WWE “Beast in the East” Results
July 4, 2015
Tokyo, Japan (Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Hall)
Report by: Mike Tedesco of Wrestleview.com
“Then. Now. Forever.” The WWE video leads us into the show.
A video kicks off the show highlights the WWE’s first televised event from Tokyo, Japan. Tonight, Kevin Owens will defend his NXT Championship against Finn Balor. We’ll also see Brock Lesnar compete for the first time since WrestleMania XXXI.
We go live inside the Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Hall as Michael Cole and Byron Saxton welcome us to the show. Chris Jericho’s music hits, and he makes his way to the ring for his first televised WWE match since WWE Night of Champions in September 2014. There was a “match” against Paul Heyman from December 2014 that shouldn’t count.
Chris Jericho vs. Neville
Charles Robinson, my favorite referee of all time, is the official for this match. The crowd chants, “Y2J.” They lock up, and Jericho backs him to the corner before giving a clean release. They circle the ring and lock up. Jericho applies a waistlock, but Neville turns to one of his own. Jericho wrenches the arm, but Neville twists out and connects with a snapmare for a one count. Jericho tries to sweep the feet, but Neville backflips over and dropkicks him. Jericho rolls out of the ring to recover. The commentators talk about Jericho working for FMW in Japan early in his career. Jericho gets in the ring and connects with a waistlock takedown before transitioning to a modified bow and arrow stretch. Jericho then puts his knees on his back and applies the traditional bow and arrow stretch. Neville slides off and covers for a two count. They get to their feet, and the fans give them a nice hand. They circle the ring and lock up. Neville wrenches the arm, but Jericho twists out and kips up. Jericho wrenches the arm and takes Neville down with an arm bar. Neville fights up, but Jericho continues wrenching the arm. Neville uses the ropes to help flip through the pressure, but Jericho clotheslines him over the top rope. Jericho gets the crowd going and teases a plancha, but Neville gets in the ring and dropkicks him out of the ring. Neville goes for a plancha, but Jericho gets in the ring and puts him on the apron. Jericho then takes him down with a springboard dropkick. The crowd chants for Jericho as he poses for them.
Neville slowly gets to his feet, and Jericho bounces him off the apron. Jericho chops the chest and puts him in the ring. Jericho goes to the top rope and connects with a cross-body block for a two count. Jericho applies a chin lock, but Neville fights up. Jericho quickly takes him down with the same chin lock as a chant for both Jericho and Neville breaks out. Neville fights up and punches, but Jericho quickly cuts him off. Jericho sends him into the ropes, but Neville rolls him up for a two count. Jericho quickly comes back with a step-up enzuigiri for a two count. Jericho slaps him in the back of the head before slapping him in the face. Jericho chops the chest in the corner a few times before having a whip to the opposite corner reversed on him. Jericho quickly takes him down with a back elbow and puts a foot on the chest to cover him for a two count. Jericho is breaking out his heel mannerisms from the mothballs, but the crowd is still cheering him. Jericho then takes him down with another chin lock. Neville quickly fights up, but Jericho chops him back. Jericho sends him into the ropes, but Neville slides through the legs and kicks away at him. Jericho avoids a kick to the face, but Neville is able to put him on the apron. Jericho quickly goes to the top rope and comes off with a jumping clothesline. Jericho hits a running bulldog before attempting the Walls of Jericho. Neville twists him off and puts him in the corner. Neville hits a running forearm before kicking him down in the corner. Neville sends him to the opposite corner before running into an elbow. Neville quickly comes back with a kick to the midsection before going to the top rope. Jericho quickly crotches him up there. Jericho punches him a few times before attempting a top rope superplex. Neville fights him and hits a front superplex. The crowd begins to cheer as Neville stands on the top rope. Jericho avoids the Red Arrow, but Neville lands on his feet. Jericho then counters a hurricanrana into the Walls of Jericho. Neville fights it before clawing his way to the bottom rope to break the hold. Jericho cannot believe it and argues with the referee.
