Finn Balor Talks “NXT Takeover: Brooklyn,” His First Year in WWE

SportingNews.com contributor Brian Fritz recently sat down with current NXT Champion Finn Balor to discuss the upcoming “NXT Takeover: Brooklyn” event airing live on the WWE Network on Aug. 23 from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

During the interview, Fritz and Balor discussed such topics as Balor’s first year in WWE, making the transition from the indie scene, what it felt like to win the NXT Title in Japan, his upcoming Ladder Match with Kevin Owens, and his inclusion in the upcoming WWE 2K16 video game.

Balor was first asked what surprises he’s faced in his first year with WWE:

“Biggest surprise? I think the biggest surprise has to be how helpful everyone has been, helping me adapt to a new company, a new country, a new working environment and kind of a new style of wrestling. The powers that be have bent over backwards to make sure I’ve settled in which is very humbling.”

Fritz then asked how “The Demon” was able to transition to the WWE system so quickly, as well as how it felt to win the NXT Title in Japan:

“Well, I’m not sure who it looks from the outside but for me personally it’s been very difficult. There’s a lot of subtle differences that go into changing your style up and adapting to a new style of work here in WWE. It’s something that I’ve very grateful for the help I’ve been given by the company. It’s not just in the ring but outside and in the back and life. It’s been a bit of a struggle getting used to life in the states, adapting to a new lifestyle. I was used to getting home maybe once a month while I was in Japan. Trying to battle a bit of home sickness at the moment but professionally it’s been going great. I feel like I’ve been improving every day and learning. I thought that maybe I peaked in Japan. I feel like now I’m starting at the bottom again and working my way up. I had to apply myself differently to different things. It’s been a real learning experience over the last year and I’m looking forward to the next couple of years.”

“It was kind of like the meeting of two chapters in my life. It was a place that became a second home for me. I had a lot of friends, a lot of incredible memories there that I kind of stepped away from and left behind and I was never sure if I was going to return. To return a year later to challenge for the NXT Championship was very kind of a surreal experience. It was almost like the storyline couldn’t have been any better with the location. It was the same building (Sumo Hall) that I had my last match for New Japan. To return there with WWE to wrestle Kevin Owens who is someone who came into NXT at the same time as me. We kind of experienced a lot of the same difficulties of battling with a new style. We kind of went through that struggle together. And to be in a championship match with someone who has become a very close friend of mine, it couldn’t have been any better. It’s a night that I’ll never ever forget for the rest of my life. It’s definitely a milestone night in my career for more than just the fact that I won the NXT Championship but for many personal reasons too.”

Balor then discussed how he has never been in a ladder match before, and that he is looking forward to his “NXT Takeover” match with Owens:

“I’ve been involved in a few stunts and hardcore matches that have involved ladders but I’ve never been in a specific ladder match. So this is something very new to me. I’ve been doing a good bit of homework watching my good buddy Neville and his match against Bo Dallas for the NXT Championship. I know I may be considered the underdog going into this match with Kevin having a lot of experience in ladder matches but I’ve up for the challenge. I’m excited. It’s something new. I think the sold out Barclays Center in Brooklyn is going to be in for a treat.”

Fritz then commented on Balor’s inclusion in the “WWE 2K16” video game. Balor responded:

“That’s been kind of one of those things I’ve had to adjust to because I’ve been wrestling for 14 years before I came here. It was very easy to kind of leave my work at work and go home and the kind of security of my personal life. Those things now, it’s kind of hard to separate the two. Obviously you have a lot more publicity but obviously, new doors have opened for me. As a kid, I played all those video games. As I kid, I had every action figure. Now, getting the opportunity to be in the video game and have an action figure, to say it’s humbling would be an understatement. I’m just kind of experiencing it now because I don’t really have a chance to sit back and really grasp or understand the extent of it. Hopefully I can be a good role model for kids and they can grow up to follow their dreams just like I am.”

You can see Balor’s “WWE 2K16” entrance below, and the entire interview can be read here.

Editor’s Note:

I don’t know about you, but I am PUMPED for the Ladder NXT Championship match at “NXT Takeover: Brooklyn.” I am amazed by Balor’s ability to be over with the fans so quickly, and I look forward to following him more in the future.

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