NXT World Champion Finn Balor recently spoke with Phil Strum of The Poughkeepsie Journal about how his goal when he came to WWE being to headline WrestleMania. Balor admitted that he “took a different direction” than the one he originally planned.
“Absolutely. I came to WWE to be on WrestleMania and to be in a WrestleMania main event. I won’t say I got sidetracked, but I took a different direction. I get to work with NXT and be a part of something I can consider incredibly special. I stumbled upon this little pot of gold with NXT. It wasn’t the plan when I came here, but it’s all of my focus. I’m proud to be the standard-bearer for NXT. I believe I will get the callup eventually, but I want to leave NXT in better condition than I found it. I want to leave the best footprint I can with NXT possible. With a third brand, at the end of the day, it’s great for wrestling fans. The more wrestling we have, the better. The better job I do, the more possibility of that coming true.”
The reigning NXT Champion also spoke about the pride he takes in being the standard-bearer for the NXT brand.
“When I came to NXT, it was very much a developmental brand. In the last year and a half, with the help of an incredible bunch of talent, we were able to grow NXT as the third global brand for WWE. I’m very proud to be the standard-bearer and a lot of responsibility goes with that, obviously. I thrive under pressure. I would be more worried if I was not the standard-bearer. I don’t take it for granted. I’ve worked hard for 15 years to be in the position I’m in. I’m not going to let up or let go any time soon.
