WWE Night of Champions Predictions
Sunday, July 26 in Philadelphia. Every Title is on the Line!
Night of Champions is a chance for WWE to do something it doesn't do any other night of the year, and that is to put the focus on every single one of its titles. The annual pay-per-view is being advertised this year as an exclusive occurrence. Even at WrestleMania, WWE does not deliver a defense of every one of its championships. For this reason alone, this should be a historic evening.
Add to the prestige of all the championships the names of those wearing them currently: Randy Orton, Tommy Dreamer, CM Punk, Rey Mysterio, Chris Jericho, and Kofi Kingston. These men are all names recognized by fans, wrestlers who have connected with the audience to the point where few dare ask, "What did so-and-so do to deserve a championship?" Competing for titles are, among others, Triple H, John Cena, and Legacy. Upstarts such as Dolph Ziggler and The Miz will finally have their chances at singles gold.
Both women's championships are also on the line. Mickie James has her chance at winning the Divas Championship, adding it to her already impressive history as a multi-time women's champ. Melina has a chance to wrist the WWE Women's title back from Michelle McCool - who, last month, became the first WWE Diva to hold both the Divas and Women's championship belts on separate occasions. It is a very night when both of these belts are one the line, and they will be in Philadelphia, July 26.
The excitement in the air is tangible. Current stars and hungry younger wrestlers alike are ready to compete for championship glory. It's a loaded card, and it's worth taking a few guesses as to what will happen. After all, with every single title in the company on the line, the forseeable future of WWE will be at stake.
Note: These matches are not necessarily in order.
Intercontinental Championship: Rey Mysterio (c) vs. Dolph Ziggler
Winner: Rey-Rey pins Ziggler
It seems likely that a high energy match, such as this one is likely to be, will start the show. This will work in the champ's favor. Rey-Rey thrives off the frenetic support of the crowd. Besides, he's not about to let go of the strap so soon, especially after his emotional victory over Chris Jericho in their recent mask vs. title match. Yes, Ziggler's star is quickly rising, but he's not quite on Mysterio's level yet.
The prestige of the IC belt has returned, and "Hi, I'm Dolph" needs to work a little harder and longer before he's ready to wear it. The up-and-comer surely won't look a joke, though. Expect him to land quite a bit of offense on WWE's "Biggest Little Man" and to prove he belong on pay-per-view cards in the long term. Still, look for Rey, with the crowd behind him, to score a strong, decisive pinfall following a fast-paced match.
WWE Women's Championship: Michelle McCool (c) vs. Melina
Winner: McCool by submission
Melina is one of the most athletic, most popular, and toughest Divas in WWE today. Despite this, she is not one of the most resilient. Melina won her second Women's title on the same night she lost her first. After losing it again, it took her almost two years to reclaim the belt. The psychological disadvantage here is obvious, and Melina has to be the underdog for that reason. Her next title reign isn't two years away this time, but it's not happening this month, either.
McCool will work on her challenger's leg, finally managing to lock in her patented Brazilian heel hook submission. Melina is strong, and she won't tap right away. She might even escape the hold once or twice via rope break. The pain will eventually prove too much, though, and she'll have to put her title dreams on hold until another day.
United States Championship: Kofi Kingston (c) vs. Big Show vs. Jack Swagger vs. Carlito Colon vs. The Miz vs. MVP
Winner: The Miz pins someone besides Kofi or Big Show
Multiple participant, one-fall-to-a-finish bouts never favor the champ. The "Six Pack Challenge" makes things even more difficult. Add to this the fact that five of these competitors are, as good ol' JR would say, "quick as a hiccup," and the odds that we'll see a title change increase. Kofi is too quick and careful to be pinned himself in this situation, but he can't watch everybody all of the time.
The reason for the specific prediction is this: The Miz will NOT be hitting the Reality Check on anyone in this match. Instead, look for him to catch someone offguard with a schoolboy roll-up. It won't be Big Show, for obvious reasons. It also won't be Kofi, because Kofi is never pinned that way. Instead, with both Big Show and Kofi temporarily indisposed by a larger wrestler (likely Swagger), The Miz will catch one of the remaining three competitors unaware for the three seconds it takes. This will be nowhere near the last time you'll see an exhausted Miz clutching a newly won title belt. Bank on it.
Click here for part 2 of Night of Champions Predictions.
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