, 2021: The Beast casts doubt on Heyman's allegiance heading into WWE Crown Jewel |url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/2021-10-15|work=WWE}}</ref><ref name="CrownJewel2021">{{cite web |last=Powell |first=Jason |date=21 October 2021 |title=WWE Crown Jewel results: Powell's live review of Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar for the WWE Universal Championship, Becky Lynch vs. Sasha Banks vs. Bianca Belair for the Smackdown Women's Championship, Big E vs. Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship, Edge vs. Seth Rollins in a Hell in a Cell match, Goldberg vs. Bobby Lashley in a No Holds Barred match |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2021/10/21/wwe-crown-jewel-results-powells-live-review-of-roman-reigns-vs-brock-lesnar-for-the-wwe-universal-championship-becky-lynch-vs-sasha-banks-vs-bianca-belair-for-the-smackdown-womens-championshi/ |access-date=21 October 2021 |work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net}}</ref>
==== The Judgment Day (2022–2026) ==== {{main|The Judgment Day}}
On 28 February 2022 episode of ''Raw'', Bálor defeated Damian Priest to win the WWE United States Championship for the first time in his career.<ref name="Raw02282022">{{cite web |last=Powell |first=Jason |date=28 February 2022 |title=2/28 WWE Raw Results: Powell's live review of Damian Priest vs. Finn Balor for the U.S. Championship, Edge addressing his WrestleMania future, Raw Tag Champions Alpha Academy vs. Seth Rollins and Kevin Owens in a non-title match, RK-Bro vs. The Street Profits |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2022/02/28/2-28-wwe-raw-results-powells-live-review-of-damian-priest-vs-finn-balor-for-the-u-s-championship-edge-addressing-his-wrestlemania-future-raw-tag-champions-alpha-academy-vs-seth-rollins-and-kev/ |access-date=1 March 2022 |work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301043415/https://prowrestling.net/site/2022/02/28/2-28-wwe-raw-results-powells-live-review-of-damian-priest-vs-finn-balor-for-the-u-s-championship-edge-addressing-his-wrestlemania-future-raw-tag-champions-alpha-academy-vs-seth-rollins-and-kev/ |archive-date=1 March 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> On 18 April episode of ''Raw'', Bálor lost the United States Championship to Theory, ending his reign at 49 days.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Powell |first=Jason |date=18 April 2022 |title=4/18 WWE Raw results: Powell's live review of Cody Rhodes vs. an opponent of Seth Rollins' choosing, Finn Balor vs. Theory for the U.S. Title, Sasha Banks and Naomi vs. Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan for the WWE Women's Tag Titles, RK-Bro vs. The Street Profits in a non-title match, commitment ceremonies, lie detector test |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2022/04/18/4-18-wwe-raw-results-powells-live-review-of-finn-balor-vs-theory-for-the-u-s-championship-sasha-banks-and-naomi-vs-rhea-ripley-and-liv-morgan-for-the-wwe-womens-tag-titles-kevin-owens-gives/ |access-date=30 June 2022 |website=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220419105554/https://prowrestling.net/site/2022/04/18/4-18-wwe-raw-results-powells-live-review-of-finn-balor-vs-theory-for-the-u-s-championship-sasha-banks-and-naomi-vs-rhea-ripley-and-liv-morgan-for-the-wwe-womens-tag-titles-kevin-owens-gives/|archive-date=19 April 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> [[File:Finn Bálor - WWE Live Birmingham April 2023.jpg|thumb|250x250px|Bálor joined The Judgment Day in June 2022.]] At Hell in a Cell on 5 June, Bálor, AJ Styles and Liv Morgan lost to The Judgment Day (Edge, Damian Priest and Rhea Ripley) in a six-person mixed tag team match.<ref name="HIAC2022">{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=WWE Hell in a Cell results: Powell's live review of Cody Rhodes vs. Seth Rollins in a HIAC match, Bianca Belair vs. Asuka vs. Becky Lynch for the Raw Women's Title, Theory vs. Mustafa Ali for the U.S. Title, Bobby Lashley vs. Omos and MVP in a handicap match, Kevin Owens vs. Ezekiel, Judgment Day vs. AJ Styles, Finn Balor, and Liv Morgan|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2022/06/05/wwe-hell-in-a-cell-results-powells-live-review-of-cody-rhodes-vs-seth-rollins-in-a-hiac-match-bianca-belair-vs-asuka-vs-becky-lynch-for-the-raw-womens-title-theory-vs-mustafa-ali-for-the-u/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=5 June 2022|access-date=5 June 2022}}</ref> On 6 June episode of ''Raw'', Edge introduced Bálor as the newest member of The Judgment Day, turning Bálor heel for the first time on the main roster, however, Bálor, Priest and Ripley suddenly attacked Edge, kicking him out of the group and cementing Bálor's heel turn.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Mike |title=The Newest Member of Judgment Day Is... |url=https://www.pwinsider.com/article/159695/the-newest-member-of-judgment-day-is.html?p=1 |access-date=7 June 2022 |work=PWInsider |date=6 June 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Brookhouse |first1=Brent |title=WWE Raw results, recap and grades: Seth Rollins blindsides Cody Rhodes with brutal attack |url=https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-raw-results-recap-and-grades-seth-rollins-blindsides-cody-rhodes-with-brutal-attack/live/ |access-date=7 June 2022 |work=CBS Sports |date=6 June 2022}}</ref> Bálor and Priest lost to The Mysterios (Rey and Dominik Mysterio) on 30 July at SummerSlam<ref>{{Cite web |last=Powell |first=Jason |date=30 July 2022 |title=WWE SummerSlam results: Powell's review of Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar in a Last Man Standing match for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship, Bianca Belair vs. Becky Lynch for the Raw Women's Title, The Usos vs. The Street Profits for the Undisputed WWE Tag Titles, Liv Morgan vs. Ronda Rousey for the Smackdown Women's Title |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2022/07/30/wwe-summerslam-results-powells-review-of-roman-reigns-vs-brock-lesnar-in-a-last-man-standing-match-for-the-undisputed-wwe-universal-championship-bianca-belair-vs-becky-lynch-for-the-raw-womens/ |access-date=8 November 2022 |website=Pro Wrestling Dot Net |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220731044251/https://prowrestling.net/site/2022/07/30/wwe-summerslam-results-powells-review-of-roman-reigns-vs-brock-lesnar-in-a-last-man-standing-match-for-the-undisputed-wwe-universal-championship-bianca-belair-vs-becky-lynch-for-the-raw-womens/|archive-date=31 July 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> and Rey and Edge at Clash at the Castle on 3 September, where Dominik turned heel on both of them to join The Judgment Day.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McGuire |first=Colin |date=3 September 2022 |title=WWE Clash at the Castle results: McGuire's review of Roman Reigns vs. Drew McIntyre for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship, Gunther vs. Sheamus for the Intercontinental Title, Liv Morgan vs. Shayna Baszler for the Smackdown Women's Title, Seth Rollins vs. Riddle, Bianca Belair, Asuka, and Alexa Bliss vs. Bayley, Iyo Sky, and Dakota Kai |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2022/09/03/wwe-clash-at-the-castle-results-mcguires-review-of-roman-reigns-vs-drew-mcintyre-for-the-undisputed-wwe-universal-championship-gunther-vs-sheamus-for-the-intercontinental-title-liv-morgan-vs-s/ |access-date=8 November 2022 |website=Pro Wrestling Dot Net |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220903220011/https://prowrestling.net/site/2022/09/03/wwe-clash-at-the-castle-results-mcguires-review-of-roman-reigns-vs-drew-mcintyre-for-the-undisputed-wwe-universal-championship-gunther-vs-sheamus-for-the-intercontinental-title-liv-morgan-vs-s/|archive-date=3 September 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> At Extreme Rules on 8 October, Bálor defeated Edge in an "I Quit" match following interference from The Judgment Day.