Posted in: PPV WWE Night of Champions Results 7/26/09
By MIK
Jul 26, 2009 - 11:29:04 PM
“Every Championship is On The Line”
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The show opened with a video that featured shots of past and present champions and challengers. A second video then aired focused on some of the top matches on this show.
Fireworks went off on the stage, which featured long tapestries with the various title belts as Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler introduced the show.
The challengers came out first. Jericho's entrance music played and he came out by himself. Lillian Garcia started to introduce Jericho's partner, but he took the mic from her. Jericho introduced footage of Edge discussing his injury.
Jericho mocked the Edge footage and then introduced Big Show as his tag team partner. Show came out wearing a new blue and black singlet and holding the tag titles over his head. The live crowd wasn't blown away by this development.
Unified Tag Team Championship
Match 1: Chris Jericho & Big Show v. Cody Rhodes & Ted Dibiase
A "Y2J" chant broke out early in the match. At 6:20, Cody moonsaulted onto a standing Jericho for a good near fall. Cole showed more enthusiasm in calling the near fall than he has in years. At 9:00, Show entered the ring and went for a double chokeslam. Rhodes and DiBiase broke free, but Show came right back with a spear on DiBiase. He went for a cover, but Cody broke it up. A short time later, Jericho came back in and hit the Codebreaker on DiBiase. Show followed up with the Colossal Clutch on DiBiase, who immediately tapped out for the submission loss.
Backstage, Josh Matthews tried to interview C.M. Punk, who instead addressed the fans by asking if they were still supporting Jeff Hardy after everything he had said. Punk took the mic and headed into the arena. He stood on a cargo crate and polled the crowd again. He said he doesn't blame the kids who cheer Hardy. Rather, he blames the parents.
Punk said the kids who cheer Hardy obviously have single parents. He said the parents who let the kids cheer Hardy obviously don't care what happens to their children. Punk said he doesn't blame kids under 17 who cheer Hardy. "The real problem is the parents," Hardy said. "The parents don't sit their kids down and teach them the proper way to live."
Punk said it starts with a Jeff Hardy t-shirt and leads to a cigarette, then a beer, then a shot of Jack Daniels, which he said is a gateway to smoking marijuana. Punk said the next thing you know the kids are digging through mom's purse for her prescription medication. Punk said tonight he wants the fans to say yes - yes to the future of a straight edge, drug free America. "Just say yes to the World Heavyweight Champion," he said. "Thank you."
ECW Championship
Match 2: Tommy Dreamer v. Christian
A small ECW chant broke out less than two minutes into the match. Striker said there were a group of fans who followed Tommy up the road to the ECW Arena for a makeshift BBQ earlier in the day. Cool story if true.
Christian had Dreamer in a sleeper, but Dreamer fell backward to knock him off. If only Nick Bockwinkel had figured out that counter years ago. Christian came back with another sleeper and this time Dreamer tumbled over the top rope and took Christian with him. Dreamer did the obligatory tree of woe spot and got a nice reaction for the ECW chant.
At 8:15, Christian hit the fulcrum kick in the corner. A short time later, he hit the Killswitch on Dreamer and scored the clean 1-2-3.
Post-Match: Dreamer spun Christian around and they ended up hugging.
A SummerSlam Ad aired.
Backstage, Todd Grisham interviewed Big Show and Chris Jericho. Show said they don't like each other, but they will become the best tag team in history. Jericho flashed a sinister smile and thanked Edge for making it all possible.
Prior to the next match, Jerry Lawler mentioned that Primo has now replaced the Big Show.
The challengers first make their ways down to the ring followed by the champion, Kofi Kingston
United States Championship
Match 3: Kofi Kingston v. Primo v. Carlito v. MVP v. Jack Swagger v. Miz
All 6 men are in the ring to start at the same time. As the bell rings, Miz and Kingston go for quick schoolboys while Primo chases Carlito around the ring. Miz then kicks Primo in the chest as all 6 men get involved. Primo fights off both Miz and Swagger and connects with a hurricanrana on Swagger. Swagger gets back up and Primom attempts a crossbody, but the All American American dodges it and Primo hits Miz. Carlito breaks up a 2 count as MVP gets back in the ring and catches Swagger in an overhead belly to belly. MVP and Swagger then continue to fight on the outside. As they do so, Carlito gets up on the top rope and takes out MVP. Swagger slides inside the ring where Kingston missile dropkicks Swagger down. Kingston then connects with the double leg drop, 1..2..No! Miz Breaks up the count. Swagger tries to get up in the corner, but Miz clotheslines him down. Miz then goes up top, but Primo stops him and stands on the middle rope. Kingston then joins Primo and they try a double suplerplex, but from out of nowhere, Swagger recovers and double powerbombs Primo and Kingston which causes Miz to crash into the mat. Carlito gets in the ring and knocks Swagger down. MVP then chokes Swagger on the ropes and moments later throws Miz out of the ring. As Swagger uses the ropes to stand up, MVP tackles him over the ropes. With all the men out of the ring, Carlito and Primo tease a double team maneuver on Kingston, but Swagger intervenes and knocks the brothers down. As Swaggers boasts, MVP comes up from behind and hits a facebuster on Swagger. MVP then connects with the Ballin Elbow drop and then signals for PlayMaker. As MVP connects with maneuver, Miz comes from behind and hits a reverse facebuster on MVP. Primo and Carlito then have a staredown. Carlito tells his younger brother to pin MVP and as he does, Carlito hits the BackStabber on Primo. From behind, Kingston then enters the ring and connects with the Trouble in Paradise for the win.
