WWE Night of Champions [2011]
Results & Review
Will this Pay Per View reward it's most lacklustre performers with celebratory wins? This was the first though from the offset.
Stemming from the HSBC Arena in Buffalo, New York, on Sunday 18th September 2011, our first match featured the
Unified Tag Team championship
The Miz & R Truth V Evan Bourne & Kofi Kingston (c)
After suffering a loss six days earlier on Raw, Truth and Miz planned to wreak revenge to gain what they failed to grasp then, the Tag Team Championship.
It was here, that, after their conspiracies from Triple H previously going against them, they fought a hard battle against team Air Boom (Kingston & Bourne) hoping to alleviate them of the straps. It was not to be. The Miz, midway through the match, had a heated dispute with the referee, to which he pushed down. A ref bump? Reallly? The Miz just earned his team a DQ, thus giving the win and retaining the titles to Air Boom. It was a pitiful ending/beginning.
Continuing on, the next match was for the
Intercontinental Championship
Cody Rhodes (c) V Ted DiBiase
A late match added to the card told everyone what WWE was thinking. Worthless. Both men , after 4 years of struggling to get their 1 on 1 match, finally had their stage. Both shone and proved they are worthwhile on different levels. The problem is that it was four years late, and had no investment in WWE or it's Universe's eyes due to poor booking over the years. It was a fair outing for both men involved.
DiBiase managed to remove Rhodes' face mask, after near falls and possible endings, after Ted removed the mask, (the source of all his powers), Rhodes quickly rolled Ted up in a cradle from nowhere for a 3 fall finish to retain his title.
The finish looked completely weak, and demoralising for both, after their talents were showcased credibly to the audience building themselves up slightly, as serious contenders in the business.
Unannounced, Christian made an unscheduled appearance. Strolling down the red carpet (which was a long strip of red), he took the mike inside the ring. Telling the WWE Universe he deserved to be on the card for Night Of Champions, he went on to deliver a promo that had the audience eating out of his hand. "One More Match" was met by all. But someone would spoil Captain Charisma's party. Lobster head number 2, Sheamus answered his unwanted call. Sheamus joined in the chorus of chanting " One More Match!" before downing the former world champion, Christian, with an expected (to us) Brogue Kick. As this segment left our screens, there was nothing that set them up to feud.
The next match began.
United States Championship
Alex Riley V John Morrison V Jack Swagger V Dolph Ziggler (c) w/ Vickie Guererro
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| A Riley roll up for Swagger was not to be, on this occasion |
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| Alex Riley showing the A -Rod :D |
This was the beginning of the PPV downfall, if the above matches weren't already falling apart. Alex Riley was given a strong showing. John Morrison had less of a role here - only booked for a couple of spots. Morrison is clearly 'lost'. Over the coming months, he has been in other superstar's feuds as a jobber/filler/stand in. He cannot find or develop his own feud. It may be due to call time on this one. Jack Swagger, the vice to Dolph Ziggler, fought a hard challenge in which at the end of the bout, was miffed. (In one instance, Riley, whom had a roll up on Swagger, had Vickie place Jack's foot on the rope)
.
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| Gut wrench powerbomb sends Morrsion out for the pin |
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| Stole Swagger's win, perhaps? |
Swagger almost nabbed the victory, until Ziggler jumped in the ring, shoved Swagger out the way of a pin and covered Morrison - whom had just accepted a gut wrench powerbomb from the all american american. Dolph Ziggler RETAINED the US Title.
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| Kept the title in a pointless win |
That's right. A match made perfectly to launch a new talent, push forward with their skills and catalogue of credits, this would have made someone from the locker-room instantly.
It was shortly booked in match time and therefore had no ground to build a foundation of interest, shadowed with an unnecessary win. It was an empty match.
Riley or Swagger would have benefited from the win, and Ziggler would not have been harmed.
Mark Henry was interviewed by Matt Striker, who reminded us that he had "haterz" whilst managing to rip off R Truth's gimmick simultaneously. His 15 year absence from the main event was also acknowledged.
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| 15 years of nothing , explained? |
After being informed Hell In A Cell, the next WWE PPV, was just 2 weeks away, one had to wonder whether this PPV, being so late in this month, was just a stepping stone to build the next PPV outing.
Vickie was elated and kissed Matt Striker also, after revealing that the US champion, who gained the win, wanted to be with her! Jack Swagger wanted to be with her! and she also claimed if Triple H lost tonight, she would be first to put herself forward to become the new Chief Operating Officer for WWE!
