Finn Balor Pins Major Star for the First Time; Shatters His Undefeated Streak on WWE SmackDown

Finn Balor picked up one of his biggest victories in recent memory on the latest edition of WWE SmackDown. He ended the unbeaten singles run of one of the fastest-rising stars in the process.

The former WWE Universal Champion defeated Talla Tonga in a hard-hitting singles match tonight, handing the powerhouse his first-ever pinfall loss in singles competition since arriving in the Stamford-based competition. The victory also served as payback for the backstage assault Balor suffered at Talla’s hands two weeks ago.

The bout started with Balor charging his opponent. Talla Tonga quickly cornered him and delivered a stiff shoulder tackle. The Irishman responded with a loud chop and sent Tonga over the top rope. The outside brawl saw the former MFT member gain the upper hand. Tonga dropped the former Universal Champion hard on the edge of the announce desk.

Tama Tonga soon made his presence felt at ringside. He delivered a cheap shot to Balor while the referee looked away. Back inside the ring, Talla Tonga maintained control with a running powerslam for a near fall. The Prince fought out of the corner with a series of right hands and a basement dropkick. He then drove his elbow into Tonga’s chest for a two-count.

The physical toll showed when Talla Tonga executed a modified Samoan Drop, leaving both men down on the mat. Balor eventually recovered, connected with a kick, and headed to the top turnbuckle. Tonga caught him in mid-air, but Balor quickly countered the move into a DDT.

The final moments of the match saw Talla Tonga hit a headbutt. His momentum caused his leg to get hung up between the ring ropes. Balor capitalized on the opening by taking out Tama Tonga at ringside with a Sling Blade. He immediately rolled back into the ring and struck Talla Tonga with a shotgun dropkick. Balor climbed the turnbuckle and delivered Coup de Grace. He went right back up to hit a second Coup de Grace, covering Talla Tonga for the final three-count and winning the match.

With WWE SummerSlam fast approaching, Balor’s statement victory could propel him back into the spotlight, while Talla Tonga will now have to regroup after suffering the first singles pinfall defeat of his WWE run.