Jericho stomps him a few times before charging him, but Neville sends him out of the ring. Neville then connects with a running moonsault plancha. The crowd chants, “This is awesome.” Neville puts him in the ring and goes to the top rope, but Jericho gets up. Neville hits a springboard missile dropkick followed by a standing shooting star press for a near fall. Neville chops him before kicking him in the chest. Neville hits the ropes, and Jericho connects with a stiff forearm. Neville reverses a whip, but Jericho avoids a dropkick. Jericho connects with the Lionsault for a near fall. The crowd chants for Jericho as he kicks him in the head a few times. The crowd begins to boo this. Jericho sends him to the corner, but he runs into a boot. Neville twists to the apron and springboards into a Codebreaker from Jericho! Jericho takes his time before turning him over for a near fall. Jericho punches away at him as another dueling chant breaks out. Jericho goes for a German Suplex, but Neville twists into one of his own. Neville quickly superkicks him down and gets the crowd going. Neville superkicks him a second time before going to the top rope. Neville goes for the Red Arrow, but Jericho gets his knees up! Jericho then applies the Walls of Jericho, but at a higher angle that Cole correctly calls the Liontamer for the submission victory!
Winner by Submission: Chris Jericho
Match Rating: ***
Replays are shown of the highlights of the match. Jericho the poses with some of the fans that brought signs for him.
Brock Lesnar is seen arriving to the Sumo Hall earlier in the day.
A video promotes the upcoming live special for Dusty Rhodes immediately following RAW. The WWE Superstars will tell their favorite stories of The American Dream.
WWE Divas Championship Match
Paige vs. Tamina vs. Nikki Bella (c)
The bell rings, and all three circle the ring. Tamina punches both Nikki and Paige before rolling Nikki up for a one count. Tamina clotheslines both of them down before taunting the fans. Tamina throws Nikki out of the ring before being kicked by Paige. Paige pulls her to the apron and knees away at her chest. Tamina quickly takes her down and pulls her in the ring for a cover, but Nikki breaks it up. Paige rolls out of the ring to recover as Tamina punches Nikki. Nikki fights her off and comes off the second rope with a kick for a two count. Tamina comes back with a head-butt that takes her down. Tamina suplexes her, but Paige runs in before the cover. Paige head-butts away at her before teaming with Nikki to give Tamina a double suplex. They then dropkick Tamina out of the ring. Nikki quickly takes Paige down and punches away at her for a two count. They continue to fight until Nikki takes her down with a spinebuster for a two count. Nikki goes for an Alabama Slam, but Paige rolls through. Paige knees her in the face for a two count. Paige sends Nikki to the corner for a running knee. Paige knees away at her before knocking Tamina off the apron. Nikki quickly attacks Paige and slams her in the corner. Nikki shoulders her in the midsection before asking if she’s ready to which Paige responds, “Yeah.” Nikki then props her up on the top rope for a superplex. Tamina runs in and powerbombs Nikki as she does. Tamina covers, but the referee was checking Paige. Tamina runs over and covers Paige for a near fall. Tamina then covers Nikki for a near fall as well.
Tamina sends Nikki to the corner before whipping Paige into her. Tamina goes for a splash, but they both avoid her. Nikki connects with a face-buster on Tamina before Paige kicks her down. Nikki then grabs Paige and gives her an Alabama Slam for a two count. Nikki is showing signs of frustration. Paige rolls her up for a one count. Paige connects with a sloppy kick followed by the Ram-Paige for a near fall. The crowd chants, “We want AJ” as Paige screams this is her house. Paige then applies the PTO, but Tamina runs in and superkicks her. Tamina picks Nikki up and connects with a Samoan Drop. Tamina goes to the top rope to hit her father’s Superfly Splash. Nikki rolls out of the way and delivers a big forearm for the win.
