Following a high-profile main event on Monday Night Raw in Ireland, WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Nash offered high praise for Finn Balor’s performance and presentation. Speaking on the latest episode of his podcast, Kliq This, Nash analyzed the production decisions, in-ring psychology, and backstage logic surrounding Balor’s match against CM Punk.
The “Star Push” Presentation
Nash highlighted the specific production choices WWE utilized to present Balor as a top-tier attraction for his home country audience. He noted that the company inverted the standard entrance order, sending the champion to the ring first to allow Balor the final, spotlighted entrance.
“They had the wherewithal to bring out the champion first,” Nash observed. He was particularly impressed by the lighting and choreography of Balor’s entrance, viewing it as a deliberate signal from the company regarding Balor’s status.
“They changed Finn’s entire open… put his hands up and the lights [reacted]… he got the star f***ing push,” Nash stated. “It shows me when they want to… put the machine behind somebody. When you get the machine behind you, I mean, that is such a f***ing difference”.
“Very Underutilized” Talent
Despite the strong showing in Ireland, Nash expressed frustration regarding Balor’s booking. He argued that Balor possesses all the requisite tools—physique, work rate, and presence—to be a consistent main event player, yet often finds himself in supporting roles.
“You got a cat from the island who’s… always been to me, very, very, very underutilized,” Nash said. He elaborated on Balor’s physical condition and in-ring credibility. “Finn is always in unbelievable shape, always… and his f***ing s**t looks good, everything he does. His strikes look good. His kicks look good. He bumps, he moves… he’s a f***ing star. He looks like a star”.
The Faction Dilemma
Nash also offered a theory on why a talent of Balor’s caliber might not always be in the “top shelf” position. He pointed to the mechanics of stable booking, specifically referencing Balor’s time in The Judgment Day. Nash suggested that while factions are excellent for elevating younger talent, established stars can sometimes get lost in the shuffle as the group elevates others.
“I think that sometimes you get thrown in a faction and there’s… only so many top spots,” Nash explained. He noted how the group successfully elevated members like Dominik Mysterio, Damian Priest, and Rhea Ripley. “When you have a faction that elevates, then you just kind of keep that. It’s almost like the equivalent of giving somebody an NWO shirt… they’re part of something that means something”.
Match Psychology and the “Organic” Hug
Reviewing the match itself, Nash commended the pacing and the finish. He specifically appreciated the lack of excessive false finishes, noting that the transition from Balor’s signature stomp to the finish was decisive.
“It was a perfect f***ing match,” Nash said. He analyzed the finish where Punk kicked out of Balor’s stomp. “Phil did a really good job on the kick out where he just didn’t throw a shoulder up, the movement he did was a, like, almost a kind of a kick and push… It just seemed like it was so much closer to [the] count… and they put it that went right into the Go To Sleep. And it was just like they didn’t try to false finish you to death”.
Finally, Nash touched on the post-match interaction between the two competitors. After the broadcast ended, Punk and Balor shared a moment of mutual respect in the ring.
“Finn just sat there on the ground for a minute, and… Punk came over, and he put his hand out, and then they shook hands,” Nash described. “It was almost like, organically, they hugged… and they had a moment… I just thought it was… wow. Like, that was a f***ing, really good show”.
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