Fans at the NXT UK Takeover: Blackpool event got a nice surprise when Finn Balor stepped in for Travis Banks. Balor faced Jordan Devlin, the main he trained to get into the wrestling business.
Balor was the replacement because Banks was brutally attacked by Devlin at ringside. That brought out General Manager Johnny Saint and assistant Sid Scala and then Balor came out to a massive reaction.
https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1084173700562223105
It looks like @Jordan_Devlin1Â has a new opponent, and that just happens to be @FinnBalor!! #NXTUKTakeOver pic.twitter.com/n1jvYxITdI
— WWE (@WWE) January 12, 2019
.@Jordan_Devlin1 needs a new opponent. Let's see who's stepping up, shall we? @FinnBalor #NXTUK #NXTUKTakeOver pic.twitter.com/K5zIzRJ44B
— WWE (@WWE) January 12, 2019
.@FinnBalor is HOME! #BalorClub #NXTUK #NXTUKTakeOver pic.twitter.com/53J5tNvI4T
— WWE (@WWE) January 12, 2019
With a #CoupDeGrace so powerful you can hear it from across the pond, @FinnBalor DEFEATS @Jordan_Devlin1 at #NXTUKTakeOver: Blackpool! #NXTUK pic.twitter.com/0KbAjpcRqL
— WWE (@WWE) January 12, 2019
Welcome home, @FinnBalor. #NXTUKTakeOver #NXTUK pic.twitter.com/n3PkNnmHbX
— NXT UK (@NXTUK) January 12, 2019
Balor won the match after hitting the Coup de Gras but it looks like there are big things in the works for Devlin. He is being put over as a nasty heel and people in management (specifically, Shawn Michaels) is a big fan of his work.