Night of Champions Insane Recap

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Guest community writer Marcus "The Hammer" Stephenson breaks down Night of Champions like nobody can. Follow him at www.twitter.com/stephensonmc

When the WWE Vengeance PPV was first renamed to “Night of Champions” in 2008, I thought it was a great decision on the WWE’s part. Yes, as fans we all know subconsciously that the monthly PPV is more of an event than what we see on Raw and SmackDown, largely because of the fact that the championships are on the line. What’s unique about NOC, however, is that the WWE is outwardly letting all of us know in advance that every single championship would be up for grabs. Championships historically have been very important to the success of the WWE. New viewers who aren’t as hip as you or I (we’re not hip by the way), flock towards the current champions for a snapshot on the entire status of the WWE.

Because of this, NOC should have all of the pageantry that the WWE usually reserves for the big four (Survivor Series, Royal Rumble, SummerSlam, and WrestleMania). But why doesn’t it? Why does NOC feel like every other PPV? My belief, championships mean nothing to the WWE anymore. Personally, I couldn’t care less who owns the gold. I want great matches and drama, and the title is more of a bonus these days than the key driver for my emotional investment.

With that said, I’d love the WWE to make me care about championships again, but last night’s NOC PPV didn’t do that for me. How could it, though? Booker T told us that the title was “just a bonus” in the United States Championship match between Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase, and the main event wasn’t for either the WWE or World Heavyweight Championship. I know the WWE has had PPVs before with a non title main event, but at NOC I wouldn’t expect that. As fans, we want the WWE to surround us in their world. We’ll latch onto anything as long as it makes sense (well, mostly). Long story short, in a sports entertainment world that is 50/50 on the importance of titles dictating success in their business, the result is a dry NOC PPV that would have probably been iconic in the 80’s when championships meant everything.

Make no mistake, though. There are plenty of things from last night’s PPV that we can take away and use as pieces to a larger puzzle. A larger puzzle that I hope the WWE has.


Best Match: Beth Phoenix vs Kelly Kelly -- Fans actually showed they were breathing during this match.

Superstar or Diva of the Night: Beth Phoenix

Highlight of the Night: CM Punk’s elbow drop through the announce table


Random Thoughts
 

• Buffalo got excited for two things: Beth Phoenix (hometown hero) and Triple H’s sledgehammer. Besides that, I’m sure they were hung over from their Bills big win against the Raiders earlier that day

• If a tag team is wearing similar attire, it means that they’re legit. Especially in this “tag teams are a dying art” WWE era

• Who knew that "AirBoom" would make sense? And Kofi’s wearing Nike, so he already has the name of his shoe if Nike wants to endorse.

• "AirBoom’s" entrance felt way too choreographed. Something I’d see at a Vegas show...

• We’re finally seeing a tag division with names. For too long, the tag division has been a bunch of undercard talent thrown together. How long will this stick, though? I know that new COO, Triple H wants to bring it back so maybe it’s in good hands.

• Tag team championship would have been my match of the night if it had not been for the finish. But why would the WWE ruin a non existent rivalry right away when there aren’t any other legit tag teams at the moment. Baby steps.

• There’s “Mean Streak” Ted DiBiase, and zero personality DiBiase. One has crazy eyes, the other doesn’t. There’s your difference.

• DiBiase playing a bad ass doesn’t work when you have him come out to a Ricky Martin song...

• I thought it was cool for the announce team to give a bit of history surrounding Buffalo and the IC Championship to viewers. Unfortunately, when they name dropped Honky Tonk Man, I couldn’t help but think how inferior the IC division is to yesteryear.

• Ted DiBiase is the modern day Bob “Spark Plug” Holly without the gimmick. And no, I don’t mean “Hardcore Holly.” Think about it for a minute.

• Best injury cover-up as a weapon? I’m going with Cowboy Bob Orton’s cast. Cody hasn’t had his mask long enough, but it’s growing on me. Close second: “The Narcissist’s” surgically implemented steel plate.

• Does DiBiase go back to Superstars after the loss?

• A few months ago, all of you thought that Christian was “robbed” for losing the World Heavyweight Championship suddenly after his victory. Now look at him. He’s too square to me at the moment. I watch him and think that he’s covering up his party personality. It’s like he has a suit on at the office, but all he wants to wear are sweats and a t-shirt.

• The Sheamus/Christian segment was so random, but “lucky green testicle” came out of it. I’ll bet that the WWE wanted that one to trend on Twitter...

• Have I mentioned that Buffalo fans were quiet all night? It’s like there were a bunch of Marv Levys in the audience. Old Marv Levys.

• On NOC, I want to see singles matches (except for tag of course). I don’t need every Superstar on the roster crammed into the PPV. I get it for business, but it leads to over saturation. Give one guy a shot at the United States Championship, not 4. At least not at NOC. But that’s just one person’s opinion.

• Vickie Guerrero’s crazy laugh was brilliant. She’s pure gold on TV.

• Josh Matthews’ green tie was apparently from “Giant World” in Super Mario Bros. 3 (level 5)

• King: “What would the WWE be like with Vickie running it?” Um....

• I want the “Hall of Pain” to be a real thing for Mark Henry. I keep thinking the freezer in Rocky, with slabs who represent Henry’s fallen opponents. After every win, he could induct a new member into his “Hall,” and it could be a promo piece like ‘Taker’s funeral parlor, or Mankind’s boiler room.

• Congratulations go out to Mark Henry for winning his first ever World Heavyweight Championship. He’s come a long way from “Mizark,” and I remember hearing and seeing him on ESPN as a powerlifter before making his WWE debut.

• Whenever the announce team talks about a Superstar’s childhood before a championship match, bet on that person to win. I’m just saying, but it’s the Shawn Michaels “boyhood dream” effect.

• Mark Henry moves around the ring like “One Man Gang.”

• The blonde girl’s reaction to Henry winning was hilarious. I’ll translate what her face read: “Ew, that guy won?” You could just see how repulsed she was.

• Are you surprised that Beth Phoenix lost? I can’t remember the last time someone had a match in their hometown and lost. That never happens...

• The Diva super-plex was impressive, and a true testament to how hard Kelly Kelly has worked.

• Each time that I see Ricardo Rodriguez’s face before he announces Del Rio, it looks like he’s letting one rip.

• We get it, Cena loves this business. But people hate him because you keep telling us that he loves this business.

• Cena won? Really? Really?

• CM Punk’s ice cream bar shirt is amazing. Now where is the actual ice cream bars?

• “Duffle bags full of sand.”

• CM Punk pulling an old SmackDown vs Raw 2010 elbow drop onto the table was outstanding.

• Laurinaitis being involved reminds me of when Brisco and Patterson where VKM’s henchmen, only they didn’t have the personality of a rock.

• All it took for fans in Buffalo to switch their allegiance from CM Punk to Triple H was a sledgehammer. That easy?

• Why did R-Truth break up CM Punk’s pin attempt?

• I’m glad that Nash’s perm hairstyle was a one night only thing a few weeks ago...

And all that's left to say until the flames arise at Hell in a Cell on October 2nd. The tag-line right now reads "John Cena Goes to Hell", with the WWE Championship in hand, does Alberto Del Rio have what it takes to face him there? Sound off on our official WWE Games Facebook page.