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Powell |first=Jason |date=8 October 2022 |title=WWE Extreme Rules results: Powell's review of Matt Riddle vs. Seth Rollins in a Fight Pit match with Daniel Cormier as special referee, Bianca Belair vs. Bayley in a ladder match for the Raw Women's Title, Liv Morgan vs. Ronda Rousey in an Extreme Rules match for the Smackdown Women's Title, Drew McIntyre vs. Karrion Kross in a strap match |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2022/10/08/wwe-extreme-rules-results-powells-review-of-matt-riddle-vs-seth-rollins-in-a-fight-pit-match-with-daniel-cormier-as-special-referee-bianca-belair-vs-bayley-in-a-ladder-match-for-the-raw-womens/ |access-date=8 November 2022 |website=Pro Wrestling Dot Net |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010122511/https://prowrestling.net/site/2022/10/08/wwe-extreme-rules-results-powells-review-of-matt-riddle-vs-seth-rollins-in-a-fight-pit-match-with-daniel-cormier-as-special-referee-bianca-belair-vs-bayley-in-a-ladder-match-for-the-raw-womens/|archive-date=10 October 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> On 5 November at Crown Jewel, Bálor, Priest, and Dominik defeated The O.C. (Styles, Luke Gallows, and Karl Anderson) in a six-man tag team match after interference from Ripley.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Powell |first=Jason |date=5 November 2022 |title=WWE Crown Jewel results: Powell's live review of Roman Reigns vs. Logan Paul for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship, Brock Lesnar vs. Bobby Lashley, Bianca Belair vs. Bayley in a Last Woman Standing match for the Raw Women's Championship, Braun Strowman vs. Omos, Drew McIntyre vs. Karrion Kross in a cage match |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2022/11/05/wwe-crown-jewel-results-powells-live-review-of-roman-reigns-vs-logan-paul-for-the-undisputed-wwe-universal-championship-brock-lesnar-vs-bobby-lashley-bianca-belair-vs-bayley-in-a-last-wom/ |access-date=8 November 2022 |website=Pro Wrestling Dot Net |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127165001/https://prowrestling.net/site/2022/11/05/wwe-crown-jewel-results-powells-live-review-of-roman-reigns-vs-logan-paul-for-the-undisputed-wwe-universal-championship-brock-lesnar-vs-bobby-lashley-bianca-belair-vs-bayley-in-a-last-wom/|archive-date=27 January 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> On 26 November at Survivor Series: WarGames, Bálor lost to Styles.<ref name="SSeries2022">{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=WWE Survivor Series WarGames results: Powell's review of The Bloodline vs. Drew McIntyre, Kevin Owens, and The Brawling Brutes in a WarGames match, Bianca Belair, Becky Lynch, Asuka, Alexa Bliss, and Mia Yim vs. Rhea Ripley, Nikki Cross, and Damage CTRL in a WarGames match, Seth Rollins vs. Bobby Lashley vs. Austin Theory for the U.S. Title|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2022/11/26/wwe-survivor-series-wargames-results-powells-review-of-the-bloodline-vs-drew-mcintyre-kevin-owens-and-the-brawling-brutes-in-a-wargames-match-bianca-belair-becky-lynch-asuka-alexa-bliss-and/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=26 November 2022|access-date=27 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127185802/https://prowrestling.net/site/2022/11/26/wwe-survivor-series-wargames-results-powells-review-of-the-bloodline-vs-drew-mcintyre-kevin-owens-and-the-brawling-brutes-in-a-wargames-match-bianca-belair-becky-lynch-asuka-alexa-bliss-and/|archive-date=27 November 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> On the following episode of ''Raw'', The Judgment Day defeated The O.C. in an eight-person mixed tag team match to end their feud.<ref name="Raw11282022">{{cite news|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=11/28 WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW RESULTS: Keller's report on Miz vs. Dexter Lumis, Becky Lynch speaks, Street Profits vs. Gable & Otis, Survivor Series fallout|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2022/11/28/11-28-wwe-monday-night-raw-results-kellers-report-on-miz-vs-dexter-lumis-becky-lynch-speaks-street-profits-vs-gable-otis-survivor-series-fallout/|access-date=5 April 2023|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=28 November 2022}}</ref>
At the Royal Rumble on 28 January 2023, Bálor entered the Royal Rumble match at number 20 but was eliminated by the returning Edge. Afterwards, Bálor and Priest eliminated Edge with help from Dominik, despite already being eliminated.<ref name="RR2023">{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=WWE Royal Rumble results: Powell's live review of the Royal Rumble matches, Roman Reigns vs. Kevin Owens for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship, Bianca Belair vs. Alexa Bliss for the Raw Women's Championship, Bray Wyatt vs. LA Knight in a Pitch Black match|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2023/01/28/wwe-royal-rumble-results-powells-live-review-of-the-royal-rumble-matches-roman-reigns-vs-kevin-owens-for-the-undisputed-wwe-universal-championship-bianca-belair-vs-alexa-bliss-for-the-raw-women/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=28 January 2023|access-date=28 January 2023}}</ref> At Elimination Chamber on 18 February, Bálor and Ripley lost to Edge and Beth Phoenix in a mixed tag team match.<ref name="EC2023">{{Cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=WWE Elimination Chamber results: Powell's live review of Roman Reigns vs. Sami Zayn for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship, Brock Lesnar vs. Bobby Lashley, two Elimination Chamber matches, Edge and Beth Phoenix vs. Rhea Ripley and Finn Balor|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2023/02/18/wwe-elimination-chamber-results-powells-live-review-of-roman-reigns-vs-sami-zayn-for-the-undisputed-wwe-universal-championship-brock-lesnar-vs-bobby-lashley-two-elimination-chamber-matches-edg/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=18 February 2023|access-date=19 February 2023}}</ref> At Night 2 of WrestleMania 39 on 2 April, Bálor, in his "Demon" persona, lost to Edge in a Hell in a Cell match. During the match, Bálor suffered an injury after getting hit by a ladder thrown by Edge and had to be medically treated in the ring.<ref name="WM39N2">{{cite web|last=Keller|first=Wade|title=4/2 WWE WRESTLEMANIA 39 – NIGHT 2: Keller's report on Reigns vs. Cody, Belair vs. Asuka, Gunther vs. Sheamus vs. McIntyre, Balor vs. Edge, Lesnar vs. Omos|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2023/04/02/4-2-wwe-wrestlemania-39-night-2-kellers-report-on-reigns-vs-cody-belair-vs-asuka-gunther-vs-sheamus-vs-mcintyre-balor-vs-edge-lesnar-vs-omos/|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=2 April 2023|access-date=5 April 2023}}</ref> Bálor would then be selected amongst a group of Raw superstars to participate in a tournament to crown a new World Heavyweight Champion at Night of Champions. On 8 May episode of ''Raw'', Bálor defeated Cody Rhodes and The Miz in a triple threat match in the first round of the tournament, but lost to eventual champion Seth "Freakin" Rollins in the semifinals later that night.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Powell |first=Jason |date=8 May 2023|title=5/8 WWE Raw results: Powell's live review of Seth Rollins vs. Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Damian Priest in a Triple Threat, Cody Rhodes vs. Finn Balor vs. The Miz in Triple Threat, the Triple Threat winners meet for a spot in the WWE World Heavyweight Championship match at Night of Champions, Trish Stratus appears |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2023/05/08/5-8-wwe-raw-results-powells-live-review-of-seth-rollins-vs-shinsuke-nakamura-vs-damian-priest-in-a-triple-threat-cody-rhodes-vs-finn-balor-vs-the-miz-in-triple-threat-the-triple-threat-winner/ |access-date=9 May 2023|website=Pro Wrestling Dot Net |language=en-US}}</ref> Bálor failed to win the title from Rollins at Money in the Bank on 1 July and SummerSlam on 5 August.