2013
Joe Louis Arena
Detroit, Michigan
September 15, 2013
results thanks to wrestleview.com and wwe.com
WWE Pre-Show YouTube Match (thanks to wwe.com for this match result)
Tag Team Turmoil Match for a Tag Team Title Match later tonight
The Prime Time Players vs. Tons of Funk vs. The Usos vs. 3MB vs. the Real American
Heath Slater and Drew McIntyre of 3MB opened the contest, but found themselves at a severe disadvantage standing across the ring from Tons of Funk. The wannabe rockstars brought the fight to the boogieing big men early, until Tensai caught McIntyre with a quick rollup to send 3MB packing.
The Real Americans rushed to the ring to replace 3MB, who continued attacking Tons of Funk after the bell. Antonio Cesaro and Jack Swagger quickly pounced on the offensive. Though Tensai and Brodus Clay nearly crushed their foes, The Real Americans survived by using quick tags, eventually trapping The Funkasaurus in Swagger's vicious Patriot Lock.
Next to enter the fray were The Usos, who neutralized Cesaro and Swagger with a flurry of dizzying dives so rapid that WWE cameras had trouble keeping up. Jimmy and Jey's risk-taking caught up with them, though, as Swagger ensnared one of the Samoans in the Patriot Lock to eliminate them.
Young and O'Neil then joined the chaotic contest. Swagger cut The Prime Time Players off before they could get going, catching both Titus and Darren in the Patriot Lock. Young, however, was able to wiggle out of the submission hold and send Swagger crashing into the turnbuckle. The Real American stumbled back into a Gut Check that gave The Prime Time Players the opportunity of a lifetime.
The Prime Time Players were elated after the bell rang to signal their victory. The cocky pair will have to put their excitement behind them quickly, however, as they have very little time to get ready for The Shield. Can Young and O'Neil unseat Reigns and Rollins and capture the WWE Tag Team Titles?
A video package opens highlighting previous WWE Champions and what the title means. The package then focuses on Randy Orton defending the WWE Championship against Daniel Bryan and CM Punk taking on Curtis Axel and Paul Heyman.
A graphic opening hits welcoming us to WWE Night of Champions. We go live to the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan.
Triple H is out first to kick off the show. They had a quick commentary issue with the Spanish announce team feed coming in over Triple H's promo. Triple H said to prove he is only doing what is good for business, he announces that no interference will be allowed during tonight's main event with Randy Orton defending the WWE Championship against Daniel Bryan. He said that is the only way to prove who should be the rightful WWE Champion. Triple H asks the crowd if they are ready when Paul Heyman interrupts him.
Heyman said he has left repeated messages and none have been returned. He had hoped it didn't have to be in public, but he has a "real serious problem" with what he considers to be what is good for business. Triple H says Heyman looks terrible. Heyman talks about Triple H putting a "non-athlete" in the ring tonight with CM Punk. He begs Triple H to cancel the match tonight. The crowd in Detroit starts a loud "NO" chant. Triple H said Heyman makes good points and wonders if he is out here because the match tonight has an added No Disqualification stipulation. He suggests that matches like these don't even require him to be involved with Curtis Axel backing him up. Triple H adds, "You do believe in Curtis Axel don't you?" Axel takes the mic and asks Triple H if they have a problem. He wonders if it is all because Axel beat Triple H in a match back on May 20. Triple H brings up the saying "don't poke a bear" to Axel and talks about how tonight is Night of Champions, all "champions" should defend their title. He says tonight Axel should stay in the ring because he will be defending his WWE Intercontinental Championship against the first person he sees when he returns backstage. Triple H heads to the back as we see a shot of a frustrated Heyman.
Heyman grabs the mic and says this upcoming title match is taking place under protest. Kofi Kingston's music hits.
WWE Intercontinental Championship
Curtis Axel (c) vs. Kofi Kingston
Curtis Axel with a series of counters early on and then quickly bails. Axel returns to the ring and gets in a few shots on Kingston in the corner. Kingston fires back with some big kicks on Axel in the corner. Kingston catches Axel with a big kick to the jaw that results in a two count. Kingston with a big springboard tackle on Axel from the top turnbuckle to the outside on Axel. Axel crotches Kingston up on the top turnbuckle back in the ring and Kingston falls back in a tree of woe. Axel with a quick charge to the stomach of Kingston in the tree of woe resulting in a two count. Axel with a quick toss and Kingston lands on the back of his head. Axel with a big clothesline that levels Kingston. Axel stays quick with the offense connecting with a quick blockbuster on Kingston from the corner. Kingston with a modified facebuster on Axel. Kingston with a springboard cross body resulting in a two count. Kingston connects with a Boom Drop and calls for the end in the corner. Axel ducks and charges Kingston in the corner. Kingston catches Axel with a kick to the face, but Axel responds immediately catching Kingston with a big dropkick as he comes flying off the top turnbuckle. Series of counters between the two and Kingston connects with the S.O.S. Kingston gets a very close two count. Axel drops Kingston off the top rope and connects with his Turning Heads finisher driving Kingston's head into the mat. Axel gets the cover to retain his title.
