WWE Night of Champions preview and predictions
Six days removed from the 2008 WWE Draft Lottery (which is neither a draft, nor a lottery -- discuss) is the second-annual Night of Champions Pay-Per-View, the first of which was more memorable for what happened in a house down in Atlanta while the show was going on than it was for anything that happened at the actual show.
This year's show actually has some potential to build on the draft and set up some interesting stories for the coming year. Here's my thoughts and predictions.
WWE Title: Triple H vs. John Cena. Internet reports claim that this was to be their "blowoff match," originally set for SummerSlam but moved up to Night of Champions when the draft moved HHH to Raw. Being the "blowoff" match, I'm guessing that means that Cena was to win the title. The fact that HHH is moving to SmackDown (which already has Edge as a champion, something I don't see changing at the PPV) means a title switch would be logical.
Perhaps WWE will do their trademark "swerve for the sake of a swerve" and keep the title on HHH at the PPV, then switch it to Cena on Raw, since Monday's Raw showed us that as usual, WWE cares about ratings more than PPV buyrates. One way or another, look for a new champion to be crowned, and hopefully that will be the catalyst of a slow Cena heel turn that's YEARS overdue.
By the way, what would I do if I were booking? I'd have HHH retain at the PPV in a hard-fought war, only to have CM Punk come out and cash in Money in the Bank, winning the title and becoming Raw's savior.
World Title: Edge vs. Batista. The feud has no steam or purpose anyway, and especially with Batista going to Raw, I think Edge retains.
ECW Title: Kane vs. Big Show vs. Mark Henry. Logic would dictate that Henry wins, since he's the only ECW guy here.
US Title: Matt Hardy vs. Chavo Guerrero. Putting the title on Chavo would make absolutely no sense whatsoever. His ECW Title reign was the proverbial "fart in church" and taking the title off Matt so soon would negate any bump he got from winning the title.
You know what I'd like to see happen? I'd love to see Big Show win the ECW Title and Matt Hardy retain the IC title, then they do a backstage segment where the following happens:
Matt: "You're the ECW Champion."
Big Show: "You're the US Champion."
Matt: "But you're on SmackDown."
Big Show: "And you're on ECW."
Then they look at each other for a second and trade belts.
Now THAT would be funny.
IC Title: Chris Jericho vs. Mystery Opponent. I don't believe this has been officially announced yet, but I'm hoping that (a) the Mystery Opponent is NOT Shawn Michaels -- why give such a hot match away unannounced??? -- and (b) Jericho loses the title. The IC belt means nothing on Jericho -- there's a reason he hasn't worn it in recent memory. And for the record, it would mean even less on Michaels.
World Tag Titles: Holly and Rhodes vs. DiBiase and ??? -- I'd love to see either Rhodes turn on Holly to be the mystery partner, or DH Smith return to win the titles with DiBiase. Either way, expect a title change.
P.S. -- I think the formation of a "next generation" type group (imagine one with DH Smith, DiBiase Jr, Cody Rhodes and Natalya Neidhart, and possibly led by Randy Orton once he returns -- or how about Carlito???) could be absolute money.
WWE Tag Titles: Miz and Morrison vs. Finlay & Hornswoggle. I'm guessing Miz and Morrison retain in a comedy match, mostly because there's already so many other probably title switches at this show.
Women's Title: Mickie James vs. Katie Burchill: I'm guessing Mickie retains. Same reason as above.
Divas Title: Natalya vs. ??: Will this match happen? It's not listed on WWE.com right now, though it's been discussed ... I see Natalya going over if it does ...
So what do you think?
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Comments (12)
Has any event gone by since WrestleMania XXIV where fans didn't predict the Money in the Bank briefcase would be cashed in?
If HHH loses the title, then I suspect Edge will cost him, but I could see both Edge and HHH retaining their respective championships until the fans stop thinking of Friday Night Smackdown! as the "B-show."
