Finn Balor Documentary Recap + A Lucha Underground Preview

— John Tanner sent this one in: Tonight, the main Irish broadcaster, Rte, did a documentary on the final tour of Japan of Prince Devitt (now known as Finn Balor in NXT) entitled “Smack me up: Reality Bites”. The documentary should be available shortly on the rte player at the following link: www.rte.ie/player/ie/. I do not know if it will be available in the States but I would be surprised if it wasn’t. Just a point to note, there is nudity and strong language!

The documentary starts with comments about Devitt from fellow Bullet Club members, Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson. Both say that Devitt will make it big as he has something about him. Throughout the documentary, both men are featured heavily and really do seem to have a soft spot for Devitt. Devitt states he’s not in wrestling to be famous but because he loves it. We also learn at little about Devitt’s biggest rival in NJPW, Taguchi, and see clips of the two together as Apollo 55.

We see Devitt in his home town of Bray, Co. Wicklow. He says how he left to train in Kent in the UK right after he completed his leaving cert in school and how his grandfather had a big influence on him becoming a wrestler.

We see clips of his final show in Glasgow, Scotland for ICW. We hear about his road on the independents and even hear a few tales for other wrestlers (one I believe was Lionheart and the I am not sure of but he went into great detail to Devitt how he lost his testicle in his last match!!!). We see clips of his match in Glasgow.

From there we see Devitt back in Bray at a local crossfit gym getting ready for his final tour of Japan. He notes he does 3 hours of strength and cardio a day. We see Devitt training at Main Stage Wrestling and he lists a frightening long list of injuries he has suffered over his career. He notes if you are afraid that you will be injured, you will not make it

From here, the documentary travels with him to Japan. He talks about how he was training in California for 3 months when he was offered at dojo spot at 24. We see the NJPW dojo which from the outside looks like a metal barn! We see the living area and get a formal introduction to Gallows and Anderson. Anderson notes that he first met Devitt in Nashville in 2005 and remembers him because of his abs. They met again years later in California, sharing a floor together.

We see clips of his last Tokyo Dome appearance (including parts of his coffin entrance). He talks about the build up to his last match against Taguchi.

After the Bullet Club had defeated other wrestlers in what I believe was as house show, we see them hitting the town. Here Gallows and in particular Anderson show lots of personality. They talk about how a sponsor brings them out and they eat and drink for free anywhere they go. Anderson notes he has seen bills running up to 20k. We then see fans and even the sponsors assistant being chopped in a restaurant by both Devitt and Anderson (much to the delight of the sponsor).

We are back at the dojo and the Bullet Club are at the kitchen table and both Bad Luck Fale and Anderson are emotional about Devitt’s immediate departure. Gallows again notes that Devitt will make and if he doesn’t, he’s in for a serious ribbing. We see Devitt receiving gifts from fans and him giving gifts to dojo staff.

The documentary follows Devitt to the area for his final match in Japan. He gets there early to reflect and also to get full body paint done (much darker and intense than his NXT paint job). He is accompanied to the ring by the young bucks. We see clips of his final match with Taguchi. Devitt notes that Taguchi noted in the papers that he would run Devitt out of town. With Taguchi winning, Devitt believes he has gone full circle, after team with him and eventually having his final match with him. We see the Bullet Club out for the last time and see fans wanting pictures, truly showing his fame in Japan.

Finally, we see Devitt’s final independent match for ICW in Newcastle, UK.

Overall, it was an excellent documentary showcasing NJPW, Devitt’s popularity amongst both fans and fellow wrestlers and it also showed glimpses of how talented he actually is!! Let’s hope Vince doesn’t drop the ball!!

— Here is a promo for tonight’s episode of Lucha Underground. The show airs at 5:00 PM ET/PT on the El Rey Network:

100% DIRECT LINK (PHOTOS): NXT Divas Go SKYDIVING Together! **MUST-SEE**!!!