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chiari |first=Mike |date=1 July 2023|title=Seth Rollins Retains WWE World Heavyweight Title vs. Finn Bálor at Money in the Bank |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10079137-seth-rollins-retains-wwe-world-heavyweight-title-vs-finn-balor-at-money-in-the-bank |access-date=11 July 2023|website=Bleacher Report |language=en}}</ref><ref name="SSlam2023">{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=WWE SummerSlam results: Powell's review of Roman Reigns vs. Jey Uso in Tribal Combat for the Undisputed WWE Universal Title, Asuka vs. Bianca Belair vs. Charlotte Flair for the WWE Women's Title, Seth Rollins vs. Finn Balor for the World Heavyweight Title, Brock Lesnar vs. Cody Rhodes|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2023/08/05/wwe-summerslam-results-powells-review-of-roman-reigns-vs-jey-uso-in-tribal-combat-for-the-undisputed-wwe-universal-title-asuka-vs-bianca-belair-vs-charlotte-flair-for-the-wwe-womens-ti/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=5 August 2023|access-date=5 August 2023|archive-date=5 August 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805225047/https://prowrestling.net/site/2023/08/05/wwe-summerslam-results-powells-review-of-roman-reigns-vs-jey-uso-in-tribal-combat-for-the-undisputed-wwe-universal-title-asuka-vs-bianca-belair-vs-charlotte-flair-for-the-wwe-womens-ti/|url-status=live}}</ref>
On 2 September at Payback, Bálor and Priest defeated Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn to win the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship after interference from Dominik, Ripley, and JD McDonagh. With this win, Bálor became the 24th WWE Grand Slam Champion.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gilpin |first=Matt |date=2 September 2023|title=WWE Payback 2023 full recap, highlights, photos and exclusives |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwepayback/2023/results |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230903034211/https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwepayback/2023/results |archive-date=3 September 2023|access-date=3 September 2023|work=WWE}}</ref> On 25 September episode of ''Raw'', Bálor and Priest retained their titles in a rematch against Owens and Zayn.<ref name="Raw09252023">{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-raw-results-recap-grades-judgment-day-beats-kevin-owens-and-sami-zayn-in-chaotic-main-event/live/|title=WWE Raw results, recap, grades: Judgment Day beats Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn in chaotic main event|date=25 September 2023|last=Brookhouse|first=Brent|work=CBSSports|access-date=25 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004045223/https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-raw-results-recap-grades-judgment-day-beats-kevin-owens-and-sami-zayn-in-chaotic-main-event/live/|archive-date=4 October 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> They lost the titles to Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso at Fastlane on 7 October after McDonagh accidentally hit Priest with his Money in the Bank briefcase, ending their first reign at 35 days,<ref name="Fastlane2023">{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=WWE Fastlane results: Powell's review of Seth Rollins vs. Shinsuke Nakamura in a Last Man Standing match for the World Heavyweight Title, John Cena and LA Knight vs. Solo Sikoa and Jimmy Uso|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2023/10/07/wwe-fastlane-results-powells-review-of-seth-rollins-vs-shinsuke-nakamura-in-a-last-man-standing-match-for-the-world-heavyweight-title-john-cena-and-la-knight-vs-solo-sikoa-and-jimmy-uso/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=7 October 2023|access-date=7 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008193457/https://prowrestling.net/site/2023/10/07/wwe-fastlane-results-powells-review-of-seth-rollins-vs-shinsuke-nakamura-in-a-last-man-standing-match-for-the-world-heavyweight-title-john-cena-and-la-knight-vs-solo-sikoa-and-jimmy-uso/|archive-date=8 October 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> but regained them in a rematch on 16 October episode of ''Raw''.<ref name="Raw10162023">{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=WWE Raw results (10/16): Powell's live review of the season premiere, Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso vs. Damian Priest and Finn Balor for the Undisputed WWE Tag Titles, Gunther vs. Bronson Reed for the IC Title|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2023/10/16/wwe-raw-results-10-16-powells-live-review-of-the-season-premiere-cody-rhodes-and-jey-uso-vs-damian-priest-and-finn-balor-for-the-undisputed-wwe-tag-titles-gunther-vs-bronson-reed-for-the/|date=16 October 2023|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|access-date=16 October 2023}}</ref> On 13 November episode of ''Raw'', Bálor and Priest again defeated Rhodes and Uso to retain their titles after interference from Drew McIntyre.<ref name="Raw11132023">{{cite web|last=Brookhouse|first=Brent|title=WWE Raw results, recap, grades: Drew McIntyre costs Jey Uso and Cody Rhodes the undisputed WWE tag team titles|url=https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-raw-results-recap-grades-drew-mcintyre-costs-jey-uso-and-cody-rhodes-the-undisputed-wwe-tag-team-titles/live/|date=13 November 2023|work=CBSSports|access-date=13 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114094433/https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-raw-results-recap-grades-drew-mcintyre-costs-jey-uso-and-cody-rhodes-the-undisputed-wwe-tag-team-titles/live/|archive-date=14 November 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> On 24 November episode of ''SmackDown'', Bálor and Priest successfully defended their titles against The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2023/11/24/wwe-smackdown-results-11-24-kellers-report-on-balor-priest-vs-the-street-profits-kevin-owens-on-the-grayson-waller-effect-final-survivor-series-hype/|title=WWE SmackDown results (11/24): Keller's report on Balor & Priest vs. The Street Profits, Kevin Owens on The Grayson Waller Effect, final Survivor Series hype|date=24 November 2023|last=Keller|first=Wade|work=PWTorch|access-date=24 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231125083938/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2023/11/24/wwe-smackdown-results-11-24-kellers-report-on-balor-priest-vs-the-street-profits-kevin-owens-on-the-grayson-waller-effect-final-survivor-series-hype/|archive-date=25 November 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> The next night at Survivor Series WarGames, Bálor participated in his first WarGames match alongside The Judgment Day (which now included McDonagh) and McIntyre, losing to Rhodes, Rollins, Uso, Zayn and the returning Randy Orton.<ref name="SSeries2023">{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=WWE Survivor Series WarGames results: Powell's review of Randy Orton, Seth Rollins, Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso, and Sami Zayn vs. Drew McIntyre and The Judgment Day in a WarGames match, Women's WarGames match|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2023/11/25/wwe-survivor-series-wargames-results-powells-review-of-randy-orton-seth-rollins-cody-rhodes-jey-uso-and-sami-zayn-vs-drew-mcintyre-and-the-judgment-day-in-a-wargames-match-womens-wargames-m/|date=25 November 2023|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|access-date=25 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231126231812/https://prowrestling.net/site/2023/11/25/wwe-survivor-series-wargames-results-powells-review-of-randy-orton-seth-rollins-cody-rhodes-jey-uso-and-sami-zayn-vs-drew-mcintyre-and-the-judgment-day-in-a-wargames-match-womens-wargames-m/|archive-date=26 November 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> On 18 December episode of ''Raw'', Bálor and Priest successfully defended their titles against the Creed Brothers.