WWE Night of Champions Live Coverage & Discussion Thread - 15th September 2013

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WWE Championship
Daniel Bryan vs Randy Orton

World Heavyweight Championship
Rob Van Dam vs Alberto Del Rio

Handicap match under elimination rules
WWE Intercontinental champ Curtis Axel & Paul Heyman vs. CM Punk

WWE Divas Championship
AJ Lee vs. Natalya vs. Brie Bella vs. Naomi

Tag Team Turmoil NO.1 Contender's Match
Winner Faces Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins for Tag Team Championship
PrimeTime Players vs The Usos vs Tons of Funks vs The Real Americans vs 3MB

Kick--Off Show

The panel tonight is Alex Riley, Josh Mathews, Booker T, and Santino Marella. They talked about some of the top matches.

Backstage, a freaked out Paul Heyman was asked by Brad Maddox what was wrong. Heyman's beard was unruly. Heyman said that Maddox put him in a handicap match against CM Punk and Punk was taught how to circumvent the system. Heyman said Punk is going to fight him and massacre him in the middle of Maddox's face...unless Heyman punches a referee right in the mouth, which would be a DQ. If Punk attacked him after the bell, it would be felonious assault and Heyman will press charges. Maddox said that scenario wouldn't be best for business and ruled it was a No DQ handicap match. He walked off and Heyman's face went white.

The crowd was chanting "Yes" as the panel discussed the handicap match and the World champion.

Michael Cole, Jerry Lawler and JBL are the announcers.

Tag Team Turmoil

3MB vs. Tons of Funk

This is going to be Gauntlet rules, where the winners face the next team. Clay had Godzilla-like spikes on his back. 3MB worked over Tensai early. Tensai and McIntyre badly botched a sunset flip spot to the point of silliness. McIntyre worked over Clay until the referee counted five and DQ'd them.

Your winners, Tons of Funk!

3MB beat down Funk as their next opponents, Jack Swagger & Antonio Cesaro.

Tons of Funk vs. Real Americans

They went to commercial and then when they returned, The Real Americans were working over Clay. Clay came back with a splash off the middle rope but Cesaro broke up the pin, then nailed Tensai off the apron to the floor.

Cesaro blind tagged Swagger who grabbed Clay in the Patriot Act and forced him to tap.

Your winners, Swagger & Cesaro!

The Usos were out next.

Usos vs. Real Americans

Usos drilled them with some dives. They were awesome. The Americans came back with a double uranage for a two count. Swagger looked great in working them over and getting the win.

Prime Time Players vs. The Real Americans

The last segment was really good as Swagger looked awesome in the ring. He finally missed a splash in the corner and was nailed with a Gutbuster by Darren Young for the pin.

So, Young and Titus O'Neil will challenge the Shield for the WWE Tag Team championship.

The PPV opened with a nice video spotlighting former champions of every title belt you could think of, pushing the Night of Champions theme. I think I ever spotted Nikita Koloff.

Triple H came out and said that he wanted to welcome everyone to Night of Champions. He said that he wanted to show everyone that he wasn't the villainous tyrant that people claim that he was, he was announcing there would be no interference in the WWE title match from anyone. He specifically said no Big Show and no Shield. He said they would find out who the better man was, one on one.

Triple H tried to rile up the crowd but Paul Heyman and WWE Intercontinental champion Curtis Axel came out. Heyman said he's been trying to get to HHH for days and has been leaving messages for him. Heyman said he has a desperate need to speak with HHH and he didn't want it to be in public, but he has a real serious problem with what HHH believes to be best for business.

HHH stopped him and said Heyman looked awful and asked him when was the last time he showered or slept. He said Heyman looked like a wreck. Heyman started losing his mind but stopped himself and apologized. He tried buttering HHH up and then said that HHH made "one serious error in judgment" by putting a non-athlete and middle aged father of two into a handicap match against a fighter "of such dominance, that your WWE accepted my branding of him as the Best in the World." He said that Punk almost stopped the Undertaker's streak and gave Brock Lesnar all that he could handle. He said that Punk doesn't want to grapple or wrestle but give him such a beating that Heyman might never be seen again.

Heyman asked HHH to please cancel the match. HHH said that Heyman had no reason to be scared and advised him not to tag in. He said that if Heyman truly believes in Curtis Axel like he says he does, there would be no problem. He questioned whether Paul did, then said he believes that the match should stay. Heyman asked if there was no more honor among thieves and tried to wak out.

