The Build to Night of Champions

Thought I'd create a thread that helps to follow various points in the stories leading up to Night of Champions.

The Divas Title :-

Following team PCB's success at SummerSlam, the leader of the Queendom stayed true to her word and rewarded the winners for their success. Each of the Divas from team PCB was entered in a Beat the Clock challenge, and whoever set the lowest time would be number one contender to Nikki Bella's Divas Title. With us days away from seeing Nikki's name written into the history books with the longest reign for the Divas Title, Nikki and her team Bella compatriots have taken to boasting, even starting a countdown ticking away the last days of AJ Lee's record.

Charlotte beat the time Becky Lynch set, and Paige was unable to get a victory before the clock ticked away, so Charlotte is number one contender. She has also asked that the match she is now owed is set before Night of Champions so she can stop Nikki getting the record, but at the moment we look set for Nikki v Charlotte at NOC.

The Tag Team Titles

With New Day using the power of positivity to clap their way to becoming two time Tag Team Champions at SummerSlam, most will have envisioned a run-of-the-mill defence against the PrimeTime Players at NOC. The rematch clause has become a bit of a secondary story, however, after tables everywhere sent out the code red and the Dudley Boyz shocked WWE fans by returning on Raw. They have subsequently put Xavier Woods through a table, and beat the Tag Team champs on Raw this week. The PTPs were on commentary and their rematch clause was mentioned, so it remains to be seen how involved they will be, if the New Day escape the Dudleyz because of this or we see a triple threat at Night of Champions. Since then the Dudleyz have beaten the PTPs on Smackdown, so they have either jumped above them or brought them into the feud fully. #SavetheTables

Stardust and Neville

Since losing to Neville and Stephen Amell at SummerSlam with Wade Barrett at his side, Stardust has taken out the Englishman and targeted Neville even with Amell now out of the picture. This feud was looking like it would happen without much incident, but on Smackdown Stardust showed his hand as the Ascension attacked Neville under his direction, forming a group called the Cosmic Wasteland. It would appear that Neville now has to enlist some friends of his own to balance this feud. A dreamer might hope we see the return of the Hurricane, that Goldust might soon be nearing a return, but it is far more likely we are to see someone like the Lucha Dragons aligned with Neville for a spell. At the very least it has shown WWE has interest in this midcard feud and we could see it on the NOC bill.

The IC Title

The Miz has done enough to annoy Big Show and Ryback on TV to suggest their feud isnt over. However, Ryback picks up victories over both easily on TV, and since then Kevin Owens has stated he might target Ryback for laughing at Owens' weight. More to come on this one...

Rusev vs Lana

Whilst it may be Ziggler in the ring, the feud revolves around the ill feeling between the former partners. The most recent development being Summer Rae insinuating Dolph Ziggler flashed her on purpose in his dressing room. On Smackdown the feud got its own Miz TV segment. Summer produced a photo of them kissing in the past which was meant to prove they have an on-again, off-again relationship. Lana attacked Summer, before pushing Ziggler away as he restrained her. No nearer to knowing whether this ends with a Lana v Summer match, another Rusev v Ziggler match or a mixed gender tag match. No nearer to making me care either, which is unfortunate considering the brilliant performances of Summer Rae.

UPDATE (7th September)- Per WWE.com, Lana has injured her wrist in training and is likely to require surgery. This would keep her away from competitive action for up to 4 months.

The old Hounds of Justice vs the new Wyatt Family

After the SummerSlam match was won by the former Shield pair, Wyatt has since brought in a new member of his family. The destructive behemoth that is Braun Strowman appears unconquerable, although he lacks grace, poise or agility. Ambrose and Reigns have since challenged the trio of Bray, Luke Harper and Strowman to a match at Night of Champions, and they will be bringing a mystery third person to their side. Baron Corbin is the current front runner of the contenders after a "leak" showed his image included in the promotional images for the match, but there is still a big chance of it being Erick Rowan or any otherwise unoccupied face on the roster.

The US Title

Those keeping up with the product will know this is not the only mention for Rollins. That lovable rogue Jonathan Cena has a rematch, and has shown Seth Rollins how unimportant the Authority think Seth is by proving they will book him to defend the lesser title at NOC. There's little else to this story as of yet.

