Csonka’s WWE Night of Champions Review 9.20.15

WWE Night of Champions 9.20.15

OFFICIAL RESULTS
– WWE Intercontinental Title Match: Kevin Owens defeated Champion Ryback @ 9:25 via pin to become the NEW Champion [***]
– Dolph Ziggler defeated Rusev @ 13:44 via pin [**½]
– WWE Tag Team Title Match: Dudley Boyz defeated Champions New Day @ 9:59 via DQ [**½]
– WWE Divas Title Match: Charlotte defeated Champion Nikki Bella @ 12:40 via submission to become the NEW Champion [***]
– The Wyatt Family defeated Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose and Chris Jericho @ 13:15 via submission [***½]
– US Title Match: John Cena defeated Champion Seth Rollins @ 15:57 via pin to become the NEW Champion [****½]
– WWE World Heavyweight Title Match: Champion Seth Rollins defeated Sting @ 15:15 via pin [***½]

---

WWE Intercontinental Title Match: Champion Ryback vs. Kevin Owens: Owens and Ryback had some interaction in a tag match a few weeks back that made me want to see the match, so I am actually excited for this. The Ryback actually press slammed Owens to the floor from the ring, in a moment that had to suck. Owens turned the tide by working the arm of the Ryback, which included posting the big guy. It’s often times hard for big guys to be believable selling in matches, especially when they get portrayed as dominant strong men. My early feeling was that I liked the work of the arm, as Owens keeps the work believable and simple, and Ryback sold well. On top of that they had a really good crowd that was invested, and that always helps. Ryback had issues with shell shock, which led to Owens posting the champion and getting a good near fall. Owens worked an arm bar late as well, but the Big Guy powered out. The Ryback again struggled to get the shell shock, which allowed Owens to rake the eyes (where the ref could not see him do it) and roll him up for the win. An overall good opening match with a good crowd, and a finish that easily allows for a rematch. Owens was really good as always, worked to the Ryback’s strengths and we’re off to a good start. Even though Owens said he didn’t care about the belt (because he only wanted it to make more money) I appreciated him acting like he accomplished something with the win during the post match.

Your new #ICChamp, #KevinOwens! #WWENOC #WWENetwork

A photo posted by WWE (@wwe) on Sep 20, 2015 at 5:32pm PDT

* Lesnar vs. Taker is happening at Hell in a Cell on October 25th IN Hell in a Cell. Lesnar is also doing the Austin Podcast on October 19th.

RuRu w/The Hot and Submissive Summer Rae vs. Dolph Ziggler: Dolph has new gear, it appears he got something from the Brie Bella collection. This is the continuation of the feud here, but without Lana because she’s out hurt. They’ve had fine outing, but I feel that they are capable of much more and have heard that the house show matches have been really good. After the basic back and forth they went to the floor, where Rusev took control by slamming Ziggler back first to the apron. He then controlled the action, beating down Ziggler as the crowd would eventually start chanting for Lana. Ziggler fought back, they did the double down and then Ziggler started the comeback and got some near falls off rollups and then the fameasser for 2. Ziggler would then get the sleeper and try to work Rusev to the mat, Rusev would escape and then eat a DDT. Dude sold it like he was a fucking tree. Rusev then came back with the leaping superkick for 2, but started to celebrate like he won. This was starting to feel long as he then complained and wasted time before going for the accolade. Ziggler would then sneak out of the accolade and hit a superkick for 2. We got a distraction by Summer, and then she got tossed to the back by the ref. Summer threw a shoe and accidentally hit Rusev, Ziggler hitting the zigzag for the finish.

This just didn’t do much for me. I keep waiting for these guys to have really good matches, and what we’re getting feels just fine to me. This was pretty good, I liked a lot of that they were doing and they had some good heat. I was getting into it but then started to FEEL too long and had a really blah finish. I mean, the shoe, really? Again, it wasn’t bad, but it could have been much better. I also get that Summer costing Rusev the match will be part of the story going forward, I just wish they had come up with something more creative.

* New Day, accompanied by Xavier Woods’ hair and trombone, came out to cut a save the tables promo. They are great men.

