WWE Night of Champions Preview
by Mike Killam
Wrestling fans we are less than 24 hours away from Night of Champions, the annual WWE pay-per-view event where every championship is on the line! Now, I know what you're thinking… If every championship is defended at every PPV, what makes Night of Champions special in any way? The simple answer is that it doesn't. The Night of Champions gimmick is old and out-of-touch, but that doesn't stop it from delivering some of the most exciting matches and memorable angles in recent WWE history. Last year the legendary Undertaker made his return after emerging from a (storyline) coma to challenge his brother Kane for the World Heavyweight title. The year before Jeff Hardy defeated CM Punk to regain the same World Heavyweight title, and this year we could see the entire landscape of the WWE change yet again when Triple H takes on CM Punk with his spot as Chief Operating Officer hanging in the balance. We have a very stacked card this year, so let's get to some matches!
Intercontinental Championship
Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Ted DiBiase
The story: This weekend WWE.com announced the final advertised match-up for Night of Champions: an Intercontinental title bout between former tag team champions Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase. These two men have a longer rivalry than perhaps any pairing in the WWE today. In fact, it was at Night of Champions just three years ago that these two men first joined forces in a turn against Hardcore Holly to capture the World Tag Team titles. At that point it was believed that Ted DiBiase was the bigger star, rising through the ranks to become a future main eventer. After several mediocre pushes and a lackluster pairing with Maryse, DiBiase was put on the back burner and has yet to show any signs of life…until this week's episode of Friday Night Smackdown! Cody Rhodes has been on a roll, even defeating World Heavyweight champion Randy Orton live in the main event of Monday Night Raw. This came after Rhodes turned on DiBiase, banishing him as his apprentice. Many thought this would be the end of Ted DiBiase, and that he had hit his proverbial “third strike” in the WWE. As much as I would have loved to agree, the pure aggression he showed on this week's Smackdown makes me believe otherwise. While no words were exchanged, the son of the Million Dollar Man showed such raw emotion on his face, right before delivering a picture-perfect Cobra Clutch slam. The message was clear: Ted DiBiase Jr. wants one more shot at proving his worth.
The prediction: Cody Rhodes must retain in this match. I love the aggression that was put out by DiBiase, but I would love to see more of it before handing him the Intercontinental title. Rhodes looks damn good with the gold around his waist, and if they do manage to pull of a face turn with DiBiase, there is a lot more thrill in the chase.
WWE Tag Team Championships
“Air Boom” Kofi Kingston & Evan Bourne (c's) vs. The Miz & R-Truth
The story: The Miz and R-Truth make for a very unusual pairing, and many are unhappy with the WWE's treatment of the former WrestleMania main-eventer. However, there is just no debating that these two are the most entertaining thing going in the WWE right now. The Miz plays the cocky heel that takes himself way too seriously, while R-Truth's off-the-wall ramblings and bizarre sense of humor somehow compliment that perfectly! At the same time we have the brand new tag team of “Air Boom”. We heard the rumors that WWE is interested in revitalizing the tag team division, and with one half of the Kings of Wrestling in developmental as we speak, this looks like a likely endeavor. But do Evan Bourne and Kofi Kingston have what it takes to make that dream a reality? Are they the right poster boys for the division? I would have much rather seen the Usos take the belts off of Otunga and McChicken (McDouble? McHennig?), but for whatever reason they are unwilling to pull the trigger on my favorite tag team to come along since the Miz and John Morrison. That being said, Air Boom seems like the only real choice they have at this moment. We've already entered the realm of mashing together all your mid-card stars because no real competition exists, so why not? Kingston and Bourne are two very talented men that don't get near enough time to expand their abilities, so I won't complain as long as they continue to put on decent matches.
The prediction: Kofi Kingston and Evan Bourne to retain the titles…this time. Further the conspiracy angle between the Miz and R-Truth a little more. Mess around with them and see what you have before locking in two of your best stars to a division they may not do well in. Besides, at this point I'm not sure the career of Evan Bourne can afford the loss of his first title in the WWE.