<ref>{{cite web |last=Tedesco |first=Mike |title=WWE Raw Results – 12/18/23 (Three Title Matches, Miracle on 34th Street Fight) |url=https://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-raw-results/298491-live-wwe-raw-results-december-18-2023-des-moines/ |date=18 December 2023|work=WrestleView|access-date=18 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231219112205/https://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-raw-results/298491-live-wwe-raw-results-december-18-2023-des-moines/|archive-date=19 December 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> At Royal Rumble on 27 January, Bálor entered the Royal Rumble match at number 14, eliminating Carmelo Hayes alongside Dominik before being eliminated by Bron Breakker.<ref name="RR2024">{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=WWE Royal Rumble results: Powell's live review of the Royal Rumble matches, Roman Reigns vs. Randy Orton vs. LA Knight vs. AJ Styles for the WWE Universal Championship|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/01/27/wwe-royal-rumble-results-powells-live-review-of-the-royal-rumble-matches-roman-reigns-vs-randy-orton-vs-la-knight-vs-aj-styles-for-the-wwe-universal-championship/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=January 27, 2024|access-date=January 27, 2024|archive-date=January 27, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127233116/https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/01/27/wwe-royal-rumble-results-powells-live-review-of-the-royal-rumble-matches-roman-reigns-vs-randy-orton-vs-la-knight-vs-aj-styles-for-the-wwe-universal-championship/|url-status=live}}</ref> On the following episode of ''Raw,'' Bálor and Priest defeated DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) to retain their titles.<ref name="Raw01292024">{{cite web|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/01/29/wwe-raw-results-1-29-powells-live-review-of-cody-rhodes-and-bayleys-post-royal-rumble-win-appearances-cm-punks-health-update-damian-priest-and-finn-balor-vs-diy-for-the-undisputed-wwe-tag/|title=WWE Raw results (1/29): Powell's live review of Cody Rhodes and Bayley's post Royal Rumble win appearances, CM Punk's health update, Damian Priest and Finn Balor vs. DIY for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles|date=January 29, 2024|last=Powell|first=Jason|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|access-date=January 29, 2024|archive-date=January 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130003049/https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/01/29/wwe-raw-results-1-29-powells-live-review-of-cody-rhodes-and-bayleys-post-royal-rumble-win-appearances-cm-punks-health-update-damian-priest-and-finn-balor-vs-diy-for-the-undisputed-wwe-tag/|url-status=live}}</ref> At Elimination Chamber: Perth on 24 February, Bálor and Priest successfully defended the titles against New Catch Republic (Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate).<ref name="EC2024">{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=WWE Elimination Chamber results: Powell's live review of Rhea Ripley vs. Nia Jax for the Women's World Championship, Elimination Chamber matches, Grayson Waller Effect with Seth Rollins and Cody Rhodes|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/02/24/wwe-elimination-chamber-results-powells-live-review-of-rhea-ripley-vs-nia-jax-for-the-womens-world-championship-elimination-chamber-matches-grayson-waller-effect-with-seth-rollins-and-cody-rho/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=February 24, 2024|access-date=February 24, 2024}}</ref> At Night 1 of WrestleMania XL on 6 April, Bálor and Priest lost the SmackDown Tag Team Championship to A-Town Down Under (Austin Theory and Grayson Waller) and the Raw Tag Team Championship to The Awesome Truth (The Miz and R-Truth) respectively in a six-pack tag team ladder match, ending their second reign with the undisputed titles at 173 days.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Powell |first=Jason |date=6 April 2024 |title=WrestleMania XL results: Powell's live review of night one with The Rock and Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins and Cody Rhodes, Rhea Ripley vs. Becky Lynch for the Women's World Championship |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/04/06/wrestlemania-xl-results-powells-live-review-of-night-one-with-the-rock-and-roman-reigns-vs-seth-rollins-and-cody-rhodes-rhea-ripley-vs-becky-lynch-for-the-womens-world-championship/|access-date=7 April 2024|website=Pro Wrestling Dot Net |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518161744/https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/04/06/wrestlemania-xl-results-powells-live-review-of-night-one-with-the-rock-and-roman-reigns-vs-seth-rollins-and-cody-rhodes-rhea-ripley-vs-becky-lynch-for-the-womens-world-championship/|archive-date=18 May 2024|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Finn Bálor RR25.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Bálor making his entrance at the 2025 Royal Rumble.]] After Priest won the World Heavyweight Championship at Night 2 of WrestleMania XL, Bálor began teaming with McDonagh. On 13 May episode of ''Raw'', they won a fatal four-way match with help from Carlito, who began inserting himself into the group, to become the number one contenders for the newly renamed World Tag Team Championship the following week,<ref name="Raw05132024">{{cite web|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/05/13/wwe-raw-results-5-13-powells-live-review-of-jey-uso-vs-ilja-dragunov-gunther-vs-kofi-kingston-lyra-valyria-vs-zoey-stark-iyo-sky-vs-shayna-baszler-in-king-and-queen-of-the-ring-quarterfina/|title=WWE Raw results (5/13): Powell's live review of Jey Uso vs. Ilja Dragunov, Gunther vs. Kofi Kingston, Lyra Valyria vs. Zoey Stark, Iyo Sky vs. Shayna Baszler in King and Queen of the Ring quarterfinal matches|date=13 May 2024|last=Powell|first=Jason|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|access-date=13 May 2024}}</ref> but they failed to win the titles from Awesome Truth after Braun Strowman prevented Carlito from interfering.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Aftab |first=Manik |date=20 May 2024 |title=WWE RAW Preview (5/20/24) |url=https://www.wrestlezone.com/features/best-wrestling/1473914-wwe-raw-preview-5-20-24 |access-date=20 May 2024 |website=Wrestlezone |language=en-US}}</ref> On 24 June episode of ''Raw'', with help from Liv Morgan, Bálor and McDonagh defeated Awesome Truth to win the titles.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Powell |first=Jason |date=24 June 2024 |title=WWE Raw results (6/24): Powell's live review of Wyatt Sicks follow-up, Bron Breakker vs. Ludwig Kaiser, Triple Threat qualifiers for the Money in the Bank ladder matches |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/06/24/wwe-raw-results-6-24-powells-live-review-of-wyatt-sicks-follow-up-bron-breakker-vs-ludwig-kaiser-triple-threat-qualifiers-for-the-money-in-the-bank-ladder-matches/ |access-date=28 June 2024 |website=Pro Wrestling Dot Net |language=}}</ref> At SummerSlam on 3 August, Bálor turned on Priest, costing him his World Heavyweight Championship against Gunther.<ref name="SSlam2024">{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=WWE SummerSlam results: Powell's review of Cody Rhodes vs. Solo Sikoa in a Bloodline Rules match for the WWE Championship, Damian Priest vs. Gunther for the World Heavyweight Championship|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/08/03/wwe-summerslam-results-powells-review-of-cody-rhodes-vs-solo-sikoa-in-a-bloodline-rules-match-for-the-wwe-championship-damian-priest-vs-gunther-for-the-world-heavyweight-championship/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=August 3, 2024|access-date=August 3, 2024}}</ref> Bálor lost to Priest at Bad Blood on 5 October<ref name="BadBlood2024">{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=WWE Bad Blood results: Powell's review of Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes vs. Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu, CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre in a Hell in a Cell match|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/10/05/wwe-bad-blood-results-powells-review-of-roman-reigns-and-cody-rhodes-vs-solo-sikoa-and-jacob-fatu-cm-punk-vs-drew-mcintyre-in-a-hell-in-a-cell-match/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=5 October 2024|access-date=5 October 2024|archive-date=6 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241006115412/https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/10/05/wwe-bad-blood-results-powells-review-of-roman-reigns-and-cody-rhodes-vs-solo-sikoa-and-jacob-fatu-cm-punk-vs-drew-mcintyre-in-a-hell-in-a-cell-match/|url-status=live}}</ref> and failed to win the World Heavyweight Championship from Gunther in a triple threat match also involving Priest at Saturday Night's Main Event on 14 December.<ref>{{cite web|last=Beaston|first=Erik|date=14 December 2024|title=WWE Saturday Night's Main Event Results: Winners, Live Grades, Reaction, Highlights|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10147081-wwe-saturday-nights-main-event-results-winners-live-grades-reaction-highlights|work=Bleacher Report}}</ref> On 16 December episode of ''Raw'', Bálor and McDonagh lost the World Tag Team Championship to The War Raiders (Erik and Ivar) after interference from Priest, ending their reign at 175 days.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2024/12/16/wwe-raw-results-12-16-kellers-report-on-breaker-defending-against-ludwig-kaiser-balor-mcdonagh-defend-against-viking-raiders-plus-cm-punk-kofi-seth-rollins/|title=WWE Raw results (12/16): Keller's report on Breaker defending against Ludwig Kaiser, Balor & McDonagh defend against War Raiders, plus CM Punk, Kofi, Seth Rollins|date=16 December 2024|last=Keller|first=Wade|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=3 April 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241227132743/https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2024/12/16/wwe-raw-results-12-16-kellers-report-on-breaker-defending-against-ludwig-kaiser-balor-mcdonagh-defend-against-viking-raiders-plus-cm-punk-kofi-seth-rollins/|archive-date=27 December 2024|url-status=live}}</ref> On 13 January 2025 episode of ''Raw'', Bálor lost to Priest in a Street Fight match despite assistance from Carlito and McDonagh, ending their feud.<ref>{{cite web|last=Mango|first=Anthony|title=WWE Raw Results: January 13, 2025 - PENTA Debuts, Street Fight & More|url=https://theringreport.com/wwe/wwe-raw-results-january-13-2025---penta-debuts-street-fight-more-a24516#gs.jqx768|work=The Ring Report|date=January 13, 2025|access-date=January 15, 2025}}</ref>
At Royal Rumble on 1 February, Bálor entered at number 18, eliminating Penta before being eliminated by John Cena.<ref>{{cite web|last=Mahjouri|first=Shakiel|title=WWE Royal Rumble 2025 results, winners, grades: Jey Uso, Charlotte Flair punch their tickets to WrestleMania|url=https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-royal-rumble-2025-results-winners-grades-jey-uso-charlotte-flair-punch-their-tickets-to-wrestlemania/live/|date=1 February 2025|work=CBS Sports|access-date=3 April 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250210164328/https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-royal-rumble-2025-results-winners-grades-jey-uso-charlotte-flair-punch-their-tickets-to-wrestlemania/live/|archive-date=10 February 2025|url-status=live}}</ref> Over the next few months, and Dominik began to pursue the Intercontinental Championship as tensions between them increased. On Night 2 of WrestleMania 41 on 20 April, Bálor failed to win the title from Bron Breakker in a fatal four-way match also involving Penta and Dominik, with Bálor being pinned by Dominik to become champion.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Powell |first=Jason |date=20 April 2025 |title=WrestleMania 41 results: Powell's live review of night two with Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena for the WWE Championship, Iyo Sky vs. Bianca Belair vs. Rhea Ripley for the Women's World Championship |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2025/04/20/wrestlemania-41-results-powells-live-review-of-night-two-with-cody-rhodes-vs-john-cena-for-the-wwe-championship-iyo-sky-vs-bianca-belair-vs-rhea-ripley-for-the-womens-world-championship/ |access-date=21 April 2025 |website=Pro Wrestling Dot Net |language=en-US}}</ref> On the 30 June episode of ''Raw'', Bálor and McDonagh defeated The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) to win the World Tag Team Championship, starting their second reign as a duo and Bálor's fourth reign holding the title.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-06-30 |title=WWE Raw live results: Night of Champions fallout |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/results/wwe-raw-live-results-night-of-champions-fallout-2/ |access-date=2025-06-30 |website=F4W/WON |language=en-GB}}</ref> On the 20 October episode of ''Raw'', they lost the titles to AJ Styles and Dragon Lee, ending their second reign at 112 days.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Russell |first=Skylar |date=2025-10-21 |title=AJ Styles & Dragon Lee Win WWE World Tag Titles On WWE Raw |url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/aj-styles-and-dragon-lee-win-wwe-world-tag-team-championships-on-wwe-raw?xv=20251021004939 |access-date=2025-10-21 |website=Fightful |language=en-US}}</ref>
==== Return to singles competition (2026–present) ==== On the 12 January 2026 episode of ''Raw'', Bálor confronted CM Punk and challenged him to a match for Punk's World Heavyweight Championship the next week, where he lost.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Russell |first=Skylar |date=2026-01-19 |title=Finn Balor Comes Out To Old Theme, Fails To Defeat CM Punk |url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/finn-balor-cm-punk-283191?xv=20260119223505 |access-date=2026-01-24 |website=Fightful |language=en-US}}</ref> At Elimination Chamber on 28 February, Bálor lost to Punk in a rematch for the title.<ref>{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=WWE Elimination Chamber results: Powell's live review of CM Punk vs. Finn Balor for the World Hvt. Championship, Elimination Chamber matches, Becky Lynch vs. AJ Lee for the Women's IC Title|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2026/02/28/wwe-elimination-chamber-results-powells-live-review-of-cm-punk-vs-finn-balor-for-the-world-hvt-championship-elimination-chamber-matches-becky-lynch-vs-aj-lee-for-the-womens-ic-title/|date=February 28, 2026|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|access-date=February 28, 2026}}</ref> On the following episode of ''Raw'', Bálor refused to help Dominik retain his Intercontinental Championship by cheating, teasing a face turn.<ref name="Penta03022026">{{cite web|last=Russell|first=Skylar|title=Penta Defeats Dominik Mysterio To Win Intercontinental Championship On WWE Raw|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/penta-wwe-291455/|work=Fightful|date=March 2, 2026|access-date=March 2, 2026}}</ref>
