WWE 'Beast In The East' Results

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-Michael Cole and Byron Saxton welcome us to the legendary Ryogoku Sumo Hall in Japan.

CHRIS JERICHO vs. NEVILLE

Neville leads early with the speed advantage, but Jericho catches him in a submission hold. That’s the theme of the match for the first few minutes – Neville does something flashy, and Jericho puts him in a hold or tosses him over the ropes and keeps control. The crowd is split between being your usual respectful Japanese wrestling crowd, applauding each sequence, but this is still a WWE crowd and a few dueling chants break out. Y2J slows things down to work a headlock – and few get as much out of a headlock than he does – maintaining control. Neville gets in a few shots but is caught with an ax handle off the top. They battle up on the ropes over a superplex spot, and it’s Neville who wins the trade, but he misses the Red Arrow. He rushes into a pop-up Walls of Jericho transition, teases a tap-out, but eventually gets to the ropes. Jericho takes a breather and Neville finally uses his opening to hit a corkscrew plancha over the ropes to take him down. We get a “this is awesome” chant from a Japanese wrestling crowd. It’s Red Arrow time again – he’ll settle for a springboard missile dropkick, and a standing Shooting Star Press out of nowhere for two-and-a-half. Another great trade sees Y2J holds onto the ropes to avoid a dropkick, then immediately hitting the Lionsault on his downed opponent. Neville off the springboard gets caught out of the air with a Codebreaker! 1…2…kickout! Jericho with a big German suplex, but Neville with a superkick. Another superkick. He climbs the ropes and looks for the Red Arrow a third time; Jericho counters with knees and locks in the Liontamer for the submission. Incredible.

Winner: Chris Jericho


We see Brock Lesnar arriving to the Arena

After the match, we get replays as Jericho looks out to the crowd. Jericho slaps hands and poses with fans on the way to the back.

- We see video from earlier today with Brock Lesnar arriving by himself to Sumo Hall. We get a promo for Monday's post-RAW live Dusty Rhodes tribute.

Triple Threat for the WWE Divas Title: Paige vs. Tamina Snuka vs. Nikki Bella

We come back to the ring and out comes Paige followed by Tamina Snuka. WWE Divas Champion Nikki Bella is out next by herself.

The bell rings and Tamina nails both of them but gets rolled up by Nikki. Paige rolls Nikki up next. Tamina nails clotheslines no both of them and plays to the crowd for a pop. Paige with kicks on Tamina now. Paige with a series of knees to Tamina on the apron. Tamina drops Paige and covers for 2. Nikki comes back in as Paige gets sent to the floor. Tamina and Nikki go at it now. Nikki with a kick from the second rope for a 2 count. Tamina with another big right hand and a suplex for a 2 count as Paige breaks the pin. Paige with headbutts on Tamina now. Paige and Nikki team up to suplex Tamina. They toss Tamina and go at it. Nikki with a 2 count on Paige.

More back and forth and pin attempts between the two. Nikki goes for the Alabama Slam but Paige counters and hits a big knee to the face for a 2 count. Paige with a series of knees to the face in the corner. Tamina tries to get in the ring but Paige tops her. Nikki with shoulder thrusts in the corner on Paige. They trade forearms as Nikki takes Paige to the top. Nikki goes for a superplex but Tamina runs over and they all crash to the mat. Tamina with a pin on Nikki but the referee is dealing with Paige. Tamina runs over and covers Paige for 2. She yells at the referee and runs back to Nikki for a 2 count.

Tamina unloads until Paige and Nikki start double teaming her and take her out. Nikki slams Paige for a close 2 count. Nikki runs into a kick and Paige nails the RamPaige for a close 2 count. Paige ends up going for the PTO but Tamina runs in and breaks it with a superkick to the face as fans boo. Tamina hits a Samoan Drop on Nikki. Tamina goes up for the Superfly Splash but Nikki rolls out of the way. Nikki drops Tamina with a forearm for the win.

Winner: Nikki Bella

- After the match, Nikki grabs her title and poses in the corners.

- We get a vignette for Brock Lesnar.

Kofi Kingston vs. Brock Lesnar

We go back to the ring and out comes Kofi Kingston. Brock Lesnar's music hits next to a pop and out he comes by himself.

