WWE SmackDown this week featured a massive comeback as Finn Balor brought back his iconic ‘Demon’ gimmick. The former Universal Champion has been involved in a feud with Gunther.
As the Ring General mocked Danhausen, the lights suddenly turned red, and Finn Balor appeared in his dark persona. Balor destroyed the Career Kil*er and stood tall over him.
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It’s been a long time since Finn brought back his Demon character, and in this article, we will discuss three reasons why this iconic gimmick has returned to Friday Night SmackDown.
#3. To intensify the feud with Gunther
Over the past few months, Balor and Gunther have been involved in a cold rivalry on SmackDown. They have had multiple backstage interactions where both stars exchanged heated words.
The return of Demon Balor adds a serious element to this feud and is enough to intensify the rivalry to new heights. This could be the reason why the Stamford-based promotion brought back the dark character on the blue brand and had him destroy the former Imperium leader.
#2. Big push incoming
When Finn Balor parted ways with The Judgment Day and moved to WWE SmackDown, reports revealed that he was set for a major singles push this year. Although Balor was involved in a few major moments as a singles star, the Triple H-led creative regime never pushed him as a top-tier talent.
Demon Balor’s return on the blue brand might be a subtle confirmation that the Chief Content Officer is finally planning to push Finn to the moon. With this in mind, it’s safe to assume that a major push could be incoming for the 45-year-old WWE star.
#1. Pop a rating for WWE SmackDown
It’s no secret that RAW is considered a stronger show compared to the blue brand. SmackDown often feels weak and lacklustre, whereas the flagship show remains more interesting.
Therefore, to boost ratings on Nick Aldis’s show, WWE may have decided to bring back the Demon Balor gimmick. This dark persona is extremely popular among fans, and whenever the Demon appears on television, it can help generate a spike in ratings.
At WWE Crown Jewel 2026, fans could witness another Demon appearance, as a match against the Ring General is expected to take place. So, even if temporarily, the sports entertainment juggernaut may want to boost SmackDown’s ratings, which could be another possible explanation for the return of this iconic gimmick.
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Edited by Divesh Merani
