From The Network- WWE Night of Champions 2015

WWE Night of Champions 2015
9-20-15
Houston, TX

Kickoff Match:

Cosmic Wasteland (Stardust, Konnor, and Viktor) vs. Neville and Lucha Dragons (Kalisto and Sin Cara)
Sin Cara and Konnor start. Springboard arm drag by Cara and he hits a springboard head butt. Tag to Kalisto and they hit a wheelbarrow senton. Tag to Stardust and he works over Kalisto. Cosmic Wasteland take turns working over Kalisto in the corner and Kalisto comes back with a tilt-a-whirl head scissors. Lucha Dragons dropkick the Ascension to the floor and Neville clotheslines Stardust out. Stereo dives by Neville and the Lucha Dragons!!! We go to break.
Back and Kalisto works the arm of Stardust. Atomic drop by Kalisto and he hits a springboard hurricanrana. Viktor trucks him and Konnor tags in. High knee by Viktor gets 2 and Konnor slams Kalisto. Tag to Stardust and he works the arm of Kalisto. Clothesline by Stardust and Viktor tags in. He goes for a super power bomb but Kalisto counters into a Frankensteiner. Tag to Neville and he throws some kicks at Stardust. Enzuigiri in the corner by Neville and he goes up. Phoenix Splash by Neville gets 1 as Konnor saves. Suicide dive by Sin Cara and Stardust catches Neville with the Side Effect for 2. Super kick by Neville and he goes up. Stardust shoves Viktor into Neville to bring him down, allowing Stardust to hit Queen’s Crossbow for 3.
Winners- Cosmic Wasteland **1/2 (Decent opener. Neville and the Lucha Dragon’s high flyings kept things interesting but it’s going to take some work to make this Cosmic Wasteland unit a viable threat.)

Main Show:

WWE Intercontinental Championship- Ryback © vs. Kevin Owens
Ryback overpowers Owens to start but Owens fights back. Ryback presses Owens to the floor!!! Back in, Owens snaps Ryback’s arm off the ropes and he rams Ryback shoulder first into the post. Back in, Owens wraps Ryback’s arm in the ropes and he grabs a key lock. Ryback starts to fight out so Owens brings him down with the Divorce Court for 2. Side Russian leg sweep by Owens gets 2. Owens stands on the arm of Ryback and he goes back to the key lock. Ryback starts to fight out again and they catch each other with a clothesline. Ryback cleans house and hits a tilt-a-whirl power slam for 2. Owens backdrops Ryback and Ryback comes back with a spinebuster for 2. Super kick by Owens gets 2. Lariat by Ryback and he goes for the Shell Shock but Owens escapes. He sends Ryback shoulder first into the post and rolls him up for 2. Code breaker onto the arm by Owens gets 2 and he goes to the Fujiwara arm bar. Ryback powers out into a powerslam and he tries the Shell Shock again but Owens rakes the eyes. He rolls Ryback up for 3!!!
Winner and NEW WWE Intercontinental Champion- Kevin Owens ***1/4 (Really fun hoss battle to kick off the show. I loved Owens’ constant work on the arm of Ryback and realizing it wasn’t enough, he resorted to a cheap tactic to win the title, playing perfectly into his character. The Intercontinental Championship is the perfect role for him right now and hopefully he can finally be the one to bring prestige back to the belt. )

Dolph Ziggler vs. Rusev w/Summer Rae
Knee to the mid section by Rusev and Ziggler rolls him up for 2. Dropkick by Ziggler and Rusev bails. Back in, Rusev grabs the half nelson but Ziggler breaks with a jaw breaker. Dropkick by Ziggler and he grabs the sleeper but Rusev powers out. Spinning heel kick by Rusev gets 2. Rusev stomps away and he knocks Ziggler off the apron. Rusev rams Ziggler into the apron and back in, Rusev slams Ziggler a few times. Rusev works over Ziggler in the corner and Ziggler rolls Rusev up again for 2. Back elbow by Rusev gets 2 and he goes to the chinlock. Ziggler fights out but Rusev blocks a dropkick and catapults Ziggler into the corner. Ziggler comes back with a slam and Rusev misses a charge in the corner. Ziggler cleans house and he hits a swinging neck breaker. Elbow drop by Ziggler gets 2 and Rusev comes back with the spinning powerslam for 2. Ziggler rolls Rusev up for 2 and he catches Rusev with the Fameasser for 2. Ziggler goes up but Rusev brings him down and hits a high kick for 2. Ziggler grabs the sleeper but Rusev rams him into the corner to break. DDT by Ziggler gets 2. Super kick by Rusev gets 2. Rusev goes for the Accolade but Ziggler escapes and hits a super kick for 2!!! Summer Rae gets on the apron but Rusev shoves Ziggler into the ropes, slingshotting her into the ring. Lariat by Rusev as the ref throws Summer out. Summer tries to throw her shoe in anger but it misses the ref and hits Rusev, allowing Ziggler to hit the Zig Zag for 3!!!
Winner- Dolph Ziggler **1/2 (Man, this match did absolutely nothing for me. They tried with the Ziggler taking the beating fighting back valiantly story but these two have looked so poorly in the feud the crowd didn’t look at Ziggler as a sympathetic figure at all. This match dragged along and despite attempts at some hot near falls, this just didn’t work. )