Winner and still WWE Intercontinental Champion: Curtis Axel
They show a poll from WWE.com voting Chris Jericho as the greatest Intercontinental Champion of all time.
Backstage, Ricardo Rodriguez has his arm in a sling following his match with WWE World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio on Smackdown. Ricardo says he will feel better when Rob Van Dam wins the title tonight. RVD has Ricardo say a few of his moves in Spanish.
Backstage, we see a shot of WWE Divas Champion AJ Lee skipping when she walks up to Layla, Aksana and Alicia Fox. AJ wants to prove the other Divas wrong tonight with them. Alicia Fox says they are done being part of "her little army."
Trish Stratus is voted the greatest Divas Champion of all time according to a WWE.com poll.
WWE Divas Championship - Fatal Four Way Match
AJ Lee (c) vs. Natalya vs. Brie Bella vs. Naomi
The match starts with Natayla, Brie Bella and Naomi all going after AJ Lee. They toss her into the ring barricade repeatedly on the outside. Brie knocks AJ out and then takes out Natalya and Naomi. Brie with big knees to Natalya and Naomi. Naomi with a big huricanrana on Brie after Natayla is knocked out. AJ is back in and takes a big elbow from Natalya. Naomi with a butt bump to the head of Natalya. Natalya has Brie on her shoulders. Brie fights back down, takes a big boot from Naomi, roll up, Brie kicks out and Naomi misses a tackle from the top. Naomi is dropped face first off the ring apron by AJ. Brie with a two count after a roll up on Natalya. Natalya scoop slams Brie over Naomi. Brie is covering Naomi and the referee isn't counting a pinfall. JBL and Michael Cole are yelling on commentary about how dumb the referee is. Natayla locks on double Sharpshooter on Naomi and Brie. AJ breaks it up. AJ applies the Black Widow submission on Natalya. Natalya taps out.
Winner and still WWE Divas Champion: AJ Lee
We hear from the Night of Champions panel of Booker T, Santino and Alex Riley giving predictions for Alberto Del Rio vs. RVD tonight.
WWE World Heavyweight Championship
Alberto Del Rio (c) vs. Rob Van Dam w/ Ricardo Rodriguez
Ricardo Rodriguez handled the ring introduction for the challenger Rob Van Dam. Lilian Garcia handled the ring introduction for the champion, in Spanish, Alberto Del Rio. The bell rings and Alberto Del Rio charges in at Rob Van Dam with a big kick and lock up. Del Rio drops RVD early on with a quick shoulder block. Del Rio slaps his face begging for a kick and RVD drops him with a heel kick. RVD with a monkey flip on Del Rio from the corner and then connects with a quick standing moonsault resulting in a two count. RVD kicks Del Rio to the outside off the ring apron, puts Del Rio over the ring barricade chest first, hops up on the ring apron and connects with a jumping spinning heel kick. Back in the ring, Del Rio connects with a suicide dive to RVD on the outside through the ropes. Del Rio with a quick back suplex as RVD rolls to the ring apron. Del Rio connects with a huge kick to the back of the head as RVD drops to the outside. RVD avoids another suicide dive from Del Rio, returns to the ring and drops Del Rio with repeated clotheslines. RVD with a springboard leg drop over Del Rio on the ring apron. RVD is now up on the top turnbuckle, jumps and catches with Del Rio with a kick to the jaw. RVD calls for Rolling Thunder, Del Rio is back up and connects with a backcracker on RVD for a close two count. Del Rio is up on the top turnbuckle with RVD. RVD elbows Del Rio and Del Rio falls back. RVD with a flip dive that catches Del Rio and results in a two count.
