I don’t know if I ever personally enjoyed the concept of WWE Night of Champions because if there are champions in your company, they should be defending their championships at the big event. It should honestly be special circumstances when they don’t. While the WWE hasn’t considered the 30 day Jack Tunney rule for years (see our article on Nikki Bella and AJ Lee) it still doesn’t feel right that fans have to wait for September to see all the titles on the line on the same night.
That said, it ended up working brilliantly for the Seth Rollins situation. Here’s a guy who has been getting away with victories by the skin of his teeth and now has more gold than anyone else. As a double champion, it’s usual for them to drop one of the titles immediately or in recent history try to merge the two (the WWE World United States Championship?) but after the example set by Jay Lethal in Ring of Honor, it looks like Seth Rollins is planning to prove his meddle and that he’s not some outclassed champion. He’s having to put his championships where his mouth is because Night of Champions means all titles are on the line, and he’s going to have to work a double shift.
It’s kind of interesting though how excited some fans are about this show. Almost 10 years ago, on January 15, 2006, you could have watched Sting in the main event of Total Nonstop Action’s Final Resolution pay per view with the Dudley Boyz (known as Team 3D) in the midcard. Sting had already been wrestling for 15 years at that point. The Dudley Boyz were fresh out of the WWE. Fast forward to five years later in 2011 to say, TNA Lockdown and you got Sting wrestling for the TNA Heavyweight championship while Bubba Ray and D-Von work in different matches. All still on the card. That’s four years ago! Yet because it was in TNA it was stale and done. In WWE it’s fresh. I’m not even complaining kudos to the WWE for making what was once archaic and turning it fresh and new again. It’s just… how far can you go with Sting in the main event for the WWE World Heavyweight championship in 2015? He’s fighting at Night of Champions for the World title in 2015, despite wrestling at the Clash of Champions for the NWA in 1989 for the World title. That was 27 years ago! Talk about turning back the clocks.
WWE Night of Champions comes to you live from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas live on WWE Network and pay per view where provided. Kickoff at 7PM EST.
WWE NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS KICKOFF
THE COSMIC WASTELAND VS. NEVILLE AND THE LUCHA DRAGONS
WINNERS
Aaron, Adam, Jeff and Rich: The Cosmic Wasteland
Shawn: Neville and the Lucha Dragons
WHO SCORES THE PINFALL OR SUBMISSION
Aaron and Rich: Stardust
Adam and Jeff: Konnor
Shawn: Neville
WHO IS PINNED/SUBMITTED
Aaron, Rich and Jeff: Sin Cara
Adam: Kalisto
Shawn: Konnor
THOUGHTS by Jeff DeHaan: I like Neville and I like the Lucha Dragons but I feel like this is the start of a sort of rebirth for the Ascension. Their main roster debut was handled poorly and flopped. It wasn’t entirely their fault. Fans didn’t want to see them take on jobbers, and they should have had a mouthpiece right off the bat. Now they do, in the form of Stardust. The Dragons were recently fighting for the tag titles and, in my opinion, are in a slightly better position than Ascension, so I feel like the Cosmic Wasteland could use the win more. Also, I’m a big fan of Cody Rhodes work.
WWE WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
THE DUDLEY BOYZ VS. THE NEW DAY (c)
WINNERS
Aaron, Shawn, Rich and Jeff: The New Day
Adam: The Dudley Boyz
WHO SCORES THE PINFALL OR SUBMISSION
Aaron, Rich and Jeff: Big E
Adam: Bubba Ray Dudley
Shawn: Kofi Kingston
WHO IS PINNED/SUBMITTED
Aaron, Rich and Jeff: D-Von
Adam: Kofi Kingston
Shawn: Bubba Ray Dudley
WILL A TABLE BE BROKEN
Aaron, Shawn, Rich and Jeff: Yes
Adam: No
THOUGHTS by Adam Contant: The Dudleys are back and it feels like they never left. People are still willing to believe that the Dudleys are one of the top teams in the world, likely because they are. While the New Day have been on fire the last few months, Bubba and D-Von are hot right now, and there is no need to make them chase the belts. The WWE tag team division needs a good veteran team tohelp elevate all these younger duos (and in the case of New Day, trios). The Dudleys can be that team. Having the young studs chase them until the right team (likely the Usos or Prime Time Players) finally have the torch passed to them gives Bubba and D-Von the chance to teach other teams, while providing viewers with fresh match ups. They might try to have the New Day cheat to retain and try to milk the heroes return a little while longer, but I think WWE needs to establish that these guys are back, and they can hang with the younger teams.
RUSEV VS. DOLPH ZIGGLER
WINNER
Aaron, Jeff and Rich: Rusev
Adam, Shawn: Dolph Ziggler
WILL SUMMER RAE GET INVOLVED
Aaron, Adam, Shawn, Rich and Jeff: Yes
WILL LANA GET INVOLVED
Aaron, Adam and Jeff: Yes
Shawn and Rich: No
THOUGHTS by Aaron Wrotkowski: According to some reports, the WWE has finally realized that Rusev and Lana just don’t work so well apart. Despite the fact the breakup allowed Rusev to show more character, it’s quite obvious that no matter how much the WWE tries, Dolph Ziggler and Lana have no chemistry together. With Lana out with an injury, it could put a freeze to her pro wrestling career but not her work as a manager. Summer Rae and Dolph Ziggler just work way better together, same to Rusev and Lana. It’s time to right the wrong’s and have Rusev and Lana re-aligned, while Summer Rae and Dolph Ziggler blonde it up. Heck, I’d even be okay with Rusev and Dolph Ziggler finding common ground and becoming an odd couple tag team. Imagine a feud between them and The New Day. Comedy gold!