The WWE World Heavyweight Championship

I'll follow on from the US Title to the WHC because Seth Rollins will be pulling double duty at NOC. Rollins was promised a statue if he defeated Cena at SummerSlam, and on Raw he was set to be presented with his reward. But as it was unveiled under the curtain was actually Sting. It has since been decided that Sting will face Seth Rollins for the top title at Night of Champions. Sting has since played mind games with Rollins, apparently, by suggesting Seth isn't half the man HHH is, causing Rollins to disagree and build tension between the champ and the Authority. Seth will be pulling double duty, whilst the story is suggesting the Authority care more about the title being in their power over any loyalty to Rollins. This keeps heel Sheamus and the MITB contract in the picture.

Nice little write up, simple summary. Tells it all though when theres only a few out of that list Im actually interested in.

My biggest hope for NoC is a tag team table match. Old school tag table match rules, both members through a table, non-elimination like the good ol' days. Brilliant stuff.

The more and more I think about it the more and more I want The Rock to be Reigns and Ambrose partner. Rumours are Reigns is to form a new heel stable with The Uso's around the fact that they're his real family. Adding The Rock into the mix to help put them over would be awesome.

UPDATE - Per WWE.com, Lana has injured her wrist in training and is likely to require surgery. This would keep her away from competitive action for up to 4 months.

Hopefully that shall put a stop to the Poopie storyline You know it's bad when Ryback,Big Show & Miz have been more entertaining.

I'm hoping that Seth drops the World Championship, but holds onto the US title.

I think his match against Cena showed (again) what he can do in the ring and he's the best worker WWE has with Bryan out. However, because he's a heel champion WWE have really made Seth work a much different style and put away the flashy moves.

With him out of the Championship spotlight, he'd be an excellent wrestler to take on the mantle of the US title open defence on Raw and I can't not see him having excellent matches against Cesaro, Zayn, Neville, Owens, Rusev, etc.

He's also be able to transition to a face. In a year's time, or so, a "new" Rollins who has learned from his past of not being too cocky and just bringing with all his moves, would be 10x the champion that WWE let him be this time round.

Sting as WWE champion? Do you think it will happen? Don't get me wrong, I'm a Sting Mark so I'd love to see it. But, how many actual matches has he won in the WWE? From what I'm aware of he's only had one match at WM, in which he was effectively buried. Or was that just WWE's rite of passage? Now Sting has kissed the boss's boots will he be given a legitimate run in the WWE?

If Rollins genuinely wrestles twice then I can only see the WWE title match ending in some kind of outside interference.

Rollins has to beat Cena, the only way people will genuinely believe there could be a possibility of Sting winning the World Title would be if Rollins wins his earlier match, I don't think anyone would honestly see him dropping both titles so if he lost the first match the second becomes a bit obvious IMO

If Sting can't be World Champion then its a waste of an angle having him in the match. And maybe that is an argument for another day, but we have to assume that because he is in this picture it is possible.

From a personal point of view, I don't think that WWE does a good job with its belts anyway, so for me I'm not up in arms if it happens.

If it happens, then he's only a transition champion. And Sheamus cashing in would be the kind of buzz that I think WWE would like in this B PPV when they may be a little worried about their Network subscription numbers falling.

That enables them to bring Sting into the HOF as a WWE Champion. It also sets the scene for a title feud between Sheamus and Orton, which would be fresh and exciting.

Prometheus wrote:Sheamus and Orton, which would be fresh and exciting.

Two words I never thought I would hear anyone describe an Orton and Sheamus feud.

Prometheus wrote:If Sting can't be World Champion then its a waste of an angle having him in the match.  And maybe that is an argument for another day, but we have to assume that because he is in this picture it is possible.

From a personal point of view, I don't think that WWE does a good job with its belts anyway, so for me I'm not up in arms if it happens.

If it happens, then he's only a transition champion.  And Sheamus cashing in would be the kind of buzz that I think WWE would like in this B PPV when they may be a little worried about their Network subscription numbers falling.  

That enables them to bring Sting into the HOF as a WWE Champion.  It also sets the scene for a title feud between Sheamus and Orton, which would be fresh and exciting.

Hey becoming WWE champion transitional or otherwise has to be better than only having one match at Mania, which you lose by default because you're the last WCW guy WWE has left to bury.

And even if Sting isn't as good as he once was, he does deserve his 15 minutes of fame in the biggest league there is in the wrestling industry. I'm glad he and Vince were able to work things out.

I think Rollins retains twice but Sheamus cashes in, don't think Sting should get such a cheap title reign when others deserve to be a transitional champion ahead of him.

A career in WCW and TNA doesn't entitle someone to a WWE Title reign in their 2nd match IMO, especially a guy in his mid 50's.

Marky, I agree with your thinking, but let me tell you why Vince might see things a little differently.

