This is the first time ever there has been a live broadcast of a WWE "Live Event" on the WWE Network. The crowd is quite engaged, as they’re extremely loud for the first bout of the morning. Chris Jericho’s music starts to fill the arena, as the opening match begins.
Chris Jericho vs. Neville
Jericho has a new light up jacket and it looks like the best one yet. The crowd is popping huge for Y2J. Neville makes his way to the ring soon after. The Japanese fans are not strangers to either of these individuals as both men made their way through Japan on their way up the chain. The crowd is on their feet as a loud “Y2J, Y2J, Y2J” chant erupts. Both men lock up & they back up into a corner. Jericho starts wrenching the arm of his adversary. However, Neville’s able to escape, as they exchange a series of reverses. Jericho gives a belly to back suplex .
While on the mat Jericho crosses Neville’s legs, wraps his hand around his neck, with the other holding the legs, and rolls into a bow and arrow submission hold. The crowd is very alive for this one. Both men are on their feet and they lock up again. This time Neville wrenches the arm. Jericho reverses into his own are wrench, but Neville is able to flip out. He follows through with a dropkick and Jericho is on the outside. This match is absolutely electric. Neville bounces off the ropes, while Jericho meets him inside to back drop him over the top rope. Neville lands on the apron. Y2J then connects with his patented springboard dropkick from the middle rope. Neville falls to the outside and Jericho follows him. Jericho rolls him into the ring and climbs the turnbuckle. Jericho then lands a high cross body from the top rope. He follows up with a headlock. The crowd gets behind Neville, cheering him on “Let’s go Neville, let’s go Neville!” Neville escapes the headlock, but Jericho connects with a loud enziguri kick.
He then backs Neville into the corner. Jericho then delivers some Flair-like chops to Neville, while in the corner. He irish whips in to the opposite corner, but it’s reversed by Neville. Neville runs toward at him, but Y2J reverses with a big elbow. He then does his old school trademark lion heart pin, with his foot on his opponent, while he flexes his muscles and the ref counts. Neville kicks out to Jericho following up with a snap mare and a headlock. Neville escapes, but Jericho keeps bringing those Flair-like chops across Neville’s chest. With each one there are loud “Wooooos” from the audience. Neville starts to fight back with two quick spinning kicks to Jericho’s abdomen.
Neville then throws Jericho over the top rope, but Jericho hangs on and runs to the top rope. He jumps from the turnbuckle and connects with a Savage-like double axe handle. He then attempts the walls of Jericho, but Neville is able to counter. Y2J is now in the corner with repeated kicks coming to him from Neville. Irish whip from Neville to the opposite corner. He runs hard, only to be met with another elbow. Neville manages to find himself on the top rope and Y2J crotches him on the turnbuckles with some punches. Jericho then climbs up to the top rope to attempt a superplex, but Neville reverses it into Jericho landing stomach first to the mat. Neville still on the top rope, leaps off to end the match. Before he can connect, Jericho is able to roll out of it. Neville is quick though, as he also rolls out.
Neville rushes Jericho from the corner and connects with a hurricanrana, but Jericho is able to hold on and lock in the walls of Jericho. Neville continues to fight, until he finally can grab the bottom rope. The ref breaks them apart. Jericho runs at Neville, but Neville moves. Jericho goes right through the ropes to the outside math. Neville bounces off the ropes and flips over the top rope onto Y2J. The crowd pops huge for this move with a “This is awesome” chant. He rolls Y2J in and springboards off the top rope to connect with a Dynamite Kid-like dropkick., followed by a standing shooting-star press. Near-fall, but Jericho is able to kick out before the count of 3.
Neville then delivers some chops of his own, along with some kicks. Y2J is able to revers with another big elbow. He then runs and bounces off the middle rope to stick a quick looking lion sault, another near-fall. Another loud “Y2J” chant fills the arena. He throws Neville to the corner and charges to be met with a big boot from Neville. Neville hops to the top rope and springboards to Jericho, who capitalizing by sticking a huge code-breaker. Neville is able to kick out of the pinfall, but barely. Neville reverses a belly to back suplex and hits his own german suplex. Big super kick by Neville, then another while Y2J is on his knees. Neville then goes for the Red Arrow, but Jericho counters with knees to the stomach of Neville. He then locks in a liontamer submission lock with Neville tapping quick. Japan then gets extremely loud for the match once again. This was an awesome match. It was nice to see Jericho bring back moves from his past years working in Japan. This was a great way to open the show. It engaged the audience for the whole ride.
