Opinion
Finn Bálor and Drew McIntyre: Main Event Stars on the Rise After WWE TLC?
Drew McIntyre is heading to WWE TLC on December 16 for a showdown against Finn Bálor. The Scottish Psychopath has had issues with Finn over the past several weeks and those issues have led to a war. Now both men will step into the ring and do battle once again.
On a TLC card stacked with main event talent, this is one match that may not be on the fans’ radar. It’s not that the WWE faithful don’t care about Finn or Drew, of course. However fans may be wondering what this match means in the grand scheme of things. But perhaps a better question is just what exactly do Finn and Drew mean in the grand scheme of things to WWE?
Finn Bálor’s main event status in WWE is a topic that just refuses to die. It’s at the center of fan discussion on a daily basis and that does not appear to be changing any time soon. The WWE fanbase believes that Finn can do so much more and the fact is, they know it.
Finn looked like a main event powerhouse in the beginning, so there was no real need for his fans to even debate the subject. Bálor came in on top. He beat Roman Reigns. He beat Seth Rollins. Finn became the first-ever WWE Universal champion and the new top face on Monday nights.
The Irish born Superstar had finally arrived and was being given the red carpet treatment. But then again, why wouldn’t he? Bálor was known throughout the world as one of the most dynamic pro wrestlers in the business. He proved that in New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he became a top star. In fact, Finn had 14 years behind him when he came to WWE in 2014. Bálor was ready and WWE knew it.
But as soon as he climbed the mountain on Monday Night Raw, he came crashing back down to earth. Finn got injured and was on the shelf for nearly six months. Since then, Bálor’s main event career has yet to restart. Opportunities came to get back to the top but none of them were successful. It seems that Finn Bálor is simply not in WWE’s main event plans at this point.
On the flip side of that conversation is Drew McIntyre. McIntyre returned to WWE after a three year absence and became the top star in NXT. The man once known as “The Chosen One” took his successful restart to the main roster, where he began working alongside Dolph Ziggler on the red brand.
Much like Finn Bálor, Drew McIntyre earned his spot. He worked hard to achieve success over his 17 years in the business and he’s not the same man that left WWE in 2014. This Drew McIntyre is battle-tested. He’s confident and most importantly, he’s ready. Drew knows who he is and what he can do.
When fans look at McIntyre, they see a future world champion. It’s not even a question of if, but when? When will WWE pull the trigger and set Drew on the main event path? Of course fans are still asking that of Finn Bálor as well. So is there a chance that both men are stuck in neutral?
It seems premature to categorize Drew McIntyre in the same mid-card category as Finn Bálor. But the feeling that perhaps Drew and Finn are both meant for the same spot below the main event is surely understandable. After all, if WWE can pull the plug on Finn, who’s to say that there may not even be a plug to pull with Drew?
But is that really the case? Has the company truly given up on Finn Bálor as a top tier talent? Or is WWE Creative even thinking in those terms when it comes to the Bullet Club founder? Maybe the truth is much simpler. Maybe Finn isn’t “meant” for main event glory, rather he’s engineered to perform at a high level anywhere WWE books him.
It could very well be that fans obsess too much over Bálor’s main event standing. Perhaps Finn’s supporters are focusing too much on matters that are just too unwieldy to manage. There is a chance that simply inserting Finn Bálor in a main event spot and pushing him upward is just not realistic, or even feasible. There are so many variables to consider with such a move and maybe Finn Bálor is happy right where he is.
But is that also true of Drew McIntyre? Drew left WWE after arriving to the company with so much promise. Nothing worked for him and despite what he did, he just could not get over. But now that he’s a new man and fully capable of handling the pressure, is it possible that he just doesn’t want it?
Many pro wrestling fans believe that if a talent is in the business for any reason other than to become the top draw, then that talent is wasting his time. Whether or not everyone in WWE agrees with that sentiment is unknown. But when two world class talents like Drew McIntyre and Finn Bálor are on the roster, it’s hard to imagine them, or WWE, wanting anything less.
Vince McMahon’s company has a serious lack of depth when it comes to Raw’s main event scene. That fact has become obvious over the past few weeks. Raw has struggled in the ratings and its struggled with fans, who refuse to believe that the company cannot do better. One of the best ways to get better is to utilize the talent that’s available, especially when that talent includes proven top performers.
Right now, there is arguably no one better and more deserving of the main event than Drew McIntyre and Finn Bálor. WWE builds its brands on the backs of highly skilled, highly entertaining Superstars and that is precisely who Finn and Drew are. The fans know it. Whether or not WWE knows it and chooses to act on it, is anyone’s guess.
Let us know what you think on social media @theCHAIRSHOTcom and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Opinion
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS: WWE Crown Jewel Immediate Reactions
Join DJ and Tunney for their immediate reactions to WWE Crown Jewel. For the latest, greatest and up to datest, ALWAYS #UseYourHead and visit THECHAIRSHOT.COM
Join DJ and Tunney for their immediate reactions to WWE Crown Jewel. For the latest, greatest and up to datest, ALWAYS #UseYourHead and visit THECHAIRSHOT.COM
Powered by RedCircle
@TheMindlessPod @PCTunney @ChairshotMedia
prowrestlingtees.com/TheChairshot – TONS of Great designs…MAKES A GREAT GIFT!
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY – Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY – Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY – The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY – Keeping the news ridiculous… The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY – DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY – The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY – The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE’s PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS…IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O’Dowd’s 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network
Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts… Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Listen on your favorite platform!
iTunes | iHeart Radio | Google Play | Spotify
Listen, like, subscribe, and share!
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Opinion
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS: WWE Bash In Berlin Immediate Reactions
Join DJ and Tunney for their immediate reactions to WWE Bash in Berlin. For the latest, greatest and up to datest, ALWAYS #UseYourHead and visit THECHAIRSHOT.COM
Join DJ and Tunney for their immediate reactions to WWE Bash in Berlin. For the latest, greatest and up to datest, ALWAYS #UseYourHead and visit THECHAIRSHOT.COM
Powered by RedCircle
@TheMindlessPod @PCTunney @ChairshotMedia
prowrestlingtees.com/TheChairshot – TONS of Great designs…MAKES A GREAT GIFT!
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY – Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY – Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY – The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY – Keeping the news ridiculous… The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY – DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY – The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY – The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE’s PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS…IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O’Dowd’s 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network
Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts… Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Listen on your favorite platform!
iTunes | iHeart Radio | Google Play | Spotify
Listen, like, subscribe, and share!
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!