10 Greatest Title Changes In NXT History
3. Finn Bálor Beats Kevin Owens – Beast In The East
You might say that Beast In The East was kind of the precursor to the Saudi Arabia shows, in the sense that it was a show held in a different country where not much happened in terms of main roster continuity.
However, the one thing that actually did matter on this show really did matter. A lot.
Finn Bálor was definitely one of NXT’s most popular stars in 2015, but he was going up against another one of the promotion’s top stars, Kevin Owens, in an NXT title match in Tokyo.
The event was sort of a homecoming for Bálor, who had made his name in New Japan Pro Wrestling as Prince Devitt, the original leader of the Bullet Club.
With the Japanese crowd firmly behind him, Bálor put on a great match with the help of Owens; the two men have very different, yet very well-matched styles, which led to a well-balanced and exciting match-up.
It was The Demon King who walked away victorious, pinning Owens after a second Coup De Grace to capture NXT’s top title and begin a reign that still stands as the longest in the title’s history.
Bálor’s title reign defined an era of NXT, and it all started on this night in Japan. Combine that with Bálor’s popularity at the time - and the fact it took place in his second home of Tokyo - and you have the recipe for a truly memorable title win.