Live from the TD Garden on Boston the WWE broadcasted Night of Champions. Just like the name says this was a night of champions. Men and women battled for precious WWE gold. New Champions were crowned and others proved why they are wearing gold. But in the WWE you can’t never expect something normal to happen. This night was filled with Cancer Awareness, Funny skits and a controversial ending. Night of Champions was truly a good night that left us with more questions and no conclusions.
Pre-Show: #1 Contender for the US title Battle Royal—Brodus Clay, Primo, Epico, Justin Gabriel, Tensai, Tyson Kidd, Michael McGilicutty, Zack Ryder, Darren Young, Titus O’Neil, Jinder Mahal, JTG, Ted DiBiase, Heath Slater, Drew McIntyre and Santino Marella: Like it was announced the free match for this event was the #1 Contenders Battle Royal for the US title. The match was full of young superstar that barely get TV time. This was a good match for what it was. It had Heath Slater being attacked by all the participants, Santino Marella’s comedy, Clay and Tensai battling and an underdog. This time was Zack Ryder the underdog when he was left in the ring with the Prime Time Players and Tensai. At the end he eliminated the big man from Japan to get once again a shot at the US title. Rating: *
The pay-per-view opens up with a nice video package where is shows the past champions and the current ones. But that package turns into a video package about CM Punk in his quest of getting respect form the WWE Universe. Like always a nice production by the WWE that makes you feel that a match is more bigger and important. Following that JBL is introduced as the new commentator since Jerry Lawler is still recuperating.
Intercontinental title Match—The Miz © vs Rey Mysterio vs Cody Rhodes vs Sin Cara: Before the match even started The Miz came out with and as expected he complained about his match. After that complaining we got a pretty good match. Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara did some work together and they even faced each other. Having Sin Cara and Rey Mysterio get offense on each other was the best way to show a little preview of what is coming on WrestleMania 29. There were some nice false finishes, but the end was the best part. Sin Cara took out another mask to put on Rhodes but ended putting it in The Miz. While the champion was blinded with the mask on his face Cody Rhodes was ready to hit the crossrodes on Sin Cara but The Miz even blinded he hit the Skull Crushing Finale to retain his title. Rating: ***
Backstage the Prime Time Players are arguing with Eve Torres about how AJ stripped them from their #1 Contender spot. She then is interrupted by staff because Kaitlyn got hurt. Apparently someone jumped her from behind and hit her on the leg. Because of this injury she couldn’t face Layla for the title.
Tag Team title Match—Kane and Daniel Bryan vs Kofi Kingston and R-Truth ©: For the first time in a long time the WWE Universe was excited for a Tag Team title match, and that was thanks to “Team Friendship”. This match wasn’t filled with a lot great wrestling but it was a great storytelling match. Kane and Bryan going from arguing, to working together, to arguing to hug it out, and finally attacking the other. Just like Monday their victory came thanks to the attack of the other. This time Kane was on the top rope ready to make a move on Kofi Kingston and he ends up pushed down by Daniel Bryan and subsequently getting the Tag Team titles. After their victory they both argue who is the tag team champion. Just with that move people will once again care about the tag team division. Rating: **1/2
Backstage Booker T and Teddy Long are talking about the tag team division when they’re interrupted by Eve Torres. She tells the Smackdown GM what happened to Kaitlyn. Since Eve won against Kaitlyn and has been doing a great job as his assistant he gives her the title shot.
United States title Match—Zack Ryder vs Antonio Cesaro © w/ Aksana: As expected crowd was behind Zack Ryder but that wasn’t enough. Aksana helped his boyfriend to escape the Broski Boot and then he hit the Neutralizer to retain his Championship. Rating: *1/2
At the locker room Alberto del Rio and David Otunga yell at Ricardo Rodriguez for not wearing his neck brace. After they insult him they leave behind a very upset Ricardo.
Randy Orton vs Dolph Ziggler w/ Vickie Guerrero: Great match. Best part of this match was hearing the fans cheer for Ziggler, also the hanging DDT on the barricade was an spectacular sight. This match had it all except the World Heavyweight Championship. Hopefully when Ziggler cashes in we get these two in a feud. Rating: ***3/4
Divas title Match—Eve Torres vs Layla ©: The newly engaged Eve Torres dominated pretty much all the match. But that didn’t matter because fans didn’t care. There was nice action during this match but when something doesn’t get the attention of fans it means nothing.Rating: *
Daniel Bryan is shown backstage yelling “I’m the tag team champions” he then encounters with Dr. Shelby who congratulates him. The two of them are joined by Kane who was also yelling “I’m the tag team champions”. Soon the two champs argue with each other until an annoyed AJ appears and starts yelling at them. This makes Daniel Bryan congratulate Kane. But Kane does something better he showers everybody with Gatorade and then says “I’m going to Disneyland”, this is the start of something beautiful.
World Heavyweight title Match—Alberto del Rio vs Sheamus ©: Before the match started Booker T came out and announced that the Brogue Kick was reinstated, that way making the whole storyline pointless. The match was good but once again people didn’t care about the two facing each other. During their match there were some “We want Ziggler” chants heard. Not an outstanding match but it had highlights. The submissions counters were great. At the end Sheamus hit the Brogue Kick to retain his title. Rating: ***
Before we got into the main event Paul Heyman addressed the Boston crowd and reminded them that he is from New York and as expected got heat for it. After that he told everyone he was going to be at ringside watching CM Punk win over Cena.
WWE title Match—CM Punk © vs John Cena: When you look out the history between this two you can’t find something that wasn’t great and entertaining, this match wasn’t the exception. This was and outstanding battle that my words can’t describe. CM Punk using Yankee themed trunks on Boston, Cena doing a suicide dive and the controversial ending. Their Money in the Bank match is something special that will always be remembered as one of the greatest matches in wrestling. But this match told a better story, at least that’s my opinion. It showed that neither man can beat the other. The match ending with a draw because John Cena couldn’t do a bridge was the perfect way to continue this feud and make you see Raw the next night. Also CM Punk attacking the hometown boy leaving with Heyman at his side makes you look forward for the feud. I know that a lot of people will complain about ending in a draw but it was the best way to end. Punk’s reign couldn’t end and they need a main event for Hell in a Cell. A match like Hell in a Cell can really end the Punk and Cena rivalry, at least for 2012. Rating:****1/2
Not a great event but not a bad one. The matches in this card were good and the closing match was epic, it also made you watch what’s next. The duo on commentary did a great job. JBL obviously was the heel commentator while Cole was just a normal commentator. After this pa-per-view I’m even more excited about what will happen with Punk and Heyman. Can this be the start of the Punk Era that never started at 2011?
Final Grade: +C