Del Rio catches RVD with a title-a-whirl backbreaker and then comes back with a big stomp over the lower back of RVD. Del Rio is calling for his armbar submission. RVD counters with a knee and a quick roll up that results in another close two count. RVD plants Del Rio in the corner and connects with a springboard split leg moonsault for another two count. Loud "RVD" chant in Detroit as Ricardo helps fire up the crowd at ringside. Del Rio drops his knees off the left forearm of RVD and then responds with a huge kick to the jaw. Del Rio hooks the leg and RVD again kicks out after two. Del Rio with a quick stomp to the chest of RVD as RVD tries to sit up. Del Rio comes off the top turnbuckle and RVD catches him with a quick heel kick. RVD drops a leg quick and pulls himself up to the top turnbuckle. RVD jumps and Del Rio gets his knees up when RVD connects with the Five Star Frog Splash. Del Rio then applies his armbar submission on RVD as he is recovering from taking knees to the gut. RVD is trying to pull his legs towards the bottom rope. RVD is reaching with his arm and gets to the bottom rope to break it up. The referee starts the five count. Del Rio refuses to break the hold. The referee reaches five and calls for the bell to force the disqualification finish.
Winner via DQ: Rob Van Dam
Winner and still WWE World Heavyweight Champion: Alberto Del Rio
After the match, Alberto Del Rio attacks RVD. Del Rio grabs a chair at ringside, returns, Ricardo takes the chair away and RVD gives Del Rio a DDT. RVD props Del Rio up in the corner. Ricardo grabs the steel chair and holds it over the face of Del Rio. RVD climbs to the top turnbuckle across the way, jumps and connects with the Van Terminator. Del Rio is out. RVD grabs the WWE World Heavyweight Championship and holds it up in the corner. We see a shot of Del Rio falling out of the ring as WWE medical staff checks on him.
Backstage, we see a shot of Curtis Axel smiling slapping the WWE Intercontinental Championship over his shoulder. Paul Heyman explains to Axel that if he is left alone in the ring tonight with CM Punk, he won't be here tomorrow or the day after that. Heyman said if he can't be here then he loses his strategy. He talks about Axel making Triple H an enemy and he can fix that for him, but he has to "be here tomorrow to be able to do that for you."
Booker T is voted as the greatest World Heavyweight Champion of all time courtesy of a WWE.com poll.
Backstage, Randy Orton takes issue with Triple H not allowing interference at ringside.
Fandango w/ Summer Rae vs. The Miz
The Miz pushes Fandango to the corner early on. Miz with a backbreaker, Fandango counters, Miz drops him down looking for a Figure Four and Fandango gets to the ropes to break it up. Miz with a big hip toss and connects with his corner clothesline. Summer Rae distracts the referee allowing Fandango to trip up Miz on the top turnbuckle. Fandango with a big knee to Miz as he is coming off the ropes. Miz is able to toss Fandango through the ropes to the outside. Miz with a dropkick through the ropes that catches Fandango. Back in the ring, Miz catches Fandango with an atomic drop and big boot combo. Miz with a kick to the knee and DDT on Fandango that results in a two count. Random "WE WANT TABLES" chant starts up in Detroit. Fandango with a big suplex on Miz. Fandango gets Miz wrapped up in the ropes and connects with a big springboard leg drop. Fandango goes for another leg drop this time off the top turnbuckle and Miz moves just in time. Miz gets the Figure Four Leg Lock applied. Fandango taps out immediately.
Winner: The Miz
Members of the National Guard are shown at ringside tonight in Detroit.
A video package runs hyping CM Punk vs. Curtis Axel and Paul Heyman tonight.
Handicap Elimination Match - No Disqualification Match
CM Punk vs. WWE Intercontinental Champion Curtis Axel and Paul Heyman
The bell rings. Both CM Punk and Curtis Axel are starting with a kendo stick. Axel gets in a quick shot. Punk responds with a big shot to the body and back. Heyman is observing from ringside. Punk chokes Axel with a kendo stick and connects with a russian leg sweep. Punk jumps through the ropes and takes out Heyman at ringside. Punk grabs JBL's hat and gives a "tip of the hat" to a smiling JBL. Punk tosses Heyman in the ring and grabs a kendo stick. Axel with a low blow to Punk that is legal with the stipulation. Axel with two big shots to the head/shoulder of Punk using a kendo stick. Heyman laughs at ringside and yells, "I believe in you!" Axel grabs a steel chair and Punk with body kicks to force Axel to drop it. Punk grabs the steel chair and Axel drops Punk with a big dropkick. We see a shot of Heyman jumping up and down firing himself up at ringside smiling. Axel puts the chair between the top and middle turnbuckle in the ropes in the corner. Punk with chops to Axel. Axel with a big blow to the back of the head that drops Punk. Axel grabs a table and gets a big reaction from the crowd in Detroit. Axel props the table up in the corner. Axel attempts a suplex on Punk through the table. Punk blocks. Punk attempts a suplex on Axel through the table. Axel blocks and then gives Punk a suplex the other way. Axel keeps Punk grounded with a headlock. Punk fights out and sends Axel shoulder first into the steel chair setup in the corner earlier in the match.