Post-Match: Kingston celebrates his victory as he heads back up the ramp.
Matthews then interviewed Randy Orton in the backstage area. Orton said that although not many could predict Jericho’s partner would be the Big Show, his WWE Championship match tonight is predictable. “I will remain your WWE Champion,” Orton added as he walked away.
Justin Roberts was then shown in the ring and said that this next bout is for the WWE Women’s Championship.
Michelle McCool made her way down to the ring.
Melina then made her way down to the ring. As Melina did her signature splits on apron, McCool charged towards Melina and caught Melina with a baseball slide, knocking Melina onto the outside floor. The referee pulled McCool back and allowed Melina to enter the ring.
United States Championship
Match 4: Michelle McCool v. Melina
Bell rang and McCool charged at Melina, but Melina did the Matrix and soon afterwards caught McCool with a quick armdrag takeover. Melina then cornered McCool and kicked her in the temple a few times. McCool begged Melina to stop, but Melina dropkicked McCool right between the eyes. Melina then set McCool in between the ropes and tried for a guillotine, but McCool moved out of the way as Melina fell through the ropes and onto the floor. McCool brought Melina back in the ring and applied a Half-Boston Crab. McCool then sent Melina back to the outside and rammed her against the barricade. McCool then backed off and charged towards Melina with a big boot, but Melina dodged her and McCool landed split on the barricade. Melina then stood on the barricade and lifted McCool, but McCool quickly recovered and grabbed Melina for a thunderous DDT on the barricade. McCool then slid back in the ring and asked the referee to start counting Melina out. Melina however slowly made her way onto the apron. McCool tried for a baseball slide, but Melina jumped up and forced McCool to crash onto the outside floor below. As McCool stood up, Melina jumped off the apron and connected on a powerful facebuster. Melina then brought McCool back into the ring and got a 2 count out of a pinfall attempt. Melina then dropped both her knees on McCool’s abdomen before going up to the middle rope. Melina came down with a Lou Thez press, but McCool somehow managed to roll Melina over and pin her shoulders down onto the mat for the 3 count.
Post-Match: McCool hangs around ringside celebrating her win as Melina looks on frustrated.
Backstage, John Cena was shown. He was preparing for the triple threat.
Following the storied rivalry between the competitors surrounding the WWE Championship match, John Cena made his entrance followed by Triple H and the champ himself, Randy Orton. Ring Introductions took place.
