Finn Balor has been doing the rounds this week to promote NXT's temporary move to Tuesday nights, and in an interview with Newsweek, the former Universal and NXT Champion spoke candidly about what he enjoys about working on the brand. Ultimately, it all boils down to the added pressure which comes with squaring off with opponents you haven't spent an entire week facing on the road.
"I think a lot of it has to do with the schedule," he started. "We were touring heavily with NXT and with RAW and SmackDown. With NXT in my first run, we were all at the Performance Center every day. You get to really know [the other wrestlers] on a personal level, and on RAW and SmackDown, you worked four nights a week before you ever locked up with someone on TV."
"You're having live event matches all around the country against one person, so you're very familiar with their movements and what they do on the ring."
I watched all these NXT superstars [today] and I admire them and have the utmost respect for all of them, but going in there with someone, there's obviously a lot of expectations on the match," Balor continued. "If it's Finn Bálor returning to NXT versus Matt Riddle and we have absolutely never met, we're locking up for the first time on a Takeover with a lot of expectations, a lot of pressure, a lot of eyes on us, it's that kind of pressure that makes you feel alive."
"When the red light is on, that's when you come into your own and you sink or swim, and it's been a real sink-or-swim mentality every night that I've been in the ring in NXT so far."
That's an awesome take on the difference between shows like RAW and SmackDown and NXT, and Balor is clearly happy with his current position in the company. Whether he's with WWE for the long haul remains to be seen, as there are many fans who would love to see him make an impact in New Japan or All Elite Wrestling.
What do you guys think?