WWE Night of Champions: Live Results and Coverage, September 15, 2013

WWE Night of Champions

Hello wrestling fans, and welcome to the live review of Night of Champions 2013, live from Joe Louis Arena in the Motor city – Detroit, Michigan. WWE has a good card stacked up for tonight, and we have predicted a lot of twists and turns along the way. What will happen tonight? We’ll take you through the action play by play.

Pre-show:

Five-way No. 1 contender tag team match between The Prime Time Players, Real Americans, Tons of Funk, The Usos and 3MB.

The first match of the night during the pre – show saw The Prime Time Players and The Real Americans being the last two teams. Swagger locked in the ankle lock on Young, but Young came back and delivered a huge gut buster to pick up the victory for his team! As predicted, PTP will go on to face The Shield later tonight for the WWE Tag Team championships.

Winner (s) and the number one contenders: The Prime Time Players.

Rating: **

Analysis: That was a good opener and the crowd was firmly behind The Prime Time Players. It was a decent opening bout to kick off the show.

Main-show:

The show opened with a great look back at the past WWE and World Heavyweight champions. As expected, WWE came out with a nice little video package about the importance of championships, which was a refreshing change.

The PPV kicked off with Triple H coming down to the ring. Triple H welcomed the fans, and said NoC PPV will be one of the greatest PPVs of all time. Triple H said he wanted to show the WWE Universe and the performers that he wasn’t a villainous character, but did what was best for business. Triple H mentioned Daniel Bryan, which drew loud ‘Yes’ chants from the Detroit crowd. Triple H then made an impromptu match between Curtis Axel and Kofi Kingston for the WWE Intercontinental championship!

Kofi Kingston vs Curtis Axel (With Paul Heyman) for the WWE Intercontinental championship

Heyman said that it wasn’t correct, but Kofi came out to a massive pop. Kofi and Axel locked up, as the crowd chanted for Kofi Kingston. Kofi worked on Axel’s leg, and Axel limped to the outside. Back in the ring, Kofi delivered a nice spinning heel kick for a near fall! Axel then threw Kofi outside to buy himself some time, but Kofi delivered a huge cross body from the top rope on the outside on Axel! Kofi rolled Axel inside the ring for a near fall.

Axel came back and hung Kofi in the tree of woe, and delivered some clubby blows for a near fall. Axel delivered a nice belly to back suplex for a near fall. The crowd started a “Curtis Axel” chant, as Axel delivered a huge clothesline! Paul Heyman had a worried look on his face, as Axel locked in a chinlock. Kofi came back with a drop kick and the boom drop. Kofi went for the Trouble in Paradise, but Axel cut him off. Kofi went for a dropkick from the top rope, but Axel delivered a drop kick of his own in mid air for a 2 count! Axel went for the Perfectplex, but Kofi rolled him up for a 2 count. Kofi reversed a swinging neckbreaker for a near fall yet again! Axel hung Kofi on the top rope and delivered the swinging spike DDT to pick up the victory after 13 minutes.

Winner and still the WWE Intercontinental champion: Curtis Axel

Rating: ** 3/4

Analysis: That was a solid opening bout with the crowd hot for the entire duration. Half of the crowd was firmly behind Curtis Axel, and giving Axel a clean win was the right way to go. Axel finally showed his potential, and the younger Hennig has a long way to go in the WWE. Correct booking by the WWE to put the Intercontinental title on the line.

Backstage segment with RVD and Ricardo. They did some Spanish translation and RVD ended the segment by saying he will be the new World Heavyweight champion. Van Dam looked a bit dizzy, and I don’t want to know why.

AJ Lee was shown walking backstage, and the divas, including Layla turned their back on her.

AJ Lee vs Natalya vs Naomi vs Brie Bella for the WWE Divas title

The fatal 4 way kicked off with all the competitors inside the ring. All the divas went after AJ as she tried to get away, and they took turns throwing AJ against the barricade. Inside the ring, Brie threw AJ out and went after Naomi and Natalya. Brie took control of the match, but Naomi came back with a dropkick and nice head scissors for a near fall. AJ tried to roll Natalya up, but Natalya knocked her out. Naomi went on the offense, but was taken out as Natalya and Brie were left in the ring. Naomi came back but Nattie dropped her with a clothesline. Nattie locked Naomi and Brie in a double sharpshooter! Wow! That was amazing. AJ came back with the Black Widow submission move on Natalya and Natalya tapped out to give AJ the win after the 5 minute mark.

