Finn Balor’s Former Bullet Club Stablemate Sends Emotional 5-Word Message After Surprise WWE SmackDown Reunion

Finn Balor’s first appearance on WWE SmackDown following his move from RAW featured a memorable backstage reunion with former Bullet Club stablemate Tama Tonga.

The two wrestling stars crossed paths on the blue brand this week, marking the first time they have been seen together on WWE television since Tonga joined the company. Their meeting quickly caught the attention of fans familiar with their historic association in New Japan Pro Wrestling.

Balor founded the legendary Bullet Club faction in 2013, with Tama Tonga serving as one of the original members alongside Karl Anderson and Bad Luck Fale. The group went on to become one of the most influential factions in professional wrestling history.

Following their reunion, Tonga took to Instagram and shared a throwback photo featuring himself and Balor from their NJPW days. Alongside the image, he posted a simple but heartfelt five-word message:

“It’s been a long time.”

The post immediately sparked nostalgia among wrestling fans who fondly remember the early days of Bullet Club and the role both men played in building the faction’s legacy.

Finn Balor Reflects on His Universal Championship Victory

Away from the reunion, Finn Balor recently opened up about his historic Universal Championship victory in 2016. Although his title reign lasted only one day due to a shoulder injury, Balor views the achievement as one of the greatest moments of his career.

Speaking on What’s Your Story?, Balor explained that winning the Universal Championship represented reaching the pinnacle of professional wrestling.

“Once I won the Universal Title that one time, for me, that was the top of the mountain. A lot of people see it as a tragedy because I got hurt, but for me, it’s a success story. I got to the top.”

What’s Next for Finn Balor on SmackDown?

Balor also competed in the first round of the 2026 WWE King of the Ring Tournament on SmackDown. However, his campaign ended after Jey Uso secured victory in a Fatal Four-Way Match that also featured LA Knight and Royce Keys.

With his tournament run over and a surprising reunion already making headlines, it remains to be seen what WWE has planned next for The Prince on Friday Night SmackDown.