It’s the one night of the year where WWE actually cares about it’s midcard titles and books them all on one PPV. Sure, they may haphazardly put the matches together, but they at least book them. This year, they’ve surprised and impressed me by actually lending storylines to each match, as opposed to throwing a few together. Even the Tag Team titles have gotten good treatment!
Just like last year, they’re adding a bonus non-title match to pad the time out. CM Punk is once again involved in this title-less contest, though this time something’s at stake. One man’s pride and another’s job. Who do I think will win this and the other matches? Let’s find out!
WWE Championship
Alberto Del Rio vs. John Cena
After Summerslam, I was positive that Alberto would defend his newly won WWE Championship against both John Cena and CM Punk, considering Punk technically beat Cena and ADR beat Punk. I was even expecting Rey Mysterio to be added to the mix to get him on the card, not foreseeing an injury leading to time off.
Instead, we’re treated to what most believed was going to be the summer’s hottest angle in late May. Not that the reasoning behind Cena’s match doesn’t make sense (he did beat Punk, with an assist from Kevin Nash). His tirades against the Mexican Aristocrat have been tiring, redundant and nonsensical.
I agree with those who state that ADR has to win here to retain credibility. Him being called out by Cena as a fluke and worthless champion to be proven right by a loss, even a hard fought one, will do incredible damage to not only his credibility, but his heat, as well. I don’t agree that he has to win clean, though.
Being the heel that he is, a few shortcuts here and there to attain victory won’t hurt him. He’s done it in the past, so this match should be no different. As long as they don’t bombard us with them and only use them sparingly, it should be alright. All that needs to happen, and what I believe will happen, is Del Rio walking out with the WWE Championship.
Winner: Alberto Del Rio
World Heavyweight Championship
Randy Orton vs. Mark Henry
Here’s another match I wasn’t expecting to see take place. Well, not before Summerslam, anyway. For those who read my Summerslam predictions, you’ll recall me predicting Christian retaining the World title and leading to a Six-Pack Challenge here. Since Captain Charisma lost at Summerslam, it was clear my prediction was wrong.
After Summerslam, I easily called this match taking place. It was the only logical step they could take. Another Orton/Christian match would have been over saturation (which they were already leaning on) and the Six-Pack Challenge, though it could have worked, wasn’t necessary (my original prediction for it was to give Christian an easy and sneaky way to once again retain). With the push they’ve been giving Henry, he was bound to challenge for the title.
No matter what happens, I expect this match to be booked again for Hell in a Cell, most likely in that match. This means either Henry actually wins the title (which he has to win definitively, unlike Del Rio) or Orton retains via count-out or disqualification. If he’s able to put him away with an RKO or a Punt, there’s no point in their eventual rematch.
Up until I began writing this article, I was positive that Orton would retain via count-out or disqualification. The more I think about it, the more I see Henry winning. This makes their eventual Hell in a Cell match much more intriguing, as now Orton has to beat him in a tougher match. If he can’t do it in a regular, what are his chances in Satan’s Playground?
I’m going to play it safe and go with my original prediction. Henry losing via count-out could enrage the World’s Strongest Man, leading to a post-match beat down. This helps in building their Hell in a Cell match as being dangerous and destructive.
Winner: Randy Orton (via count-out or disqualification)
WWE Tag Team Championship:
Air Boom vs. The Awesome Truth
Though I don’t like them one bit, I do feel bad for David Otunga and Michael McGillicutty. A month ago, they most likely assumed they’d be competing on this card, defending the tag team titles. Sure, it most likely would have been in a random gauntlet match like the previous year. But, it’d still be a PPV paycheck. A quick hot potato to the newly formed team of Kofi Kingston and Evan Bourne put a dent in that plan.
It’s clear they thrust the tag titles onto Kingston and Bourne to not only give the title a bit of star power, but to give the newly formed (as well) team of The Miz and R-Truth good guys to face. I’d like to believe this is the WWE’s way of rebuilding the tag team division, but I’m not holding my breath. They’ve burned me too many times in that department.
It’s pretty cut and dry that Air Boom is retaining. The Awesome Truth has a slim chance of winning, but are most likely challenging for the Tag Team titles to get them on the card. I’m not saying after Night of Champions that they’ll break up. Simply that they’ll target the main eventers and hoist themselves back into the main event scene. This is just filler for them.
Winners: Air Boom
Intercontinental Championship
Cody Rhodes vs. Ted Dibiase
Though I’m happy that there is a storyline behind the Intercontinental Championship, I wish they would have held off on this match. Mainly because Dibiase hasn’t won a match in awhile, negating him an opportunity to challenge for the title. I know that doesn’t mean much in the WWE, but he could have at least won a #1 contender’s match. Instead, he’s simply been given the title match due to him and Cody breaking up.