Curtis Axel took the mic and asked if there was something personal going on here. Heyman was shocked. Axel said the day he became a Paul Heyman guy, he beat HHH. He said that Hunter never got over that. Hunter said that he did make a mistake that he can fix, and that's that the Intercontinental title is now on the line with Axel facing the first person HHH sees backstage...right now. He walked out.

Paul Heyman said that he'd like to announce that the IC title match we about to see is being held under protest by Axel. He began arguing with Axel for messing with HHH "of all people."

Out came Kofi Kingston.

WWE Intercontinental champ Curtis Axel vs. Kofi Kingston

Heyman sat down on the ring steps, completely defeated.

They locked up. Kingston went for a waistlock but Axel grabbed a side headlock. Kingston gained the advantage and Axel used the ropes to halt it. They locked up again and Axel went back to the headlock. Kingston drilled him with several elbows but was shoulderblocked off. Axel rebounded off the ropes but saw Kingston was poised to strike and rolled out of the ring, sitting on the apron.

Back in the ring, Axel was caught going for a kick but punched Kingston. He nailed some strikes in the corner. Kingston came back with a kick to the face for a two count. Kingston began peppering the champ with kicks and punches. Axel came back with a big dropkick and a clothesline over the top to the floor on Kingston.

Axel went to whip Kingston into the ring steps but Kingston caught himself, went to the top and hit a flying bodypress to the floor. Back in the ring, Kingston continued to work over Axel until he missed a leap into the corner and ended up crashing and tying himself to the tree of woe. Axel worked over Kingston in the corner, drilling him with a shoulderblock. He pulled down Kofi for a two count.

Axel nailed a belly to back suplex that looked great for a two count. Kingston tried to make a comeback but was turned inside out with a clothesline for a two count. Axel worked him over but Kingston came back with several big punches. Axel went for another clothesline but Kingston grabbed him arm and pulled himself over and back on his feet, then nailed a DDT.

Kingston nailed a series of Steamboat-esque chops and nailed a flying bodypress off the top for a two count. Kofi nailed the Boom Drop and began calling for the Trouble in Paradise but Axel avoided it and drove Kofi into the turnbuckles. He began working over Kofi but was drilled with a kick.

Axel went to the top and went for a move but Axel dropkicked him on the way down for a two count. Axel missed a belly to back suplex and was rolled up by Kingston for a two count. Axel drilled him for another two count. The announcers noted that the longer the bout goes, the worse Axel will be tired and it will be worse for Heyman later.

Kofi missed the Trouble in Paradise but missed. Axel went for a neckbreaker but Kingston turned it into the S.O.S for another great near fall. Axel drilled Kingston with a nasty looked neckbreaker variation and scored the pin.

Your winner and still WWE Intercontinental champ Curtis Axel!

Good opening segment and match. Axel and Kingston had a good athletic back and forth match and it was the best Kingston has looked in some time. Axel looked like a true star from a worker's point of view. Heyman was great as the man completely defeated and knowing it. The interplay between HHH and Heyman was really good.

Backstage, Rob Van Dam and Ricardo (sporting a sling on his arm) were in a vignette where they said Rob's moves in Spanish, ending with "RVD" being the translation for World champion.

Backstage, Aksana, Alicia Fox and Layla blew off AJ Lee and refused to come to the ring with her.

WWE Divas champ AJ Lee vs. Naomi vs. Brie Bella vs. Natalya

Lee tried to escape and run through the crowd at the bell but the other three teamed to grab her and work her over, taking turns to send her into the guard rail. They tossed her into the ring and stood over her. Brie kicked her out of the ring, then immediately attacked Natalya and Naomi.

Brie drilled them each with running knees to the face. Natalya was knocked out of the ring to the floor. Brie went after Naomi but was caught with a dropkick. Naomi caught her with a leaping headscissors. They ended up knocking heads during an exchange in the corner and AJ hit the ring and tried to pin Naomi.

Natalya broke it up and she and Lee went at it. Naomi hit the back butt splash on Natalya and covered her for a two count. AJ went sent to the floor. Naomi and Natalya each worked over Brie. Naomi went off the top but there was no water in the pool. AJ tosed her to the floor. Naomi returned and drilled Brie with a kick but AJ yanked her off the apron to the floor.