WWE Championship
Match 5: John Cena v. Triple H v. Randy Orton
As the bell rang, Orton slid onto the outside of the ring. Triple H and Cena stared at each other and both went to the outside via opposite sides and trapped Orton on the outside. Orton ran back inside and both Triple H and Cena followed. The Game punched Orton in the mouth several times as Cena watched on. As Orton got some offense in, Cena quickly came in and took Orton down. Orton then tried to head towards the back, but Cena came running from behind and clubbed Orton in the back. Triple H and Cena took turns pounding on Orton while outside. Moments later, Orton found some separation and slid back in the ring. Cena tried getting back in the ring, but Orton shoved him off causing Cena to land onto Triple H. With both Cena and Triple H down on the outside, Orton brought Cena back inside the ring and kicked Cena in the face several times. Not long after however, Cena came storming back as he connected on two shoulderblocks followed by a front suplex. Cena then hit the Five Knuckle Shuffle and tried for the Attitude Adjustment, but Triple H emerged back into the scene and kicked Cena in the gut. Triple H then sent Cena crashing into the steel post, shoulder first. As Triple H turned around, Orton caught the Game with a clothesline. The Viper then lifted Triple H up and connected on a dropkick. Following that, Orton applied a reverse chin lock onto Triple H. As Triple H struggled to fight out of it, Orton drilled the Cerebral Assassin with a powerslam. Orton then pinned Triple H, but got a 2 count. Orton then signaled for the RKO and as he tried to grab Triple H, the Game reversed it into a DDT of his own. With both men trying to get back up, Cena came off the top rope and took both men down with a leg drop. Cena then grabbed Orton, but Orton suddenly caught Cena with his signature neckbreaker. As Cena rolled back onto the outside, Triple H came from behind and tried for the Pedigree, but Orton threw Triple H onto the outside as well. Both Cena and Triple H then slowly got up on the apron and as they tried getting into the ring, Orton kicked them both and tried to hit his signature lifted DDT on them. The two however got in the ring quicker than Orton had thought and they both threw Orton onto the outside. Cena and Triple H then had a brief staredown. After exchanging a couple of right hands, Triple H caught Cena with the high knee. The Game then tried to Irish Whip Cena, but Cena eventually countered Triple H and tried for the Attitude Adjustment. After a series of reversals, The Game caught Cena with the Double A Spinebuster. Triple H then lifted Cena and connected with Pedigree. 1…2…NO! Orton grabbed Triple H by the leg and yanked him onto the outside. Orton then brought Triple H onto the announcers table. The Game low-blowed Orton. Cena recovered and threw Orton inside the crowd. With Triple H still on the table, Cena applied the STF. After some time, Orton recovered and decked Cena in the face. Orton then brought Cena back inside the ring and kicked Cena in the chest area multiple times. Orton the got into his “Viper” position and signaled for RKO. Cena however threw Orton away. Cena then set Orton up on the top turnbuckle and tried for a superplex. Triple H in the meantime recovered and took Cena down from the ropes. With Orton in a groggy position on the turnbuckle, Triple H tried to hit the Pedigree on Cena. Cena quickly reversed it and slingshotted Triple H into Orton. Cena then applied for the STF, Triple H made it to the ropes. Cena then reapplied the move again! Orton recovered and came tried to Punt Kick Cena in the head, but Cena relinquished the hold and charged at Orton. Orton ducked Cena and took him down with a clothesline. Following a near fall, Orton started stumping a mudhole in both his opponents. Moments later, Orton tried to hit a knee drop on Triple H, but the Game moved out of the way. Orton stood back up holding his leg, but Cena came from behind and took Orton down with a chop block. Cena then tried for the Five Knuckle Shuffle on Orton, but Triple H intervened and sent Cena onto the outside. With Orton still down, Triple H locked in a Sharpshooter. After some time, Cena re-entered the ring and applied a Crossface on Orton while Triple H still had the Sharpshooter applied. Orton started tapping out, but the referee could not declare a winner as both Triple H and Cena made Orton tap out. At this point, Cody Rhodes and Ted Dibiase ran down to the ring and started to decimate both Cena and Triple H. Dibiase took Triple H to the outside while Rhodes checked up on Orton. Cena recovered and lifted Rhodes up for Attitude Adjustment, but out of nowhere Orton reeled Cena in for the RKO and picked up the grueling victory.
Post-Match: The announcers showed the replay and mentioned how the referee was confused as to who had made Orton tap out. The Legacy slowly made their way back up the ramp as Orton held the WWE Championship high above his head.
Backstage, Maryse was stretching for her match when the Miz walked in. Miz tried hooking up with Maryse and even tried to kiss her, but Maryse said that Miz lost his match earlier tonight and didn’t want to be seen hanging around with a loser. Miz retaliated that Maryse just had a chance to be with the “Chick Magnet,” but she just butchered that chance just like she butchers the English language every time she opens her mouth. Miz then concluded that sooner or later, she will lose the Divas Championship.
WWE Divas Championship
Match 6: Mickie James v. Maryse
To start the match, Maryse danced and showed off her body. Shortly thereafter, the two locked up. Maryse however quickly ran to the ropes and Mickie was in hot pursuit. Mickie caught the Divas champ with snapmare and proceeded to dropkick her in the face. Moments later, as Mickie tried for a hurricanarana Maryse sent Mickie on the apron. Mickie quickly tried for a springboard maneuver, but Maryse kicked Mickie in the head. Maryse told the referee to count Mickie out. At 9, Mickie returned to the ring. Maryse caught Mickie with a knee lift and proceeded to apply a modified headlock. Maryse then released the hold and rubbed Mickie’s face into the mat before throwing her on the outside. Maryse grabbed a container from beneath the ring and tried to spray Mickie in the face with it, but Mickie kicked Maryse in the abdominal area. Mickie then threw Maryse back in the ring and went up to the top rope. As Mickie came down for a Lou Thez Press, Maryse dodged it causing Mickie to hit the mat hard. Maryse then applied another headlock. Mickie managed to catch Maryse in the temple with elbow. Mickie then Irish Whipped Mickie and eventually hit her signature hurricanrana. Moments later, Maryse recovered and tried to hit her DDT, but Mickie reversed it into the Tornado DDT for the win.