With that being said, it should be interesting to see how this plays out. If they plan on continuing this feud, having Rhodes retain seems like the best way to go about it. If, however, they’re ready to insert him into a feud with Randy Orton (which they’ve been slowly building to), getting the Intercontinental title off of him is a good start. Why they would put it on him in the first place is trivial, but irrelevant.
Even if he is going into a feud with Orton, he has until at least after Hell in a Cell to start that. I highly doubt Orton will lose the title to Henry and not have a rematch or retain against him and go to Rhodes (even if it’s not in a Hell in a Cell match). They can hold off on putting the title on Ted until Hell in a Cell.
Winner: Cody Rhodes
United States Championship:
Dolph Ziggler vs. Alex Riley vs. Jack Swagger vs. John Morrison
Out of all of the midcard titles, this one has the best feud behind it. It started out simply as Riley wanting a piece of Ziggler and the United States Championship. This led to Swagger beating Riley and wanting the title, too, as well as Vickie’s services as a manager. Dolph being jealous and sensing Swagger using her for his personal gain (how ironic), has led to full-blown hatred between the two. Alex Riley has been watching from the sidelines, letting them duke it out and staying fresh. John Morrison was doing parkour backstage and simply jumped his way into the scene because he can.
This is also the hardest match to predict, as it’s anybody’s ball game. Dolph has a good chance of retaining and continuing his parade of championship glory. Swagger has a good chance of winning and acquiring Vickie’s services in the process. Riley has a good chance of winning due to his crowd support and career growth. Morrison has a good chance of winning simply to give him something to do.
I’d rule out Morrison winning, as I don’t see him engaging in a feud with Dolph or Swagger (who will undoubtedly continue feuding after this event). Riley has a better chance, but I see his first title win being in a one-on-one contest. Swagger has the best chance of winning, as this is an easy way to get the title from one heel to another. Dolph also has a great chance of retaining, simply since this type of match is an easy way for a heel champion to slip in and sneak a victory.
After weighing all of the options, Swagger winning makes the most sense. It progresses the story well, without leaving out Riley or even Morrison, if he doesn’t move on to something else. If Ziggler retains, Jack can keep petitioning for Vickie’s services, though she’ll easily be convinced by Dolph that he’s not worth her time. If he has gold around his waist, she’ll quickly go to him and enrage Dolph.
Winner: Jack Swagger
Divas Championship:
Kelly Kelly vs. Beth Phoenix
What was the point in having Kelly Kelly retain at Summerslam if you were just going to have the same match at the next PPV? Not only that, but it kills Beth’s heat, even if it was a roll-up victory. Beth should have steamrolled Kelly at Summerslam, leading to this rematch where she retains, but K2 puts up a better fight.
Having this match after a successful title defense feels redundant and lame. Sure, adding the WWE.com article berating the current divas and praising the Divas of Doom added interest. But, that could have been done with Beth winning at Summerslam. So, why not pull that trigger?
I honestly can’t see Kelly retaining here. If she does, the Divas of Doom lose all of their heat. Besides, who else is Kelly going to feud with? The Bellas again? Eve is an option, but I don’t see her turning heel or a face/face rivalry happening. Natalya would be an option, but if they were going to do that, they should have done it here (like I was guessing).
Winner: Beth Phoenix
No Disqualification Match
CM Punk vs. Triple H
If Triple H loses, he must resign as COO
The only match on the card that isn’t for the title has the most at stake. For Triple H, that is. Sure, Punk losing would bruise his ego, but that wouldn’t stop him from running his mouth. If Triple H loses, his tenure as COO comes to an abrupt end. It also means a huge shift for the WWE as a whole.
Normally, I’d say this would back them into a corner. Triple H has to win, as ending his COO run so abruptly is ludicrous. Punk also has to win to keep his credibility and support. It’s a lose-lose situation, right? Not with the no disqualification stipulation, as well as Kevin Nash (who was Punk’s original opponent).
After about twenty minutes of carnage, I see Big Daddy Cool making his way to the ring and Jackknifing CM Punk. Right after doing that, he turns his attention to Triple H and plants him with a Jackknife, too. He then drags Punk on top of Hunter and the referee makes the three count. He gets his aggression out on Punk, while also screwing over his former best friend.
The next night on Raw, it will be announced that, due to the controversial finish, Punk and Triple H will have a rematch at Hell in a Cell, in that said match. This way, nobody can get in to disrupt things. The same stipulations will be in effect, which will ultimately complicate things. That’s not until next month, though. Night of Champions is easy.
Winner: CM Punk