Winner and still WWE Divas Champion: Nikki Bella
Match Rating: * 1/2
Nikki Bella poses with the championship as her music plays. We then see footage of the exterior of the arena.
Brock Lesnar will be facing Kofi Kingston later tonight. This will be Lesnar’s first match since WrestleMania XXXI. A video then airs that showcases the carnage Lesnar has left in his wake since coming back in 2012.
Kofi Kingston vs. Brock Lesnar
Charles Robinson is back for another match. Lesnar is without Paul Heyman tonight. We see replays of The Authority beating Lesnar down on RAW two weeks ago. Lesnar looks completely pumped up and never removes his eyes from Kingston, who does not look as positive as he did during his entrance. Kingston takes his time before getting in the ring.
The bell rings, and Kingston immediately leaves the ring and runs away. Lesnar chases him back into the ring. Kingston tries to attack, but Lesnar knees away at him. Lesnar sends him to the corner. Kingston goes for a springboard cross-body, but Lesnar catches him. Kingston slides off and dropkicks him, but it doesn’t hurt Lesnar. Lesnar quickly catches him, turns him around, and goes for a German Suplex, but Kingston lands on his feet. Kingston connects with a springboard dropkick. Kingston continues dropkicking him, but Lesnar barely budges. Lesnar then grabs him and destroys him with a massive German Suplex. Lesnar takes his time before grabbing Kingston and giving him a second German Suplex. Lesnar jumps around a bit before connecting with a third German Suplex. Lesnar takes his time before picking Kingston up and dropping him with an F-5 for the win.
Winner by Pinfall: Brock Lesnar
Match Rating: *
Michael Cole says he knows that Seth Rollins is watching, and he should be afraid. Cole talks about how Lesnar will be in Chicago this Monday night looking to get his hands on Rollins. Lesnar leaves the ring, but he then gets back in and circles around Kingston. Lesnar deadlifts him up like Kingston was a child before hitting a fourth German Suplex. Lesnar then scoops him up and hits another F-5. Xavier Woods and Big E run in, but Lesnar quickly clotheslines them both down. Lesnar then gives Woods an F-5 followed by picking up the 300-pound Big E with relative ease for an F-5. The crowd gives Lesnar a hand as he surveys the carnage in the ring.
Kevin Owens is seen preparing for his upcoming NXT Championship match against Finn Balor. A video highlights the feud between Kevin Owens and Finn Balor. This match is next.
NXT Championship Match
Finn Balor vs. Kevin Owens (c)
Hideo Itami is seen sitting at ringside. Balor’s body paint looks incredible. Streamers are thrown in the ring as Japanese women dressed as geishas come in the ring and deliver flowers to both men. Owens takes the flowers and throws them out of the ring in disgust. More streamers are thrown into the ring as Eden Stiles does the introductions. WWE production members quickly try to clear the ring of the streamers as Owens shouts that he wants to compete in a clean ring. Owens kisses the NXT Championship before handing it to the referee.
The bell rings, and Balor immediately dropkicks him down. Balor goes to the top rope for the Coup de Grace, but Owens gets out of the ring. Balor then takes Owens down with a cross-body block to the floor. Balor punches him before putting him in the ring. Owens kicks him as he gets in the ring. An NXT chant breaks out. Owens sends him into the ropes, but he misses a clothesline. Owens quickly takes him down with a sloppy elbow. Owens has a whip reversed, but he holds the ropes to avoid a dropkick. Owens gets out of the ring, but Balor takes him down with a baseball slide. Balor throws him into the barricade before hitting a running dropkick. Balor puts him in the ring before punching him to the corner. Balor chops him, but Owens comes back with some strikes. Owens sends him into the ropes, but he lowers his head and eats a kick. Balor chops him before having a whip reversed. Owens reverses into a modified death valley driver for a near fall. Owens punches away at him before stomping the midsection. Owens puts him in the corner and chops the chest. Balor tries to punch back, but Owens takes him down before talking some trash. Owens kicks him in the face and taunts the crowd. Owens viciously whips him to the corner and sarcastically bows for the crowd. Balor comes back with some forearms before hitting the ropes, but Owens drops down before taking him down with a back elbow. Owens takes his time before covering him for a two count. Owens applies a chin lock, but Balor soon fights up. Owens sends him to the corner, but he misses an avalanche. Balor goes to the apron and tries for a springboard maneuver, but Owens punches him down. Owens goes outside and drives him into the steel steps. Owens looks for a count-out, but Balor gets in the ring at nine. Owens immediately flattens him with a senton splash for a near fall.
