WWE Raw star Finn Balor spoke with Inside the Ropes at the Summer Slam Press Junket and below are some interview highlights:
On his journey back to Summer Slam after being injured last year:
“…Last year I felt like I was in the best shape of my career and lo and behold I got chucked in to a barrier breaking my shoulder & went through that whole process. But looking back I realized that I wasn’t as prepared or focused as I am now and I feel like i’ve gone through so much as a person, having gone through all that crap I went through with the injury, handing the title back, the multiple surgeries and rehabbing, coming back adapting to life in the ring and on the road and honestly feel better than ever.”
On his state of mind going into this years Summer Slam:
“Now I have more of a feeling of self belief and self confidence. I know that with the stuff that got thrown at me last year and dealing with it, I can deal with what life throws at me and it’s a good feeling.”
On winning the title at last years Summer Slam:
“I don’t look at it as the moment I won the title, I look at that moment as that changed me from a boy into a man. I grew a lot and learned about myself as a human and as a man in those moments where I had to dig down and pop my shoulder back in and do the match. It’s almost like a self belief to know that you can throw anything at me and I’ll deal with it.”
On a potential future match with Brock Lesnar:
“I have to do it, I have to beat Brock Lesnar, I have to challenge Brock, he has the title that I never lost, and if I’m any sort of a man, I need to be a man and stand up to this guy. I ain’t afraid of him. I’m not gonna enjoy getting taken to Suplex City but I will enjoy that I am stood across the ring from Brock Lesnar saying, I ain’t afraid of you man, I’m gonna take you on.
“…The match between Finn Balor and Brock Lesnar is probably the most interesting match the WWE hasn’t seen yet”
“..I don’t know how he feels about me but I ain’t afraid of Brock Lesnar and i’m not gonna enjoy it [the match], but I ain’t scared of you!”
Nick was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and lived there until the age of 18, when he decided to pack his flack jacket and move to New York City.