Natalya took over on Brie and slammed her, then slammed Naomi. She went for the Sharpshooter but Brie nailed her. Natalya slammed Brie atop of Naomi. She put the Sharpshooter on them both at once but AJ attacked her from behind. AJ grabbed her in the Black Widow and Natalya tried to fight it off but finally tapped.

Your winner and still Divas champ, AJ Lee!

A decent match. They all worked a decent pace and the double Sharpshooter was a cool idea. The Divas division is damned improved from this time a year ago.

World champ Alberto Del Rio vs. Rob Van Dam

Van Dam started out strong with some hard kicks to the face and a series of shoulderblocks. RVD hit a monkey flip out of the corner followed by a standing moonsault for a two count. He preened to the crowd, and whipped ADR into the ropes. ADR held on and nailed him with a dropkick. RVD rolled out of the way of a move and dropkicked ADR through the ropes to the floor.

RVD draped him on the guard rail and nailed a corkscrew legdrop. RVD went for a suplex into the ring but ADR reversed it and sent him to the floor. ADR hit a tope to the outside, then tossed Rob hard into the railing.

Del Rio tossed Van Dam back into the ring and cinched in a side chinlock. Rob fought his way out but was suplexed over and drilled in the back with a stiff kick.

Del Rio continued working him over and nailed a belly to back suplex. Rob rolled out to the apron but was drilled with an enziguri when he stepped up to his feet. Del Rio went for another dive but RVD stepped out of the way and no money in the pool. RVD drilled him with a series of clotheslines but was caught and whipped into the corner. RVD nailed an elbow and killed him with a thrust kick out of the corner for a two count.

RVD went to the top for a Ryder Kick off the ropes. He went for Rolling Thunder but Del Rio rolled out of the way and nailed the Backstabber for a two count. Del Rio nailed RVD with several slaps to the back of the head and placed him atop the turnbuckles for a reverse suplex. RVD fought back and nailed ADR to the mat.

Rob went to the top and nailed a flip dive for a two count. Del Rio came back to nail a series of near falls. He looked to set up RVD for the armbreaker but RVD drilled him and nailed the Hollywood Star Press for a two count. ADR made a comeback and worked over RVD but went to the top, only to be caught with a heel kick.

RVD called or the Frog Splash and went to the top. He nailed the move but ADR pulled his knees up and locked in the Crossarmbreaker in the center of the ring. RVD finally fought to the ropes and broke the hold, only ADR refused to break and was disqualified.

What an absolutely sh**ty finish to a PPV World title match.

Your winner by DQ, Rob Van Dam!

The match was OK, but nothing out of the ordinary. It's a shame because with the level of talent involved, this should have been awesome. The creative didn't help either.

After the match, Del Rio attacked Van Dam and worked him over. He grabbed a chair but Ricardo grabbed it. RVD made a comeback and Ricardo suggested they do the Van Terminator, although they didn't use that name. RVD nailed it and Alberto sold it like he was dead. That spot is always fun to see but it doesn't make up for the finish. Michael Cole called the move the "Van Daminator." Whoops!

So far, the show is just eh. I liked the opening stuff but there's been nothing truly memorable so far.

Backstage, Paul Heyman warned a confident Curtis Axel that if he doesn't make sure CM Punk doesn't get to him, Heyman won't be here tomorrow or after that to help him maintain his family's legacy. He said that HHH is out to ruin it and take it away. Axel asked Heyman whether he believed in him. Heyman said he believes in Axel but tonight Axel needs to believe in himself.

They announced that WWE.com voters decided that Booker T was the Greatest World champion of all time....in a poll that included Undertaker and RIC FLAIR. Oh come on. Shut up people. I like Booker as much as anyone but compared to FLAIR? Whatever!

Backstage, Randy Orton asked HHH what he was doing tonight. HHH said he was trying to make sure he picked the right guy as the face of the WWE. Orton told him, "You did" and walked out.

Fandango came out for his dance. Big pop for his music.

Miz vs. Fandango.

They went back and forth early. Summer got on the apron to distract Miz on the top. Fandango tried to wear him out on the mat. He went for a back suplex but Miz landed on his feet and sent Fandango to the floor. Miz came of the apron with a double axehandle, but was kicked hard inthe mid-section as he came off.