Owens angrily kicks him before throwing him out of the ring. Owens implores the fans to count with the referee as he starts to count Balor out. Balor gets in the ring at the count of eight. Owens stomps him before hitting a snapmare. Owens teases a big move by hitting the ropes, but he instead drops down and applies a simple chin lock. Owens says he does what he wants when he wants before saying he hates Japan. Owens really cinches in the chin lock, but Balor eventually fights up. Owens stuns him with a right hand. Balor reverses a whip, but Owens counters into a sunset flip. Balor rolls through and dropkicks him in the face.
Balor boots Owens in the face before sending him to the corner for a chop. Balor comes off the second rope with a diving clothesline for a two count. Balor gets the crowd going before Owens pops up with a right hand. They trade punches until Owens begins hitting John Cena’s diving shoulder tackles. Owens connects with Cena’s back suplex powerbomb before pulling off the 5 Knuckle Shuffle. Owens taunts the crowd and goes for the Attitude Adjustment, but Balor slides off, takes him down, and connects with a double stomp to the chest. Owens pulls himself up, but Balor connects with a chop. Balor sends him to the corner and connects with a second chop. Owens counters out of another and goes for the AA again, but Balor fights out. Owens reverses a move, but Balor comes back with a pelé kick. Both men are down, but the pull themselves up at seven. Balor pulls the top rope down to get Owens out of the ring. Balor then takes him out with a summersault senton! Balor puts him in the ring and goes to the top rope for a double foot stomp to the back of the head. Balor connects with a reverse Bloody Sunday for a near fall. Balor goes to the top rope for the Coup de Grace, but Owens moves and delivers a German Suplex. Owens quickly follows up with a cannonball in the corner for a near fall. Owens connects with a package powerbomb for another near fall. Owens cannot believe that Balor kicked out of that.
The crowd chants that the match is awesome. Owens picks Balor up by the hair, talks trash, and sends him to the ropes. Balor holds on and boots him in the face. Balor then connects with the Sling Blade. Balor makes his way to the top rope, but Owens grabs the leg. Balor punches him, but Owens continues to hold the leg. Owens head-butts him to the apron, but Balor comes back with a kick to the head. Balor goes to the top rope and connects with the Coup de Grace, but Owens kicks out! Balor cannot believe it and takes his time before getting up. Balor puts Owens in the corner and unload with some punches and kicks. Owens tries to fight him off, but Balor continues punching him. Balor puts him on the top rope. Owens tries to fight him, but Balor punches back. Balor goes for a superplex, but Owens blocks it. Owens goes for a superplex of his own, but Balor gets off and kicks him in the face. Balor goes for a super hurricanrana, but Owens counters into a rolling senton off the second rope for a near fall! Owens goes to the top rope for a senton bomb, but Balor gets the knees up. Balor connects with Bloody Sunday for a near fall! Balor gets up in the corner and runs into a boot. Owens connects with a half nelson suplex for a near fall. Balor grabs his knee in pain. Owens pulls himself up looking furious. Owens shouts that Balor can’t beat him. Owens slaps him in the back of the head before Balor slaps him back. Owens goes for a Pop-up Powerbomb, but Balor gets out. Balor turns him inside out with a clothesline followed by a dropkick in the corner. Balor hits a corner dropkick and goes to the top rope for the Coup de Grace to end Owens’ 143-day reign as NXT Champion!