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| Mwahhh! I'd put one on Matt :) AND Vickie! |
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| Vickie GLEE - rerro! You go girl!! |
Our next match
World Heavyweight Champion
Mark Henry V Randy Orton (c)
Henry set some moves upon Orton, whom had to sell like never before - and did expertly once again. Henry took a short breather and was slow throughout the match. At one point, Henry was on the outside of the ring, bending Orton's back sideways behind the ring post, whilst the champion was still in the ring, like a human pretzel.
With dominance, (apparently), Henry eventually smashed Orton with a World's Strongest slam twice in succession, to put Orton away. The unthinkable occurred, Mark Henry WON the World title. An absolute disgrace to the sport, industry and entertainment sector also. It wasn't thrilling in any sense of the word.
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| Is World Champion |
Randy Orton, had to sell so much for Henry, which he did, and what was asked of him was absolutely disgraceful. Adding a different challenger should have been in place. Sheamus, Christian or Wade Barrett should have been booked.
This was very clearly done for one reason. So his 'friend' Vince Mc Mahon, whom favours bigger men, GAVE Henry the title so he could have a "pay off" as champion and have higher earnings as a token of respect for 15 years of service - in which nothing has been monumental on Henry's part. McMahon lost a huge shred of his credibility here. Would he lose any more?
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| Was jobbed out to the max, tonight (no pun ), unless you want one :p |
The camera cut to a lady in the audience. Her reaction said it all. She was dismayed that the World title was dropped to a nobody. Henry has no interest, no fans, and is not a marketable force. I am not one of these Internet luvvies for Ryder, however Zack Ryder has more place being champion, if we are having jokey champions, seeing as Ryder has a huge fan base, shifts merchandise and is a fan favourite. What does Mark Henry have in contrast? Anyone could draw instead of Henry.
He was interviewed in the ring, after the win, stating he'll take on "all-comers" he'll "run from nobody" and would "NEVER lose the title". He promised to deliver a "house of pain" - it sounded like a 15 year old promo.
This run is just as shambolic as The Great Khali's title run, in which he was GIVEN the title, due to height and the look of brute force.
Alberto Del Rio was seen walking backstage with Johnny Ace and Ricardo Rodriguez. After their words, CM Punk was seen nearby. As they left, Punk spoke with John Laurinaitis.
If there was ever a reason to be doubtful, this was it.
I just knew how this would play out.
WWE Unified Women's (Diva's) Championship
Beth Phoenix w/ Natalya V Kelly Kelly (c) w/ Eve
Kelly Kelly, aka Bimbo Bimbo, entered to some classic comments to mask her shortcomings. Along with buddy, Eve (nose poker), whom Michael Cole stated was "getting her nose in Kelly's business again", we were told Bimbo Bimbo wasn't used to these reactions from the crowd. Lawler provided the best line - "not used to this... or ANY crowd" - now that was hilarious.
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| The title is bigger than her... that should tell you something.. |
Apparently this was Beth Phoneix's hometown (phoning in that she would clearly job). The crowd were constantly chanting "Kelly sucks!" at a high volume, but this was because it was Beth's "hometown", not because Bimbo Bimbo is absolutely dire.
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| Bimbo Bimbo - seen here with her legs open on her back, again. |
WWE even made Beth Phoenix look utterly weak by having Natalya pull her out of the ring to the outside, possibly fearing Kelly would gain a win. Eve, then chose to attack Natalya for no justifiable reason on the outside. Eve is meant to be a babyface, by the way.
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| Lost on home soil, to sell for someone who will never evolve |
After this debacle, Beth was back in the ring. It all went pear shaped. Bimbo Bimbo picked up yet another fluke victory with a piss poor out of the blue pinfall. Phoenix, whom was rightly dismayed in a heap in the ring, afterwards, worked ALL of this match, Usually the "champion" is expected to work the match. Phoenix could be seen taking time to relay messages to the tart who was completely clueless how to do a move.
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| She ain't the only one cursing the WWE dimwits! |
Vince McMahon just lost ALL of his credibility.
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| A role Bimbo Bimbo is used to, being on her back with her legs wide open. |
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| Pair of skanks look awful |
Brie Bella remains the last ever Women's champion. After her, since the death of it being held by Bimbo Bimbo, means no one can ever aspire to, nor hold it credibly. Once again, does the legacy and the way paved by the Fabulous Moolah and others along her line mean absolutely nothing to you? Do you even care about that dead woman whose existence and legacy you are tearing to shreds? You should be ashamed.
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| Respect this woman's legacy - she worked her way, and paved it for today's age. |
WWE Championship
John Cena V Alberto Del Rio (c)
One month into his title run, won from Summerslam after cashing in his MITB briefcase from the previous PPV of the same name, one month earlier, Alberto Del Rio defended his WWE Title for the very first time.
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| Del Rio is packing... in silver :D |
He didn't spray paint over it though with "JBL is Poopy" this time.