On the 9 March episode of ''Raw'', Bálor argued with Dominik, only to be beat down by the other members of The Judgment Day (McDonagh, Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez), kicking him out of the group, turning face for the first time since June 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Powell |first=Jason |date=March 9, 2026 |title=WWE Raw results (3/9): Powell's live review of Penta vs. Original El Grande Americano for the Intercontinental Title, Oba Femi vs. Rusev, gauntlet for a shot at the Women's Intercontinental Title |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2026/03/09/wwe-raw-results-3-9-powells-live-review-of-penta-vs-original-el-grande-americano-for-the-intercontinental-title-oba-femi-vs-rusev-gauntlet-for-a-shot-at-the-womens-intercontinental-title/ |access-date=March 9, 2026 |website=Pro Wrestling Dot Net |language=en-US}}</ref> On 19 April at WrestleMania 42, Bálor, in his "Demon" persona for the first time in three years, defeated Dominik in a Street Fight.<ref name="WrestleMania42N2">{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=WrestleMania 42 results: Powell's live review of night two with CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship, Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2026/04/19/wrestlemania-42-results-powells-live-review-of-night-two-with-cm-punk-vs-roman-reigns-for-the-world-heavyweight-championship-oba-femi-vs-brock-lesnar/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=April 19, 2026|access-date=April 19, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=WWE WrestleMania 42 - Sunday|url=https://www.cagematch.net/en/?id=1&nr=427524|website=Cagematch|access-date=April 19, 2026}}</ref>
==Professional wrestling style and persona== After working under his real name, Devitt changed his ring name to Prince Devitt when he went to New Japan Pro-Wrestling because nobody Japanese could pronounce his actual name. He was originally going to be called King David until people started questioning why the 24-year-old would be a king already. Eventually, Simon Inoki came up with the name Prince Devitt, which Devitt himself also preferred.<ref name="auto1"/> During his time in Japan, Devitt started to use body paint during some matches.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.superluchas.com/quien-le-advirtio-a-finn-balor-que-no-se-pintara-el-cuerpo|title = Who warned Finn Bálor not to paint his body? | Superfights|date = 8 September 2017}}</ref>
When he signed with WWE, Devitt worked under two characters: Finn Bálor (named after the legendary Irish hero Fionn mac Cumhaill and Balor of the Evil Eye, an antagonistic character from Gaelic mythology)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/17294491/the-keys-maximizing-finn-bálor-potential-top-level-wwe-superstar|title=The keys to maximizing Finn Bálor's potential|date=13 August 2016|website=ESPN.com}}</ref> and The Demon (sometimes the Demon King), a darker and more aggressive otherworldly alter-ego.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.superluchas.com/finn-balor-volver-a-nxt-fue-el-movimiento-correcto/|title=Finn Bálor: "Going back to NXT was the right move"|date=11 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://superluchas.com/finn-balor-the-demon-podria-regresar-wwe/|title=Finn Bálor dice que The Demon podría regresar a WWE|website=Superluchas|date=12 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.superluchas.com/el-demonio-que-llevamos-dentro-conociendo-a-finn-balor/|title = The Demon We Have Inside: Meeting Finn Bálor | Superfights|date = 7 August 2016}}</ref> After Devitt returned to NXT in 2019, he said he would use the character of The Demon less as its overuse had ruined the element of surprise.<ref name="auto2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a33979191/wwe-finn-balor-the-demon-control-crutch-nxt/|title=Exclusive: Finn Balor says The Demon persona "spun out of control" in WWE and became "a crutch"|first=Stephanie|last=Chase|date=10 September 2020|website=Digital Spy}}</ref>
Devitt uses a double foot stomp named "Coup de Grace"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/nxt-results/wwe-nxt-live-results-finn-balor-vs-adam-cole-vacant-nxt-title-319661|title=WWE NXT live results: Finn Balor vs. Adam Cole for vacant NXT title|date=8 September 2020|website=WON/F4W}}</ref> as a finisher.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/wwe-news/nxt-nashville-tennessee-results-samoa-joe-vs-finn-balor-207056|title=NXT Nashville, Tennessee, results: Finn Balor ankle injury|date=6 February 2016|website=WON/F4W}}</ref> He also uses a lifting single underhook DDT (named "Bloody Sunday" in NJPW and "1916" in WWE) as a finisher.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-sports/wwe-beast-in-the-east-finn-balors-reign-begins-40646/|title=WWE 'Beast in the East': Finn Balor's Reign Begins|first1=James|last1=Montgomery|magazine=Rolling Stone |date=4 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://superluchas.com/la-nueva-maniobra-final-de-finn-balor-el-1916/|title=La nueva maniobra final de Finn Bálor: El 1916|website=Superluchas|date=24 March 2016}}</ref>
==Other media== Devitt has appeared as a playable character in the video games ''WWE 2K16'',<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chiari |first=Mike |date=2015-08-04 |title=WWE 2K16: Finn Balor, Seth Rollins Entrances, New Gameplay Videos and Modes |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2539096-wwe-2k16-finn-balor-seth-rollins-entrances-new-gameplay-videos-and-modes |access-date=2022-07-26 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}}</ref> ''WWE 2K17'',<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bills |first=John |date=2016-08-10 |title=WWE 2K17 Roster - 22 New Names Revealed Along With Finn Balor's Entrance |url=https://whatculture.com/wwe/wwe-2k17-roster-22-new-names-revealed-along-with-finn-balor-s-entrance |access-date=2022-07-26 |website=WhatCulture.com |language=en}}</ref> ''WWE 2K18'',<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hossam |first=Mostafa |date=2017-09-01 |title=Third WWE 2K18 Roster Reveal Adds 43 New Wrestlers; Includes Finn Balor, Chris Jericho and More |url=https://gameranx.com/updates/id/118516/article/third-wwe-2k18-roster-reveal-adds-43-new-wrestlers-includes-finn-balor-chris-jericho-and-more/ |access-date=2022-07-26 |website=Gameranx |language=en-US |archive-date=26 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726114842/https://gameranx.com/updates/id/118516/article/third-wwe-2k18-roster-reveal-adds-43-new-wrestlers-includes-finn-balor-chris-jericho-and-more/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''WWE 2K19'',<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fowler |first=Matt |date=2018-08-30 |title=WWE 2K19 Roster Reveal: 75 Playable Superstars Announced |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/08/30/wwe-2k19-roster-reveal-75-playable-superstars-announced |access-date=2022-07-26 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref> ''WWE 2K20,''<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gilbert |first=Fraser |date=2019-10-21 |title=Who has made the WWE 2K20 roster? |language=en |work=PC Gamer |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/wwe-2k20-roster-ratings/ |access-date=2022-07-26}}</ref> ''WWE 2K Battlegrounds'',<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bankhurst |first=Adam |date=2020-08-16 |title=WWE 2K Battleground's [''sic''] Full Roster Revealed, AJ Styles and Finn Balor Confirmed for Launch |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/wwe-2k-battlegrounds-full-roster-revealed-aj-styles-and-finn-balor-confirmed-for-launch |access-date=2022-07-26 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref> ''WWE 2K22'',<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wilson |first=Ben |date=2022-05-23 |title=WWE 2K22 roster guide tracking every confirmed wrestler |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/wwe-2k22-roster/ |access-date=2022-07-26 |website=gamesradar |language=en-GB}}</ref> ''WWE 2K23'',<ref>{{Cite web |author1=Ben Wilson |date=2023-03-15 |title=WWE 2K23 roster reveal with every confirmed wrestler |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/wwe-2k23-roster/ |access-date=2023-04-01 |website=gamesradar |language=en-US}}</ref> ''WWE 2K24'', ''WWE 2K25'', and ''WWE 2K26''.