Winner by submission:
Chris Jericho
Divas Championship Match:
Paige vs. Tamina Snuka vs. Divas Champion Nikki Bella
Tamina attacks Nikki, while Paige also attacks Nikki. Tamina then punches Paige gains control with knees to Tamina’s chest while Tamina is on the ring apron. Nikki kicks Tamina, but Tamina is able to counter with a vertical suplex. Paige comes right into the mix with head butts to Tamina’s skull. There is then a double team from Nikki and Paige. The two then go at each other in the corner. Paige connects with repeated knees to Nikki’s face in the corner. Nikki is able to reverse Paige in the corner and connects with shoulder thrusts. Paige climbs the turnbuckle, Nikki also climbs the turnbuckle to set up a superplex, however Tamina makes her way back into the match to get between Nikki legs.
Nikki gives Paige a superplex, while subsequently Tamina gives Nikki a powerbomb. Tamina is in control and whip both divas into the same corner. She goes for a stinger splash, but both divas are able to move before she connects. Both divas start to double team Tamina. Then Paige and Nikki go at it again. Paige hits the Ram-Paige on Nikki. Nikki kicks out of the near-fall. A “Let’s go Nikki” chant begins to form, but doesn’t last long. Paige then follows through with her signature PTO submission hold. While locked in, Tamina comes out of nowhere with a superkick. Tamina then does a samoan drop to Nikki. She climbs to the top to stick a super-fly splash, but Nikki rolls out and hits a forearm to Tamina for the pinfall victory. It was nice to see each of the attacking each other throughout the match. However, the crowd was not nearly as engaged with this match as they were with the previous match.
It would have been much more fitting to have a match between two NXT women wrestlers. Nothing against the divas on the main roster, but there is a different element brought from the women in NXT. A match the caliber of Becki Lynch and Sasha Banks would have been a perfect fit for this show. Currently Becki is out of action due to straining her hip flexor, but there are other women from NXT such as second generation wrestler Charlotte, Bailey, and Emma. Paige was not a bad choice for the match-up, as she has shown she can wrestle many styles. Yet, her ability has also been tamed down since arriving on the main roster from NXT. It makes sense to have Nikki Bella on the show, as she’s representing the organization as the Divas Champion. The only thing is when you compare the current Divas Champion to the current NXT Women’s Champion one would think the current NXT Women’s Champion would be a more suitable representation for the WWE.
Winner by pinfall:
Divas Champion Nikki Bella
Kofi Kingston vs. Brock Lesnar
Surprising this one wasn’t the main event of the card, as the name is the “Beast in the East.” It’s worth noting that the New Day did not accompany Kofi Kingston to the ring. Same thing goes for Brock Lesnar with Paul Heyman. When Brock’s music hits the music the arena is explodes. Brock appears as intense as ever, while Kofi looks to be nervous and concerned. Brock rushes Kofi, but Kofi’s quickness allows him to rush outside. Brock’s on Kofi’s trail and Kofi rolls and attacks Brock first, but Brock quickly gains control of the situation with repeated standing knees to Kofi’s face, chest, and stomach.
He also connects with clubbing blows. Brock throws Kofi to the corner, but Kofi is able to land on the second rope. He jump to the top rope and flips into a cross body, but Brock catches him. Kofi reverses out of it and dropkick’s the Beast. Brock is knocked off one foot into the corner. Kofi runs at Brock, leaping at him, but Brock catches Kofi, spins him into position for a german suplex, and throws him backwards. However, Kofi flips mid-air to land on his feet. He then pulls a page out of the book of Jericho and connects with a springboard dropkick from the middle rope. He then gives another dropkick to Brock’s leg and his upper body.
Brock’s not selling it at all and only appears to be getting angrier. Kofi receives a huge german suplex from Brock, as he drops Kofi hard on his head. Then Kofi receives a release german suplex from Lesnar, followed by another release german suplex. As Kofi takes a trip to Suplex City the crowd gets behind him chanting “Kofi, Kofi, Kofi.” This was actually quite a loud pop. Kofi has done far better than anyone expected of him against a beast like Brock Lesnar. However, Lesnar picks Kofi up from the ground and delivers a F-5 for the pinfall victory.
