The fourth annual WWE Night of Champions takes place September 18, 2011 live at the First Niagara Center in Buffalo, New York. This is the one night where it is guaranteed that every WWE title will be on the line. Last year's event featured great in-ring action but the results of the matches weren't that surprising. With the WWE looking to improve its B shows and its overall programming, that shouldn't be the case this Sunday. On this year's card are six title matches and a very special No DQ main event encounter where anything can happen.
WWE Night of Champions Mid-Card Matches
1. WWE Divas Championship Match
Divas Champion Kelly Kelly Vs. Beth Phoenix
Even after successfully defending her championship on multiple occasions, Kelly Kelly is still getting no respect out of Beth Phoenix. Kelly Kelly used to be friends with Beth, until being attacked when going to congratulate Beth on winning the opportunity to fight her. Beth believes that Kelly Kelly has just made her way through the WWE using only her looks, and that she has no talent as an in-ring performer. Kelly Kelly though has so far proved her wrong, having beaten Beth at Summerslam, again a few weeks ago on Raw, and will look to do so once again come Sunday.
2. WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
Champion Cody Rhodes Vs. Ted DiBiase
These two were once a successful tag team duo, having beaten the likes of D Generation X before and being part of team Legacy with Randy Orton. Since that group split, it was Rhodes, not DiBiase who has found success in the WWE. Rhodes has had his moment in the spotlight with a win over Rey Mysterio at WrestleMania, whereas DiBiase cannot say the same. Rhodes decided to work with DiBiase and help revive his career, but instead just used him to further push his. After being attacked by Rhodes and having a paper bag put over his head, DiBiase has had enough. He realizes he needs to fight on his own and just prove his worthiness for once. Can DiBiase claim some singles gold or will he just fall back into oblivion once again ?
3. WWE United States Championship Match
Champion Dolph Ziggler Vs. Jack Swagger Vs. Alex Riley Vs. John Morrison
Dolph Ziggler has come to learn that life as a champion is not that easy, which couldn't be any more true as he will have to defend his United States Championship in a Fatal Four Way. He must defeat Jack Swagger, who he has been feuding with ever since Swagger asked Vickie Guerrero to be his manager. Then there is Alex Riley, who has had enough of the cocky Ziggler and wants to win his first ever singles gold. Lastly is the exciting in-ring performer John Morrison, who has been in plenty of matches involving more than one man. Will Ziggler let his recent distractions cost him the belt or will he be able to beat the odds?
4. WWE Tag Team Championship Match
Champions Evan Bourne & Kofi Kingston Vs. The Miz & R-Truth
The Miz and R-Truth having both felt that there is a major conspiracy going on in the WWE, have decided to work together in order to get what they want. Both have had their title opportunities, but since then haven't gotten back into the title picture. While waiting for that opportunity to be available, the two will try to dominate the tag team division. In order to do so, they will have to defeat the newly formed high flying team of Air Boom. Bourne and Kingston won the belts on Raw against Otunga and McGillicutty, and unlike them are willing to prove their worthiness as champions. The Miz and R-Truth are two great singles competitors, but will they be able to work well as a team ?
WWE Night of Champions Main Event Matches
5. WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match
Champion Randy Orton Vs. Mark Henry
For the past few months Mark Henry has claimed his name as the most feared superstar in the WWE. He has been on a rampage having taken out the Big Show, Sheamus, referees, and even a member of the production crew. Having won a twenty man battle royal on Smackdown for this title opportunity, Henry can stake his claim as the most feared World Heavyweight Champion. Henry made sure Orton knew he was coming for him when brutally attacking Orton after Orton's title defense against Christian in a tag team contest. Randy Orton can only do one thing to put the world's strongest man away, and that is to hit the RKO. Can Orton stop the beast in Henry or will Henry finally win the big one?
6. WWE Championship Match
Champion Alberto Del RIo Vs. John Cena
Alberto Del Rio became WWE Champion when he cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase at Summerslam to defeat CM Punk. After only a year fighting in the WWE, Del Rio had finally completed his destiny of winning the WWE Championship. Having defeated Rey Mysterio the night after Summerslam, this match makes Del Rio's second title match. John Cena not only wants the belt around his waist, but wants to beat someone who he doesn't believe earned it. Will John Cena walk out victorious with the title once again or will Del Rio retain against his toughest opponent yet ?
7. No Disqualification Match
CM Punk Vs. Triple H
CM Punk and Triple H are two opposite superstars, Punk who has really had to fight hard to make it in the company and Triple H, who has had the pleasure of being married to the boss's daughter. The night after WWE Money In the Bank, Triple H had informed Vince McMahon that he was taking over as the COO of the WWE. The true feud between these two began when CM Punk lost his title to Alberto Del Rio after being power bombed by a returning Kevin Nash. Punk believes that Triple H told Nash to attack Punk, but Triple H denies any involvement in what happened, going as far as even firing Nash to make his point. H though has had enough of the verbal abuse and lack of respect that Punk has shown. In order to get the chance to beat some respect into Punk, Triple H was willing to resign as COO if he were to lose. Can Punk end Triple H's reign of power and will Kevin Nash possibly have some sort of involvement ?
Overall WWE Programming has been the best it's been going into a September event in quite some time. For the first time in awhile an actual intriguing storyline to get viewers watching, with that being the one involving CM Punk and Triple H. Night of Champions can beat out last year's event with less predictability and a couple of surprises. The overall card is pretty good with some great mid-card action and main event matches that could really deliver if executed properly.
These matches are huge for all superstars involved this Sunday, as after Night of Champions others will be looking to get into the title hunt and have the chance to fight next month when WWE brings back the PPV event Vengeance.
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