Winner and still the WWE Divas champion: AJ Lee

Rating: * 1/2

Analysis: The highlight of the match was Natalya locking in the double sharpshooter! That was never seen before, and drew a huge pop from the Detroit crowd. AJ retained her title, which I honestly didn’t see coming. That was a decent divas match, which is a compliment considering it involved Brie Bella. Either way, AJ retaining the title surprised everyone.

Rob Van Dam (With Ricardo) vs Alberto Del Rio for the World Heavyweight championship

Rob Van Dam

Rob Van Dam got a warm welcome by the hometown crowd while Del Rio was booed. Loud RVD chants to start things off. Shoulder thrusts by RVD and he dropped Del Rio with kicks and a standing moonsault for a near fall. Van Dam took control of the match with yet another moonsault over the top rope. Van Dam placed Del Rio on the barricade and came down with a spinning leg drop. Vintage RVD! Del Rio hung RVD on the top rope and came back with a suicide dive on the outside to take RVD out! Del Rio slapped in a chin lock, but RVD rolled him up for a 2 count. Del Rio delivered a stiff shining wizard kick for a near fall! Loud ‘RVD’ chants by the Detroit crowd as ADR dropped Van Dam with a back drop and an enziguri kick. Del Rio missed a dive, and RVD took control with a big boot to the face for a near fall!

RVD came down with a huge thrust kick, but Del Rio countered the rolling thunder into a backstabber for a 2 count. RVD connected with a huge cannon roll from the top rope for a near fall! Van Dam and Del Rio traded blows as the crowd buzzed in anticipation! Del Rio signaled for the cross arm breaker but Van Dam connected with a huge kick to the face and came down with the split legged moonsault for a near fall! Del Rio took RVD down with a stabber to the arm and connected with the kick to the head, but RVD kicked out! Del Rio went to the top rope, but RVD dropped him with a heel kick! RVD went for the frogsplash, but Del Rio got his knees up in time and locked in the arm breaker! RVD desperately reached the bottom rope, but Del Rio refused to let go after the 5 count leading to a disqualification just under the 14 minute mark!

Winner by DQ: Rob Van Dam

Rating: *** 1/2

Post match, ADR attacked RVD and tried to attack with a steel chair, but Ricardo made the save and RVD dropped him with a DDT. RVD went to the top turnbuckle and came down with a huge Coast to Coast with Ricardo holding the chair! That was awesome, and brought some memories back.

Analysis: That was a great match between two great workers. The DQ finish was correct, as it made both the competitors look strong. The Vandaminator in the end brought quite a few memories back, and this sets up a rematch between the two for the next PPV.

Backstage, Paul Heyman told Axel that he could set everything right if Axel took care of CM Punk in their match. Axel asked if Heyman believed in him. Heyman seemed hesitant, but he said he did.

Backstage, Orton confronted Triple H and asked him why he banned Show and The Shield from ringside. Triple H said he wanted to know if he picked the right guy. Orton said he did.

Fandango (With Summer Rae) vs The Miz

Why did WWE book this match? Apparently because we need more mid carders on the show. Miz started off aggressively but Fandango came back with a shoulder block. Miz came back with a hip toss and a clothesline in the corner. Summer distracted Miz which led to Fandango taking control of the bout. There was a small “Summer Rae” chant by the crowd which was nice. Miz connected with a baseball slide on the outside but Fandango countered with a boot to the mid section. Back in the ring, Miz took control with a couple of clotheslines and started working on his knee. Miz connected with a DDT as the crowd started a “We want tables” chant. Fandango came back with a suplex for a 2 count. Fandango came down with a huge leg drop from the top rope on The Miz for yet another near fall. Fandango went for another leg drop, but Miz moved out of the way. Miz locked in the figure four and Fandango tapped out after the 8 minute mark.

Winner: The Miz

Rating: **

Analysis: That was a decent match between the two, but the match made no sense on the card. Anyway, The Miz picked up the victory which might finally end the lackluster feud, or I might be hoping for too much.

WWE aired a great promo for the CM Punk – Heyman/Axel match. As always, WWE came out with a stupendous promo, which centered around the animosity between Punk and Paul Heyman.

