WWE Night of Champions 2012
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| Sporting Orange, colours of the Wonders |
WWE Night of Champions will see
every major title in the company defended at the event. On September 16th 2012 did WWE’s
celebratory concept manage to open a wider spectrum to crowning new stars, new
champs and line up new options for a future ahead of them?
Replacing Jerry Lawler after his heart attack would be JBL, John Bradshaw Layfield. Layfield an adequate replacement, sold for stars and gave them a chance with audience. Different from his days when involve with the roster. It was refreshing to see someone with a little gutsy bark that stereotypical whispers in general to differentiate from all commentators in the WWE system.
Of course, WWE had planned to bring back JBL with Cole. It was already in the pipeline, Lawler's unfortunateness however, sped this pairing up a little.
Intercontinental championship
Fatal 4 Way
The Miz ( c ) Vs Rey Mysterio Vs
Sin Cara Vs Cody Rhodes
The Intercontinental champion, Raw superstar The Miz, holding a Smackdown championship, defended against
Raw superstar Rey Mysterio and Smackdown’s Sin Cara and Cody Rhodes
under Fatal 4 Way rules.
With two high flying superstars
and two mid technical stars, this match had potential to exceed expectation,
however failed to do so fully. The stars managed to please audience enough,
though lacked fuller offence and with Cody Rhodes limited to what he could
achieve to protect the other three in standing, became the fall guy, literally.
With both Cara and Mysterio set
to face one another at Wrestlemania in the first ever mask match, so WWE can
set a Guinness World Record of how many people in the audience wear a mask (WWE
will distribute them free at the event) WWE mad sure it protected both of them. Though with neither scheduled to win, and The Miz or Rhodes would surely lose.
Could WWE drop its champ to Rhodes in order to correctly re-assign the Smackdown title to a rostered Smackdown member?
After fair flying and ground
work, with a lot of outside deteration, Cody aimed to remove the mask of Sin
Cara, where a senton halts his attempt leaving Rhodes to remove Rey out of the
ring, Cara returns by kicking Rhodes in the head, though Sin Cara tries to
place a mask on Rhodes now. Miz catches Rhodes with s Skull Crushing Finale for
a near fall, ending at two. Miz shortly ends up with a Sin Cara Azul (blue)
mask on him from the Red masked Cara, leaving him confused momentarily. Rhodes
plans to nail a Cross Rhodes on Cara after resurfacing, misses and Cara soon
gets planted by The Miz with a swift SCF to bag a three fall to retain the IC
championship. Cody Rhodes was
pinned.
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| Make me a referee... |
Oh No! WWE Diva Kaitlyn, who wasn’t
supposed to win the Battle Royal weeks ago on Raw to earn number one contender
status, had mysteriously broken her ankle, later updated on Twitter by Joey
Styles / WWE that she had “broke her tendon” and seemingly would not be able to
participate in the championship match. This alert was noticed by Booker T’s
assistant, Eve, first on the scene. She would file her report immediately to
her boss, Smackdown General Manager;
Booker T. Eve is a Raw superstar in
case you forgot.
Tag Team Championship
Kofi Kingston and R-Truth ( c )
Vs Kane and Daniel Bryan
Faith was partly restored to the
Universe when it seemed WWE had revamped some time and effort into its Tag
division. It hasn’t. It just makes it stronger when high level stars like Kane
and Bryan enter into it. However, the two now give it meaning, per se. The
newly formed dysfunctional team of Bryan and Kane, after attending their Anger
management therapy sessions added intense levels of tag action for months to
come. Many angles can be derived if WWE don’t rush it. Would they, however, be
successful on the night, despite against each other in part?
The match highly centred around
their tagging out to one another through a ‘blind tag’ – where the in ring man
never willingly tags the partner featured most, making the team defending their
championships redundant. Though Kingston and Truth were allowed offence to keep
the feel going with the possibility of retaining despite the almighty team of
Bryan / Kane cancelling one another out.
Naturally Kane and Bryan won
shortly after when bryan kicked Kane in the head after a tag in, seeing Kane
plunge atop Kingston to cover for three. Kane and Daniel Bryan are the new tag champs.
Kaitlyn’s attack by a mysterious
hooded shadow had made news to Booker T via assistant Eve. The Hoeski was then
placed into the match herself! What a shock! Eve, who botched her ending with
Kaitlyn in the battle royal for number one contender weeks ago on Raw, was
rewarded with the title shot. She will face Layla later.