Lesnar makes his way to the ring and stares Kofi down. Kofi exits the ring as Lesnar enters. Kofi tries to come back in as Lesnar stares him down but Lesnar scares him back off the apron. The bell rings and Kofi runs right out of the ring. Lesnar chases him around and back in. Kofi attacks but Lesnar takes it and beats him into the corner with knees. Lesnar catches Kofi's crossbody. Kofi slides out and dropkicks Lesnar into the corner. Brock comes right back and catches Kofi in mid-air. Brock manhandles Kofi ans goes for a German but Kofi lands on his feet. Kofi with a springboard kick that sends Lesnar to one knee. Kofi with more kicks to the knee but Lesnar just takes them all. Lesnar catches Kofi with a huge German. Lesnar with another German.

Lesnar bounces around and smirks before hitting another German suplex. Lesnar scoops Kofi and nails a big F5 for the win.

Winner: Brock Lesnar

- After the match, Lesnar has his arm raised. Lesnar takes his time leaving and stops on the apron. He looks back at Kofi before coming back in. Lesnar circles Kofi and easily picks him up for another German. Lesnar laughs at Kofi as a "one more time" chant starts. Lesnar picks Kofi up for another F5. Xavier Woods and Big E rush the ring but Lesnar quickly drops them. Lesnar with a F5 for Woods. Big E charges ad Lesnar easily scoops him for a F5 also. Lesnar's music hits and he leaves as he leaves The New Day laid out in the ring.

We see WWE NXT Champion Kevin Owens backstage preparing. They air a vignette on Finn Balor and a video package for the match.

NXT Title Match: Finn Balor vs. Kevin Owens

We go to the ring and out first comes Finn Balor with his grand entrance. He's done up as The Demon for this match. WWE NXT Champion Kevin Owens is out next.

Owens mocks a bunch of John Cena fans at ringside. We see Hideo Itami sitting in the crowd. Balor and Owens are both presented with bouquets of flowers before the match, a tradition in Japan. Owens takes his flowers and tosses them as fans boo. The ring starts filling up with streamers also.

We wait for the crew to clear the ring of streamers as Finn and Owens stare each other down. The bell rings and Balor nails a dropkick. Balor goes to the top but Owens rolls to the floor. Balor leaps to the floor and takes him out. They come back in and Owens starts striking. Owens misses a big right hand and Balor collides with him. Balor misses a dropkick and Owens goes to the floor. Balor dropkicks him through the ropes now. Balor sends Owens into the barrier and hits a big running dropkick. Finn brings it back in with chops in the corner. Owens fights back but Finn comes right back with chops. Owens catches Balor in a big slam for a 2 count. Owens mounts Balor with right hands and stomps on him. Owens with a chop in the corner. He talks some trash and keeps control as fans boo.

Owens whips Balor into the corner hard and he goes down. Owens bows to the crowd as they boo. Balor fights back with forearms but runs into a big elbow. Owens with a 2 count. Owens with a headlock now. More back and forth now. Owens ends up knocking Balor out of the air off a springboard. Balor falls to the floor and Owens follows. Owens sends Balor into the steps. Owens brings it back in for a 2 count. Owens tosses Balor back to the floor and counts along with the referee. Finn comes back in at the 8 count and Owens goes to work on him. Owens runs the ropes like he's going to do something but just applies a headlock. Owens says he hates this stupid country and everyone in it.

More back and forth. Finn manages to dropkick Owens in the face. Finn with more offense and a 2 count. They trade shots in the middle of the ring now. Owens with a pair of shoulder tackles and the big slam, just like John Cena. Owens calls for the Five Knuckle Shuffle and hits it. Owens goes for the Attitude Adjustment but Finn counters and stomps on his chest. Finn with chops in the corners. Owens catches him for an AA again but Finn slides out. More back and forth. Finn hits a pele kick. Owens ends up back on the floor. Balor runs the ropes and dive out onto him. Finn brings it back in and goes to the top for a stomp to the back of the head. Finn hits the lifting inverted DDT for a close 2 count. Finn goes back to the top but misses the Coup de Grâce and rolls through. Owens drops Balor on his head for close 2 counts twice. Fans chant "this is awesome" as Owens gets up and waits.