== Personal life == On 19 August 2019, Devitt married Mexican sports journalist Vero Rodríguez in a private ceremony in Tulum.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Finn Balor Confirms Marriage To Fox Sports Reporter Veronica Rodriguez |url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/finn-balor-confirms-marriage-fox-sports-reporter-veronica-rodriguez|last=Lambert|first=Jeremy|access-date=5 February 2021|work=Fightful Wrestling|language=en|date=29 August 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet|user=FinnBalor|date=19 August 2020|title=Finn Bálor on Twitter: "Hace un año"|number=1296157876034179072|access-date=5 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Jenkins|first=H.|date=10 May 2019|title=Fans Calling Out Finn Balor For Dating Television Personality|url=https://www.ringsidenews.com/2019/05/10/fans-calling-out-finn-balors-relationship-television/|access-date=5 February 2021|website=Ringside News|language=en-US}}</ref> They had confirmed their relationship in June that year, during an interview at the UEFA Champions League final,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Middleton |first1=Marc |title=Finn Balor And Fox Sports Host Veronica Rodriguez Confirm Their Relationship (Video, Photo) |url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2019/06/finn-balor-and-fox-sports-host-veronica-rodriguez-confirm-654749/ |access-date=5 February 2021 |work=Wrestling Inc. |date=1 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Charles|first=Douglas|date=3 June 2019|title=WWE Champion Finn Balor Drunkenly Revealed He's Dating Fox Sports Reporter Veronica Rodriguez|url=https://brobible.com/sports/article/finn-balor-dating-fox-veronica-rodriguez/|access-date=5 February 2021|website=BroBible|language=en-US}}</ref> and Devitt proposed to Rodríguez the following day.<ref>{{Cite web|date=22 June 2020|title=The Impressionable Hour With Al Foran - Episode 09 - Finn Balor|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4t5mgJEKW3M&ab_channel=AlForanComedy| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211115/4t5mgJEKW3M| archive-date=15 November 2021 | url-status=live|access-date=5 February 2021|website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> They reside in Orlando, Florida.
Devitt holds a first-degree black belt in IBF submission wrestling.<ref name="MWF">{{cite web|url=http://www.fabulousproductions.com/mwfnewsline20051206-fergal.html|title=Fergal Devitt Interview|date=6 December 2005|access-date=8 July 2009|publisher=Millennium Wrestling Federation|archive-date=22 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222133029/http://www.fabulousproductions.com/mwfnewsline20051206-fergal.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> He is good friends with fellow professional wrestlers AJ Styles, Karl Anderson, Luke Gallows, Tama Tonga, Jordan Devlin and Dru Onyx.<ref name="warned">{{cite web|url=http://www.warnedwrestling.com/InterviewFergalDevitt.html|title=Wrestling Interview With Fergal Davitt|date=7 October 2007|last=Farrell|first=E L|access-date=28 March 2009|publisher=WarnedWrestling}}{{Dead link|date=March 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> He is an avid comic book reader and collector of Lego, and has worn face and body paint inspired by comic book characters when wrestling.<ref name=ChivertonPreview/> He is a supporter of English football team Tottenham Hotspur.<ref>{{cite web|title=WWE: Neville living a dream on Raw and Smackdown|work=Sky Sports |url=http://www.skysports.com/wwe/news/14203/9868019/wwe-neville-living-a-dream-on-raw-and-smackdown|publisher=Sky Sports|access-date=1 August 2016}}</ref>
== Championships and accomplishments == {{multiple image | direction = vertical | width = 160 | image1 = Fergal Devitt.jpg | caption1 = Prince Devitt is a three-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion. | image2 = NXT Champion Finn Balor.jpg | caption2 = In WWE, Finn Bálor is a two-time NXT Champion, and also holds the record for longest combined reign at 504 days.... | image3 = Finn Bálor as Intercontinental Champion.jpg | caption3 = ...a two-time WWE Intercontinental Champion... | image4 = WWE Live Road To WrestleMania, Toronto, 2022 148 (cropped).jpg | caption4 = ...a former WWE United States Champion... | image5 = Finn Bálor, June 2024 (cropped).jpg | caption5 = ...and an overall six-time Tag Team Champion. }} * '''American Wrestling Roadshow''' ** Wrestling.Ie Championship (1 time)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/article/83209/prince-devittwwe-update.html?p=1|title=Prince Devitt-WWE update|last=Johnson|first=Mike|date=30 January 2014|work=Pro Wrestling Insider|access-date=31 January 2014}}</ref> * '''Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre''' ** NWA World Historic Middleweight Championship (1 time)<ref name=CMLL033012/> * '''Insane Championship Wrestling''' ** ICW Zero-G Championship (1 time)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=84656&p=1|title=Prince Devitt comments on his wrestling future|last=Johnson|first=Mike|date=31 March 2014|access-date=31 March 2014|work=Pro Wrestling Insider}}</ref> * '''Kaientai Dojo''' ** Best Tag Team Match (2010) <small>with Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Makoto Oishi and Shiori Asahi on 17 April</small><ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.livedoor.jp/kaientai_dojo_news/archives/51890459.html|title=K-Award'11受賞結果|date=9 December 2010|work=Kaientai Dojo|access-date=23 March 2012|publisher=Livedoor|language=ja}}</ref> * '''New Japan Pro-Wrestling''' ** IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship (3 times)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/data/list_category.php?cat=2|title=Jr. Heavy weight class|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|access-date=19 September 2011|language=ja}}</ref> ** IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship (6 times) – with Minoru (2) and Ryusuke Taguchi (4)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/data/list_category.php?cat=4|title=Jr. Heavy tag weight class|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|access-date=19 September 2011|language=ja}}</ref> ** Best of the Super Juniors (2010, 2013)<ref name=BOSJ2010/><ref name=BOSJ2013/> ** J Sports Crown Openweight 6 Man Tag Tournament (2010, 2011) – with Ryusuke Taguchi and Hirooki Goto<ref name=JSportsCrown6Finals/><ref name=JSportsCrown6FinalsSSS/><ref name=JSportsSixMan2011/> * '''''New York Post''''' ** Faction of the Year (2023) {{small|as part of The Judgment Day}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2023/12/26/sports/the-posts-2024-pro-wrestling-awards/|title=The Post's 2023 pro wrestling awards|work=New York Post|first=Joseph|last=Staszewski|date=26 December 2023|access-date=29 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231227120049/https://nypost.com/2023/12/26/sports/the-posts-2024-pro-wrestling-awards/|archive-date=27 December 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> * '''NWA UK Hammerlock''' ** NWA British Commonwealth Heavyweight Championship (2 times)<ref name="OWOW"/><ref name="nwapro"/> * '''''Pro Wrestling Illustrated''''' ** Faction of the Year (2023) {{small| as part of The Judgment Day}} ** Ranked No. 3 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the ''PWI 500'' in 2016<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.profightdb.com/pwi-500/2016.html|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2016|access-date=1 September 2016|work=The Internet Wrestling Database}}</ref> * '''Revolution Pro Wrestling''' ** British Cruiserweight Championship (1 time)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/more/more-top-stories/118-daily-updates/28434-sat-update-great-tv-show-wwe-multiple-releases-austin-talks-wwe-hall-of-fame-best-night-for-bellator-ppv-predictions-nwa-hall-of-fame-james-storm-headlines-benefit-show-devitt-takes-another-title|title=Sat. update: Great TV show, WWE multiple releases, Austin talks WWE Hall of Fame, Best night for Bellator, PPV predictions, NWA Hall of Fame, James Storm headlines benefit show, Devitt takes another title|last=Meltzer|first=Dave|author-link=Dave