Post-Match: An emotional Mickie James celebrated her first reign as Divas Champion.
Backstage Josh Matthews interviewed Rhodes and Dibiase for an explanation on what occurred earlier tonight. Dibiase said people are more likely to remember that Orton retained the WWE Championship tonight than Rhodes and himself not capturing the Unified Tag Team Champions “yet.” Rhodes added that they are simply taking a step by step process in cementing their Legacy.
Dolph Ziggler, accompanied to the ring with Maria, made his way down to the ring
Rey Mysterio, the Intercontinental Champion, then follows.
Intercontinental Championship
Match 7: Dolph Ziggler v. Rey Mysterio
Following a test of strength tease, Ziggler dropkicked Mysterio in the face. After a brief staredown, Ziggler caught Mysterio with a shoulderblock and proceeded to apply a headlock. Mysterio shoved Ziggler away and took him down with a modified headscissors. As Ziggler stood up, Mysterio leaped onto his shoulders and tried for a hurricanrana, but Ziggler powerbombed Mysterio onto the turnbuckle. Ziggler then applied a side headlock, but not long after Mysterio somehow managed to send Ziggler into the steel post. With Ziggler groggy, Mysterio connected on a springboard crossbody. Not long after, Mysterio sent Ziggler to the outside and leaped off the apron for a seated senton. Mysterio then threw Ziggler back in the ring and tried to leap towards Ziggler, but Ziggler kicked Mysterio and tried for another powerbomb, but Mysterio hit a hurricanrana causing Ziggler to land on the ropes. Mysterio tried for the 619, but Ziggler dodged it and threw Mysterio onto the outside floor. As Mysterio found his way back into the ring, Ziggler applied a full nelson hold. Mysterio caught Ziggler with an elbow, but Ziggler quickly power-slammed Mysterio back down for a 2 count. Ziggler then went back to the full nelson hold and finally after some time Mysterio mustered in some offense as he kicked Ziggler in head. Mysterio then attempted a bulldog, but Ziggler reversed it into a modified jawbreaker. Ziggler then set Mysterio onto the apron and tried to ram Mysterio’s head into the steel post, but Mysterio shoved Ziggler away and climbed the turnbuckle. Mysterio came down for a crossbody, but Ziggler dropkicked Mysterio in mid-air. At this point, Ziggler signaled for Zig-Zag, but Mysterio side-stepped it causing Ziggler to crash into the turnbuckle. Mysterio then set Ziggler up on the turnbuckle, but Ziggler managed to lift Mysterio up onto his shoulders for a super gut buster. 1…2…NO! Mysterio kicked out! Ziggler, who looks frustrated, then lifted Mysterio up for an Oklahoma slam, but Mysterio jumped off and struck Ziggler in the head with an enzigri. Ziggler landed on the ropes and this meant 619! Mysterio connected and hit his splash to retain his championship.
Post-Match: Mysterio is handed his Intercontinental Championship and he goes up to the top rope to celebrate his victory as we got the replays.
A video aired hyping the World Heavyweight Championship match.
