Finn Balor Reflects on Pre-WWE Career, Injury Struggles, and The Demon Persona

WWE superstar Finn Balor, born Fergal Devitt, recently provided a candid look at his life before professional wrestling, the physical toll of his career, and the complexities of his iconic “Demon” persona. In a detailed interview on *Insight with Chris Van Vliet*, the former Universal Champion revealed that his journey to the ring included stints in manual labor, the Irish railway system, and a harrowing medical incident in Saudi Arabia.

From Railway Announcements to the Ring

Before rising to prominence in international wrestling promotions and eventually WWE, Balor worked a series of blue-collar jobs in Ireland. At 16, he worked for a cleaning contracting company where he was responsible for troubleshooting electrical issues on industrial floor buffers. He later transitioned to a role at Tesco before joining his family’s business working on the Irish railway.

Balor noted that his time with the railway provided more than just a paycheck; it offered a logistical advantage for his burgeoning wrestling career. He utilized free train and ferry passes to travel between Ireland and England, which allowed him to fund his professional wrestling training without the burden of heavy travel costs.

Managing Injuries in the Ring

Balor discussed the high stakes of his 2016 SummerSlam match against Seth Rollins, where he became the inaugural Universal Champion despite suffering a significant shoulder injury. He revealed that his shoulder dislocated multiple times during the contest, forcing him and Rollins to improvise the match’s sequence in real-time.

“I was very lucky to be in there with Seth when it happened, because Seth is an absolute pro,” Balor told Chris Van Vliet. He recalled suggesting a finish change mid-match due to his injury, but Rollins insisted they “stick to the plan,” a decision Balor now reflects on as a defining moment in his professional resilience.

The Physical Demands of ‘The Demon’

Balor’s “Demon” character, known for its elaborate body paint, has presented unique challenges throughout his career. He recounted a 2019 WrestleMania 39 match against Edge inside a Hell in a Cell structure, during which he sustained a severe laceration after being struck by a ladder.

The situation became complicated when the ringside doctor struggled to access the cage to treat the wound. Balor remained in character, using his “Demon” persona to urge the medical staff to staple the wound quickly so the match could continue.

Lessons from the Makeup Chair

The maintenance of the “Demon” look has also led to unexpected health risks. Balor shared a previously undisclosed story regarding a show in Saudi Arabia, where local restrictions on alcohol-based products forced a change in his traditional body paint.

* The Incident: Because the standard paint could not be used, staff substituted it with a mixture involving hairspray.
* The Consequence: During the event, the hairspray ran into Balor’s eyes due to the heat, causing severe irritation to his retinas.
* The Recovery: Balor reported being effectively blind for roughly 15 hours, requiring assistance to board a charter flight and medical intervention during a refueling stop in Germany.

Balor described this as the “scariest thing” he has experienced in his wrestling career. Despite these challenges, he remains one of the most recognizable figures in WWE, balancing the physical intensity of his matches with the creative demands of his character work.