WWE Tag Team Title Match: Champions New Day (Kofi & Big E) vs. Dudley Boyz: The Dudley Boyz came back, ran wild and got right into the tag title mix. New Day have been awesome, and most weeks are the best part of WWE TV in terms of simple entertainment. Big E doing the side headlock in rhythm to the “New Day Rocks” chant was amazing. The Dudleyz controlled for about the first five minutes, but as they ran wild and brought in Woods, they basically caused their own distraction. Woods then played scales on the trombone as his men laid in the boots to Bully in the corner. Big E later tried to kill Bubba with he apron splash, which led to Woods explaining, “JESUS JONES ARE YOU OK BUBBA?”. Great men. Woods then plays “Gonna Fly Now” as Kofi worked his boxing skills on Bubba. Devon eventually got the hot tag, he ran wild on all three members of New Day, Bubba returned and they took out Big E. 3D on Kofi connected, but Woods ran in for the DQ. new Day looked to use a table, but they cleared the ring of Kofi and Big E, and then hit a 3D on Woods. New Day retaining was the right call, I figured that the numbers game would be what got them to retain, but they went with the basic DQ. The finish came off a bit flat to me, just like the last match. New Day retained, people got a table spot so it was exactly what it needed to be overall. The match was pretty average stuff, but New Day were entertaining as always.

WWE Divas Title Match: Champion Nikki Bella w/Brie and Fox vs. Charlotte w/Paige and Becky: If Nikki loses in any way, she loses the title. Also, I know they are faces, but if PCB are really that sick of Nikki, why doesn’t Becky just run in and “attack” Charlotte to get the DQ of Nikki and cause the title change. I know, pro wrestling, just putting it out there. I am also wondering about that Paige heel turn that seems to be lurking. Nikki tried to stall early, they then had some back and forth and Charlotte “tweaked” her knee. This allowed Nikki to work the knee as Team BAD watched on at an unnatural angle backstage. Nikki’s work of the leg was good, as was Charlotte’s selling during the attack. The heat lasted a bit too long, because it started to get to the point where Charlotte’s comeback would not be believable because Nikki was completely focused on her knee attack for like seven or eight minutes. Charlotte started to make a comeback, but she got cut off and then for a minute or sell it felt like they weren’t sure what to do. Nikki went up top, jumped off and Charlotte caught her with a spear. She then got the figure eight and that was the finish. The finish felt as if it simply came out of nowhere, Charlotte got beat on and beat on and beat on, hit a counter and then got her finish. I was just hoping for something with more substance, more drama leading to the finish I guess is the best way to describe what I wanted. Post match they played up the victory well, but I was hoping for this to be worked and set up as a big deal for not only Nikki losing but for the title change. I did like the match overall, they worked hard and were trying to make it feel special; but I found the ending stretch unsatisfying. Charlotte celebrated with Paige, Becky and crying Ric Flair, the post match was well done to make this feel important, which is appreciated.

* Owens talked shit, and said that he knew he would become the IC Champion. He has always been a prizefighter, and now he has his prize.

* Flair celebrated with Charlotte, Paige and Becky. They are going to party. Becky doing Flair mannerisms was great.

* Security failed again as ANOTHER fan got past them and INTO THE RING with the guys.

WHAT THE FUCK? Let the wrestlers kick a man’s ass so we can stop this. Also stupid fans, stop this shit.

Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose and TBA vs. The Wyatt Family: And the mystery man is…. Chris Jericho! Jericho is one of the least interesting choices (for me) that they could have gone with, not as bad as Kane obviously, but it doesn’t do much for me. Hopefully he’s there to lose. I also appreciate the fact that commentary tried to make this seem logical, due to Jericho and bray feuding. I do not appreciate them making me remember the feud though, which was rather lack luster. And when you think about it, Jericho isn’t the best choice. Ambrose and Reigns have been getting out muscled and over powered, so they chose a dude smaller then both of them? Orton I could see due to accolades, Uso because of family ties, but Jericho? I am not shitting on the appearance by the way, it is a fun little addition to the card, just had a lot of thoughts going through my head. It was obviously a great for the live crowd though, as they were really into the early portion of this with Jericho getting his shine. Strowman then dominated and cleared the ring of the face team before isolating Ambrose. Ambrose survived the mini-heat segment and got the tag to Reigns and we got another heat on him. This led to the Jericho hot tag, he ran wild on Wyatt and had the walls locked in, and then it broke down a bit, leading to Ambrose and Wyatt doing the double down spot. Reigns and Strowman got the tags, the match went into the break down and everyone hitting moves phase. Ambrose and Reigns finally got Strowman down and Jericho tagged himself in which did not please Reigns. Wyatt and Harper brawled on the floor with Reigns and Ambrose, Strowman hit his finish with no name and then the standing choke to pick up the win. This was an overall good match, and felt more important than most things on the card due to the work and the crowd reaction.