United States Championship
Antonio Cesaro ( c ) w/ Aksana Vs
Zack Ryder
Zack Ryder won the #1 contender
spot in the pre-show battle royal to determine Cesaro’s challenger. Ryder, who still needs to hone his skills
considerably, is jobber at best. Though the ‘upper card jobber’ may be
favourable for now, had no chance in a real wrestling contest with a professional
and superb force that is Antonio Cesaro. Antonio showed technique, ground work down and
overall star quality befit of a champion. That lucky Aksana even got to kiss
him to celebrate. Lucky cow!
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| Cow! |
Randy Orton Vs Dolph Ziggler w/
Vickie Guerrero
Randy Orton received some
negativity from the crowd, this was down to one reason that the WWE Universe
want change from the big three ( Cena, Punk, Orton) seeking new challengers for
them and new risen and developed star who can hold their own. Most are stuck on
NXT, in developmental or mid card level. Time to call up with strong
backstories to character and entry on WWE programming if it is to strive to
survive.
Being in a match with a top line
star (Orton) doesn’t not instantly make someone their equal. Being their equal
in the match is having skill, showcase and style. Ziggler lacks all three to a
main star role. He has minor levels and he has peaked. He cannot rise above
those levels anymore and it is time for him to leave. The WWE Universe don’t want
Dolph Ziggler, they want change and see that WWE’s only chance may be Dolph
because of guidance’s and Money In The Bank briefcases, aswell as advice on
where to take Ziggler from certain people. Ziggler is done. Move on. He cannot
follow through. Invest in a new star that may just be able to make it.
JBL presented Vickie Guerrero well
for her excellent ringside attendance, as always. She manages to work Ziggler
well. When she leaves Ziggler, as WWE plan to put Ric Flair in her place,
Vickie will go on to better things. Ziggler will not. Guerrero is the only
success Ziggler maintains. Without her he would be nothing. Randy Orton let the crowd
know how he felt, as many failed to appreciate the level of respect Orton has
made for making Ziggler have excellent matches.
Both had a very strong match
filled with technical ability and wrestling psychology from Orton. Though the
match was not as strong as their former outings, and was missing the certain
something that needed to create the spark to ignite the match.
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| Smell my finger... I miss our drinking games :( |
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| Whose turn is it next month? |
Dolph Ziggler lost clean to Randy
Orton with the RKO.
WWE Unified Women’s Championship
Layla ( c ) Vs Eve
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| Don't forget, Kaitlyn was attacked by "someone in a hood" |
Replacing Kaitlyn in the match
Eve was supposed to win herself though botched it weeks ago in the battle royal
on Raw, the WWe’s ideal match played out again. It proves it can re-arrange bad
decisions and replace with good ones IF it wants to. Of course this wasn’t a
good one, but the point remains to many matches. WWE feels the match between
Layla and Eve was adequate. It was not.
A brief encounter filled with
back and forth traditional diva values of nothingness, Hoeski Eve soon snared
the unified Women’s title in the guise of the Divas title from Layla’s waist in
a nothing match which showed no technical ability, too much outside action (because inside would highlight their inaccuracies) and shades of the Kelly Kelly
screams of orgasm and no star quality to win a championship, even with basic
moves. It was boring, too.
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| The Hoeski wins again |
Daniel Bryan was seen down the
corridors backstage proclaiming he was the tag team champions. Kane then
appeared and said he was the champs. Raw
General Manager AJ and Dr. Shelby appeared. Shelby congratulated them both for
working together from their therapy sessions. AJ screamed she had had enough.
Kane ended the skit hurling water over Bryan. If this wasn’t PG, Kane would not
have used water…
World Heavyweight Championship
Alberto Del Rio w/ Ricardo
Rodriguez Vs Sheamus ( c )
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| Here comes SHAME-US |
For over three months the feud
between Rio and Shea has been dreadful. Rio continually sells. Sheamus barks
and WWE gave us another serving instead of scrapping it. Why? Because WWE have
nothing else to offer, further highlighting the need for new talented guys to
rise up the ranks. If they are stuck on NXT or developmental, they won’t come
up anytime soon, will they? Move them up to learn asap or you’ll never gain any
stars to have a future. WWE want Sheamus to be strong enough on his own as
champ before it turns Orton as heel opponent. That will take forever at this
state. Sheamus loses respect every day he holds the title with no style or
professionalism involved.
The Brogue Kick was banned previously;
however Booker T reinstated the dangerous move. Del Rio once again overworks
the arm of the champ, though manages to do this in a newer style, not that
audience noticed.