Winner and new NXT Champion: Finn Balor
Match Rating: *** 1/2
The referee hands Finn Balor the NXT Championship as streamers are thrown in the ring. Owens looks absolutely furious and incredulous as replays are shown of the highlights. Hideo Itami claps for Balor at ringside. Itami has mentioned that he wants to challenge the winner of this match when he is recovered. Tatsumi Fujinami, the WWE Hall of Famer, gets in the ring and raises the arm of Balor. Balor appears honored by this show of respect. Fujinami leaves the ring as Owens angrily approaches Balor. Balor looks at Owens before extending his hand. The crowd loudly chants, “NXT.” Owens disrespectfully waves his hand at Balor before leaving the ring to boos. Balor then bows to the crowd.
Seth Rollins will be on WWE Tough Enough this coming Tuesday on the USA Network. We see highlights of Tatsumi Fujinami being honored by Hideo Itami last night.
King Barrett and Kane vs. Dolph Ziggler and John Cena
Charles Robinson, the greatest referee of all time, is back for a third contest. Barrett and Ziggler will start the match off. Ziggler quickly grabs the leg, but Barrett doesn’t go down. Ziggler quickly rolls him up for a one count. Barrett applies a waistlock and takes him down for a one count. Ziggler twists through and applies a hammerlock. Ziggler quickly pins him for a one count. Ziggler applies a side headlock, but Barrett whips him off. Ziggler comes back with a shoulder block before hitting the ropes and rolling him up for a two count. Ziggler immediately dropkicks him down for a two count. Barrett quickly comes back with some elbows to the head before tagging Kane in. Kane elbows Ziggler before giving him an uppercut. Kane sends him into the ropes, but Ziggler slides through the legs and tags in John Cena. Cena slowly gets in the ring and wipes his feet on the mat. A “Let’s go Cena/Cena sucks,” chant breaks out. They lock up, and Kane shoves Cena back. They lock up again, and Kane once again shoves him back. Cena comes back and applies a side headlock. Kane tries to counter out, but Cena holds on. Kane whips him off, so Cena attempts a shoulder block. Kane doesn’t budge, so Cena tries again for the same result. Cena tries a third time, but Kane uppercuts him down. Barrett tags in and punches away at him. Barrett stomps Cena in the corner and yells at the referee. Barrett knees Cena in the midsection before applying a chin lock. Cena fights up and tries to tag Ziggler, but Barrett jumps on the back to wear him down some more. Cena begins to fade with the sleeper hold applied, but he soon powers up and backs him to the corner.
Kane is tagged in, and he hits Cena with a running forearm. Kane uppercuts him, but Cena fights back. Cena tries to lift Kane, but he collapses under his weight. Kane covers for a two count before body slamming him. Kane connects with a second body slam for a two count. Kane goes for a third body slam, but Cena slides off and punches Barrett off the apron. Kane immediately uppercuts Cena down for a near fall. Barrett is tagged in, and he stomps away at Cena. Barrett taunts Cena before covering him for a near fall. Barrett taunts the crowd before talking some trash. Cena fights up and punches back at him before having a whip reversed to the corner. Cena tries to slingshot over him, but Barrett kicks him in the ribs for a near fall. Barrett knees Cena in the back and applies a chin lock. Cena fights up, but he drops back down to a knee. Barrett holds the chin lock on for a while before Cena fights up again. Barrett jumps on Cena’s back, but Cena transitions into the Attitude Adjustment. Cena is too hurt to get to Ziggler. Kane is tagged in, and he goes for a Chokeslam, but Cena gets out. Cena gets him up on his shoulders, but Kane’s weight takes him down again. Kane picks up a near fall for that. Kane takes Cena down, lets out a sigh, and goes to the top rope. Kane connects with his flying lariat, which he hasn’t done on television in quite some time. That gets him a near fall. Kane looks frustrated with his inability to put Cena away. Kane then applies a chin lock. Ziggler tries to get the fans going. Cena fights up and kicks away at Kane. Cena knocks Barrett off the apron before running into a sidewalk slam from Kane for a near fall. Barrett is tagged in, and he stomps Cena before going to the second rope for an elbow drop and a two count. Barrett stares at Ziggler before taunting the crowd. Barrett goes to the second rope for another elbow drop, but Cena avoids it.