Balor comes back and hits Sling Blade. Finn goes to the top but Owens cu him off. They trade shots. Owens brings Finn down to the mat with a headbutt. Balor drops Owens with a kick to the head. Finn goes back to the top and nails the Coup de Grâce but Owens kicks out at 2. Finn unloads with rights and lefts in the corner. Owens with a headbutt and another. Finn with more strikes. Finn takes Owens up top but Owens fights him off. Finn with forearms. Finn goes for a superplex but has to settle for a kick to the head instead. He climbs back up but Owens grabs him on his shoulders. Owens with the rolling senton from the top for a close 2 count. Owens goes back to the top and hits a swanton but Balor gets his knees up. Finn plants Owens for another close 2 count. Owens with a kick and a big throw onto Finn's head for 2.

Owens waits for Finn to get up and yells at him. Owens smacks Finn around to boos. Finn slaps back. Owens goes for the pop-up powerbomb but Finn nails a big clothesline. Finn sends Owens to the corner and hits the big dropkick. Finn goes back up and hits the Coup de Grâce for the win.

Winner and New WWE NXT Champion: Finn Balor

- After the match, Balor's music hits and he celebrates with the title as an angry Owens looks on. We see Hideo Itami looking on from the crowd. WWE Hall of Famer Tatsumi Fujinami comes out to greet Balor and he marks out. Finn offers his hand to Owens as fans chant "NXT" and Owens teases it but he walks off as fan boo. We go back to replays as Balor continues celebrating with the NXT Title.


- We get a Tough Enough promo and a look at Tatsumi Fujinami being honored at Friday's WWE live event in Tokyo.

Kane and King Barrett vs. Dolph Ziggler and John Cena

We go to the ring and out first comes King Barrett. His partner Kane is out next and Dolph Ziggler is out first for his team. WWE United States Champion John Cena is out last to a big pop.

Ziggler and Barrett start the match off back and forth. Ziggler gets the upperhand first and rolls Barrett up for 2. Ziggler with a kick for 2. Barrett turns it around and tags in Kane. After more tags and some back and forth, it's Barrett keeping Cena grounded on the mat. Cena powers up with Barrett on his back and rams him into the corner. Kane comes in and stops Cena from tagging. Cena fights back and scoops Kane but Kane falls on top of him for a 2 count. Kane slams Cena twice and covers for a 2 count.

Kane keeps control and covers for another pin. Barrett tags back in and they keep Cena grounded. Cena is kept down until he finally hits an Attitude Adjustment on Barrett out of nowhere. Kane comes back in and Cena scoops him but Kane falls on top of him for another 2 count. Kane comes off the top rope and decks Cena for another 2 count. More back and forth. Kane catches Cena in a big sideslam for a 2 count as Ziggler looks on. Barrett tags back in and puts the boots to Cena. Barrett with an elbow drop from the second rope for a 2 count.

Barrett goes back to the second rope for an elbow but Cena rolls out of the way. Ziggler finally gets the tag and unloads on Barrett. Kane gets knocked off the apron but Ziggler turns around to a big boot from Barrett. Kane tags in and stomps away on Ziggler, kicking him to the floor. Kane keeps control and covers for another 2 count before tagging in Barrett. Barrett with forearms while Ziggler is laid out over the top rope. Barrett with a high knee for a 2 count as Cena waits for a tag. Ziggler ends up countering Winds of Change but gets clotheslined. Kane comes back in for a 2 count. Kane keeps control and covers for another pin attempt. Ziggler fights out of a hold. Kane blocks the Fame-asser and slams Ziggler for 2. Barrett comes back in and hits Ziggler with knees on the ropes, knocking him to the floor as fans boo. Kane gets a cheap shot in on the floor.