It was a typical start to a Cena main event match, back and forth Del Rio dominating, until Cena's 'comeback' occurs.
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| Cena hit it this time! He didn't hit it on The Miz at Wrestlemania 27, did he? |
Ricardo tripped Cena's foot and was caught doing this by the referee. He was sent away from ringside and, consequently, banned.
Cena was atop the turn-buckle, then after one punch from his opponent, Cena shockingly lowered himself upside down hanging from the turn-buckles so easily and freely , on camera, fully, failing to "fall" into position and "set" himself down. And this was after one manoeuvre.
Del Rio went for an enzughuri turn-buckle kick to Cena's head but he just stood there, then, ducked. It was shambolic. Del Rio was ruined by this disgraceful no sell.
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| World Class shot! |
Del Rio also dropped a back drop onto Cena from the top rope, landing with his back fully on his chest like a ton of bricks. Cena, again, failed to sell anything for the Mexican Aristocrat.
Del Rio, whom was working the majority of this match, went for an arm lock, but was countered way to quickly - before Del Rio even touched Cena, John Boy grabbed him and reversed it. Selfish. After this reversal, he, as Cena does, through his Superman strength out of nowhere, raised Del Rio from his arm and Powerbombed him to the canvas. It was unbelievable. Literally, not believable. John Cena applied the STF submission hold. With no pressure applied on the hold, fans were left wondering if Cena would tap out the champ. Shockingly, he did!
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| Cena Stupidities, againn! |
John Cena won the WWE championship for a "10th time". After Del Rio worked his match, sold like no tomorrow and received nothing back. Rio's star has just been crippled once again. What a way to destroy the only sure fine thing in the company to begin the new uprising of talent evolving. This was just senseless.
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| Is new WWE Champ, and doesn't care a hell about you. |
Lastly, was the non title match at the PPV that would feature championship matches, in the main event no less.
Well, it is Triple H, isn't it?
Triple H V CM Punk
No Disqualification, If Triple H loses, he will resign as C.O.O
With the General Manager stand in place, and all the quiet behaviour over the last 2 months, since Triple H has returned, the GM doesn't send any messages. (Hmmm).
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| Back in the spotlight, you really think he would lose? |
Triple H and Punk's 'match' didn't last long before spilling out of the ring and to the announce table. H planned to plant Punk into the bottom of the table with a pedigree. Punk countered and scarpered to the inside of the ring. It wasn't long before they were fighting over the barricade on the outside. Punk , smashed into it and hauled over, was then worked over through the crowd by the C.O.O.
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| Gettin' Froggy |
Punk managed to stir and do a full circle back to the entrance ramp, through the crowd arena, and was launched into the sign areas by Triple H with a flapjack Toss. Punk got his own back shortly and launched Triple H over it , as he attempted to follow up on CM. Punk launched items including sandbags.
My favourite moment was the fan dressed in fluorescent coloured clothing and a sandbag esq mask. :) That was cool!
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| Perfect thigh bone connections... |
Punk hit HHH with a chair in the ring, whilst imitating a DX crotch chop - Suck it! before attempting a pin.
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| A picture paints a CM Punk, Mmmm |
Later Punk placed HHH on the outside table, the one H tried to put Punk though at the beginning of the match. Punk then dropped a beautiful Macho Man Elbow Drop from the top rope to the outside, sending The Game through the table with Punk.
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| Punk dropped an Elbow, Macho Style! |
What would transpire next was sheer lunacy on WWE's booking schedule. R Truth and The Miz, whom had lost their match earlier on the PPV, attacked both HHH and Punk in a pointless angle. The audience could not understand why this was initiated.
After R Truth finished beating Punk and Miz battering Triple H, they placed Punk's arm over HHH's and demanded the ref count. He stalled before counting. The C.O.O. kicked out at 2. Miz was angry. He got into the ref's face again - prompting an inside joke from WWE, claiming that Referee's can get suspended too, after the ref planned to strike Miz.
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| R Truth, whom then and would after attack Punk again, placed his arm over Triple H, Hmmm |
Referee Mike Chioda, was suspended 30 days ago for breaking a wellness policy violation. A referee used drugs too.
Johnny Ace then came out, before a new referee could enter the fray, he told him to check on the injured staff at ringside. While this occurred Triple H had a pinfall, after delivering another pedigree, on a bewildered Punk.
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| Check on the ref's, so I can send Max Waltham a text! |
Punk re-gathered his energy and caught The Cerebral Assassin off guard, with the GTS (Go To Sleep). In another absurd move, R Truth returned to break up Punk's count. Why? This was unknown. Another pedigree from H to Punk, Laurinaitis was seen taking his cell phone out. he was tapping some buttons. What was he up to? Probably sending a picture of Matt Striker to Stephanie's inbox!
