How Vince McMahon’s decision robbed Finn Balor of massive glory against WWE Hall of Famer

Finn Balor had the biggest win in his WrestleMania career in the palm of his hands until Vince McMahon intervened.

How Vince McMahon’s decision robbed Finn Balor of massive glory against WWE Hall of Famer

Vince McMahon and Finn Balor (via- WWE)

Vince McMahon has been gone from WWE for over two years, but the impact of his last run still lingers in today’s storylines. In 2023, Finn Balor faced WWE Hall of Famer Edge in a Hell in a Cell match at WrestleMania 39. The Rated-R Superstar emerged victorious in a grueling battle, but his win sparked controversy and remains one of the most debated outcomes in WrestleMania history.

According to Fightful Select, Vince McMahon made a last-minute call to have Edge defeat Finn Balor at WrestleMania 39. Initially, WWE’s creative team had planned for The Prince to secure a big win on The Grandest Stage of Them All. However, McMahon insisted on the Hall of Famer going over, a decision that drew widespread criticism from the WWE Universe.

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Even The Ultimate Opportunist himself wanted to put over Balor, but McMahon was firmly against it, forcing a last-minute script change. This loss at WrestleMania 39 significantly hurt Balor’s credibility, especially his Demon persona. What could have been a career-defining victory instead derailed his momentum—one he has yet to fully regain.

Interestingly, Edge faced heavy backlash from fans after the match, with many criticizing him for not elevating younger talent in key moments. However, later reports revealed that McMahon, not Edge, made the final call. Regardless, this outcome has permanently shaped history, and it seems like no one can change it.

Finn Balor had to take 14 stitches following his Hell in a Cell match with Edge

Despite the outcome, Finn Balor and Edge delivered an unforgettable showdown at The Grandest Stage of Them All. The match was a brutal, graphic spectacle that redefined Hell in a Cell. As fans rallied behind The Prince, he endured over 14 stitches in his grueling battle against The Ultimate Opportunist.

Finn Balor
Finn Balor (via @RaeRaeK26/X)

At one point in the match, Balor climbed to the corner of the Cell, preparing for a Coup de Grace. However, Edge countered with a brutal chair shot to the head, causing Balor to bleed instantly and creating chaos inside the steel structure. Despite the setback, The Prince pushed through the pain, delivering a statement of endurance and determination at WrestleMania 39.

Although the former Universal Champion fell short of victory, he cemented his legacy in sports entertainment history. Even The Rated-R Superstar later broke character to acknowledge Balor’s resilience. That night, The Prince proved that win or lose, he always rises to the occasion.

Finn Balor could be in line for a major push this year following WrestleMania

Finn Balor has been enduring a rough patch in his career lately. For the last few months, he has failed miserably to seize major wins on the big stages. Following his loss against Gunther, he failed to defeat his arch-rival Damian Priest. Not only that Balor also suffered a tough loss against Bron Breakker for the Intercontinental Championship, thanks to Dominik Mysterio.

Earlier, it was reported by WrestleVotes that WWE is planning a sustainable push for the former Universal Champion this year. Although there are no signs of such push until now as the WrestleMania season intensifies. However, WWE is teasing a breakup angle between Balor and The Judgment Day, which could mark the beginning of a chapter for the 43-year-old.

Fans have clamored to see the WWE veteran in the main event scene for long. This potential push could put him back on the map for the World Heavyweight Championship on Raw. Additionally, it could also spark the possibility of a number of dream matches with the likes of AJ Styles, CM Punk, and Kevin Owens.

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