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WWE Extreme Rules saw a last-minute addition to the match card when it was announced that the Intercontinental Champion Finn Balor will defend his title against Shinsuke Nakamura on the pre-show. This happened after the two had a great match on SmackDown last week that ended with the King of Strong Style defeating Balor.
To the surprise of many, Shinsuke Nakamura again managed to take Finn down as he beat him on the pre-show of Extreme Rules to become the new Intercontinental Champion. After a 3-month long title reign starting at WrestleMania 35, this was a very unexpected way for Balor to lose his title.
But, what was the reason behind WWE deciding to take the title off of him and give it to Nakamura? Let me take you through this article and give three reasons why this might lead to a heel turn for Finn Balor in the near future. Maybe, as soon as tomorrow night.
#3. Serious need of a character change
As good as Finn Balor is inside the ring, it is high time that he gets a character change. Even after being one of the biggest babyfaces on the current roster and a huge fan favourite, Balor still needs a proper break to get to the top again.
The fans who have not witnessed Balor's run as a top heel in New Japan Pro Wrestling, when he famously formed The Bullet Club, should certainly take a look at it to understand just how awesome he can be as a bad guy.
Balor has been a babyface in the WWE ever since his arrival in 2014 in NXT, and a heel turn would probably be the best thing that can happen to Balor's career. A breath of fresh air, as they say.
#2. A full-fledged reunion with The Club
Another big reason for turning Balor heel is based on what his fellow OGs are doing on the red brand. It's been a few weeks since AJ Styles turned heel on RAW, and The Club looks ever more dangerous than before.
But the faction still needs their fourth member if they wish to rule the entire roster on RAW and SmackDown. Balor turning heel and joining the Club could lead to an engaging storyline with them dominating the entire landscape of the main roster.
With the Heyman-Bischoff era about to start soon, will the good old days of factions return?
See WWE Extreme Rules Results, Highlights of event, & more on WWE Extreme Rules Results page
#1. A WWE title program as a top heel
It has been nearly three years since Finn Balor defeated Seth Rollins at SummerSlam 2016 to become the inaugural Universal Champion. Unfortunately, the injury he suffered during the match forced him to relinquish the title, and he hasn't been a world champion ever since.
In my fantasy match card prediction for SummerSlam 2019, I mentioned how a heel Finn Balor is the ideal choice to dethrone Kofi Kingston as the next WWE Champion. In all of his appearances at SummerSlam, Balor has brought out the Demon King, and that trend should continue this year as well.
While WWE could book him in a rematch against Nakamura, that would hardly make any sense, as it would either mean a loss for The Demon or yet another quick title change. On the other hand, a program with Kofi would be fresh and interesting.
There is a huge chance of fans turning on whoever defeats Kofi for the title, but if there's one person who can avoid that - it is the Demon King. And with the backing of The Club, Balor can begin a potentially memorable reign as the WWE Champion.
Would you like to see a heel turn from Finn Balor? What next for Shinsuke Nakamura? Let us know your views in the comments section below.
