10 Lessons WWE Learned For The Future From Tokyo

5. John Cena Is WWE's Most Valuable Asset

The WWE World Heavyweight Championship was not defended at Beast In The East because Seth Rollins was not in attendance. This was a top-tier WWE event, and the most notable name on the show wasn't the Heavyweight Champion of the World, rather it was the United States Champion John Cena. In regards to WWE's global branding, it's Cena likely moreso than any other WWE performer who is most valuable to the company, a point showcased on this event. For as much as WWE made certain that everyone knew Finn Balor's story and told the people to expect that Balor would get a superstar response in Tokyo (which he did), it was when Cena's entrance theme hit that the crowd really went crazy. While many WWE fans may decry Cena's standing as a top performer, he's certainly captivating. Japanese fans believing that John Cena sucks, but still knowing enough to eagerly anticipate his rare entrance into the Sumo Hall says everything. So, while we may want to see Cena shuttled out of the company because he's a less than gifted in-ring technician, his true value is in his ability to compel people into seats every 18 inches. Now arguably on a level comparable to Hulk Hogan in that regard, Cena's special.