World Heavyweight Championship
Main Event: Jeff Hardy v. CM Punk
Punk teased a few kicks and murmured the words, “what do you got?” The two locked up and shortly thereafter, Jeff cornered Punk. Jeff struck Punk in the head a couple of times, but Punk quickly tackled Jeff down applied a sleeper hold. When Jeff broke free, he charged at Punk, but Punk side-stepped him causing Jeff to dive through the ropes and crash onto the outside floor below. Punk laughed and decided to dive onto Jeff, but this time Jeff side-stepped Punk causing Punk to crash into the barricade. Moments later, Jeff went up to the top rope and came down for a crossbody, but Punk moved out of the way and rolled back inside of the ring. Punk told the referee to count Jeff out. As Jeff made it back into the ring at 9, Punk applied a modified bow and arrow. After releasing the hold, Punk set Jeff up on the top rope. Punk attempted a superplex, but Jeff fought back with a front suplex! With both men down, the referee started his 10 count. Both men made it back to their feet at 6 and the two exchanged a few punches and slaps until Jeff took Punk down with an atomic drop followed by a leg drop to the lower abdominal area of Punk. Jeff then tried for a Whisper in the Wind, but Punk tripped the leg of Jeff causing Jeff to fall down. Punk then attempted his knee lift and connected while smiling. As Punk tried for a bulldog, Jeff shoved Punk away and quickly climbed the turnbuckle for the Whisper in the Wind! 1…2…NO! Punk kicked out. Jeff then went up for the Swanton Bomb, but as he came down, Punk moved out of the way. Punk then caught Jeff with a double underhook suplex and got a 2 count. Punk then boasted and as Jeff stood back up, Punk slapped Jeff in the face. Out of nowhere, Jeff grabbed Punk by the head and drilled him down to the mat with a Twist of Fate. Jeff then went up for the Swanton Bomb, but Punk got his knees up. Punk quickly gets back up and hits the GTS! 1…2…KICK OUT!!! A surprised Punk goes back to cover over and over and each time Jeff kicks out! At this point, a frustrated Punk goes to the outside and grabs his World Heavyweight Championship and starts to head towards the back as the crowd boos him. Jeff chases Punk there and brings him back inside the ring. Jeff connects with the Twist of Fate and hits the Swanton Bomb for the win.
Post-Match: JR says that the high-risk junky, Jeff Hardy, has realized the dream of a lifetime as we cut to the replays. Jeff then goes up to the top rope and holds his championship high above his head as the Hardy Party begins.
Quick Match Results:
-Match 1: Chris Jericho & Big Show def. Cody Rhodes & Ted Dibiase
-Match 2: Christian def. Tommy Dreamer
-Match 3: Kofi Kingston wins 6 Pack Challenge
-Match 4: Michelle McCool def. Melina
-Match 5: Randy Orton def. John Cena & Triple H
-Match 6: Mickie James def. Maryse
-Match 7: Rey Mysterio def. Dolph Ziggler
-Main Event: Jeff Hardy def. CM Punk
Highlight of the Night: Randy Orton vs. John Cena vs. Triple H
Night of Champions was an enjoyable PPV that featured 3 great matches. As you will see in my thoughts below, the two World Championship matches as well as the 6 Pack Challenge really stood out from just about every other match. Final Rating: 7/10
The following is a match by match analysis:
Undisputed Tag Team Championship: A complete surprise with the Big Show being announced as Jericho’s mystery partner. I’m assuming this was a last-minute decision made by the WWE as I know that I am not the only person that thought this choice was a let-down. Nonetheless, after seeing this match on a re-run, the crowd was involved towards the end and was clearly heard cheering for Jericho. Match Rating: 6.5/10
ECW ChampionshipWell this match did two things. It proved my prediction (Christian would be Jericho’s partner) wrong, but the two did tell a good story as I had predicted. This match was another decent bout, sometimes slow, but did feature a nice sequence of reversals at the conclusion of the match. Match Rating: 6/10.
US ChampionshipVery fast paced action match. Simply put, great given the guys involved. I thought Primo being the substituted would be a flop, but boy did he do a great job out there. These young guns all have serious potential. Though I wanted to see a Swagger win here, I am not completely surprised by a Kingston win. Match Rating: 8/10
Women’s ChampionshipMelina v. Michelle McCool should be or at least feel like a Big Time match. And although this feud didn’t see any of that type of feeling prior to this match, it was at least present during the match. Melina seemed really believable in pouring her heart into winning that belt back. Good divas match! Match Rating: 6.5/10
WWE ChampionshipMy only problem with this match was that it was booked so early in the night. While many will have their opinions, I still believe that this match stole the show as it featured a unique ending, something that hasn’t been done in quite some time. Orton played the hesitant heel perfectly while Cena and Triple H gave us the impression that they didn’t want Orton walking out the winner here. Orton did and he did it in a controversial way. Match Rating: 9/10
WWE Divas ChampionshipThis match had the tough job of following a WWE Championship match and it honestly did not deliver. Featuring a few sloppy spots and even a few “boring” chants, this match failed to live up to what it could have been. Match Rating: 4.5/10
Intercontinental ChampionshipI cannot place my finger why, but man this match didn’t click for me. I praised how Ziggler was improving, but it just didn’t feel that great. This match could’ve been so much better, but it was a little bit better than average at best. Match Rating: 6.5/10
World Heavyweight ChampionshipAnother twist from the WWE. I really thought that Jeff would’ve lost this match due to his contract status with the company. A pleasant surprise here! By the way, Punk’s expression was priceless when Jeff had kicked out of the GTS. Match Rating: 8.5/10
Do you have any questions, concerns, or comments? If so, feel free to email me, MIK, at mik123@ymail.com