Maybe The Ultimate Warrior's in-ring return has only just begun? He could win the WWE Intercontinental title in the same fashion he won his first IC title, and then abdicate the belt immediately like he did for NWE.
Except, WWE.com has no mention of an IC title defense or the WWE Divas championship so maybe WWE is looking to promote an event where "every match has a title on the line," instead of one where "every title is on the line." I think 9 matches in 3 hours is a bit much. We get enough short, meaningless matches on WWE-TV, so the pay-per-views should have lengthy, quality matches.
If you thought Kane would move to RAW because he was the ECW World champion, then why would you backstep and assume Mark Henry is a lock to win the match?
Last year's event saw only two new champions crowned (Johnny Nitro and Candice Michelle) so I would be surprised if there were more than 2-3 new champions crowned this year.
Not only should HHH lose the title, Edge should cost him the title. Having HHH chase Edge would be absolutely ba$nk (money in the bank).
Speaking of ba$nk, the only flaw with your CM Punk idea, is that Cena would lose to a guy going to SD! and since CMP hasn't been in the spotlight a whole lot, I think the general consensus will be "who's this guy?" The Night of Champions will be a successful build after the draft without having the ba$nk cashed. Plus, the longer CMP holds that briefcase, the longer he's got some sort of long standing gimmick.
What I would do, is have Cena win, hoist the title, then have CMP appear on the runway holding the briefcase in the air teasing the ba$nk. That'll provide a great hook for RAW. Also, it'll take some of the spotlight away from Cena, which would move him closer to that heel turn.
As for Edge v. Batista, Friday night looked like a sort of Evolution reunion with both HHH and Batista in the ring holding title belts. Edge can't go over clean here, but I agree, I wouldn't put the title on Batista (mainly because he doesn't need it).
So how do we accomplish Batista looking strong, but not winning? And how do we do it without a cop out finish? Well, you set something up for Edge (which we have already with him coming later in the night costing HHH the title) or we set something up for Batista.
So who's on RAW that can keep Batista occupied for the next month or so? I think the obvious choice would be JBL. Have JBL cost Batista the title and have them feud til SummerSlam.
In ECW, I liked your Big Show-Matt Hardy switch idea. It would be simple, but epic. Matt v Chavo could be real epic btw. And having Chavo win brings more gold to La Familia.
I can not believe Jericho is fighting a "mystery opponent". You have someone as talented as him and we get no build up? Like seriously. My pick is Rey Mysterio btw, and I think he goes over so Jericho can finally move into the main event picture. My second pick is Burchill with the same result, Jericho losing.
Rhodes turning on Holly would be great, but then Holly needs to then find a new partner and an already weak tag division would get weaker. What COULD be funny, is have Rhodes turn on Holly and then have Holly find a new partner every week, only to lose to Rhodes & DiBiase every week which results in Holly beating up his partner.
Miz and Morrison v. the Irish family... /snooze.
I'd love to see Katie go over in an upset with a little help from Paul. Imagine Paul and Katie both winning gold? The more I think of it, the more I like it.
I think Vicki Guerrero will win the Divas title. Because stupider things have happened. But if you want a strong first champion, then you go with Victoria.
I'm seeing a swerve. Not just for the sake of a swerve though, but because it will shock me and make me feel like I can't predict what's happening next. Swerving for the sake of swerving is Russo type booking - as much as I like Russo - the current WWE doesn't swerve as nearly as much as they used to.
Anyway, I see a swerve because otherwise, whatever happens, the main event will be too predictable otherwise. If Edge wins, the crowd will fully be expecting Cena to win. And it could kill the atmosphere. So I either see Cena kicking out of everything HHH has to throw at him, and hopefully getting the crowd into the nearest of near falls, or HHH retaining - possibly on the botched interference of Edge.
This spawns loads of possibilities. I'd end the ECW talent exchanges (They can't draw many ratings if there's no stars exclusive to their show and nothing much happens other than good wrestling) and have Kane retain. If they want to build ECW up a bit more, leave it's title on Raw for a month with Kane. At the same time, the entire Raw roster gets behind CM Punk as their saviour. Main eventers, both heel and face, try to get into his head and ask him to cash it in as soon as possible, because he is otherwise their only oppurtunity to ever be a world champion again.