Winner by pinfall:
Brock Lesnar
Kofi is crawling on the mat as Brock begins to exit. Brock notices this and re-enters the ring. He begins to circle Kofi before going in for the kill. He picks Kofi up and delivers yet another huge release german suplex. The crowd starts chanting “One more time, one more time, one more time.” Brock then picks Kofi up and gives him another F-5.
New Day finally decides to make an appearance, however their far too late. Either way, they rush the ring. Brock goes right through them. He gives a F-5 to Xavier Woods first, then a F-5 to the remaining member of New Day, Big E. The crowd’s pop is deafening, as Lesnar exits up the entrance way.
Owens is shown in back with his the NXT Championship. There is then a video package of Finn Balor returning to Japan and how happy he is to return to the land of the rising sun. There is also a package showing what Owens has brought to the table since appearing on the scene.
NXT Championship Match:
Finn Balor vs. NXT Champion Kevin Owens
Finn Balor brought the demon with him to the match. His entrance is one of the most unique in WWE history. The crowd is very pumped for this match. Owens makes his entrance and receives a rather large pop as well. Hideo Itami is shown sitting in the audience. There are women with flowers in the ring. Flowers are handed to each of the wrestlers competing in tonight’s championship match. As soon as he’s given the flowers, Owens throws them to the outside. A sign of disrespect for the Japanese tradition before championship matches. Finn Balor’s name is called and a flood of colorfulers from every angle are thrown from the crowd into the ring, as a sign of respect for the individual.
This is also a Japanese tradition similar to the one involving flowers. Owens spent two months in Japan, never to return until now. Balor wrestled in Japan for eight years, reaching legendary status. The bell rings and the match starts. Finn rushes Owens with a running jumping dropkick. Owens flies back first into the corner and land back first to the mat. Finn climbs to the top turnbuckle to set up the Coup De Grace finish, but Owens rolls to the outside. Finn follows and rolls Owens in, but Owens is able to take control. Loud “NXT” chants fill the arena, as Owens whips Balor and Balor reverses it with an attempted dropkick to follow. Owens hangs on the ropes and goes to the outside. Finn is relentless as he hits Owens with a baseball slide to the outside. Balor then throws Owens to the barricade, then another running dropkick.
He rolls Owens back into the ring and Owens is on his feet. Balor chops Owens, along with elbows. Balor then bounces off the ropes with a cross body to Owens, but he’s caught in mid-air. Owens swings Finn’s body around his, catches legs with his arm, and slams Balor to the mat. After punches from the mat, both men are standing. Owens gives a stiff chop, but Balor returns the favor. Both of them have a stiff exchange. Owens is receiving a lot of heat from crowd and continues to taunt the crowd. Headlock from Owens, as the crowd is cheering for Balor to make a comeback. Finn’s quickness allows him to be on offense with a series of escapes. Finn attempts a springboard dropkick, but Owens punches him before he can springboard. Owens goes to the outside and whips Balor into the steps. Balor rolls in, but Owens lands a standing before Balor can stand.
Owens with a snap mare, followed by another headlock. Balor escapes again, and irish whips Owens to set up a back drop, but Owens is able to do a sunset flip over Balor. Balor rolls out and connects with a dropkick to Owens, as Owens is sitting. Both men are on their feet. Owens goes through the Cena move-set. He lands the spinning back drop, and five-knuckle shuffle. However, Balor is able to escape the attitude adjustment. Owens in the corner receives chops from Finn. Finn gives him an irish whip to the opposite corner with more chops. Another irish whip reversed, with Balor leaps over with Owens catches him midway through the pop-out. Finn escapes again, and Owens rolls outside. Balor runs the ropes and flips over the top onto Owens. Owens rolls into the ring, as does Finn. Finn then connects a lifting scorpion death-drop.
Balor on the top rope, but misses the Coup De Grace again. Owens gives a release german suplex to Balor and does a cannonball to Balor in the corner. Balor is able to kick out of a near-fall. Finn then connect with his patented sling blad. He climbs up to the top rope again, but Owens crotches him. Balor delivers punches to Owens, Owens with headbutts while Balor is still on the top turnbuckle. Balor kicks Owens and lands the Coup De Grace and Owens barely kicks out of the near-fall. The crowd is very much engaged with this match, as they should be. Owens is barely moving and Finn is on his feet. He picks up Owens up into the corner, then a flurry of punches. He then lifts Owens up onto the top turnbuckle. He attempts a superplex, but Owens punches and clubs his back. Finn with a side kick while Owens is on top, Finn climbs up and Owens picks him up on his shoulders and rolls from the top rope into a senton. A “This is awesome” chant breaks out among the crowd. Balor gets up to give knees to Owens, then a guillotine suplex.
