Former Universal Champion says his journey is a success story
Summary
– Finn Bálor rejects claims that his WWE career is defined by his 2016 injury
– Set to challenge CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship at Elimination Chamber
– Points to multiple title reigns and milestone victories as proof of long-term success
Finn Bálor is done entertaining the idea that his WWE run has been anything less than a success.
On February 27, 2026, during an interview with the New York Post Sports, Bálor addressed the long-standing debate surrounding his 2016 Universal Championship victory and the injury that forced him to relinquish the title almost immediately. The moment has followed him for nearly a decade, fueling endless “what if” discussions among fans.
Bálor made it clear he has grown tired of that conversation. Rather than viewing the injury as a stain on his résumé, he sees it as part of the journey that shaped him. He explained that setbacks often teach more than victories, and he refused to label that chapter a failure.
Reflecting on his path to WWE’s main event scene, Bálor highlighted how unlikely his rise truly was. Growing up in Ireland without a strong wrestling infrastructure, he moved abroad to pursue training with modest expectations. Years later, he debuted on Raw, defeated Roman Reigns on his first night, beat Seth Rollins at his first pay-per-view, and captured championship gold shortly after. To him, that is the definition of success.
He also pushed back against critics who overlook his accomplishments outside the world title picture. Bálor pointed to his reign as United States Champion, multiple Intercontinental Championship victories, tag team success, and his acclaimed return to NXT as achievements that deserve recognition.
Still, he acknowledged that some observers will judge his legacy only by another world championship run. That opportunity now stands directly in front of him.
At Elimination Chamber, Bálor challenges CM Punk for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Nearly ten years removed from surrendering a top title due to injury, he has a chance to change the narrative once and for all.
