WWE Reportedly Wants Finn Balor to Bring Back Demon Gimmick for WrestleMania 42

The long-awaited showdown between Balor and Dominik Mysterio is reportedly set for the biggest show of the year.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 12:48am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

According to reports, WWE plans to have Finn Balor revive his popular Demon persona for a match against Dominik Mysterio at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas. The Demon gimmick, which features elaborate full-body face paint, was a fan-favorite during Balor's time in NXT and early main roster run, though he has acknowledged it didn't quite connect the way he hoped on the main stage. With Balor now a babyface and Mysterio holding the AAA Mega Championship, the stage is set for a personal feud between the two leading up to the biggest show of the year.

Why it matters

The return of Finn Balor's Demon persona is highly anticipated by WWE fans, as it was one of his most popular and distinctive character traits during his rise to stardom. Bringing back the Demon for a high-profile match against Dominik Mysterio at WrestleMania would be a major event, potentially reigniting interest in Balor and providing an epic showdown between two top stars.

The details

Reports indicate the Balor vs. Mysterio match was originally planned for SummerSlam last year, with the idea of Balor using the Demon gimmick, but the company decided to delay the split between Balor and The Judgment Day faction until later. Now, with Balor as a babyface and Mysterio holding championship gold, the stage is set for their personal feud to culminate at WrestleMania 42 in what could be Balor's return as the Demon.

  • The Judgment Day turned on Finn Balor on the March 9, 2026 edition of Raw.
  • WrestleMania 42 is scheduled for April 18-19, 2026 in Las Vegas.

The players

Finn Balor

A WWE Superstar known for his popular Demon persona, which features elaborate full-body face paint. Balor is now a babyface heading into WrestleMania season.

Dominik Mysterio

The son of WWE legend Rey Mysterio, Dominik is currently holding the AAA Mega Championship and is set to feud with Finn Balor at WrestleMania 42.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Balor vs Dominik Mysterio was way back scheduled for SummerSlam, and then the decision was made that the Judgment Day direction was still hot and not to make that change until later. At that time the plan for SummerSlam was for Balor to do the Demon gimmick. Whether that happens here we don't know, but that was the plan last year.”

— Dave Meltzer, Wrestling Observer Newsletter (Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

“It's really more than just paint. It's a mental state. It really is an alter ego for me, and it's something that I need to tap into. It's something that I like to do, something that I certainly want to do again. But like with the music, timing is everything, and the timing has to be right.”

— Finn Balor (Interview)

What’s next

If the reports are accurate, WWE fans will have to wait until WrestleMania 42 in April to see if Finn Balor does indeed revive his Demon persona for the highly anticipated match against Dominik Mysterio.

The takeaway

The potential return of Finn Balor's iconic Demon gimmick at WWE's biggest event of the year would be a major moment for the company and its fans, as it was one of Balor's most popular and distinctive character traits during his rise to stardom. Pairing it with a high-profile match against Dominik Mysterio could reignite interest in Balor and provide an epic showdown between two top stars.