Fandango tossed him back into the ring and scored a two count, then cinched in a rear waistlock to attempt a submission. Miz made a comeback and caught Fandango in the corner. He draped his leg across the rope and nailed a dropkick,wearing him down for a figure four leglock. The crowd started chanting, "We want tables" because they were bored, or something, I guess

Fandango sent Miz, who was on the apron, into the ringpost. He clotheslined Miz down and went to the top for the flying legdrop. Miz rolled out of the way and covered him for a two count.

Miz locked in the figure four leglock and Fandango tapped.

Your winner, The Miz!

It was OK, but just standard fare.

WWE Intercontinental champ Curtis Axel & Paul Heyman vs. CM Punk - Handicap Elimination, No DQ

Punk and Axel both have Kendo Sticks. Axel nailed him but Punk got the better of the exchange and began nailing him over and over. Punk used a White Russian Legsweep and then hit a dive on Heyman, who was standing there lost in thought. Punk grabbed Heyman and tossed him into the ring.

Heyman began scampering around trying to escape but Punk grabbed him. He asked the crowd whether they gave Paul a thumbs up or down. He grabbed the kendo stick but was nailed with a low blow by Axel. Axel worked on Punk and covered him for a two count. Heyman yelled that he believed in Axel. The crowd chanted, "Walrus" as Heyman.

Punk made a comeback with strikes and forearms. He went to use a chair but was dropkick for a two count. The crowd chanted for Tables. Heyman began bouncing around like Brock Lesnar, seeing Punk was on the defensive. Punk fired back with chops on Axel and tried to whip him into a chair in the corner but Axel ducked down and came back with a clothesline to send Punk down to the mat.

Axel went outside and pulled a table out. He set it up in the table and teased sending him into it. Punk fought back but Axel took him down and locked in a rear chin lock. Axel came off the ropes with a Bret Hart elbow but Punk rolled out of the way. He went Axel into the chair in the corner and the champion went down to the floor outside.

Axel returned to the ring and was nailed with a leg lariat and a swinging neckbreaker. Punk nailed his high knee in the corner, then yanked out Axel for a clothesline. Punk went to the top for the Randy Savage elbowsmash. Axel rolled out of the ring to prevent it. Punk went for a dive but was nailed with a chair to the head as he came at Axel.

Axel rolled Punk back into the ring but scored only a two count. Axel nailed a swinging neckbreaker for a two count. He ripped at Punk and raked his face into the mat. He nailed Punk with the Kendo Stick. Punk made a comeback, nailed the GTS and locked in the Anaconda Vise. Axel tapped and Punk held it on until he was completely unconscious.

Axel has been eliminated.

Heyman, stunned, tried to run away and Punk chased him all over the Arena until catching him in the ring. Heyman was grabbed by nose and pulled up. Punk grabbed the kendo stick. Heyman tried to embrace Punk but was beaten over and over with the stick.

Punk called for the GTS but then shook his head No. He pulled handcuffs out of his boots and cuffed Heyman behind his back. Heyman said he was tapping and began kicking his feet but they didn't call for the bell. Punk beat him over and over with the stick. Punk told him to remember that "I did this to you" and beat him over and over.

Punk told Heyman, "I broke your heart and now I am gonna break your face." Ryback hit the ring and speared Punk through the table in the corner. He placed Heyman on top of Punk and the referee counted three.

Your winner, Paul Heyman!

Ryback carried Heyman out, so apparently we have a new Heyman guy.

The match itself was OK, but nowhere near the usual level of a Punk match given the scenario. The Paul Heyman stuff was entertaining in that we got to watch Punk get his revenge for awhile. Ryback and Heyman as a duo should work towards getting Ryback to the next level.

Punk was bleeding from a gash in his back after the match. He made the officials and the medical staff back off and was pissed about losing.

WWE United States champion Dean Ambrose vs. Dolph Ziggler

They went back and forth early. Ambrose caught Ziggler against the ropes with a series of strikes and caught him going for a leapfrog, drilling him to the mat. Ambrose began dropping elbows and scoring near falls. Ziggler went to the top but was caught and worked over with hard shots.

Ziggler came back with an X-Factor off the ropes and cleaned house. He scored a near fall after a clothesline. Ambrose cut him off and scored a two count.