Have Edge and HHH both have seperate opponents on Smackdown for their title - but have Punk announce that he's cashing in at GAB - but he doesn't know for which one yet. Edge can screw over Jeff or someone, while HHH can pull out a victory against Khali for instance. The build up on Raw will be around building CM Punk in the quickest amount of time, gaining victories over top guys, and all the while having help from other top guys. The question surrounding Punk is 'does he need the help?' or can he pull it off by himself. I know a month would be pretty soon to give Punk a world title shot, but they done it with JBL, and this is the only way I can see everyone being successfully surprised with the outcome of NOC, while still having Raw get something of a world title build up.
You could then go two ways. Keep him face and have him beat Edge at GAB - either with a shock victory during a back and forth match, or reluctantly taking the help of the Raw roster that comes to help him. Even have him do the honorable thing by making Edge's match a triple threat because his only addiction is competition or something. Or turn him heel and have him pick the bones of a beaten down HHH. Have him announce that it will be a no disqualification match, and you can have loads of Raw heels such as JBL, Cade, Burchill and Jericho come down to help Punk. Batista can come down, being the honorable face that he is, and question Punk, saying it doesn't need to be this way, but he then gets hit in the back of the head by the sledgehammer HHH pulled out to defend himself with. Punk then covers HHH, before adding insult to Batista's injury, and the show ends with the Raw heels raising each other's hands.
Other than that - I see Jericho dropping the title. Possibly to Jeff Hardy, saying he never had his rematch, or possibly to Kennedy, after Jericho issues an open challenge to any roster. Can't really see anyone else on Raw apart from HBK being ready for a PPV match with Jericho at this point, which is why I think it goes to Smackdown. Kofi would possibly have been good with some build up.
I see JBL being Ted's partner, and winning the titles. Ted can then turn face further down the road by turning on JBL.
Hopefully Natalya wins if there is indeed a Diva title match. Hopefully Morrison and Miz retain. Matt to retain. I'd like a Katie Lea win but don't see it happening.
Should be a good show tonight. Fantasy booking FTW.
i'd like to see Deuce be the partner of DiBiase, he's also a second gen star so i think it'd work well, and we'd see a different side of Deuce which could lead into a stable where they can slowly branch into singles stuff.
My predictions:
Cena over HHH due to some interference from Edge...this leads to the inevitable SummerSlam match up of Edge/HHH. Its a great to get the title off of HHH without hurting him and giving Raw back its belt. It also pushes the best heel in the business today Edge at the same time. Win-Win
Edge should definitely win over Batista...cleanly though? I dont know since the Animal needs to maintain momentum with his move to Raw. Maybe have this match after the HHH/Cena match...HHH attempts to come out and return the favor to Edge and either gets Batista DQed or mistakenly helps Edge get the pinfall.
Matt Hardy losing to Chavo is a joke...but he needs to drop this title since he is gone from Smackdown. So I see a Chavo victory tonight.
I also see Rhodes turning on Holly and joining DiBiase...when DiBiase wins the tag titles tonight, after one rematch where else can this Holly/Rhodes team go? It is time to break them up and I would love to see Rhodes as a heel with DiBiase.
Miz/Morrison retain the gold to the departing Finlay/Hornswoggle
Mark Henry should win tonight over Kane and Show...Henry is booked on August house shows against Matt Hardy in what has to be the oddest feud in some time.
I would like to see Burchill win the title...but not now...too soon...continue this feud until SummerSlam. Tonight Mickie James is victorious.
IC Title match...if it happens...Jericho should win and send a message to HBK on how bad he beat his opponent tonight. Save HBK/Y2J for SummerSlam.
Diva Title...if it happens...should be Natalya vs McCool...with Natalya bringing home the gold to Calgary.
