At WrestleMania 24, fans witnessed a fierce clash between Finlay and JBL, but behind the scenes, there were different plans initially laid out. According to Dylan ‘Hornswoggle’ Postl, who discussed this on the “Insight” podcast, Vince McMahon was originally supposed to face Finlay.
Hornswoggle, who was entangled in a storyline as McMahon’s ‘illegitimate son,’ revealed that the initial idea was to have Vince McMahon square off against Finlay at WrestleMania. This match was even considered to be for a WWE title. Reflecting on the plans, Hornswoggle shared his thoughts on how monumental the build-up could have been if the match had proceeded as planned with Vince McMahon. The match between Finlay and JBL still turned out to be significant, as JBL had exposed weeks earlier that Hornswoggle was actually Finlay’s son and not a McMahon.
Despite the change in plans, Postl expressed his gratitude for being part of the showdown between JBL and Finlay. He fondly recalled the intense match, highlighting an unscripted moment involving a trash can. JBL’s quick thinking during the match not only added excitement but also underscored his reputation as a seasoned performer. Postl emphasized how much he enjoyed working with JBL, describing him as incredibly supportive and skilled.
The match at WrestleMania 24, labeled the ‘Belfast Brawl’, saw JBL emerging victorious against Finlay. This victory set the stage for JBL to enter the WWE Championship picture the following month at WWE Backlash 2008.
While the original plan featuring Vince McMahon didn’t materialize, the eventual match between Finlay and JBL still stands out as a memorable encounter in WrestleMania history. Hornswoggle’s insights shed light on the behind-the-scenes decisions and how they shape the narratives in professional wrestling, contributing to the unpredictable and dynamic nature of the sport.
In the end, the stories behind the matches are just as intriguing as the matches themselves, offering fans a deeper understanding of the wrestling world’s inner workings.
