Damian Priest’s chances of reclaiming the WWE World Heavyweight Title from Gunther at Survivor Series: WarGames came to a screeching halt thanks to some outside interference from his former Judgement Day teammate, Finn Balor. But that’s not the only concern for fans, as Priest’s struggles during the match hinted at a possible shoulder injury. However, it’s likely just a sell job, and Priest was simply playing along.
The Archer of Infamy’s troubles began when he attempted to deliver his signature Razor’s Edge move on Gunther. The injury caused him to falter, which ultimately led to his downfall. But, as the match wore on, it became clear that Priest’s predicament was more of a work than an actual affliction. He continued to sell the injury, writhing in pain, but his movements suggested otherwise.
Finn Balor, the master of manipulation, saw an opportunity to strike and pounced, hitting Priest with a Coup de Grace right when he was vulnerable outside the ring. Gunther, seizing the moment, took advantage of Priest’s distraction and put the finishing touches on his opponent with a powerbomb and a submission lock.
This isn’t the first time Balor has been involved in Priest’s title pursuits, having also interfered in their SummerSlam 2024 match. It seems Balor has a personal vendetta against Priest, and his constant references to Priest’s failed title attempts in his promos have only fanned the flames of their rivalry. Dominik Mysterio, Priest’s tag-team partner, even got caught in the crossfire, with Balor criticizing Mysterio for not doing enough to help Priest achieve his goals.
The tension between Balor and Mysterio eventually boiled over, sparking concerns that Mysterio might abandon Judgement Day. Meanwhile, Priest’s frustration has reached new heights, and he’s likely to channel his anger towards Balor on the latest episode of WWE RAW.
Priest could respond to Balor’s sneak attack by challenging him to a match, potentially delaying his quest for the World Heavyweight Title. A feud between the two seems inevitable, with Balor’s pledge to “never forget” Priest’s past transgressions serving as a rallying cry for their ongoing conflict.
It’s uncertain what the future holds for Priest, but one thing is clear – his rivalry with Balor is far from over. In the end, Priest’s failed title attempt at Survivor Series will prove to be a mere precursor to a larger, more intense struggle between these two former allies. Will Priest finally get his hands on Balor and put an end to their animosity, or will their rivalry continue to simmer, waiting for the perfect moment to erupt once more? Only time will tell.
