Dave Meltzer Assesses Why Finn Balor Was Traded to SmackDown, Note on Status of WWE Draft

As previously reported, former WWE Intercontinental and Tag Team Champion Finn Balor was traded to SmackDown during last night’s Raw. During today’s edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer discussed the trade, sharing his thoughts on why he thinks the WWE creative team opted to make the change.

Meltzer shared his belief that WWE’s creative team wanted to get Finn Balor away from The Judgment Day by moving him to SmackDown. He explained, “I think the idea is they just wanted to get him away from Dominik [Mysterio] and JD [McDonagh]. He beat JD, you know, because if he stays on Raw, theoretically, how does he not work with those guys? And they just figured that we’re done. We’re done with that. We’re done with Finn Balor doing that, and they just want to give him a fresh start, and there you go.”

He continued, “A lot of times, they do that. They run a feud, it’s over, and it’s the nature of the feud. They just don’t want those guys interacting. Remember when Rey and Dominik were done, they did the thing where they moved Rey over? You know, and they were not supposed to interact. Even though now they’re interacting again, or about to.”

Also, when Alvarez asked Meltzer if WWE is doing a draft this year, Meltzer replied, “I haven’t heard anything about a draft.” The last official WWE Draft took place in April 2024 following WrestleMania 40. WWE has yet to announce a return of the official WWE Draft.

If using any of the above quotes, please credit Wrestling Observer Radio, with a h/t to 411mania.com for the transcription.