WWE Tag Team Championships- The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Big E) w/Xavier Woods © vs. Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley)
The New Day declare a campaign to save tables all over the world from the Dudley Boyz and they claim some famous names are supporting the cause. Kofi and D-Von start. Dropkick by Kofi and D-Von comes back with a clothesline. He fires away on Kofi in the corner and Bubba tags in. Kofi bails to avoid the 3D and back in, Big E tags in. Saito suplex by Bubba and D-Von tags in. Double shoulder block into a double elbow drop by the Dudleys gets 2. Tag to Bubba and they go up top. Superplex by Bubba gets 2. Tag to Kofi and Bubba backdrops him. Bubba tosses Woods into the ring and Kofi dropkicks him from behind. Kofi stomps away in the corner and the champs take turns WHILE WOODS PLAYS THE TRUMBONE!!!! That’s awesome. Big E hits a big splash on the apron and back in, he gets 2. Big E grabs the chin lock but Bubba fights out. Back elbow by Big E gets 2. Tag to Kofi and he fires away on Bubba. Kofi springboards but Bubba catches him with the Bubba Bomb. Tag to D-Von and he cleans house. Flapjack by D-Von and he hits a Thesz press into some rights. Standing diving head butt by D-Von and he hits a clothesline. Tag to Bubba and they hit the back suplex/neck breaker combo. 3D on Kofi gets 2 as Woods breaks it up for the DQ. They beat down the Dudleys after the match and Big E wants the tables. They set up the table but the Dudley Boyz fight back. They toss New Day out and put Woods through the table with a 3D!!!
Winners by DQ- Dudley Boyz **1/2 (Crappy finish to a paint by the numbers tag match. The New Day’s goofy antics made this interesting but the Dudley Boyz looked slow here and Bubba already looked like he aged ring wise despite being one of TNA’s biggest stars a year ago.)

Video package for Nikki Bella/Charlotte airs.

WWE Diva’s Championship- Nikki Bella ©w/Brie Bella and Alicia Fox vs. Charlotte w/Paige and Becky Lynch
The title can change hands by DQ or Count-Out. Charlotte catches Nikki with a forearm but Nikki knocks her off the apron to come back. Back in, Charlotte hits a clothesline and Nikki comes back with a suplex, sending Charlotte’s leg crashing onto the bottom rope. Nikki pulls Charlotte off the apron using the bad leg and back in, Nikki works over the bad leg. Nikki drives Charlotte’s knee into the mat a few times and she dropkicks the leg for 2. Nikki suplexes Charlotte into the ropes again and works on Charlotte’s leg in the ropes. Charlotte comes back with a crucifix for 1 and Nikki goes to the half crab. Charlotte starts to fight out so Nikki releases and hits a second rope forearm to the back of the leg for 2. Nikki wraps Charlotte’s leg off the post a few times and she grabs the post Figure-4. Nikki releases and covers Charlotte for 2. Nikki goes back to the half crab and the girls start fighting on the floor. Charlotte rolls Nikki up for 2 and Nikki grabs a sleeper. Charlotte rams Nikki into the corner and hits a jaw breaker to force the break. Chops by Charlotte and she hits the swinging neck breaker. Big boot by Charlotte gets 2. Nikki blocks the backslide and she hits a face buster for 2. Suplex into the corner by Nikki and she throws some knees to the leg of Charlotte for 2. Nikki goes up but Charlotte catches her with a Spear!!! Figure-8 by Charlotte and Nikki taps!!! Ric Flair comes out and celebrates with her daughter after the match.
Winner and NEW WWE Diva’s Champion- Charlotte **3/4 (Solid match and one of the few moments of this so called “Diva’s Revolution” that lived up to the name. The match had a good story of the relentless leg work by Nikki but she got caught at the right moment and Charlotte snatched a win from the jaws of defeat. This had some rough patches and it took some time for the crowd to get into this but this was booked perfectly and turned out to be a great moment.)

