Fergal Devitt is an Irish professional wrestler better known to fans under his ring name Finn Balor. He was born on July 25, 1981, in Bray, County Wicklow, and was a professional football player before taking up wrestling full-time. According to Devitt, his interest in sports started young and was influenced by watching shows like World of Sport and WWF, now known as WWE.
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In November 2001, Devitt made his wrestling debut by winning the NWA British Commonwealth Heavyweight Championship. He then went on to compete in multiple events, including the Millennium Wrestling Federation and the MWF Television Championship. After his impressive performances, Devitt was invited to train in Tokyo, Japan, where he learned the art of Japanese wrestling.
For the next ten years, Devitt spent his wrestling career in Japan after signing a contract with New Japan Pro-Wrestling. He quickly rose to fame under the ring name “Prince Devitt.” Under New Japan, Devitt was assigned to Wrestle Land and competed as the second Pegasus Kid, following the footsteps of the original, Chris Benoit. During his tenure, the wrestler became a three-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion and one-time NWA World Historic Middleweight Champion.
At present, Devitt is signed to WWE where he’s performing under the RAW brand with his current moniker. Compared to his peers, the wrestler’s rise to fame is considered monumental. Devitt instantly became a fan favorite with plenty of speculations about his private life. After a special appearance at Wrestlemania 2018, many people have been asking: is Finn Balor gay? Let’s find out below.
VOTE: What is Finn Balor’s Sexuality?
Finn Balor’s Relationships
After joining WWE, Devitt was immediately linked to fellow wrestler Bayley. The rumors started after fans observed their close friendship during their team matches. To add fuel to the fire, the pair posed for a photo with Devitt’s parents. Viewers went crazy with the photo with some even claiming that the duo are most likely engaged.
In 2021, Bayley made an appearance on the podcast “Oral Sessions” with Rene Paquette and clarified her relationship with the pro wrestler. Despite what rumors claimed, Bayley maintained that they were just friends.
One time, I had gotten into trouble for this in my past relationship. We took a picture with his [Finn Balor] parents when we were backstage. And then people went ‘Oh my god! are you really together?’ (…) We are obviously not married. He is married to a beautiful woman and he seems so happy. That was so fun, we had so much with each other and then we got to be Mixed Match Challenge partners.”
Bayley in Oral Sessions with Rene Paquette, 2021
The talks finally died down after Devitt married the love of his life, Vero Rodriguez, in an intimate ceremony in 2019. The latter was a famous Mexican sports journalist who worked for the Fox network. At the time of their wedding, it was revealed that the couple had already been dating for several years beforehand.
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On Sexuality and The LGBTQ Community
In 2013, WWE superstar Darren Young made headlines as the first openly gay wrestler in history. After his coming out, many fans began speculating about other wrestlers’ sexualities, including Devitt. Unfortunately, Young was released from his contract, implying that the company wasn’t ready for representation.
Devitt wasn’t bothered by the gay rumors and in 2018, he showed his public support for Young and other members of the LGBTQ. During Wrestlemania 34 in New Orleans, the wrestler made the “gayest grand entrance in WWE history” by wearing a rainbow-colored shirt and being surrounded by members of the New Orleans LGBTQ community. Devitt also announced that he would donate his earnings to the GLAAD foundation.
While Young appreciate Devitt’s public support, he was devastated by the way WWE handled the situation. In a 2019 interview with Sportskeeda, he shared his frustrations regarding the New Orleans spectacle.
But months later, at WrestleMania, WWE had finally embraced the LGBTQ movement but they did it on a straight guy, Finn. When I seen that the next day, this was at WrestleMania, the next day, Monday, I was devastated, man. I cried like a baby. I cried like a baby because I’d just been released and then they are finally embracing the LGBT movement but they are doing it with Finn. It broke my heart. I’m a grown man. 35 years old and I cried like a baby. But, like I said, if it wasn’t for me making that sacrifice, I don’t think we would have been able to fully embrace the LGBTQ movement.”
Darren Young to Sportskeeda, 2019
Is Finn Balor Gay?
No, Finn Balor is not gay. However, the pro wrestler is a strong advocate for LGBTQ rights. In 2018, he publicly announced his support for the community and pledged his earnings to GLAAD. Balor, also known as Devitt, is currently married to Mexican sports journalist, Vero Rodriguez.