Finn Balor was lucky enough to work with WWE legend John Cena on his final-ever Monday Night RAW match – and it happened to emanate from Madison Square Garden.
It was a big moment for Balor and The Judgement Day group who have been a staple of the company for the three years.
What started out as Edge’s group and his vision quickly took on a life of it’s own with his exit. Balor has been the de facto leader almost by tenure, but the group has seen individuals thrive at many different junctures where it doesn’t appear there is one leader.
Wrestling Intel spoke exclusively with Finn Balor to get his take on why the group has been able to last as long as it has.
“I think that’s down to the characters involved,” Balor started. “Each have got their own history, their own depth and their own story they’re trying to tell. Not all cookie-cutter, copy and paste just straight up wrestlers. Everyone has their own identity and their own unique personality and we’ve been able to play off that.
“Certainly, I didn’t expect to last three years [laughs]. Obviously there has been a lot of change and I think Liv coming in really reinvigorated it. JD [McDonagh] reinvigorated me, it gave me something else to do in the tag team division.
“So it’s been able to give us a lot of fresh ideas. And Dom has been an absolute firecracker of a performer over the last three years. To see his growth and be able to witness that with a front-row seat either on the apron or beside him backstage, it’s beautiful to see his growth.
“He has kind of transformed into this little guy that everyone considered a piece of s*** that shouldn’t be on the show to one of the main performers that people are tuning into see. To see that explosion of growth in the last three years is just beautiful.”
Dom Mysterio and Rhea Ripley, once a couple of sorts in the group, have both emerged as two of the biggest draws in the company and thus, industry. And they’re still both under 30.
Balor though does not take much credit for their rise and has showered members of the Judgement Day in praise for their growth over the past few years.
“It’s always nice to be close to people as they are growing up in the business, but I don’t think anyone can take credit for anyone’s growth but the person who figures it out themselves.
“Because you can be pointed in the direction, but the lightbulb has to go off for it to click with the audience.
“That goes for Dom, that goes for Rhea, that goes for Damien and I’m sure that will go for JD in the future.
“Raquel has shown incredible growth in the last couple of months. She’s really stepped up.
“And I think people forget Roxy is 21, 22-years-old. When I was that age I was working at the supermarket! [laughs]. She’s at Survivor Series doing her finisher on John Cena!
“You’ve got to let these people find their own way and they are streets ahead of where I was at that time in my career. The sky is the limit for all of those guys,” said Balor.
At 44, Balor is entering the winter of his career but given his in-ring road and eternally good physique, it might be a long winter.
He’s clearly still enjoying himself and long may that continue if others around him continue to thrive.
