WWE ‘Beast in the East’ Results: Brock Lesnar Returns to Japan, Kevin Owens vs. Finn Balor NXT Title Match, Cena, Ziggler, Chris Jericho & More

JOHN CENA & DOLPH ZIGGLER vs. KING BARRETT & KANE

It’s Ziggler kicking things off with King Barrett. The heels inevitably end up working him over until they make the hot tag to John Cena, who falls into the exact same role. Barrett works a headlock. The incredibly slow build towards tagging in Ziggler takes about five minutes. Ziggler sells for a few minutes, then Cena tags in and sells for even longer. There’s been about 30 seconds of offense by a babyface in this match total. Kane pulling out the vintage top rope clothesline on John for two. Barrett in to pick apart Cena with super exciting elbows… Eventually they make the all-important hot tag to Ziggler AND…he immediately starts selling to the heels. Dolph counters the Winds of Change with nice crucifix roll-up for two, but runs into a huge lariat (you know, because we’re in Japan). They seriously do the transition from Dolph, to Cena, back to Dolph, and then back to Cena over the course of the next ten minutes, with maybe 2-3 moves of offense from either the entire time. At about the 20-minute mark Cena makes the hot tag like he’s a spring chicken, does his usual series of moves, and drops Barrett with the AA for the win. Great. 

Winners: John Cena & Dolph Ziggler

 -Ziggler and Cena celebrating with the fans. No Kevin Owens run-in. Just your typical house show exit. The show ends with a video of Balor celebrating with the NXT Championship instead of the actual match ending the show. Makes zero sense. 

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