The WWE Network aired its first live performance from Tokyo,
Japan. Labelled after Brock Lesnar, the jewel in the crown, it taught us
nothing new about the Beast Incarnate. It did reveal that WWE is aware of
sensitivities surrounding the way it delivers stories and conclusions. Here we
learnt a lot about the WWE and its self-awareness.
As some of you will know from my autobiography Balls To You, I’m no stranger to
wrestling. My father competed in Germany but his career was sadly cut short
before he had the opportunity to travel further afield. I was did get to
visit Japan with my band. Whilst there I was fortunate enough to see some
wrestling events. I’m confident in the coming days much will be made of the
Japanese crowd from this Saturday. It didn’t surprise me.
Just like their in-ring action, the Japanese audience is a
constant conveyor belt of excitement and flow. Consider the westerners that
have won them over in the past – like Chris Jericho – observe the style
they used to do it, and you’ll get an idea of how high octane means something
different there. They also buy more into action as opposed to soap opera
finishes.
We now know WWE were aware of this and didn’t dare “cheat”
the intelligent fans. It would have been easier for WWE creative to throw a few
dodgy finishes in. They like to do it so much on TV because it can get the
result they desire while keeping both competitors looking strong. In reality it
just makes us at home groan and invalidates any result. In Tokyo they took
their balls out of their mother’s purse and went for clean outcomes all show.
First up was the aforementioned Jericho against Neville. This
was always going to be a clean match. It was also one of the hardest to call.
We’ve witnessed Y2J pass the torch so many times (bet he ponders that Fandango
one now) that it seemed probable he was here to put Neville over. But in what
would set the marker for the rest of the night, WWE acknowledged Japanese
support for the talent on show. Jericho cut his teeth as the Lionheart and the
fan base in Tokyo got the win they wanted. It was a classic of a match,
finished off with the LionTamer, minutes earlier Neville was subjected to what
I reckon is the most painful Walls of Jericho ever seen.
The Divas followed and, not to be flippant, what I learnt
here is that I’ve lost my faith in the division. It was actually a decent match
but the characters, barring Paige, are flat. And there is no story. It’s time
to introduce the NXT Divas to liven the division up.
The title and presumed spectacle of the show entered in the
middle of it to face the formidable opponent of Kofi Kingston. That was said
with a slight hint of sarcasm. Still, this match did reveal that WWE would
avoid any interference. The New Day members allowed the match to play fair –
all four minutes of it. Kofi barely passed through Suplex City before the F5
ended his day. After the match his pals did arrive before also finding the mat
the hard way. Fast as it was, it’s always a privilege to see Lesnar.
Next was match of the night, in terms of anticipation and
delivery, for the NXT Championship. Finn Balor faced current champ Kevin Owens.
Now, what did we learn? First off you need to ask: what do you think needed to
happen? Kevin Owens has outgrown NXT, he already is part of the main roster. So
there needed to be a way to drop the belt and remain looking strong. Another
problem with this is Balor himself is ready for promotion to Raw.
It was the fight where WWE Creative most needed a get out of
jail free card. But Tokyo rules meant no such luck. They had to revert to
traditional action with an undisputed result. Owens mocking Cena’s move set
gives a new narrative, that he was no longer focused on the NXT Championship.
That the inevitable moment Balor took the 1-2-3 Owens was already moving onto
his next “proper” match. It doesn’t entirely work for me. Cena should surely
beat a man put away by Balor? But that doesn’t take away from how good this
match was.
This review could end here really. We learnt – or
saw – nothing new from the tepid main event that was King Barrett and Kane vs
John Cena and Dolph Ziggler. There was no Kevin Owens appearance to hurt Cena. Again,
WWE played it clean. The result was predictable. You know which Goldenboy got
the pin. He paraded around afterward with the man that should have been main
eventing by now. Instead Ziggler stands in purgatory. At this point his career
hangs by a thread. Unfulfilled in WWE and too big to wander elsewhere. This is
why WWE needs a major rival.
WWE Tokyo showed us the writers do understand fan frustration
with questionable finishes and when required they can put on a great, clean
show. Good matches are always better with endings that don’t leave the fans
feeling robbed. Let’s hope we see more WWE on-the-road events via the network.