Loudly the crowd chant’s “Let’s go Balor.” Owens gives a giant superkick and a guillotine suplex of his own. Owens slaps Finn with another sign of disrespect, but Finn returns the favor shortly thereafter. Finn then turns Owens inside out with a huge clothesline. Owens then near the corner, receives a giant running dropkick from Finn. Owens deflects off the corner lays back first on the ground. Balor climbs to the top turnbuckle and sticks another Coup De Grace for the pinfall victory. There a new NXT Champion and his name is Finn Balor.
Winner by pinfall:
New NXT Champion Finn Balor
Arena comes completely unglued at this point. Finn is visually overwhelmed with emotion. Owens looks to be very upset by the loss. Hideo is shown again at ringside as he has made it known he wants the championship. WWE Hall of Famer Tatsumi Fujinami is now in the ring to congratulate the new NXT Champion Finn Balor and Balor bows as a sign of respect. Fujinami leaves the ring, but Owens is still in the ring. He looks to be on fire and very angered by the outcome of this match. Balor and Owens stand face to face, as Balor extends his hand.
Owens stands for a second, but exits the ring waiving his at the champion. Finn Balor is shown in the crowd celebrating on the barricade. He’s celebrating the entire way up the entrance. It’s very surprising this match didn’t close the show, as the next match to follow would not stack up in comparison. This was such a great match and deserved to close the show. Now that Owens doesn’t have the NXT Championship he has room for a new championship. Maybe at Battleground he’ll win the United States Championship by beating John Cena. Now that he can devote all his focus to winning that championship this scenario may be more than likely.
King Barrett and Kane vs. Dolph Ziggler and the United States Champion John Cena
Dolph Ziggler and King Barret start this match. Ziggler wraps his arms around Barrett’s legs. Barrett’s able to take control. There is an exchange between the two. Ziggler with a headlock and Barrett whips him, but Ziggler connects with a shoulder tackle. Barrett’s back up and he connects with big elbows, then a guillotine. Tag to Kane and Kane whips Ziggler, but Ziggner slides under Kane and is able to make the tag to John Cena. There is a loud “Let’s go Cena, Cena sucks” chant. Kane locks up with Cena and over powers him. They then lock up again, but Kane is still able to overpower him. Cena locks in a headlock.
When Kane gets out he gives an uppercut. Punches by Cena, followed by a body slam. Kane is too heavy and mid slam John falls to his back, but is able to kick out of the near-fall. Kane picks up Cena, but knocks him back down to the mat. He tags Barrett. Barrett follows with punch and kicks. Barrett then tags Kane. Very lacklust match thus far. Especially following the 3 matches earlier on the card. Kane gives a big kick to Cena, then another headlock. The crowd is clapping and cheering to help get Cena back to his feet from the headlock. However, the cheering doesn’t last long and most of the energy has been taken out of the crowd by the prior match. Cena goes for an attitude adjustment, but can’t hold Kane on his shoulders. He falls face first to the ground, while lifting Kane. Kane climbs to the top rope and delivers a flying clothesline.
Kane hasn’t done this move for quite some time, understandably so. It’s a move that should be rarely used by the big man. It just goes to show how special this event truly is. Kane then locks in a chin lock. This match is full of rest holds. Cena is able to escape, but receives a sidewalk slam from Kane. Kane then tags Barrett. Barrett is able to land a flying elbow from the top rope. Barrett misses the follow-up and Cena tags Ziggler. Ziggler bursts out of the corner and gives a jawbreaker. He then attempts fameasser but it’s reversed into a powerbomb. Kane tried giving a chokeslam to his opponent, but Ziggler was able to reverse into a ddt. He then tags Cena back into this match. Cena fires out of his corner with his signature moves. He gives a five-knuckle shuffle. Kane makes his way in and is on the receiving end of a superkick from Dolph Ziggler. John Cena then lifts Barrett up for an Attitude Adjustment for the pinfall victory.
Winner by pinfall:
Dolph Ziggler and United States Champion John Cena
An amazing event! The crowd was exceptionally engaged throughout. The match line-up could have been better, but that doesn’t take away from how important and special this truly was. It was also made to feel like a big deal. Hopefully in the years to come there will be more special events like this broadcast live on the WWE Network. This was the first of its kind and has opened a new gateway for the future of WWE live events.