It was the same match of the same
proportions with the same outcome. Sheamus
won another pointless victory that became a nothing match, despite Del Rio’s
excellent work again.
WWE Championship
John Cena Vs CM Punk ( c ) w/
Paul Heyman
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| In his pink gear. |
The first time CM Punk main
events was here, against John Cena, in Boston. Also clad in pink attire to
partner with breast cancer awareness month, Cena, not Punk as trademark pink
pants on Punk have been known, as well as Punk being WWE champ, had his first
main event collision against Cena.
The question, how can Cena lose
in his hometown of Boston? Many thought it not possible and a dead cert for
Cena to claim victory amongst all the media hype and one sided sway. Would
Heyman also involve himself?
Shock to the system, Cena was
highly booed in his hometown, not the reception he nor WWE were welcoming. Real
Wrestling fans came back, those who had previously left or not bothered to show
up as the Cena hypocrisy continued on
WWE programming. WWE, surely now, must take sustained notice of this. (Cara and Mysterio also received mammoth boos earlier.)
Tonight was the 'Punk first main
event' in Massachusetts. Only when John Cena is the
headline act, huh? Paul Heyman steadied himself at ringside in CM punk's corner,
would he interfere?
During the match Punk had hurt
his leg to which Cena's sell was absolutely diabolical. After the hold Cena
simply moved his leg off from the submission hold and feigned injury pain from the hold of breaking it by moving his leg out of position. Pitiful. Chants
of "you can't wrestle!" bellowed from the crowd as Cena soon attempted the infamous five
knuckle shuffle. Shockingly Punk countered the fall of the shuffle with a boot
halting the attempt. This would be the first time anyone countered this
manoeuvre. Punk is credited with this accolade. It may have been highly needed
for Punk at this time. The champ was soon rolled through by Cena, where Punk
proceeded to grab the ropes to evade an Attitude Adjustment attempt causing a
drop to the floor outside. Cena for the first time in his career chose to launch
himself onto CM Punk to the outside with a mid rope dive in a risky strategy to
topple the champion.
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| Punk was allowed his pink pants back on Raw next evening |
Now would have been a perfect
time for Paul Heyman to reveal a set of brass knuckles and possibly capitalise on them
and John Cena. WWE should consider giving Heyman brass knuckles if he ever
needs to intervene as these suit his demeanour more than some other
random foreign object. Heyman had yet to intervene, still further enhancing his
involvement at ringside.
Soon Cena would attempt another AA
to which Punk flip armed his opponent into the Anaconda Vice to which Cena
soon reversed (with a flip) into and STF submission. Once again Cena chose to disrespect all
wrestling conventions not working the match without even a long sell. There was
absolutely no connection from Cena's forearms locking on the grip hold with his
opponent as always. Punk soon changed the situation by applying his own STF on Cena.
There was no sell on the mouth here from JC.
Cena soon delivered a suplex then leading to punches, to which the audience booed every punch Cena made to CM Punk who received joyous cheers when he soon retaliated with kicks to his
aggressor. Punk soon travelled to the turnbuckle where he dropped the diving
elbow connecting on Cena. Punk received a two fall for his efforts.
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| Ooh, Hi Baby! Flash me! |
CM Punk attempted a few GTS
finishers, as Cena and Punk countered a while in traditional Cena fashion
before a sideslam from John. Cena dropped the 5 knuckle shuffle and an Attitude
Adjustment for a two fall only. With a roundhouse kick on Cena, Punk took to the
air for a moonsault, which failed to connect, as Cena lifted up with a “Rahhh”
chant filled with animated piffle. CM Punk dropped a GTS where only Cena could
kick out on a two count. Anyone else would have lost.
Punk shocked the world by using a
Rock bottom finisher which had no one shocked and no one talking about it since
after. The Rock will fight the WWE champion at Royal Rumble in January for the
championship, whoever the champ is at that time. It will be Punk. Cena will win the title from The Rock at Wrestlemania.
The Rock Bottom scored two. Cue
Heyman? Watching on concernedly, Heyman remained positioned though swayed a
little, tempting his engagement to audience.
Cena soon launched an AA on Punk for a two fall. What came next was
terrible. Cena and Punk, near the top turnbuckle saw Cena catch Punk and drop
him off the turnbuckle with a back drop. Shockingly, John Cena won with a three
fall to pinch the WWE Championship. On a Backdrop!