WWE INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP
KEVIN OWENS VS. THE RYBACK (c)
WINNER
Aaron, Rich and Jeff: Kevin Owens
Adam and Shawn: The Ryback
THOUGHTS by Rich Laconi: This has been a good feud that will keep going after this match, albeit with Owens as champion. Ryback has had a good run here despite his injury but Owens needs to come through on his promises sooner or later. Taking the IC title off Ryback will legitimize his character a bit more and continue his development as one the WWE’s top pure heels. Ryback looks better as a face chasing the title, but I think he’s about to cool off and be bullied by Owens for a bit.
WWE UNITED STATES CHAMPIONSHIP
JOHN CENA VS. SETH ROLLINS (c)
WINNER
Aaron, Adam, Shawn and Jeff: John Cena
Rich: Seth Rollins
WILL THERE BE INTERFERENCE
Aaron, Adam, Rich and Shawn: No
Jeff: Yes
THOUGHTS by Aaron Wrotkowski: If we want to put the stakes up high for Seth Rollins, it starts with having him lose to John Cena. Cena putting Rollins through the ringer and cutting him off from trying to take the easy way out ensures a gassed, tired, exhausted Rollins in time to face the legendary Sting. Rollins reign has all been about… wait for it… wait for it… OVERCOMING THE ODDS. So it makes all the sense for the original Odds Overcomer to take back his United States championship while Seth Rollins with one shoulder a little naked heads to the main event to prove everyone wrong.
WWE DIVAS CHAMPIONSHIP
IF THE CHAMPION IS COUNTED OUT OR DISQUALIFIED, THE CHALLENGER WINS THE TITLE
CHARLOTTE VS. NIKKI BELLA (c)
WINNER
Aaron: Nikki Bella
Adam, Shawn, Rich and Jeff: Charlotte
WILL THE DIVAS CHAMPIONSHIP SWITCH HANDS
Aaron: No
Adam, Shawn, Rich and Jeff: Yes
THOUGHTS by Rich Laconi: After the Dusty finish on RAW last Monday Night, Charlotte is poised to finally claim what is rightfully hers. While it may seem like a choice that is almost too predictable, if the Divas Revolution is going to gain a second wind here, the strap needs to change hands. Charlotte can celebrate Monday Night, with Paige continuing her heel turn and pushing for a title shot.
SIX MAN TAG TEAM MATCH
THE WYATT FAMILY VS. 2/3 SHIELD WITH MYSTERY PARTNER
WHO IS THE MYSTERY PARTNER
Aaron and Rich: Erick Rowan
Adam and Jeff: Randy Orton
Shawn: Samoa Joe
WINNERS
Aaron, Adam, Rich and Jeff: The Wyatt Family
Shawn: 2/3 Shield and Samoa Joe
THOUGHTS by Jeff DeHaan: Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose have gotten their victory over the Wyatts already, the Wyatts need the win more. Especially as this will be the first pay-per-view for Braun Strowman, the Wyatts need the win. That’s why I don’t see the mystery partner being a debut or huge return, because I see the Wyatts getting the win.
NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS MAIN EVENT
WWE WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
STING VS. SETH ROLLINS (c)
WINNER
Aaron, Rich and Jeff: Seth Rollins
Adam and Shawn: Sting
WILL THERE BE INTERFERENCE
Aaron, Shawn, Rich and Jeff: Yes
Adam: No
THOUGHTS by Adam Contant: A lot of people have been rolling their eyes at the thought of this match, especially with the World Heavyweight Championship on the line. Many see this as a test for Sting, but I feel like it is an even bigger test for Seth Rollins. Rollins will need to really show what he can do in order to elevate this match to main event status. I believe he can. As for my choice of winner, I think WWE not only wants to have Sting on their record books as a former champion, but I think it will be used only as a means to two ends. First, to have Triple H lose faith in Seth and push them closer to a feud, and secondly, to give Sheamus a babyface to cash in his Money In The Bank briefcase against. I believe that’s exactly what will happen tonight. Sheamus still has failed to make a huge impact since returning despite being at the top of his game. Robbing a beloved legend of his moment in the sun will hopefully give him some of the heat he needs while getting rid of the albatrose around his neck that is the briefcase.
BONUS
HOW MANY CHAMPIONSHIPS WILL SWITCH HANDS
Aaron, Shawn and Rich: 2
Adam: 4
Jeff: 3
HOW MANY MATCHES WILL END “CLEAN”
Aaron: 1
Adam: 7
Shawn: 5
Jeff: 2
Rich: 3
WILL RANDY ORTON RETURN ON NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS
Aaron, Rich and Shawn: No
Adam and Jeff: Yes
WILL THERE BE ANY DEBUTS (NOT COUNTING A DEBUT IN WYATT FAMILY VS. 2/3 SHIELD IF ONE HAPPENS)
Aaron, Adam, Shawn, Rich and Jeff: No