CM Punk vs Curtis Axel and Paul Heyman in a 2 on 1 No DQ handicap elimination match

Axel and Heyman made their way out first. Punk came out next and Detroit came unglued! Massive pop for the Second City Saint as he made his way to the ring. Punk had a kendo stick in his hand as Heyman and Axel scooted out of the ring. Axel had a kendo stick of his own, but Punk connected with some hard kendo shots to kick things off. Side Russian leg sweep and Punk leaped onto Heyman! Punk brought Heyman inside the ring, but Axel connected with a low blow. Axel connected with some hard shots of his own as the fans chanted for CM Punk. Axel brought a chair to the ring, but Punk connected with some hard kicks. Axel came back with a dropkick, as the crowd started yet another “We want tables” chant. Axel dropped Punk with a clothesline for a near fall. Axel pulled out a table and the crowd erupted! Axel set the table in the corner and tried to put Punk through it. Axel connected with a snap suplex for a 2 count. Loud “CM Punk” chants by the Detroit crowd as Axel worked on Punk’s neck. Axel went shoulder first into the chair in the corner, enabling Punk to take control of the bout. High running knee by Punk, but Axel escaped before Punk could connect with the elbow drop.

Punk went for a suicide dive on the outside, but Axel put the chair up in time. Axel connected with the swinging neckbreaker for a two count. Heyman started taunting Punk, as Axel delivered some more shots with the kendo stick for yet another near fall. Punk countered with the kendo shots and delivered the GTS! Punk locked the Anaconda Vice on Axel and Axel tapped out!

Winner: CM Punk

Rating: ** 3/4

CM Punk vs Paul Heyman

Heyman tried to escape through the crowd but Punk caught up with Heyman. He brought him inside the ring as Heyman tried to apologize. Punk connected with some hard kendo stick shots as Heyman withered in pain. Punk took out handcuffs and handcuffed Heyman’s hands behind his back as the crowd started a “This is awesome” chant. Punk meticulously delivered the kendo shots as Heyman screamed in pain. Punk was about to deliver yet another blow, but Ryback came out and speared Punk through the table! Ryback placed Heyman over CM Punk for the 3 count!

Winner: Paul Heyman

Rating: *

Analysis: I predicted an interference, but not from Ryback. Punk suffered a gash from the spear, but this will lead to yet another program between Punk and Ryback. I don’t know if Ryback was the right choice, but the idea was correct. Punk received huge support from the Detroit crowd, but couldn’t get his retribution on Heyman.Post match, Punk refused medical help and left the ring on his own to a massive ovation from the Detroit crowd.

Daniel Bryan

Dean Ambrose vs Dolph Ziggler for the WWE United States championship

Ziggler started things off with a take down on Ambrose, but Ambrose came back and taunted Ziggler, which resulted in Ziggler delivering a drop kick for a 1 count. Ziggler delivered the 10 elbows for yet another 1 count. Ziggler took Ambrose to the outside over the top rope, but Ambrose came back with some elbows of his own. Ambrose took control of the match and slowed the pace down, dropping Ziggler with a underhook throw from the top rope. Ambrose climbed the top rope, but Ziggler brought him down for a 2 count. Ziggler hit a huge splash in the corner and took Ambrose down with a clothesline for a 2 count. Ziggler locked in the sleeper hold, but Ambrose reversed it with a back drop for a 2 count. Ziggler connected with the Fame Asser for a near fall, but Ambrose rolled out of the ring! Ziggler went for a splash, but Ambrose side stepped and connected with the face plant to pick up the victory after 12 minutes.

Winner and still the WWE United States champion: Dean Ambrose

Rating: ** 3/4

Analysis: That was yet another solid match. Nobody expected Ziggler to win the match, but the fact that he was on the card may suggest that Ziggler is finally out of the WWE dog house. I’m a huge fan of Ziggler, and I hope he’ll make his way back to the main event scene in the near future. He put on yet another good PPV match with Dean Ambrose, and we’ll have to see where he goes from here.

