'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
WWE's next pay-per-view is Clash of Champions, the annual event where every title must be on the line. While this particular event debuted in 2016, Clash of Champions is a continuation of the Night of Champions chronology. The concept has remained the same for over a decade now.
The Night of Champions name was first used in relation to the Vengeance pay-per-view, in June 2007. But it was merely a tagline for that show. It became a standalone event one year later, towards the very end of the Ruthless Aggression Era.
In fact, the first Night of Champions pay-per-view was the second last one before WWE went PG. And almost every Superstar heading into the show with a title is still prominent in the wrestling industry today, over twelve years later.
Some of these Superstars are still with WWE today, either full-time or part-time. Meanwhile, quite a few of them are now a part of All Elite Wrestling. This just shows the longevity of the company's backbone in 2008, with Night of Champions proving to be a solid event.
There were eight Championships in WWE at the time, with two of them being Tag Team Titles. So with that in mind, let's take a look at all 10 Champions at the first-ever Night of Champions pay-per-view and find out where they are now.
#10 and #9 The Miz and John Morrison (WWE Tag Team Champions)
After varying journeys across wrestling and elsewhere, John Morrison and The Miz are once again a team over a decade after first splitting up. They were the WWE Tag Team Champions heading into Night of Champions 2008, defeating the babyface team of Finlay and Hornswoggle at the event.
Miz has remained in WWE all this time, carving out a successful career in the ring. He has won pretty much every title possible, including eight Intercontinental Championships. Morrison, on the other hand, left WWE in 2011 and wrestled in places like Lucha Underground and IMPACT.
Right now, the 'Dirt Sheet Duo' is among the most entertaining acts on SmackDown. They won the Blue brand's tag team titles earlier this year and are now a constant presence every Friday night on FOX.
#8 and #7 Hardcore Holly and Cody Rhodes (World Tag Team Champions)
Night of Champions 2008 saw Hardcore Holly make his last ever appearance in WWE, as he was released around seven months later. The six-time Hardcore Champion served as a mentor to a young Cody Rhodes, with the two becoming the World Tag Team Champions.
They were set to face Ted Dibiase and a mystery partner, which turned out to be Cody himself. Holly has wrestled at several independent promotions since.
Meanwhile, Cody Rhodes has gone from strength to strength in the wrestling business. After a solid few years in WWE, he ventured out to become a bigger star. Cody is now an executive Vice President at AEW. He is arguably the face of the company as well.
#6 Mickie James (WWE Women's Champion)
Mickie James was probably the top female wrestler in WWE during the late-2000s, winning six Championships in the company. She retained her Women's Title at Night of Champions 2008 against Katie Lea Burchill. However, WWE released James in 2010.
She went on to wrestle on the independent circuit, as well as have a successful run with IMPACT Wrestling. James also released various country music singles and albums during her time away from WWE, before eventually returning in 2016.
Mickie James has been a part of NXT, RAW, and SmackDown since returning. She even has the opportunity to be featured on this year's Clash of Champions card, with a RAW Women's Title match against Asuka coming up next week.
#5 Kane (ECW Champion)
One of the most reliable performers in WWE history, Kane was the ECW Champion back in 2008. He won it in an 11-second match at WrestleMania 24 against Chavo Guerrero, before losing it at Night of Champions. Mark Henry won the ECW Title in a Triple threat match against Kane and The Big Show.
Kane continued with WWE in a full-time capacity for close to a decade more, bringing back his mask multiple times. But now, the 'Big Red Machine' has taken a completely new direction, venturing into politics.
Glenn Jacobs is currently the mayor of Knox County, Tennessee, after being elected in 2018. He still dons the mask for the occasional WWE appearance, but Kane is pretty much done as a wrestler.
#4 Matt Hardy (WWE United States Champion)
Somehow still one of the most prominent figures in wrestling today, Matt Hardy has had quite the journey since 2008. He was the United States Champion in June of that year, retaining his title against Chavo Guerrero at Night of Champions. A little over two years later, Hardy was gone from WWE.
After overcoming some personal demons, the accomplished veteran rejuvenated his career. Hardy created an entire universe surrounding him and his Broken character, becoming the hottest star in wrestling in 2016. He returned to WWE in 2017, alongside his brother Jeff.
And after three years of Hardy Boyz nostalgia, Woken wisdom, and creative unfulfillment, Matt Hardy left the company again. He is now a part of AEW, where he has overcome his fair share of gnarly moments. No scary fall can keep the 'Broken One' down.
#3 Chris Jericho (WWE Intercontinental Champion)
Another current AEW star on this list, Chris Jericho has had an eventful past decade or so. In the midst of his intense and personal rivalry with Shawn Michaels, Jericho defended the Intercontinental Championship at Night of Champions 2008. A distraction from HBK caused him to lose to Kofi Kingston, who was very young into his WWE career.
Jericho would go on a pattern with WWE after 2010, wrestling every few months and going on tour with his band, Fozzy, for the rest of the year. The former Undisputed Champion's best run came in 2016 and 2017, alongside Kevin Owens.
The 'List of Jericho' was one of the most popular things in recent WWE history. However, that was his last significant contribution to WWE. Jericho struck a deal with NJPW, which saw him wrestle multiple times on their big shows.
The most notable one was his No Disqualification Match against Kenny Omega at Wrestle Kingdom 12. One thing led to another and just like that, Chris Jericho eventually signed with AEW. He is one of the biggest stars in the young promotion, having been their first World Champion.
#2 Triple H (WWE Champion)
The main event of the first-ever Night of Champions event was a WrestleMania rematch between Triple H and John Cena. They were two of WWE's biggest babyfaces at the time, vying for the WWE Championship in this huge match-up. The Game retained his title over Cena, continuing what would be one of his final reigns as WWE Champion.
Less than two years later, Triple H ended his full-time career in the ring. He transitioned over into an executive role in WWE. The 14-time WWE World Champion adopted many different job titles, both on-screen and in real life. As of this year, Triple H is the Executive Vice President of Global Talent Strategy and Development for WWE.
However, the Game's biggest contributions to wrestling in the past decade was NXT, as we know it. He turned NXT from an irrelevant secondary program and transformed it into WWE's third brand. His vision has influenced and shaped much of the evolution of WWE's product today.
Triple H entered the WWE Hall of Fame in 2019, as a part of D-Generation X, yet can still be considered a part-time in-ring performer. However, he has not wrestled since his defeat to Randy Orton over a year ago.
#1 Edge (WWE World Heavyweight Champion)
Back in 2008, Edge was on top of the world. He was the biggest heel in WWE, reigning as the World Heavyweight Champion. The Rated-R Superstar defeated Batista at Night of Champions to keep his title, although he would lose it one night later when CM Punk cashed in his Money in the Bank contract on him.
Edge remained in WWE's main event scene until his sudden retirement in 2011, in the middle of his seventh World Heavyweight Title reign. After getting inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2012, Edge pursued acting. He found roles in various movies and TV shows.
Other media projects followed, with Edge and Christian hosting a WWE Network as well as a podcast together. However, everything changed when the Hall of Famer was cleared by doctors to return to the ring.
Edge showed up at this year's Royal Rumble Match, sending fans across the world into euphoria. He has had two singles matches so far, as part of an epic feud with Randy Orton. And while a triceps tear has derailed his momentum, Edge is set to return better than ever in the coming months.
Bayley gives us a HUGE update on a top Superstar's upcoming return RIGHT HERE.