As Cena celebrated to his fanfare
entrance theme, Punk’s arms were down on the three count, signalling that the
match was indeed a draw, and as a result, the champion retains the gold. We
have touched on this before, and perhaps inclined or if not, regardless, the decision
of a double pin was pathetic. This decision just ruined the title, the champion and
challenger not to mention the audience. From this point forth, everything has
been undone and cannot be recovered as it once was. Punk was screwed. There is
no going back, neither have relevance, nor does the title. CM Punk, of course,
retains the title. It was the only way WWE felt it could ‘protect’ its money
making, media machine in his hometown, in which he was booed.
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| Can I pin you? I'm 'considerate' |
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| CM Punks moonsault Cena was out of position before it landed... |
PPV Rating - 4/10
Men/Women of their matches - Cody Rhodes, Kofi Kingston, Antonio Cesaro, Randy Orton, Layla, Alberto Del Rio, CM Punk
Man/Woman of the PPV - Daniel Bryan
Sheamus and Del Rio was way over
its time, though WWE cannot find another opponent worthy, so have added another
one in an attempt to make Sheamus profitable as champion. Currently, Sheamus is
a soap opera star as a fluke with the championship. He has nothing else. Rio
will go on to excellent matches. Sheamus, will not. Sheamus’ next opponent will
be the bumbling Big Show, WWE have no other stars. Big Show, is a Raw superstar. The World title is a Smackdown championship.
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| Sheamus' next opponent |
CM Punk’s stead was utterly
destroyed when Cena ‘won.’ Punk, though a string character, will not be able to
come back from this. WWE ordered the finish in order to protect Cena, and in
hindsight ruined its champion and all his progression since. Punk may have well
as lost the title. Wearing it, he is still tenantless.
The tag titles needed to switch
and was a wise move to the team of Bryan and Kane. Kane has been treading water
as of late, while Bryan, although excellent In ring, has had all his interest
cut by WWE since the over reliance on the Punk programs being continually
milked. In doing so, Bryan lost some watchability as fans appreciate his work
in ring, but couldn’t watch it anymore due to constantly seeing WWE ask the
same format every time. Both have a chance as unconventional tag champs.
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| A sterling champion, I'm sure you'll agree. Let me get my sand to roll around in... |
Layla may be a bad but improving worker,
but transferring the unified Women’s title to Eve was one step worse. Either
Kaitlyn should have won to give the division a new feel of boost or most
importantly, replaced the challenge with Natalya or Tamina and have them take
the title to reform the state of it all. Eve only won to annoy Wrestling
Wonders, which is just sad. Making decisions based on annoying those that offer
support as a “business decision” was backward to say the least. Eve is a
dreadful worker in a costume.
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| The walk of a champion |
Cesaro is the only talent WWE
have left to reform a new era. He is expertly needed, but cannot carry the show
alone.
Dolph Ziggler is not going to
materialise. No-one wants him, they want someone. Putting faith into a star
that is not the future should explain that you should not support a hopeful
that has none, just because you want anyone to fill the void and change WWE’s
position. Randy Orton can work anyone well, therefore placing stars that have
the opportunity to grow are the ones to implement.
Cody Rhodes should be moving up,
not down. WWE need to re-evaluate his position and place atop the pecking
order. He should at least be squaring off with Sheamus than Big Show. Rhodes
has following, a chance at a future and can re-imburse title worth. Rhodes
would have been an even better fit as champion. Then there is Christian, in
trouble, but loitering around as competition. WWE favour the big guys, which
proves their big boy shows fail when the PPV stems out.
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| I am a boredom... |
The Miz can still carry the
company can fruitfully. However should have changed babyface on his return. WWE
can remove the title and force him babyface to regain his right when on the
correct brand for said title. WWE shouldn’t be mocking the future for a place
in a record book.
For a company claiming others do
it just for their own name value, WWE contradictally maintain the profiles of
Cara/Mysterio to gain a Guinness World Record, at their grandest PPV of all
time. Yeah, keep making your name, boys.
Aiming to create a new level
seemingly, WWE’s PPV’s between the big four and Money In The Bank, booking PPV’s
has now become standard. Just a PPV, and nothing more to fill its time, WWE
proves inconsistent if it remains this way. No new stars evolve after another
two years of possible hope. How many more years roll on before fans finally say
no more and switch off, because, WWE have no plans to make any new stars and
only hope to enforce money from you. There does not seem to be a future in
sight. At this rate, their won’t be one at all.
© Max Waltham 21st September 2012
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