The WWE universe was abuzz last night after Finn Balor made his long-awaited return to the ring at WWE Live in Buffalo. Naturally, there were a variety of reactions, though the majority were positive, joyous to see the injured star back to full strength.
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Some found it odd that such a big return happened on a non-televised event, but it makes sense when you think about the big picture aspect of it. It’s not like they would have been able to keep his return secret anyway, and better to make sure he has sufficient time in the ring to work out the kinks before putting him on the main stage anyway.
Regardless of where they debuted him, Balor was going to get a big pop on RAW anyway, so might as well give him some warm up time to shake off the rust. The event also served as a warmup for Triple H, who took part in the match alongside Kevin Owens and Samoa Joe against Balor, Chris Jericho, and Sami Zayn. Triple H is getting ready for his upcoming WrestleMania match as well, which will hopefully be against Seth Rollins.
This is the first of many live events Balor will be partaking in, as he is also scheduled for one tonight in Toronto and one in New York on March 26. He is being advertised to battle Rusev in some of those, so there could possibly be a new feud in the works for the returning star.
Hit the next slide to see how the internet reacted to Balor’s big return.
WWE‘s biggest event, WrestleMania 33 kicks off Sunday, April 2nd, and you can find the fully announced card below, as well as more images in the gallery.
United States Champion Chris Jericho vs Kevin Owens
RAW’s Women’s Champion Bayley vs Charlotte Flair vs Sasha Banks
Universal Champion Goldberg Vs Brock Lesnar
WWE Champion Bray Wyatt vs Randy Orton
Smackdown Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss Against All Smackdown Women
2017 Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal
Rumored Matches include: John Cena and Nikki Bella Tag Match against The Miz and Maryse, The Big Show vs Shaq, Shane McMahon vs AJ Styles, and Triple H vs Seth Rollins.
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MORE WWE: New Video Confirms WrestleMania 33 Match / Matt Hardy’s Wife Goes On Epic Twitter Rant Against Impact /Watch Finn Balor Return At WWE Live Event / Paige Takes Diana’s Place On Wonder Woman Poster
WWE
EXCLUSIVE: All eyes were on @FinnBalor when he SHOCKED the @WWEUniverse and made his in-ring return at #WWEBuffalo! #FINNSBACK pic.twitter.com/7r84Oyev9g
โ WWE (@WWE) March 11, 2017
Triple H
There’s nothing quite like it…
โ Triple H (@TripleH) March 11, 2017
Thank you #WWEBuffalo. #GameTime pic.twitter.com/ht93BawZYB
Welcome Back Finn
@FinnBalor returns in the ring after 203 days #WelcomeBackFinn pic.twitter.com/KHvZ0tklJh
โ Teijay Arm (@ArmTeijay) March 11, 2017
Better Days
Finn Balor is back idk how this day could be better
โ Alex (@Vudkrein) March 11, 2017
No Surprise
Kinda ruins a surprise appearance on #RAW or #Wrestlemania but welcome back! @FinnBalor https://t.co/mzkwquV5Ow
โ TJ Smooth (@DJTJSmooth) March 11, 2017
Return To The Throne
the king has finally come back to his throne?โค๏ธ @FinnBalor pic.twitter.com/7T2gQWCJAM
โ annamaria? (@anniiemeglio) March 11, 2017
Face plant
Finn Balor is gonna face plant on the main roster and it won’t be pretty
โ Frank McMahen (@Frank__Samuel) March 11, 2017
This Man Is A Blessing
Welcome back king @FinnBalor ? https://t.co/AljQSPkLii
โ ?Sara? (@SaraBalor) March 11, 2017
Beautiful Moment
Thank you so much for giving us such a beautiful moment @FinnBalor โค welcome back โค#FinnIsBack I love you FinnBalor ?โคโค?
โ StellaFinnBร lor (@FinnsStella) March 11, 2017
A Practical Theory
@kendaleliz78 @WWE @FinnBalor it’s probably better that he did so he can get some of that ring rust off before coming back on tv
โ Steven Plummer (@StevenPlummer16) March 11, 2017
Dream Match
#FantasyMatch @FinnBalor vs @Goldberg for the #UniversalTitle ft. Art by @ArtisticStephy #FinnBalor #Goldberg #WWE pic.twitter.com/wnznnShxOd
โ Fantasy Wrestling (@DreamMatchArt) March 11, 2017
Making A Fan’s Night
@FinnBalor thank you so much for signing my sign last night. It was my first time seeing you in person ?
โ Colleen (@EmeraldAnjel80) March 11, 2017
Austin Aries Instead?
Forcing Austin Aries to be in the cruiserweight division but not Finn balor…
โ Heel (@TheJordanHadley) March 11, 2017
Yeah, can we switch them? Much rather AA in the main event
So Hyped
#FinnsBack I’m so hyped @FinnBalor pic.twitter.com/dSrwNY452Q
โ Navu Pannu (@NavuPannu) March 11, 2017