WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross says Finn Bálor’s Demon persona works best when it isn’t shown every week, praising its TV-ready look and Bálor’s professionalism. Ross points out the Demon returned at WrestleMania 42 after three years, and argues the character’s sp
For Jim Ross, Finn Bálor’s Demon character isn’t just a gimmick—it’s something closer to a carefully timed moment, the kind you only pull out when it truly hits.
On his Grilling JR podcast, the WWE Hall of Famer made his case plainly. “I like the Demon character,” Ross said. “But I don’t want to see it every week.”
Ross credited the Demon’s standout presentation, calling it a visual weapon that still feels fresh when it appears for the right reason. “It’s very photogenic. It’s good for TV,” he explained. “He’s a hell of a hand.”
That confidence in the character is tied directly to what Ross believes fans notice most: frequency. If the Demon becomes constant, Ross suggested the spell doesn’t last. He wants it to remain a special attraction—something the audience anticipates because it isn’t overexposed.
Behind the mask, Ross also sounded impressed by the performer driving it. “I like the kid. I think he’s reliable, he works hard. He’s very skilled,” he added. “You never hear him hurting somebody or doing something stupid.”
The Demon’s timing mattered when it returned. Finn Bálor brought back the Demon persona earlier this year at WrestleMania 42 for his Street Fight victory over former Judgment Day ally Dominik Mysterio. It was the first time Bálor had used the Demon character in three years.
Bálor himself has previously admitted he prefers the Demon to stay unpredictable and special, rather than being heavily advertised in advance. Ross aligned with that view, arguing that preserving the character’s rarity is what keeps it from turning into background noise.
There’s also the sense of a roadmap that could have gone another way. Reports last year suggested WWE had originally discussed bringing the Demon back earlier for a planned Balor vs. Mysterio match at SummerSlam, before those plans changed.
Ross believes the end result—keeping the Demon from being a weekly fixture—helps protect what makes it stand out. “If it gets more eyeballs on Finn when he’s working Demon or no Demon, then it’s a win for everybody,” he said.
In Ross’s view, the Demon shouldn’t lose its edge by showing up too often. The bigger question the fandom will keep asking now is simple: if WWE leans into rare impact, how often will the spotlight actually wait for the Demon to return?
Jim Ross Grilling JR Finn Bálor Demon character WWE WrestleMania 42 Dominik Mysterio Judgment Day SummerSlam
So basically they should stop doing the Demon every week? Cool I guess.
I don’t even watch WWE that much but I feel like the Demon IS Finn Bálor like… that’s his whole thing. If he only does it sometimes then what happens to the other character? Feels kinda weird.
Jim Ross said it’s a “visual weapon” lol. But didn’t they already bring it back at WrestleMania? Why does it sound like they’re just now remembering the Demon exists. Also “you never hear him hurting somebody”?? That’s a choice of words.
This makes me think WWE is gonna tease it then not use it, like they did with like half the roster. If they were gonna do it at SummerSlam first then why didn’t they? And “rare impact” like okay but fans also want more Demon matches… I’m confused. Street Fight vs Dominik is what I remember most, not the whole three year thing.