Axel grabs a kendo stick and starts cracking it over the back of Punk repeatedly. Axel hooks the leg and Punk kicks out after two. Punk is yelling out in pain and slapping the mat. Axel counters a GTS attempt. Punk cracks a kendo stick across the gut of Axel. Punk connects with a GTS. Punk locks the Anaconda Vice on Axel. Axel taps out.
Curtis Axel has been eliminated.
Paul Heyman has a shocked look on his face and starts running away. Punk chases Heyman around the arena. Heyman slides in the ring and Punk catches up with him pulling back on his face using Heyman's nostrils. Punk has a kendo stick and picks up Heyman. Heyman is begging Punk to not hit him and hugs Punk. Punk pushes Heyman away, hits him in the gut with the kendo stick and then starts cracking it over his back. Heyman is crawling around the ring screaming, "Oh my god! That hurts! Oh my god!" Punk then removes handcuffs he had in his wrestling boots. Punk puts Heyman's hands behind his back and handcuffs him. Punk yells, "You did this to yourself!" Heyman is yelling that he is tapping as he taps his boot on the mat. Punk cracks a kendo stick over the ankle of Heyman and then over his back. Heyman screams, "Oh my god! Are you crazy!?" Punk puts Heyman on his back and starts cracking the kendo stick over his stomach repeatedly. Heyman is screaming he is tapping. Punk leans down and says, "I broke your heart? Now I'm going to break your face!" Punk backs up when Ryback hits the ring, lifts up Punk and drives him through the table that was propped up in the corner. Ryback grabs the handcuffed Heyman, puts him on Punk and gets the pinfall.
Winner: Paul Heyman
After the match, Ryback puts Paul Heyman on his shoulder and heads to the back. We see a replay of the finish of Ryback attacking Punk. Back live, we see a shot of Punk recovering after being put through the table. Punk has a cut on his back from going through the table. He fights off WWE medical staff that try to check on him.
A promo for WWE Battleground on October 6 airs.
We hear from the Night of Champions panel.
WWE United States Championship
Dean Ambrose (c) vs. Dolph Ziggler
Dolph Ziggler with a quick takedown on Dean Ambrose early on. Ambrose mocks Ziggler early on holding on to the ropes, rubbing his hair and throwing his hands back at Ziggler. Ziggler responds with a big dropkick to the face. Ziggler with repeated elbow drops over Ambrose, 10 in all. Ziggler with big body shots to Ambrose in the corner. Ambrose turns it around and connects with chops to Ziggler. Ambrose catches Ziggler with a big spinebuster. Ambrose locks up the arms of Ziggler around his neck applying a submission. Ambrose hooks the arms of Ziggler up on the top turnbuckle and then launches him back to the ring resulting in a two count. Ziggler with a quick facebuster on Ambrose that results in a two count. Ziggler with right and left bombs to Ambrose in the corner that he follows with a flying clothesline off the ropes. Ziggler attempts a sleeper and Ambrose breaks it up with a back suplex. Ziggler with a Fameasser, hooks the leg and Ambrose gets a rope break grabbing the bottom rope. Ambrose with his headlock driver finisher on Ziggler for the win.
Winner and still WWE United States Champion: Dean Ambrose
After the match, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns hit the ring to celebrate with Dean Ambrose.
Sting voted the greatest WWE United States Champion of all time according to a WWE.com poll.
