The eighth annual WWE Night Of Champions pay-per-view takes place this Sunday night and with every WWE Championship on-the-line, it truly will be a night of champions. Whether or not any of the titles said-champions are holding actually mean anything, well, that’s a different story altogether.
We have eight matches on the card officially announced thus far and at a quick glance, it looks as though we’ll be seeing at least one, if not more, title changes taking place during this event.
With that said, let’s jump into the match-by-match breakdown.
Mark Henry vs. Rusev
Boone’s Breakdown: I guess this is the real main event, eh? Well, you would think that if you watched the final TVs heading into the pay-per-view. Regardless, it’s still too early for Rusev to be looking at the lights for a three-count, so I’m expecting Mark Henry to be just another pro-American dude for The Bulgarian Brute to squash en route to a big showdown with WWE’s top pro-American performer, John Cena.
Boone’s Prediction: Rusev
Chris Jericho vs. Randy Orton
Boone’s Breakdown: Y2J confirmed on his latest “Talk Is Jericho” podcast that this Sunday is the final stop on his current run with WWE, so it’s pretty obvious that he’ll be doing the honors on the way out. The real question is, what do they do to utilize his last appearance and how do they use that rub to get “The Viper” ready for whatever is in store for his future?
Boone’s Prediction: Randy Orton
Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins
Boone’s Breakdown: The way this storyline has unfolded on television the past several weeks, it wouldn’t surprise me to see either Kane or Dean Ambrose — or both — get involved in some form or fashion before the final bell rings. That being said, much like Rusev, now is not the time for Roman Reigns to be laying on his back for a three-count.
Boone’s Prediction: Roman Reigns
WWE Tag-Team Championship
The Usos (c) vs. Goldust & Stardust
Boone’s Breakdown: Could we see the first of many title changes with this match? Well, I guess it depends on where it is positioned on the card, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see the tag-straps change hands on Sunday night. The Usos have had a lengthy run with the gold thus far, and as of right now, the Goldust and Stardust heel act could really use the championships to get that heel factor over a bit stronger. Will WWE go in that direction? Time will tell!
Boone’s Prediction: Goldust & Stardust
WWE Divas Championship
Paige (c) vs. AJ Lee vs. Nikki Bella
Boone’s Breakdown: This one is interesting for a few reasons. First off, WWE teased a little something with AJ Lee and Stephanie McMahon a few weeks back. In the old days, a subtle tease like that would mean something down the line. These days? It will likely end up meaning nothing when all is said and done. AJ Lee and Paige have their issue going strong and while the title should stay in that program, something tells me a heel Nikki Bella title run as an extended part of The Authority, leading to a Bella vs. Bella Divas title match is on the horizon. For that to happen, well …
Boone’s Prediction: Nikki Bella
WWE United States Championship
Sheamus (c) vs. Cesaro
Boone’s Breakdown: This could be a match-of-the-night type of pairing right here. Both guys have a very physical, fun style to watch and with the title on the line and the chance to showcase their abilities on the big stage, I expect exactly that on Sunday in Nashville. Will WWE switch the title over to Cesaro? Part of me hopes not because the secondary singles championships in WWE these days almost seem like a kiss of death. Basically put, they do more harm than good and I think Cesaro is a guy whose singles run has been screwed up enough as is. Regardless, I smell a title change here.
Boone’s Prediction: Cesaro
WWE Intercontinental Championship
Dolph Ziggler (c) vs. The Miz
Boone’s Breakdown: I’ll put it this way: If Cesaro wins the U.S. title, Dolph Ziggler is keeping the I-C title. If Sheamus retains, Miz will likely become the new I-C champ. Even though it doesn’t really matter, I don’t see WWE switching both of the secondary titles on the same show. The build-up to this has been god-awful, more because of the writing than the performing. Stunt doubles, make-up artists? Yawn! As far as match quality, however, bell-to-bell? These two can — and likely will — get the job done.
Boone’s Prediction: Dolph Ziggler
WWE World Heavyweight Championship
Brock Lesnar (c) vs. John Cena
Boone’s Breakdown: It’s a one-match-show folks, and this is the match. This one scares the living hell out of me. When WWE had Brock Lesnar end Undertaker’s legendary streak and followed it up by having him squash the biggest star in the company on one of the “big-four” shows, I wondered what the hell was going on. He’s a part-time performer, for god’s sake! How can they get to WrestleMania 31 without Lesnar on any of the TVs? No title matches on TV? None at live events? WrestleMania is a long way away! Then the news surfaced that pointed out the fact that WWE has reached a different deal with Lesnar that allows them to use him as often as they would like, as long as they pay up. Then it all made sense. It’s the perfect way to build Lesnar as unbeatable until that bad son of a you-know-what named Roman Reigns finally dethrones him on the grandest stage of them all, making him the new top dog in the company. However, the way WWE has been booking John Cena lately frightens me to death. If they had Lesnar do all that he’s done thus far this year only to have him lose the title in his very first defense, it will have all been for nothing. I personally don’t expect that to happen but I’m hearing a lot of people claiming that they feel that’s where we’re headed. I guess we’ll see this Sunday!
Boone’s Prediction: Brock Lesnar
What do you guys think? Leave your feedback in the “Comments” section below. Additionally, you can reach me directly at Facebook.com/MattBooneWZR and/or on Twitter @MBoone420.