* Post match Reigns and Ambrose checked on Jericho, who then decided to be a bad ass and shove his way through them and do the shoulder bump on Ambrose. Hey Jericho, Roman had shit in check when you tagged in and fucked this up, drop the attitude brother. But seriously, this does interest me to a degree.

* Triple H and Stephanie wished Seth Rollins luck and told him he is the man. Sheamus again teased being ready to cash in.

* Rollins is wearing his white babyface – Tanahashi tribute gear. It’s fitting, because he feels like the babyface, fighting two times to defend his titles.

WWE US Title Match: Champion Seth Rollins vs. John Cena : Their last match was great (minus that shit Jon Stewart stuff) and there is no reason that they shouldn’t deliver again here (unless Trevor Noah runs in). You know, there are no stipulations here that would hurt him. So why didn’t Seth just kick the ref in the dick as soon as the bell rang to get himself DQ’d and retain the US Title? I know, pro wrestling, but it is a point to discuss. Anyway, these guys are pretty darn good and also work very well together. This was a really fun back and forth match, with neither man getting a real extended time of control, but I liked the pacing and continue to enjoy the pairing of these guys. Rollins got a great near fall off of a superplex, which he then rolled into another. Rollins did the Cena spot where he rolled though the cross body and went for an AA, but Cena fought out and then hit the AA to score the win and the title. This was a great match with no bullshit, featuring two guys that just work so well together and it had some great heat to it. I really, really enjoyed that.

* Rollins tried to bail, but Cena stopped him and hit an AA on the floor to make sure that Rollins would stay to face Sting.

WWE World Heavyweight Title Match: Champion Seth Rollins vs. Sting: Sting hit the splash and got the deathlock right away, but Rollins got the ropes. They kept a good pace, and brawled on the floor. Sting looked really good, especially considering that he is 56 and Rollins bumped big time for him. At one point they went to the announcer’s table and stood on it, which led to Rollins shoving Sting off and through the Spanish announce table. Rollins teased walking out, but returned and worked over Sting. Rollins got several near falls, and looked to finish him off with the pedigree but Sting countered and when Rollins went for a springboard, Sting shoved him off the ropes and to the floor. Rollins is bumping like a mad man, and then Sting hit a high cross off the top and to the floor. Well then! Sting hen got a near fall off of the deathdrop; I expected way more smoke and mirrors, but these guys have worked a really smart match. Rollins hit the buckle bomb, and that led to Sting collapsing and being checked on by the doctor, but he would continue. Sting then got the deathlock on Rollins again but Rollins survived and got the ropes. Sting tried it again and Rollins got a roll up and retained the title in tribute to Jay Lethal on Friday night. Rollins was an absolute machine tonight, putting on two great performances. Sting more than held his own, putting on a gutsy performance and more than carrying his own. They worked the right match, had a good crowd and told a good story overall. Not a great main event, but it was good and really what it should have been.

* Shamus’ music then hit and he charged the ring and brogue kicked Rollins. But before he could cash in, MASKED KANE returned. He chokeslammed Rollins, which pleased Sheamus, who wanted one more chokeslam. Kane agreed to this, and chokeslammed Sheamus. Kane then tombstoned Rollins. I would guess that this sets up Kane vs. Rollins as the undercard world title match at HIAC, since Lesnar vs. Taker is main eventing.

* End scene.

* Thanks for reading.

“Byyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyye Felicia!”

7.3

The final score: review Good

The 411

Overall I enjoyed the show. There was nothing I would have classified as bad, Cena vs. Rollins was excellent and we got some title changes that made the “Night of Champions” feel a bit more important. The Jericho return really hyped up the live crowd, and post match makes it appear that he will be back sooner rather than later with a new attitude. If I had any nitpicks, I would have separated Rusev vs. Ziggler and the tag title match to get those finishes away from each other. The other thing is that Rollins really should have opened the show vs. Cena, because he comes off as such a babyface defending the titles in back to back matches. I am not sold on the Kane thing, BUT it does make sense and if you have to run it, doing it on the undercard of HIAC works because of Taker and Lesnar main eventing. Overall I’d call this a good show.