The Shield vs The Prime Time Players for the WWE Tag Team championships

Titus and Rollins started things off and Titus caught Rollins in his way! Young tagged in and took control of the match. Rollins tagged Roman in, but Young sent Roman out and caught Rollins with an elbow! Titus came in and stomped on Rollins; back in the ring, Roman threw Young over the top rope! That was a great display of power. Rollins tagged in and worked on Young’s neck. Young countered with a huge belly to belly throw, but Reigns came in and stopped Young in his tracks. Young finally made the hot tag to Titus, who came in with a head of steam and took out both the members of The Shield. Rollins stopped him with a huge enziguri, but Titus came back with a Fall away slam. Reigns hit a spear on Titus without referee noticing him and Rollins covered Titus to pick up the victory after the 7 minute mark.

Winner (s) and still the WWE Tag Team champions: The Shield

Rating: **

Analysis: That was a fast paced match, with Titus being the aggressor. Titus can be a good main eventer in the future, and was well over with the fans. The Shield shouldn’t drop the titles just yet, and the loss didn’t hurt the Prime Time Players either. That was a good tag team match with a lot of fast paced action.

WWE aired a promo for the main event match between Randy Orton and Daniel Bryan. The Michael Cole – Triple H segment was highlighted, as Triple H gave reasons why Bryan shouldn’t be the face of the company. The underdog journey has been brilliant so far. Will Bryan beat Randy Orton for the WWE championship tonight? We’ll find out in our main event.

Daniel Bryan vs Randy Orton for the WWE championship

Bryan came out first to a massive pop from the Detroit crowd! Loud “Daniel Bryan” chants by the crowd as Orton made his way out next to a chorus of boos. The crowd was firmly behind Bryan as Bryan and Orton locked up to kick things off. Orton took control of the match with a side headlock take down, but Bryan came back with a knee to the gut. Bryan started working on the arm of Orton and drilled Orton with some stiff kicks. Orton came back with a back breaker from the second rope! Orton meticulously stomped on Bryan, and hung him over the top rope for a near fall. Orton applied the chinlock, but Bryan took Orton down with a series of punches. Orton gained the advantage by stopping Bryan in his tracks, and worked on Bryan in the corner. Bryan came back with a flying clothesline as the crowd started the “Yes” chants! Bryan delivered drop kicks in the corner and brought down Orton from the top rope with a Hurricanrana! Bryan followed Orton on the outside with a suicide dive! Back in the ring, Bryan delivered yet another drop kick and took Orton down with yet another suicide dive! Bryan tried to do it for the third time but Orton drilled him with a right hand. Orton followed it up by delivering the double hand DDT on the outside!

Back in the ring, Orton tried to go for an RKO, but Bryan countered it into a dropkick and Orton inadvertently knocked the referee out of the ring! Orton came back with a powerslam for a 2 count! Orton tried to go for the DDT again but Bryan locked him in the Yes lock! Orton desperately reached for the ropes and finally held on to break the hold. Bryan went for the drop kick on the corner but Orton side stepped, sending Bryan crashing into the turnbuckles! Orton went for the superplex, but Bryan countered it into the tree of woe and delivered some kicks and finally the baseball slide! Bryan tried to go for the back drop from the top rope but Orton knocked him down. Bryan went back up and delivered a superplex! Bryan followed it up with a swan dive headbutt for a near fall! Bryan tried to go for the shining wizard, but Orton reversed it into a belly to back suplex! Bryan connected with the running knee to the head and pinned Orton to become the new WWE champion!

Winner and the new WWE champion: Daniel Bryan

Rating: *** 3/4

Analysis: That was a great main event which got about 20 minutes, and I honestly didn’t see it coming! The crowd erupted as Bryan pinned Orton, but I feel it is a little too soon to give the title to Daniel Bryan. Will that make this PPV one of the best this year? I would think so. It had many good – great matches and a solid main event. Daniel Bryan is now the face of the WWE! No, you’re not dreaming!

Over – all PPV rating: *** 3/4 (Out of 5 stars)

That was a great way to end the PPV. Was it as good as SummerSlam? I thought it fell a bit short, but it was nonetheless one of the best PPVs of the year! Daniel Bryan is once again the WWE champion! How will that affect the current state of WWE? We’ll have to wait and find out! There were a couple of solid matches on the card and the finish was memorable. This looks to be the beginning of the Daniel Bryan era in the WWE! How will Triple H react to this? We’ll have to wait for yet another 24 hours for this week’s Monday Night RAW. That’s all from us for now. Do join us in 24 hours as we see the fall out of the Night of Champions.