The Beast in the East was a professional wrestling live event produced by the American promotion WWE. It took place on July 4, 2015, at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan in Sumida, Tokyo, Japan. In addition to its live broadcast on the WWE Network streaming service, J Sports also carried the event live in Japan.
Promotional poster featuring Brock Lesnar
Finn Bálor celebrating his victory after defeating Kevin Owens for the NXT Championship.
Ryōgoku Kokugikan , also known as Ryōgoku Sumo Hall or Kokugikan Arena, is the name bestowed to two different indoor sporting arenas located in Tokyo. The first Ryōgoku Kokugikan opened its doors in 1909 and was located on the premises of the Ekōin temple in Ryōgoku, Tokyo. Although no sumo bouts were held after 1945, following the capitulation of Japan and the requisition of the building by the occupying forces, the building itself remained active until 1983, being notably used by the Nihon University. The second Ryōgoku Kokugikan is currently located in the Yokoami neighborhood of Sumida next to the Edo-Tokyo Museum. It opened in 1985, following the closure of the Kuramae Kokugikan, and is still in use today.
Ryōgoku Kokugikan, 1909
Ryōgoku Kokugikan, view from the West with the Edo-Tokyo Museum in the background
Kokugikan commemorative postcard in 1909 surrounded by stable masters.
A view of the Kokugikan ring (1909), the suspended roof was of the Irimoya-zukuri style.