NXT Champion Kevin Owens vs. Finn Bálor - live from Tokyo on WWE Network this Saturday!
Finn Bálor will return to Japan this Saturday, where he first made a name for himself in the wrestling industry, to challenge Kevin Owens for the NXT Championship. The match will be broadcast live from Tokyo’s Sumo Hall on WWE Network as part of The Beast in The East: Live From Tokyo, an exclusive special featuring Brock Lesnar's first match since WrestleMania, John Cena, Chris Jericho and more!
The two previously clashed for the title on the March 25 edition of NXT. Bálor had emerged victorious from an eight-Superstar tournament to win the No. 1 Contendership, defeating Neville in the finals at TakeOver: Rival and looked primed to take the championship. The enigmatic Superstar threw nearly everything he had at the NXT Champion, including the sternum-crushing Coup de Grace, but Owens somehow survived and caught a charging Bálor with the Pop-up Powerbomb to retain his title.
Since their March encounter, Owens has been on a tear in NXT and on WWE’s main roster. The NXT Champion demolished Sami Zayn in their title rematch and made a career-defining statement at WWE Elimination Chamber when he defeated Cena cleanly in the middle of the ring.
Watch WWE Elimination Chamber on WWE Network | Follow Owens on the day of his big win
Though Owens defeated Bálor in their last encounter, Bálor has a bit of a home field advantage in Japan. He competed there for nearly a decade, starting as a young student sweeping the dojo floors and leaving a highly decorated champion. Plus, Bálor promised that Owens won’t be facing the same Superstar he stepped in the ring with in March, stating that the reigning NXT Champion will come face to face with a demon in Japan.
If the spectre of the demon lurking over his shoulder wasn't enough, Bálor became the first Superstar to pin Kevin Owens on NXT during a tag team battle on July 1. The surprising victory has many wondering if Bálor can turn in a repeat performance at Sumo Hall.
Can Kevin Owens continue his streak of dominance or will Finn Bálor bring about a dark reign as the new NXT Champion? Find out when WWE takes over Japan for The Beast in The East: Live From Tokyo this Saturday, live at 5:30 a.m. ET/2:30 a.m. PT, only on WWE Network!
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