Finn Balor Stuck in Neutral as WWE Waits to Fully Unleash Future Megastar

Finn Balor is on the verge of big things in the WWE.

Fans know the company has plans for him; it's evident in the way he's booked and promoted. He carries himself like a star because he is one. He has the "it" factor and he's earned his way to the largest pro wrestling company in the world.

But right now he's stuck in neutral.

Great Balls of Fire is coming up on Sunday, July 9, and thus far, Balor is not booked. That's not necessarily a reason for fans to think the worst, however. There's still plenty of time to get him on the card. But perhaps it's a sign of where Monday Night Raw is right now.

Brock Lesnar and Samoa Joe will main event GBOF for the WWE Universal Championship. Roman Reigns will face Braun Strowman in an Ambulance Match. Seth Rollins will likely have a showdown with The Eater of Worlds Bray Wyatt. Dean Ambrose will probably get another Intercontinental title match with The Miz.

Then there's Balor.

The issue here is that the WWE doesn't seem to have anything for him right now. The main event scene is full at the moment, which is a good thing for fans. More top-level talent means more opportunities for the WWE faithful to connect, as there's something for everyone.

The days of John Cena vs. Randy Orton with a supporting cast are over. This is the new WWE.

But if anyone on the roster has been primed for a spot atop that new WWE, it's Balor. He has all the tools needed to get over, and he has to a large degree. He's ready for the spotlight, and there's arguably no one that can handle the pressure of it better than him.

Of course, until the timing is right, he should not be rushed.

Balor is the perfect case of a guy that should move at an even pace. It's a marathon, not a sprint, and one wrong move could cause Balor to stumble and fall. The WWE knows what it has with him, and there's plenty of time for him to get to the finish line.

In the meantime, he must grow as he goes.

Fans like him, and they must continue to do so. Much of the backlash against Reigns comes from the notion that he's been forced upon the crowd. Balor is there, he's ready, and he's very good. But if the WWE moves too fast, fans will likely believe they're being persuaded to accept Balor instead of just deciding for themselves.

Balor's growth must happen organically, and the WWE seems to recognize that. Patience is a virtue here, and it will pay off eventually.

That payoff will likely come with a second run at the Universal Championship. Though Reigns is the top guy in the company, he doesn't need the belt to stay on top. Like Cena before him, Reigns is the man because the WWE books him as such.

In the meantime, Raw's top title could bounce around before it ends up back around the waist of The Big Dog.

Balor was the first Universal champion, and he should get it again. The title would benefit Balor, as he would make the best of it and lift it to new heights. Lesnar may be the big draw, but Balor is the future. 

That future will happen, and the WWE is already planning it with Balor. 

Perhaps the Intercontinental Championship could land on Balor, which would also benefit him. He could elevate the title itself, as many fans are waiting for the day when the secondary championships return to relevance. 

Balor could shine up the title, just as Cena did with the United States Championship.

So while it appears that the Irish-born Superstar is just treading water, and he is, it's no reason to panic. The WWE has time to make this work, and Balor has the talent to do whatever is asked of him. Critics are doubtful, supporters are cautiously optimistic, and the company seems to be certain; Balor is the next megastar.

His situation will surely become clearer after Great Balls of Fire is over. When the event comes to a close, fans will have a better view of what's to come. How long will Balor wait his turn? How long will the company be willing to sit on him until the moment he makes a massive impact?

Timing is everything, and hopefully the WWE will know when to unleash him.

Tom Clark can regularly be seen on Bleacher Report. His podcast, Tom Clark's Main Event, is available on iTunes, Google Play, Amazon Android, Windows Phone and online at boinkstudios.com