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| Pedigree |
Shortly, Kevin Nash! returned from the inside of the arena, in the crowds, just exactly like last time, at Summerslam. He attacked Punk, then went for former friend HHH.
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| Pedigree's again, and Nash involved |
Nash was preparing the outside table for destruction, removing the TV monitors.
Triple H finally brought out his sledgehammer. Nailed Nash on the outside, he headed back to Punk in the ring, to deliver a final pedigree and get the 1-2-3. Triple H remains your Chief Operating Officer.
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| Brokeback Mountain, Part 2 (H's hair over Punk's.. :O ) |
"Why couldn't Triple H at least sell for Punk ffs" - The answer is simple, Triple H NEVER sells for anyone, except himself. This is something the vast majority understand. If you think anything will change after Vince McMahon formally hands over to Triple H , after Wrestlemania this year, you must be as mad as his ego is. Triple H will always hold a future star back, to protect his own image. McMahon is so far back in the times that he can't understand the product's flaws, and remedies. Stephanie has no clue how to run anything. A stage presence she is fine, but business wise - don't hold your breath, though WWE would love to tempt fate with the first ever "WWE ChairWOMAN".
So over the last 3 PPV's Money In The Bank, Summerslam and Night of Champions, it seems it was all for nothing.
Alberto Del Rio won the Briefcase, cashed in one month later, and won the Unified, no less, WWE Championship. His first title defence was a loss. To John Cena. Whom has created no feud with Del Rio. And based on a "rematch - whim". Is this to set up The Rock/John Cena Wrestlemania match? Which will see Rock team with Cena at Survivor Series, in the traditional 5 man match.
Dolph Ziggler, has had nothing wins all over. He won titles and matches against big players, and losing to Randy Orton in a good Raw match. You should be worrying when a champion is harmed by winning nothing matches.
That leads to Kelly Kelly. Enough has been said...(for now!) so LISTEN! "Show tolerance and respect", - WWE shows none to its "Universe".
Beth Phoenix, made to job for a disgrace, when she is clearly the best you have - that is an insult, as with Randy Orton jobbing to Henry.You should be protecting your key players, should they lose, it should go to a star that gains more than enough from the win, in order to build rivalries and fresh opponents with a challenging role.
CM Punk, whom lost his title as soon as he got it at Summerslam, and had to be demoralised by it with the "hoax" title from Cena - taking away his credentials. Coming off the hottest prospect of the "shoot" angle and creating a "revolution" (some of which was WW personified x) has been neutered. He just lost to Triple H, the biggest challenge he could climb in terms of story.
And Alex Riley, whom would have excelled after WWE's drop you after the Miz feud breakup due to WW suggesting a way forward to produce a talent whom has the future earmarked in him. A win of the US Title would have uplifted him in the downplayment of WWE. If you are not pushing him towards the US Title, then you need to throw him to the Heavyweight title scene. That is not an oversight. If you feel so, then you aren't looking correctly at the business model and structure of star making.
Even WWE's greatest company asset, The Miz was devalued.
Given this sheer ignorance of talent progression, WWE is going to find itself in a VERY sorry state. Ratings just dropped. Cena will not raise them. Henry will decrease them. Failure to build rivalries will also enhance this. Lack of new stars, for years, is never going to be improved, and therefore, a disaster for WWE and it's future. Focusing on a Rock/Cena build up till Wrestlemania from Survivor Series is the only option WWE have Have you forgotten WM hosts many other matches that need to stand out - the last 2 Wrestlemania's have been it's worst along with WM 25.
Without any direction, WWE are on course for a magnitude of viewer problems, should it fail to rectify and give a strong solid push forward with the "talent initiative".
PPV Rating – 3/10
Men/Women of their matches – The Miz, Ted DiBiase, Alex Riley, Randy Orton, Beth Phoenix, Alberto Del Rio, CM Punk
Man/Woman of the PPV - Alberto Del Rio
Man/Woman of the PPV - Alberto Del Rio
What did YOU think of Night of Champions? Share your views/thoughts by commenting.
You can also follow me on Twitter too - @MaxWaltham or on Facebook. (at top of the page)
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You can also follow me on Twitter too - @MaxWaltham or on Facebook. (at top of the page)
Follow, subscribe and vote in future polls. Your continued support is appreciated. And DON'T go stealing Max Waltham's views or writing.
© Max Waltham 18 September 2011
- when wrestling wonders places the copyright symbol on pictures, they are not claiming to own the pictures from the performers, company or those produced by, they are either a montage/college produced from a selection of pictures as a screenshot or from other sources not affiliated to the products or performers involved. WW is not claiming them on any level as their own, but they produced the montage/collage, in their free time.