I think it will be a fun ppv...especially with every match having gold on the line. Im intrigued by the whole world title/wwe title situation and how they will play that out as well as DiBiase's partner and Jericho's role (if any) tonight.
this is the first ppv this year that im thinking about not getting every ppv has had at least one match ive wanted to see i know it will be good because of all the title matches but the card on paper just looks weak
I think that a second generation stable would be incredible. You could even have Ted DiBiase in a mentor/manager role and have a great group of young heels to take on some of the faces in the WWE. (I am a huge proponent of stables-especially with underestablished wrestlers like that ones who would be in this 2nd generation group)
Double S, there have also been rumors about Deuce being the partner as well...The best thing about it is that he is the adopted son of Superfly Snuka, who is obviously well known by generations of wrestling fans.
Heck, even if the WWE has a guy that looks enough like a 70's 80's or 90's superstar, they could still put him in this angle. Maybe one group of heel and one group of face young guys at some point? The possibilities are endless...
"Generation Next"...just throwing it out there
Got me thinking...
Other people in the wrestling industry that could be involved in an angle like this at some point:
Shane McMahon
Brian Christopher
Rene Dupree
Chavo Guerrero
Shawn Staziak
David Flair...Haha
I don't know why all these dirt shirts think the "next generation" stable will be such a good idea. Reminds me of the first time I heard of the "perfect alliance." You may not have ever heard of this before because it never happened. It was a rumored stable led by Mr Perfect featuring Steve Austin, HHH and 2 other stars at that time. Thank God this never happened or WWE may have gone out of business and we would be discussing Slamboree right now.
It also reminds me of "The Natural Born Thrillers" which did happen and sucked.
ppv was decent, nothing special, I guessed most of the matches correctly except for the one that was not announced until it happened.
WWE Champion Triple H vs. John Cena (WWE Championship Match)
Very good outing by the two and loved the last 5-8 minutes of the back and forth action. Not a shocker here with HHH retaining, interesting to see where they go with this one. Punk visits Smackdown for cash in?
World Heavyweight Champion Edge def. Batista (World Heavyweight Championship Match)
Eh I am tired of these two, so glad to see its the last match for awhile. Edge rightfully retains.
Mark Henry def. Big Show and Kane ( New ECW Champion)
zzzzzzzzzzz...Mark Henry champ...zzzzzzzzzzzz
Ted DiBiase & Cody Rhodes def. World Tag Team Champions
Hardcore Holly & Cody Rhodes (World Tag Team Championship Match)
Eh so predictable...but I like the Rhodes/DiBiase pairing. Maybe they hook up with Orton for that heavily rumored stable.
WWE Tag Team Champions John Morrison & The Miz def. Finlay & Hornswoggle (WWE Tag Team Championship Match)
I like Miz/Morrison, so glad to see them retain and now they move on as Horny/Finlay move to ECW
Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho vs. Kofi Kingston (Intercontinental Championship Match)
Kofi as IC Champ is a great idea...a mid carder needs this title more than Y2J does. Lets hope they dont ruin it like they did with Santino. Kofi can work, as seen on ECW with Shelton. I like it.
United States Champion Matt Hardy def. Chavo Guerrero (United States Championship Match)
Hardy retaining is great bc I did not want Chavo with more gold...and with ECW/SD together until the fall now Hardy can defend the gold on both shows and lose it maybe at SummerSlam.
Women's Champion Mickie James vs. Katie Lea Burchill (Women's Championship Match)
Nothing special...Mickie wins woo hoo.
Ok ppv, not worth paying for...and since I didnt I thought it was a good way to spend 3 hours on a Sunday night.
Kofi vs. Y2J was match of the night. Kofi really needed that. I was afraid they would forget about him on Raw.
Good PPV overall.
Hey, i was just wondering if you have any personal opinion or backstage info on he angle where DDP was stalking Undertaker's wife. I actually liked this angle alot despite the fact that it was massively criticized on the net. What's your opinion on it?