Ziggler is tagged in, and he ducks a clothesline before hitting one of his own. Ziggler connects with an avalanche before hitting the neckbreaker. Ziggler drops an elbow for a two count. Ziggler slides under a big boot and punches Kane. Ziggler then runs into a big boot from Barrett. Kane is tagged in, and he stomps away at Ziggler before knocking him out of the ring. Kane goes outside and stomps him before throwing him on the apron. Kane punches him before rolling in the ring and picking up a two count. Kane gets Ziggler to his feet and hits a delayed vertical suplex for a two count. Barrett is tagged in, and he stomps Ziggler before bouncing him in the corner. Barrett lays him across the top rope and clubs away at him. Barrett knees him in the midsection for a two count. Cena finally returns to the apron after taking time to recover. Barrett applies a surfboard stretch, but Ziggler fights up and punches out. Barrett tries to come back with Winds of Change, but Ziggler counters into a crucifix for a two count. Barrett immediately clotheslines him down before tagging Kane in, who picks up a near fall. Kane grabs him and sends him to the corner for a clothesline. Kane covers for a near fall. Kane applies a chin lock, but Ziggler eventually fights up and hits a jawbreaker. Ziggler goes for a famouser, but Kane counters into a powerbomb for a near fall. Barrett is tagged in, and he chokes Ziggler on the ropes. Barrett knees away at Ziggler before big booting him to the floor. Barrett distracts the referee as Kane attacks Ziggler outside. Barrett goes outside and drives Ziggler’s back into the apron. Barrett rolls him into the ring for a near fall. Barrett reapplies the chin lock. Ziggler tries to fight up, but Barrett cinches it in and grounds him. Ziggler fights up and punches out. Ziggler hits the ropes and kicks him in the face. Ziggler hits the ropes again, and Barrett takes him down with Winds of Change for a near fall. Barrett punches the mat in frustration before tagging Kane in. Kane uppercuts him before hitting a few splashes to the back. Ziggler eventually knees him in the crotch. A production miscue fires up before correcting itself. Barrett is tagged in, and he punches away at Ziggler for a two count. Barrett tags in Kane, and they hit Ziggler with a double back elbow for a near fall. Kane puts Ziggler in the corner and runs into an elbow. Kane catches him coming off the second rope with a Chokeslam attempt. Ziggler then takes him down with a big DDT.
Cena and Barrett are tagged in. Cena ducks a clothesline and hits a pair of shoulder tackles followed by a back suplex powerbomb. Cena connects with the 5 Knuckle Shuffle before trying for the AA. Kane runs in for a Chokeslam, but Cena gets out. Ziggler superkicks Kane before Cena hits him with an AA. Ziggler then superkicks Barrett before Cena drops him with an AA for the win.
Winners by Pinfall: Dolph Ziggler and John Cena
Match Rating: **
John Cena and Dolph Ziggler pose on the turnbuckles for the fans. Cena bows respectfully for the fans as he holds up his WWE United States Championship on America’s Independence Day. Cena holds Ziggler’s arm up as replays are shown of the final moments of the match. Cena and Ziggler shake hands with the fans as they head to the back. The show ends with the image of Finn Balor holding up his newly won NXT Championship.
———-
Quick Match Results
Chris Jericho def. Neville via Submission
Nikki Bella def. Paige and Tamina to retain the WWE Divas Championship
Brock Lesnar def. Kofi Kingston
Finn Balor def. Kevin Owens to win the NXT Championship
Dolph Ziggler and John Cena def. King Barrett and Kane
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