We’ve been hearing our share of rumors regarding Finn Balor’s return, including a few reports that he may be back as early as next month, at WWE’s Roadblock pay-per-view. Now, a new report regarding the talented Irishman’s status cites none other than the man himself, but unfortunately, it might not be what a lot of the “Demon King”‘s fans are wanting to hear.
Last week, hopes were high that Balor would be returning just four months after his shoulder injury. The 35-year-old Finn had torn his labrum at SummerSlam in August, where he had fought through the injury and gone on to defeat Seth Rollins to become WWE’s inaugural Universal Champion. As such, it was just a few days later when the MRI results came in, and Balor appeared on Monday Night RAW to relinquish his newly-won championship. At that time, he was expected to return in four to six months, and it probably shouldn’t have come as a shock that rumors of Finn Balor returning heated up late last week.
A report from Cageside Seats was among the many that unintentionally brought hopes up and made many fans think Balor’s absence would last just four months and end at Roadblock . According to the report, the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, which will be hosting the event on December 18, still had Balor advertised as part of the show. Cageside Seats ‘ Geno Mrosko also stressed that the advertised card, as explicitly stated, is subject to change and may have been an outdated one. Now, it looks like he was right, as Finn Balor debunked the return rumors himself at this weekend’s Wizard World Convention, which incidentally also took place in Pittsburgh.
My pics of Finn Balor from yesterday at @WizardWorld @FinnBalorCOM #FinnBalor pic.twitter.com/esZ2YOfB32
— DoIHaveTo (@troubleGL) November 6, 2016
ScreenGeek quoted excerpts from Balor’s appearance , and here’s what the Demon King has to say about whether he’ll be appearing at Roadblock or not.
“So I believe a lot of rumors went around this week about Finn Balor possibly returning at Roadblock, I think that was literally just a mistake that had been submitted before SummerSlam , and that was the projected card, and it hasn’t been updated yet, so that was probably just an advertisement that slipped through the cracks. I can 100 percent guarantee – what date is Roadblock? December 18th? I will 100 percent guarantee that I will be home with my family and friends at Christmas. I will be back in 2017.”
So when is Finn Balor returning to WWE, if he’s really coming back sometime next year? ScreenGeek theorized that a WrestleMania 33 return may be plausible, but also stated that it would be “interesting” to speculate on his potential opponent. It probably won’t be the legendary Hulk Hogan due to his age and inactivity, but as Balor said at Wizard World, he’d love to face the “Hulkster” in the ring if the chance arises.
“Obviously, the expression is (that) anything can happen in the WWE, and me as a fan, I would love Hulk Hogan to come back. I don’t know if that’s possible, but a lot stranger things have happened in the past, and it’s not out of the realm of possibility one bit – and I’d love it. If I got an opportunity to wrestle Hulk Hogan, that would be even better.”
If you ignore the facts that Hogan is 63-years-old and inactive since 2013, it probably isn’t that much of a stretch. Hulk, after all, had been rumored to be coming back to WWE at WrestleMania 33, as the T Inquisitr had reported this weekend. Still, Finn Balor had said it himself — his return won’t take place at Roadblock , he’s coming back sometime in 2017, and it isn’t sure when exactly he’ll be back or whom he will be facing. And when he does return, WWE’s creative team should have more than a few options available when booking that in-ring comeback.
[Featured Image by WWE]