Kevin Owens says he didn’t win his prize because of something a book told him, but because he’s a great prize fighter.

Video package for Wyatt Family/Reigns,Ambrose, and ???.

Wyatt Family (Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper, and Braun Strowman) vs. Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns, and ???
The mystery partner is…CHRIS JERICHO!!! Ambrose and Harper start. Flying forearm by Ambrose and he hits a basement clothesline. Tag to Reigns and Ambrose hits a shotgun dropkick followed by a leaping clothesline. Tag to Jericho and he hits an axe handle off the top. Jericho goes up and hits a crossbody off the top for 2. Harper blocks the Walls of Jericho and Jericho hits an enzuigiri for 2. Tag to Reigns and Strowman. Rights by Reigns and Ambrose tags in. They double team Strowman but Strowman overpowers them. Jericho leaps off the top but Strowman catches him and presses him onto Ambrose and Reigns on the floor!!! Back in, Strowman hits a big boot and Wyatt tags in. Swinging neck breaker by Ambrose and Reigns tags in along with Harper. Samoan drop by Reigns and he hits a T-Bone suplex. Sit-out powerbomb by Reigns gets 2. Rapid corner clotheslines by Reigns and he knocks Harper to the floor. Strowman distracts Reigns, allowing Harper to catch him with a super kick for 2. Tag to Wyatt and he fires away on Reigns. Urinage by Wyatt gets 2. Tag to Strowman and he slams Reigns. Tag to Harper and he hits a suicide dive to Reigns on the floor!!! Wyatt follows up with a back senton and back in, he covers for 2. Ambrose attacks Strowman from behind outside but Strowman dumps him into the timekeeper’s area to stop that. Tag to Jericho and he cleans house. Bulldog by Jericho and he grabs the Walls of Jericho on Wyatt. Harper breaks it up and Ambrose tags in. Shotgun dropkick knocks Harper to the floor and he rolls Wyatt up for 2. Jawbreaker Lariat by Ambrose and both men are down. Tag to Reigns and he fires away on Strowman. SUPERMAN PUNCH~!!! A second one~!!! Standing flying elbow drop by Ambrose and he hits a suicide dive on Harper on the floor!!! Spear by Reigns and Jericho tags himself in. Lionsault by Jericho gets 2!!! Strowman blocks the Codebreak and hits the gutwrench faceplant. Holding Triangle Choke by Strowman and Jericho passes out!!! Jericho bumps shoulders with Ambrose and walks off alone after the match.
Winners- Wyatt Family ***1/2 (Knowing Jericho, his blind tagging in will probably has bigger implications on his next WWE go around. This was a really fun tag match, as Strowman’s limitations were hidden well and he got to look like a unstoppable monster. The action in this match was smooth and this was the boost this show desperately needed. )

The Authority pump up Seth Rollins for his matches tonight and Rollins says it’s time for him to prove he’s the man. Sheamus appears and says he’s ready as well, clearly holding the Money in the Bank briefcase.

Video package for Rollins/Cena and Rollins/Sting airs.

WWE US Championship- Seth Rollins © vs. John Cena
Cena attacks to start and Rollins catches him with the Blockbuster for 2. Sleeper by Rollins and he puts Cena on top. Warrior’s Wrathby Rollins gets 2. Rollins stomps away and Rollins toys with the crowd, allowing Cena to roll him up for 2. Clothesline by Rollins and he hits a corner forearm. Cena cleans house to come back and Rollins ends that with a swinging neck breaker. Avalanche in the corner misses and Cena hits the Blue Thunder Bomb. Slingblade by Rollins gets 2. Blue Thunder Bomb by Cena and he rolls Rollins into Code Red for 2!!! Rollins snaps Cena’s neck off the ropes and he goes up. Cena stops him and follows up. Rollins escapes and goes for the Buckle Bomb but Cena counters with a hurricanrana driving Rollins into the corner!!! They slug it out and Cena goes for the AA but Rollins escapes. Basement super kick by Rollins gets 2. Rollins knocks Cena off the apron and he hits a summersault plancha to the floor!!!! Back in, Rollins goes up and misses a Frog Splash. Tornado DDT by Cena gets 2. Cena goes up but Rollins quickly follows up with the superplex. He rolls through into the Falcon Arrow for 2!!! Cena catches Rollins in the STF but Rollins makes the ropes to break. Rollins rolls through an AA attempt and hits the Buckle Bomb for 2!!! Rollins rolls through a crossbody attempt and goes for the AA but Cena escapes. Reverse suplex by Cena and he goes up. Guillotine leg drop by Cena and he hits the AA for 3!!!
Winner and NEW WWE US Champion- John Cena **** (Great follow up match to their SummerSlam. It was more clunky and lacked the crowd heat of the prior match but overall this was another great effort from two of the more consistent PPV performers this year. Both men looked for high impact offense to gain a victory and I loved they went with a single AA for Cena to pick up the win so they can finally rebuilt it as a finishing maneuver.)

