The Demon returns on SmackDown — what it means for Finn Balor vs. Gunther at Crown Jewel

Finn Balor's Demon made a surprise return on WWE SmackDown's Halloween episode, emerging from a blackout to attack WWE Champion Gunther after an in-ring segment with Danhausen. The appearance was Balor's first televised Demon outing since WrestleMania 42, where he defeated Dominik Mysterio.

On the show, Danhausen came out to promote a themed "Most Evil Experiment," only for Gunther to interrupt. After teasing the Minihausens as part of the stunt, the lights cut and the Demon appeared, confronting and attacking Gunther. Commentary on the broadcast called the moment "Gunther's nightmare."

The moment immediately raised questions about a planned match between Balor and Gunther at WWE Crown Jewel in Riyadh. Advertising for the event spotted on billboards in Riyadh features both Finn Balor and Gunther. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reported that a Gunther vs. Balor match was on the initial Crown Jewel rundown; that report has been presented as a rundown-level claim rather than a confirmed final booking.

Notably, the Riyadh advertising reportedly shows Balor presented as himself, not in his Demon persona. That creates a booking tension: if Balor appears at Crown Jewel as the Demon, the supernatural angle could be used to present him as a credible threat to Gunther. If WWE instead uses Balor in his regular persona, current creative direction would suggest Gunther is likelier to win.

The segment also underscored an unusual year for Gunther on television. Coverage has described his recent booking as leaving him less prominent than earlier in his run; his recent screen time has included several failed attempts at the WWE Championship and an extended program with Danhausen.

WrestleTalk reported the SmackDown Demon return and the Crown Jewel advertising details, and the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reported the initial rundown claim.