They went back and forth with some good near falls. Ambrose avoided a Famouser but was hit with another for a two count. He finally came back with his DDT variation for a three count.

Your winner, Dean Ambrose!

Solid, athletic bout.

They announced Sting won a poll for Best U.S. champ of all time. That's gonna make some people in TNA nervous.

WWE Tag Team champions The Shield vs. The Prime Time Players.

Titus and Rollins started off. Titus was tagged with a few punches. The Shield controlled early until Young dropped down and Rollins went over the top to the floor. Titus stomped away on Reigns, blowing his whistle the entire time.

The Shield took control and worked over Young with tags in and out, stomping the hell out of him. They kept him cut off and worked him over. They slapped Young around until he nailed Rollins. Reigns hit the ring and kept him from making the tag but was kicked off in the corner. Young finally made the hot tag and Titus hit the ring.

Titus clobbered Rollins and scored a two count. He unloaded with a lot of offense on Reigns and nailed a big fall away slam. Rollins landed on his feet and nailed a spinkick. Titus absorbed it and nailed a sit down powerbomb for a two count but it was broke up. Young tossed Reigns to the floor. The official was tending to Young and Reigns nailed a spear on Titus, scoring the pin.

Your winners, The Shield!

OK match. The Players worked really hard here but I don't think anyone really expected a tag title switch and that hurt the drama of the match. The match itself was fine.

WWE champ Randy Orton vs. Daniel Bryan

Huge pop for Bryan. Everyone chanting for him.

Hulk Hogan was named the greatest WWE champ of all time...even over Steve Austin. Yeah, I bet some people within TNA are nervous over that one.

They locked up and ended up in the corner. They broke free and Bryan began working over Orton's left arm. Bryan was nailed but came back with a knee to the mid-section. He continued working on Orton's left arm, snapping it over his own body, trying to wear him down for the Yes Lock.

Bryan nailed Orton with a series of punches in the corner, but Orton slipped under and nailed him with a shot to the back. He nailed a backbreaker off the ropes. Orton meaured Bryan and nailed a big clothesline, then another.

Orton worked over Bryan on the mat, cinching in a side headlock. He worked over Bryan with punch after punch in the corner. Bryan was whipped into the corner but went up and over and nailed a clothesline. The crowd came alive for this.

Bryan hit a big running dropkick in the corner, then another. He began nailing kick after kick in the corner, then set Orton up on the top. He nailed a rana off the ropes. Orton rolled to the outside but Bryan hit a dive to the floor. He tossed Orton back in but Orton rolled back out. Bryan went for another dive but was nailed as he hit the ropes.

Orton went for the hanging DDT, but instead of in the ring, he hung Bryan off the apron and DDT'd him on the floor. Bryan was almost counted out but rolled back in the ring at the last second. Orton set up for the RKO but Bryan dropkicked him into the referee, sending him to the floor.

Bryan went for the Yes Lock but Orton struggled to prevent it. Another referee came out to officiate. Orton caught Bryan with a powerslam for a two count. Orton went for the Hanging DDT but Bryan evaded it and locked in the Yes Lock in the center of the ring. Orton struggled to the ropes and finally made it there.

Bryan let the move go and began beating Orton with kick after kick. He charged and went for a dropkick in the corner but Orton moved out of the way. He worked over Bryan and placed him on the top turnbuckle. Orton set up for a superplex but Bryan slipped underneath and Orton was crotched on the top buckle. Bryan pulled him upside down and nailed kick after kick before nailing a big dropkick.

Bryan went for a belly to back suplex but Orton tried to fight out with a series of punches. He sent Bryan to the mat. Orton turned himself around but Bryan attacked him and set up for a superplex of his own. Bryan nailed it and held on with his legs. He pulled himelf back up to the top and went for the flying bodypress. Orton was far away but Bryan still nailed it for a two count.

Bryan drilled Orton with kick after kick to the chest. Orton caught him and nailed a head and arms Tazplex. Bryan began grabbing at his shoulder. Bryan drilled him in the back of the head then nailed the running knee to the face, scoring the pin.

Your winner and new WWE champion, Daniel Bryan!

Bryan stood over the knocked out Orton, holding the belt and leading a "Yes" chant. JBL said that at Night of Champions, "We see things that we never see, including this!" Yeah, uh, unless you count the LAST PPV, sir.