After the match, Rollins tries to walk out with the WWE Championship but Cena blocks his way. Rollins shoves him out of the way so Cena hits the AA on the floor before rolling Rollins back into the ring!!!!

WWE World Heavyweight Championship- Seth Rollins © vs. Sting
Stinger splash by Sting and he goes for the Scorpion Deathlock but Rollins quickly goes to the ropes. Rollins snaps Sting’s neck off the ropes and he goes up. Second rope crossbody by Rollins but Sting rolls through for 2. Sting backdrops Rollins to the floor and he sends Rollins into the steps. Back in, Rollins stomps away in the corner but Sting clotheslines him to the floor to come back. Sting works over Rollins on the floor and back in, Sting sends Rollins into the corner hard. Rollins bails and Sting follows out. They head onto the announce table and ROLLINS SHOVES STING THROUGH THE SPANISH ANNOUNCE TABLE!!!! Rollins slams Sting on the broken table and back in, he gets 2. Slingblade by Rollins gets 2. Corner forearm by Rollins and he follows up with the Falcon Arrow for 2. Buckle Bomb by Rollins gets 2. Rollins goes for the Pedigree but Sting backdrops Rollins to the apron. Rollins tries to springboard but Sting shoves him to the floor to block!!! Back in, Sting cleans house and hits the Stinger Splash. A second one by Sting and he clotheslines Rollins to the floor. Sting goes up and hits a crossbody to the floor onto Rollins!!!! Back in, Sting catches Rollins with the Scorpion Death Drop for 2 as Rollins gets his foot on the ropes!!! Stinger Splash by Sting and he hits some punches in the corner. Rollins comes out of the corner with the Buckle Bomb and Sting seems to be injured from the bump. He collapses on a rope running spot and the trainers check on him. Sting makes it to his feet and he’s given the OK to continue. Rollins goes for the Pedigree but Sting blocks and grabs the Scorpion Deathlock!!! Rollins makes the ropes to break!!! Enzuigiri by Rollins and Sting blocks the Pedigree again. Rollins counters the Scorpion Death Lock into a cradle for 3!!!
Winner and Still WWE World Heavyweight Champion- Seth Rollins ***1/2 (Man, give Sting credit as he worked his ass off and hung with Rollins despite his age. They kept this short to get the most they could out of Sting and what we got was compelling match that didn’t have to resort to smoke and mirrors, with Rollins selling the affects of the Cena match and capitalizing on an injured Sting to escape with the title once again. As a match this was nothing great but for what this was supposed to be, it exceeded expectations.)

After the match, Sheamus runs out and hits the Brogue Kick on Rollins!!! Sheamus looks to cash in but KANE IS HERE!!!! Kane chokeslams Rollins!!!! Sheamus tells Kane to give Rollins one more but Kane chokeslams Sheamus instead!!! Tombstone by Kane to Rollins and Rollins is left lying to end the show.

7.0

The final score: review Good

The 411

Heading into the show I thought this show had worst show of the year potential but I have to admit I was pleasently surprised with what I saw. The first half of the show was pretty dull but once Charlotte's won the Diva's Championship, the show picked up and turned out to be pretty solid. This is one of the few WWE shows this year where I can't rip into the booking as I didn't have many objections to the finishes and I thought most of the matches had the right results. I can't fully praise this show and put it in the higher tier of shows this year due to a mediocre first half but combining the strenght of the second half, solid performances all around, and surpassing of my initial expecations, I can recommend this show if you have a chance to check it out on the Network.