Meltzer|date=17 November 2012|access-date=17 November 2012|work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.revolutionprowrestling.com/title-history/british-cruiserweight-champion|title=British Cruiserweight Champion History|access-date=17 November 2012|work=Revolution Pro Wrestling|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150213112611/http://www.revolutionprowrestling.com/title-history/british-cruiserweight-champion|archive-date=13 February 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> * '''''Rolling Stone''''' ** NXT Star of the Year (2015)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/sports/features/wwe-wrestler-s-of-the-year-the-new-day-20151214|title=WWE Wrestler(s) of the Year|date=14 December 2015|access-date=14 December 2015|publisher=Rolling Stone|archive-date=15 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151215022533/http://www.rollingstone.com/sports/features/wwe-wrestler-s-of-the-year-the-new-day-20151214|url-status=dead}}</ref> * '''''Tokyo Sports''''' ** Best Bout Award (2010) <small>with Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Kenny Omega and Kota Ibushi on 11 October</small><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=2343|title=2010 Tokyo Sports awards – New Japan involvement|date=9 December 2010|access-date=9 December 2010|work=Strong Style Spirit}}</ref> * '''''Wrestling Observer Newsletter''''' ** Most Underrated (2018)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wrestlingrumors.net/derekstoughton/2018-wrestling-observer-newsletter-awards-revealed/|title=2018 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards Revealed|last=Stoughton|first=Derek|date=22 March 2019|access-date=23 March 2019|work=Wrestling Rumors|archive-date=23 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190323203700/https://wrestlingrumors.net/derekstoughton/2018-wrestling-observer-newsletter-awards-revealed/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.postwrestling.com/2019/03/17/bonus-show-wrestling-observer-newsletter-awards/|title=BONUS SHOW: Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards|date=17 March 2019|access-date=23 March 2019|work=Post Wrestling}}</ref> * '''WWE''' **WWE Universal Championship (1 time, inaugural)<ref>{{cite web|last1=Werner|first1=Barry|title=Finn Balor captures first WWE Universal championship|url=http://www.foxsports.com/wwe/story/finn-balor-captures-first-wwe-universal-championship-082116|website=Fox Sports|access-date=7 September 2016|date=21 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=WWE Universal Championship|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)|url=https://www.wwe.com/titlehistory/universal-championship}}</ref> **WWE Intercontinental Championship (2 times)<ref>{{Cite web|title=WWE Intercontinental Championship|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)|url=https://www.wwe.com/titlehistory/intercontinental-championship}}</ref> **WWE United States Championship (1 time)<ref>{{Cite web|title=WWE United States Championship|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)|url=https://www.wwe.com/titlehistory/united-states-championship}}</ref> **World/WWE Raw Tag Team Championship{{Efn|Bálor's first two reigns occurred when the title was known as the Raw Tag Team Championship.}} (4 times) – with Damian Priest (2), and JD McDonagh (2)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/titlehistory/raw-tag-team-championship|title=WWE Raw Tag Team Championship|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)}}</ref> ** WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Damian Priest<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/titlehistory/smackdown-tag-team-championship|title=WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)}}</ref> **NXT Championship (2 times)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/titlehistory/nxt-championship|title=NXT Championship|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)}}</ref> **17th Grand Slam Champion (under current format; 24th overall) **Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic (2015) – with Samoa Joe<ref name=NXTRespect/> **NXT Championship #1 Contender's Tournament (2015)<ref name="NXT-Rival"/> ** Slammy Award (1 time) *** Faction of the Year (2024) – as a member of The Judgment Day **NXT Year-End Award (3 times)<ref>{{cite web|author=WWE.com Staff|title=The first-ever NXT Year-End Awards will be presented Jan. 13 at 8/7 C on WWE Network|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/wwe-nxt-year-end-awards-2015|publisher=WWE|access-date=14 January 2016}}</ref> *** Male Competitor of the Year (2015)<ref name=NXTawards>{{cite web|last1=Zimmerman|first1=Zack|title= 1/13 Zim's WWE NXT Live Coverage: Battle Royal to determine Bayley's next challenger for the NXT Women's Championship, Dash and Dawson vs. The Ascension, plus Elias Sampson and Tommaso Ciampa in action|url=http://prowrestling.net/site/2016/01/13/113-zims-wwe-nxt-live-coverage-battle-royal-to-determine-bayleys-next-challenger-for-the-nxt-womens-championship-dash-and-dawson-vs-the-ascension-plus-elias-sampson-and-tommaso-ciampa-in-ac/|website=prowrestling.net|access-date=13 January 2016}}</ref> *** Overall Competitor of the Year (2015)<ref name=NXTawards/> *** Match of the Year (2020) {{small|vs. Kyle O'Reilly at NXT TakeOver: 31}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/article/nxt-year-end-award-winners-announced-revealed|title=2020 NXT Year-End Award Winners|author=WWE.com Staff|work=World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)|date=30 December 2020|access-date=1 March 2021}}</ref>
== Notes == {{notelist}}
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == {{Commons category|Fergal Devitt|Prince Devitt}} * {{Professional wrestling profiles|cagematch=2742|wrestlingdata=2162|iwd=finn-balor-3023|name=Finn Bálor}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20160305032607/http://www.njpw.co.jp/english/data/detail_profile.php?f=157 Finn Bálor's] New Japan Pro-Wrestling profile * [https://web.archive.org/web/20120219101100/http://www.nwapro.net/oz/superstars/fergal-devitt.html NWA Pro profile] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20130702215505/http://www.southsidewrestling.co.uk/roster/prince-devitt Southside Wrestling Entertainment profile] * {{IMDb name|nm2316143|Fergal Devitt}}
{{Navboxes |list1= {{Bullet Club}} {{Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Winners}} {{Grand Slam-Triple Crown Champions}} {{ICW Zero-G Championship}} {{IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship}} {{IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship}} {{NWA World Middleweight Championship}} {{NXT Championship}} {{RPW British Cruiserweight Championship}} {{Best of the Super Juniors}} {{The Judgment Day}} {{WWE personnel}} {{WWE Intercontinental Championship}} {{WWE United States Championship}} {{WWE Universal Championship}} {{WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship}} {{World Tag Team Championship (WWE, 2024–present)}} }}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Balor, Finn}} Category:1981 births Category:21st-century male professional wrestlers Category:Best of the Super Juniors winners Category:Bullet Club members Category:Expatriate professional wrestlers Category:Expatriate professional wrestlers in Japan Category:Irish expatriates in the United States Category:Irish male professional wrestlers Category:ICW Zero-G Champions Category:IWGP Junior Heavyweight champions Category:IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions Category:Living people Category:Masked wrestlers Category:NWA World Historic Middleweight Champions Category:NWA/WCW/WWE United States Heavyweight Champions Category:NXT Champions Category:People from Bray, County Wicklow Category:Sportspeople from County Wicklow Category:Undisputed British Cruiserweight Champions Category:WWE Grand Slam champions Category:World Tag Team Champions (WWE) Category:WWE Tag Team Champions Category:WWE Universal Champions Category:WWF/WWE Intercontinental Champions Category:Activists from County Wicklow Category:21st-century Irish sportsmen Category:The Judgment Day members