WWE Night of Champions PPV Preview
Night of Champions 2015 takes place in Houston, Texas tonight and the event holds the stipulation is that every title is required to be defended.
So for Seth Rollins, as the holder both the United States and WWE World Heavyweight championships, he faces two very tough challengers in two separate matches. We have the United States championship match against the man he beat for the title John Cena, and he also faces the Icon Sting for the WWE World Heavyweight championship.
The odds are stacked against him, but the question remains - will Seth Rollins walk out of Texas with both titles like Jay Lethal did in ROH on Friday.
So for Seth Rollins, as the holder both the United States and WWE World Heavyweight championships, he faces two very tough challengers in two separate matches. We have the United States championship match against the man he beat for the title John Cena, and he also faces the Icon Sting for the WWE World Heavyweight championship.
The odds are stacked against him, but the question remains - will Seth Rollins walk out of Texas with both titles like Jay Lethal did in ROH on Friday.
WWE World Heavyweight Championship:
Seth Rollins (c) vs. Sting
Seth Rollins (c) vs. Sting
In theory, Sting in the WWE seemed like a good idea. In practice, he's fallen into the same trap that hurt Goldberg, Diamond Dallas Page, Scott Steiner and (to an extent) Ric Flair. They were all WCW stars that Vince didn't know what to do with because he didn't create them. The aura of Sting in WWE has never been fully captured. I sense the decision makers in WWE feel the same way. Rollins needs to go over strong and stop being portrayed as a whiny champion that constantly relies on the Authority.
The match will probably be good, but I don’t see it being much better than just that – good. Arguably, there is no-one better placed than Seth Rollins to make Sting, at 56, look like he still belongs in a WWE ring, but I think the finish will distract from the quality of the wrestling. Does Sting need the title to be a WWE Hall of Famer? In their minds, possibly. But I see Rollins winning – not without hope for Sting along the way. Some outside interference that maybe the likes of Money in Bank holder, Sheamus, could provide, will no doubt colour the finish. This can then lead to them settling the score without disruption inside Hell in a Cell next month.
The match will probably be good, but I don’t see it being much better than just that – good. Arguably, there is no-one better placed than Seth Rollins to make Sting, at 56, look like he still belongs in a WWE ring, but I think the finish will distract from the quality of the wrestling. Does Sting need the title to be a WWE Hall of Famer? In their minds, possibly. But I see Rollins winning – not without hope for Sting along the way. Some outside interference that maybe the likes of Money in Bank holder, Sheamus, could provide, will no doubt colour the finish. This can then lead to them settling the score without disruption inside Hell in a Cell next month.
WWE United States Championship:
Seth Rollins (c) vs. John Cena
Seth Rollins (c) vs. John Cena
The idea of a double champion was a good selling point for SummerSlam, but it's been pointless. Rollins has barely defended the U.S. Championship on television. He's been more concerned with a statue. So if Cena wins, do they bring back the U.S. Open Challenge? It was the highlight of Raw during the summer with Cena elevating the title and having several 4-star matches. That's a formula that makes more sense. There are still some programs for Cena as a U.S. Champion for another reign. This match should start the show.
WWE Intercontinental Championship:
Ryback (c) vs. Kevin Owens
Ryback (c) vs. Kevin Owens
I think this is going to be a sleeper of good match and it’s probably time for Owens to get a belt at this point. This program is just getting started so they should feud over the belt for a few months before Owens moves on. The prospect of Owens as IC champion is a fun one, to say the least. They can, of course, settle this in a Cell next month if they don’t do a rematch on Raw.
WWE Divas Championship:
Nikki Bella vs. Charlotte
Nikki Bella vs. Charlotte
On the surface, it seems that Charlotte takes the title. Nikki Bella already broke A.J. Lee's record. Nikki has the stipulations going against her that she can drop the title via DQ or countout. However, there's been little teases of dissension in Team PCB. Go back to Monday night. After Stephanie McMahon came out and announced Charlotte would have to give back the Divas title, it was Paige who quickly handed the belt back to the referee. Either Charlotte takes the title at NOC and Paige turns on her Monday night to set up her first program, or Paige does the turn here.
WWE Tag Team Championship:
The New Day vs. The Dudley Boyz
The New Day vs. The Dudley Boyz
New Day have been really hot as the new heel act right now that everyone likes. Isn’t it amazing how it’s night and day compared to when they first made their debut as a trio? The Dudley Boyz coming in shakes things up because Prime Time Players aren’t that over and they missed the boat on the Lucha Dragons while they had the chance. I think this will be a pretty solid match and probably the most fun of the night, especially with Xavier Woods’ antics.
Its way too early for a title switch so I say New Day sneaks a win, setting up a title match for Hell in a Cell. The Dudleys will get the belts at some point, but the New Day just regained the championships at SummerSlam and should go over here. Make the Dudleys 10th WWE Tag Team title reign somewhat elusive.
Its way too early for a title switch so I say New Day sneaks a win, setting up a title match for Hell in a Cell. The Dudleys will get the belts at some point, but the New Day just regained the championships at SummerSlam and should go over here. Make the Dudleys 10th WWE Tag Team title reign somewhat elusive.
Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns and Mystery Partner
vs.
The Wyatt Family
vs.
The Wyatt Family
The mystery partner aspect is genuinely interesting because it could be several different people. Everyone would love to see Daniel Bryan, because it would set up a new set of matches instantly. Erik Rowan would make storyline sense but would be somewhat of a letdown.
I do think that all of this is ending up with a Roman Reigns heel turn and we should see more advancement to that end in this match. Roman pinning Harper would be my thought for the finish.
I do think that all of this is ending up with a Roman Reigns heel turn and we should see more advancement to that end in this match. Roman pinning Harper would be my thought for the finish.
Rusev vs. Dolph Ziggler
We’ve seen this match what seems like dozens of times over the last several months and I’m not sure that it really matters who wins at this point. This is all about the angle and most of the interest is about where they’re going with the drama also involving Summer Rae and Lana.