Vince I think wants to own one of the icons of wrestling. He can do that if he is a WWE Champion, even if it is for an hour, the history books will say he is a WWE Champion. And that allows Vince to forget all about his history with WCW and TNA because in a year's time Sting can be introduced as "WWE HOFer and former World Champion".

So, does he deserve it and is the best place for a belt (even for a short time) on a 50-year old. I can see the argument why not. But does it give Vince something he hasn't got, hell yes.

It just taints the title for me. In the year 2015, the WWE World Heavyweight Champion list will include an absolute beast in Brock Lesnar and a 56 year old guy who used to wrestle. Everything Brock built that title into would be ruined IMO.

The only way Sting is winning that title is if Sheamus is out there 10 seconds afterwards.

Saying that, I think Sting being in the angle and not winning by no means makes it a waste. Theres more buzz around this than an Orton or Sheamus defence. Not a huge fan of the status in the trash thing, but the mind games stuff works. Again, they're a bit weak, but I still prefer this to something where Rollins hates Sheamus' beard. Saying that, if Sheamus cashes in then they have already teased that exact feud.

I'm also not sure Sting will be announced by former World Champion. I think Vince probably loves the thought of being able to boast about how he beat, bought and controlled WCW and its franchise player.

If Sting vs. Taker is ever going to happen at mania then Sting is going to need to win something down the line. You can't book that match with any credibility if Sting loses every WWE match he's in.

I should update the OP soon. Did just see this though:

HHH's longest WWE championship reign (not World heavyweight) was 210 days.
210 days from Wrestlemania this year is 25th October which also happens to be the Hell in a Cell PPV date.

Will Seth defeat Sting, claim he is just as good as HHH and we see the beginning of the build to what seems an inevitable feud between the two? Could also be the start of Rollins' face turn. Not only does he go up against HHH, but surely he beats him only for HHH/Steph to send Sheamus down.

I was going to ask that question earlier today, but didn't get round to it. On the back of Beast in the East that seems possible.

Sting vs Rollins not main eventing would be a laughable decision.

It would be completely nonsensical, it'd be saying the US Title is a bigger draw than the WWE Title

Kay Fabe wrote:It would be completely nonsensical, it'd be saying the US Title is a bigger draw than the WWE Title

Yeah, I mean Rollins holding two titles at once does add credibility to him and is meant to elevate his status as a champion, but the US title - even if it is against Cena no less - should not overshadow the WWE title.

In WWE world, Seth could argue that as the World Title is the more important he wants to defend that first when he'll have most energy.

But I agree, it should go on as the last match.

wasn't Edge vs. Del Rio for the World Heavyweight title the opening match a few years back at Mania? If they can open Mania with the world heavyweight title match then I guess they can have the US title main event NOC. The logic of Rollins wanting to be at his freshest for the WWE title does make sense, but unnecessary. If Rollins is a heel, then why wouldn't he just get DQ'd early and retain his US title against Cena? Rollins retains the US title, gets one over on Cena as technically Cena gets the win but without the belt, thus denying Cena what he wants and the possibility of a rematch at the same time. Then he can go into the WWE title match against Sting relatively fresh and try to beat him cleanly.

I do wonder if WWE meant anything by the promos Cena and Flair cut to Jon Stewart about ruining the plan. Was Sting part of the plan? Sadly, I'd imagine it was just a throwaway phrase.

As only the most occasional watcher of WWE, I'd be happy to see Sting get a run with the title. Okay, he's only been at the company 5 minutes, but given he is rapidly approaching the end of his in-ring career, its not like they can have him do a gruelling 6 or 12 month build up with regular matches.

And lets face it, he would still be one of the most iconic (pun intended) wrestlers to have held the title.

I can also buy into the idea WWE want to "buy him out" and exorcise the last ghost of WCW.

I'm just a little confused as apparently he was originally brought in to "end" Triple H and The Authority, yet during his feud with Rollins, he's been quite lavish with his praise.

I think the other problem with having Cena/Rollins on last, apart from the problems about prestige is that it does seem to make Rollins beating Sting a lot more predictable. I think having him beat Cena earlier in the night, but in a very hard match, only just coming out of it with the title then having to face Sting makes the match a lot more interesting. A tired and possibly injured Rollins against Sting seems like a more even match and also going on last makes the possibility of a cash in seem more likely.

I'm not hyped about this PPV, but WWE has delivered solid, good cards in their PPVs this year and I'd expect this to be the same.

Who's on team Shield? I'm going Cesaro, but wouldn't Daniel Bryan pop the crowd?