WWE Tag Team Championships
The Shield (c's) vs. The Prime Time Players
We see footage of The Prime Time Players winning the Tag Team Turmoil match earlier tonight during the Night of Champions pre-show to earn the title shot tonight. We start with Titus O'Neil and Seth Rollins. Titus tosses Rollins aside when he catches him and follows with a big scoop slam/elbow drop combo. Tag to Darren Young with an arm drag into a headlock on Rollins. Young plants Rollins with a big powerslam. Tag to Roman Reigns who connects with headbutts and right hands to Young in the corner. Young dumps Reigns over the top rope and then catches Rollins with a huge elbow to the jaw resulting in a two count. Titus starts choking Rollins with his boot in the corner and using his whistle with each stomp. Titus and Young clothesline Reigns over the top rope. Young chases down Rollins when he bails, avoids a shot from Reigns and is then dropped over the top rope by Rollins back in the ring. The Shield double team Young near the corner when Reigns remains the legal man. Reigns with a knee lift to Young. Reigns cuts off a hot tag attempt to Titus. Reigns misses a charge in the corner. Rollins takes a high body back drop. Hot tag to Titus who takes out Rollins with a HUGE tackle. Titus with a splash and big boot to Reigns. Titus unloads on Rollins in the corner. Titus with a fallaway slam that Rollins counters and connects with a kick to the head. Titus recovers quickly and plants Rollins with a big sitdown powerbomb. Reigns breaks up a pin attempt. Reigns with a spear to Titus. Rollins hooks the leg on Titus for the win.
Winners and still WWE Tag Team Champions: The Shield
After the match, we see highlights leading to the finish. Back live, all three members of The Shield celebrate with their titles.
DX voted the greatest Tag Team Champions of all time according to WWE.com poll.
A video package runs hyping Randy Orton vs. Daniel Bryan tonight.
WWE Championship
Randy Orton (c) vs. Daniel Bryan
Per the stipluation announced earlier by Triple H , no interference will be allowed tonight.
Hulk Hogan voted the greatest WWE Champion of all time according to WWE.com poll.
Justin Roberts handled the introductions for the challenger Daniel Bryan and champion Randy Orton. Lock up and Orton pushes Bryan to the corner. Bryan moves forward staying on Orton. Bryan works over the left arm of Orton. Bryan keeps on Orton connecting with a big kick to the back. Bryan gets Orton in the corner, drops a few rights, Orton slides under, slaps the back of Bryan and then drops him down with a backbreaker over his back from the second rope. Orton with a headbutt and clothesline combo on Bryan. Orton stops quick offense from Bryan by dropping him over the top rope. Bryan with elbows to Orton, trips up Orton and drops rights. Orton cuts off Bryan with a big clothesline. Orton with right hands to Bryan and follows with a headbutt near the corner. Bryan levels Orton with a huge flying clothesline. Bryan with two big corner dropkicks on Orton. Bryan with big kicks to Orton in the corner and then takes out Orton on the outside with a suicide dive. Bryan connects with a big top rope dropkick and a second suicide dive on Orton to the outside. Orton cuts off Bryan attempting a third suicide dive with a big right hand. Orton is back in the ring and the referee starts the count. Bryan rolls back in at 8. Referee bump when Bryan catches Orton with a dropkick and Orton falls back into the referee. A second referee slides in as Bryan is attempting a Yes Lock. Orton counters and catches Bryan with a powerslam coming off the ropes. Bryan counters Orton's DDT.
Bryan gets Orton down and has the Yes Lock applied. Orton is screaming in pain and pulling himself towards the ropes. Orton gets to the bottom rope. Bryan with body kicks to Orton as Orton stands up in the corner. Bryan backs up, charges and misses a corner dropkick on Orton. Orton hooks the leg and Bryan powers out after two. Bryan crotches Orton up on the top turnbuckle. Bryan gets Orton down in the tree of woe, hits kicks to the chest and then connects with a big flying dropkick to the face of Orton. Bryan jumps up with Orton, Orton with big right hands to the side of Bryan's head, Bryan falls back to the mat below and Bryan is back up with a big forearm charge. Bryan with a big superplex on Orton from the top turnbuckle. Bryan holds on with his legs and pulls himself back up. Bryan jumps and connects with a huge flying headbutt on Orton, cover and Orton gets a shoulder up after two. The original referee returns to the ring and says he is alright. Bryan with big kicks to the chest, looks to hit a head kick and Orton counters dropping Bryan on his shoulder. Bryan counters an RKO attempt and catches Orton with a kick to the head. Bryan connects with his flying knee to the head, Bryan covers and gets the pinfall.
Winner and new WWE Champion: Daniel Bryan
After the match, Daniel Bryan holds up the WWE Championship starting a loud "YES" chant inside the Joe Louis Arena. During the replay we can see a pretty big fast count from referee Scott Armstrong. Back live, Bryan walks around the ringside area slapping hands with fans celebrating with his title. Michael Cole closes the show adding, "The face of WWE has changed. The new face of WWE is its champion, Daniel Bryan."