Finn Balor Reflects On Being Inspired By John Cena In Early WWE Days, Never Having Feud With Him

Finn Balor was inspired by John Cena’s leadership when he came into WWE, something the Judgment Day member reflected on in a new interview. Balor spoke with The Sun in the UK for an interview promoting Cena’s final match at Saturday Night’s Main Event. During the conversation, he recalled coming into WWE in 2016 and seeing how Cena lead the locker room.

Balor noted that he was inspired to follow Cena’s example as a veteran on the roster. He also talked about never getting to feud with Cena and how grateful he is to have been part of Cena’s final Raw match. Balor teamed with Dominik Mysterio and JD McDonagh against Cena, Rey Mysterio, and Sheamus on the November 17th episode. You can see highlights below:

On His Early Experiences With Cena In WWE:

“The thing I remember most about John and the early years in WWE is just that I thought that was the norm. I came into WWE with a lot of wrestling experience but no WWE experience and didn’t really understand how cut-throat or ruthless it can be backstage. But of course, when I get brought in like 2016, John was at the top and he’s kind of like the leader in the locker room and backstage. He leads by example and not with fear and threats. He was just a really, really good leader that everyone looked up to and respected and admired for his work ethic. He was really, really easy to deal with.

“And I thought ‘Wow, these WWE guys are really, really professional.’ I can’t believe it’s so easy. I come in here as this new kid, I guess potentially a threat to their position on the card and the main guy is just so cool. ‘Wow I can’t believe it. Surely this doesn’t happen everywhere?’ I’ve heard all these horror stories about all sorts of politicking and whatever. ‘But that doesn’t exist here in WWE – that’s crazy. Things have really changed.’ I was wrong. That only applies to John. There’s only one John Cena. There’s only one 17-time champion, future Hall of Famer. But no one commands the respect [he does], but gives the respect that he gives at the same time. I guess I naively thought all WWE superstars were going to be like that and fast-forward 10-11 years, I’ve discovered that that’s not the case and it’s made me even more grateful for how John treated me when I entered WWE and for that, I’ll always be grateful.”

On Following Cena’s Example:

“Of course [I want to pay it forward], a great leader tries to lead by example and that’s what I try to model myself on now as one of the older guys in the locker room now. Not lead by picking on people or bullying people but by encouraging people and reaching down to pick them up. Not like reaching down to hold them down, you know.”

On Not Ever Having a Full Feud With Cena:

“I don’t think it was a chance missed. Obviously it was something that I would have loved to have happened, but we were both babyfaces at the time kind of both fighting from the same angle against the heels so, I don’t think the possibility or the opportunity for us to have an extended feud had ever been thought of. Even the last couple of weeks, knowing that he was on his retirement tour, I didn’t think there would be any space for me to get in the ring with him again and I’d come to the understanding with myself that ‘OK, that’s the last of my interactions with John.'”

On Being Part of Cena’s Last Raw Match and Getting Involved At Survivor Series:

“I was super surprised to be involved in his last match at MSG, which was a huge honour. And a lot of fun – especially three Irish boys in there in New York City. So that was a lot of fun. Then getting to come out there at Survivor Series, be involved in that, which was not only a huge moment for John being his last premium live event match, but also huge for Dom in his hometown, in his favourite baseball team’s stadium against John Cena. It was such a huge event for them both. The spectacle was really cool for me.”