Barrett sends Ziggler into the apron before rolling him back in and covering for a 2 count. Barrett takes Ziggler to the mat with a headlock and Ziggler fades. Ziggler makes a comeback but gets caught with Winds of Change for a 2 count. Barrett gets frustrated as he tags Kane back in. Kane and Barrett with more punishment for Ziggler. Ziggler finally drops Kane with a DDT and tags in Cena as Barrett comes in. Cena with the shoulder tackles and the big slam on Barrett. Cena his the Five Knuckle Shuffle on Barrett. He goes for the AA but Kane runs in. Cena blocks a chokeslam and Ziggler superkicks Kane. Cena with the AA on Kane. Barrett misses a clothesline on Cena and runs into a Ziggler superkick. Cena with the AA on Barrett for the win.

Winners: John Cena and Dolph Ziggler

- After the match, Ziggler and Cena hit the corners to pose fans. We go to replays as Cena raises Ziggler's arm. Cole thanks their partners at J Sports and everyone else who worked on the broadcast. Cena and Ziggler go to celebrate with fans at ringside. Thy make their way to the entrance and Cena raises Ziggler's arm again to a pop. We get another look at new NXT Champion Finn Balor as "The Beast In The East" goes off the air.

Gosh you may be right. At my age the memory struggles to go that far back. When / if I get the Network again I do owe it to myself to take a look back on some of Rock's matches.

It will be interesting to see how he compares in that run tomOwens just power-bombing the daylights out of his 'friend'.

Prometheus wrote:I think the caveat was in "out and out" heel.  A number of those above were 'cool heels', still heels in a feud with faces, but not necessarily there to be truly properly loathed and booed out of the building, which is what Owens is doing.

And 'probably' means for me that we can argue about the others.  

And if WWE is going to bleed NXT matches into their events I'm going to bleed Owens' time in NXT and his feuds and stories there into this.  

Even with NXT he's been around for 8 months only.

CM Punk showered in the ashes of the recently deceased Paul Bearer. Whilst I hated that particular angle, that is an incredibly heel thing to do. Chris Jericho and Edge were also completely out and out heels, if they aren't, then I don't think Owens is, who is definitely a 'cool' heel.

Owens definitely hasnt played the cool heel. Punk had to go at times comically heel, but to be fair to him that wasnt his fault. The crowd wanted to love him. Its hard to know where I stand on classic heel nowadays. Too many throw in little lines for the "smarks." The problem is if you arent a little popular with the smark crowd nowadays then you are considered awful. Sheamus is the latest person to be described as getting X-Pac Heat.

I don't think his work is as solid heel stuff as Orton pulled off. He added a lot of little touches, and is an underrated wrestler for playing the crowd.

The stuff on Zayn was fantastic though. Booking plays a lot into it, but Owens has at least made himself very boo-able.

Owens got awesome heat in Japan just by ditching the flowers, and he can turn a crowd that is warming up to him on a dime. There was a moment during the Balor match where he could sense the crowd getting into him because of all the stiff, high impact moves he was delivering, so when he ran to hit another one he transitioned straight into a chinlock. Its those small touches that make the biggest differences.

Owens CAN be a cool heel though. He can play every type of heel and play them well. I wouldnt go as far as Prom and say he's the best since 2000, but certainly the best of the past 5 years.

Crimey and I are just going to have to agree to disagree on this one.

Otherwise we'll end up in an endless round of "what about Edge's run in Smackdown and Vickie Guerrero?" and "isn't the stuff with Paul Bearer's ashes so obviously not true that it goes down the path of Big Bossman at Big Show's father's funeral?" (though I will readily admit nothing could be that bad).

I'd actually rate JBL above most WWE heels this century. And maybe that's why I like Owens so much. Maybe for me, who grew up on a diet of westerns Owens is a bit of a black hat cowboy who just seems to live to be bad, because that's how life is for these guys, they live to cause pain to others.

In the reality era, I find Owens more real and believable than almost any WWE wrestler. And sure, WWE might go pure Rusev on him and destroy what made him great (Rusev a face?!) but I truly believe he's already, even in such a short run, probably the best heel WWE has had this century.

John Laurinaitis worked as the producer and head agent for WWE's recent tour of Tokyo, including the "Beast In The East" WWE Network special.

Laurinaitis is the one who came up with the idea to use streamers before the NXT Title Match with Finn Balor and Kevin Owens with the idea it would give the show a unique Japanese flavor. Laurinaitis also booked the pre-match ceremony where the women in kimonos presented flowers to both Balor and Owens.