Finn Bálor is taking on CM Punk for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at Elimination Chamber next Saturday. Their first meetup on the February 9, 2026 episode of Monday Night Raw was a fiery one, with both men pleading their case to be champion.
Both of them are decades-long veterans, so they know everything about their opponent and wrestling as a whole. After Punk insulted the Judgment Day, Bálor brought backup to their next confrontation on the February 16 Raw. But the appearances of Dominik Mysterio and JD McDonagh didn’t stop Punk from delivering his message.
Once again, he said that the Judgment Day made him weak and was holding him back. Since he joined the group, he’s been more focused on them than a singles run. Are they really an anchor preventing him from success, or is having friends around a good thing?
“You’re not an afterthought, you’re the first thought.”
Elimination Chamber could be a career-defining night for BOTH @CMPunk and @FinnBalor… 👀 pic.twitter.com/6g4dt4roga
— WWE (@WWE) February 16, 2026
Bálor Has Been Acting as the Group’s Father for Too Long
Before joining the Judgment Day, Bálor had a lot of accomplishments in WWE. He was a two time NXT Champion, the first ever Universal Champion, Intercontinental Champion, and United States Champion. It was clear that he was going to bring tons of knowledge to the group. He has been Tag Team Champion five times with Damian Priest and McDonagh across Raw and Friday Night SmackDown, but hasn’t gotten a proper singles run.
There has also been tons of infighting between the members for years, with some of that involving him. He’s often cleaning up after everyone in the group, acting as the veteran in the room. That shows that Punk is right. Instead of being a singles-focused wrestlers, he’s the father looking after everyone. Finally leaving the Judgment Day will get Bálor back as the singles wrestler that captivated fans around the world.
His Veteran Presence Elevated Everyone in the Group
Bálor started wrestling in Ireland in 2001, making this year his 25th anniversary of becoming a professional wrestler. Since then, he’s traveled the indies, became a star in New Japan Pro Wrestling, and has been a helpful vet in WWE. He has also trained many wrestlers, including Becky Lynch and McDonagh.
WWE put him in the Judgment Day because of the fact that he’s wrestled all around the world for over two decades. There’s no question he has a vast knowledge of wrestling and is able to give everyone advice if they ask for it. Having him as the veteran of the group allows the young wrestlers to retain that knowledge.
Mysterio has transformed into a star with the Judgment Day, the same with McDonagh and Roxanne Perez. Balor has helped the younger members transition onto the main roster by being their teacher and friend.
REAL pic.twitter.com/9wjJj4mHgP
— Finn Bálor (@FinnBalor) February 17, 2026
Some Will Say Punk is Right, While Others Will Say He is Wrong
Punk seemed to really infuriate Bálor when he said that he should leave Judgment Day and become a proper singles competitor again. That was obvious when he brought McDonagh and Mysterio into the ring as backup.
To some, he is right in saying that. Many fans have watched him as an amazing singles competitor for decades. They aren’t fans of him in the father role of the Judgment Day. He should be winning championships, not babysitting.
But being in that role has helped out the younger members of the Judgment Day. Along with Perez, there’s no question that McDonagh and Mysterio have grown into incredible performers over the last couple years. That wouldn’t have been possible without Bálor’s support and guidance. He does have a reduced role compared to years ago, but that has helped the next generation of wrestlers become confident in their in-ring abilities.
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