WWE Night Of Champions 2012 » Matches » Antonio Cesaro vs PreShow Battle Royal Winner (US Championship)

Antonio Cesaro will defend his United States Championship at Night of Champions against the winner of a No. 1 Contender Battle Royal to be held during the Pre-Show event Sunday. The free, Pre-Show will stream live on WWE.com, YouTube.com/WWE and Facebook starting at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT.
Cesaro, who won the championship gold from Santino Marella during the SummerSlam Pre-Show, says he personifies prestige, and his record since winning his first title in WWE backs up his claim. Yet, the multilingual, Swiss-born Superstars may need more than confidence and Aksana by his side if he hopes to extend his U.S. Title reign past the one-month mark.
On the surface, it appears that the champion, Cesaro, will head into action at a disadvantage. The extra-rugged ex-rugby player will not know who his opponent until moments before Night of Champions takes air. Is there any type of training that can prepare Cesaro for the unknown?
The challenger, however, will not exactly have a clear path to the title match. To win the coveted No. 1 contender spot, the Superstar must first prevail in a every-man-for-himself Battle Royal in which bodies will be flying all over the place. Will the fight to become the No. 1 contender wear out the challenger, making his easy pickings for a fresh Cesaro?
Moreover, the WWE Universe is left to wonder who will fill out the field of the Pre-Show Battle Royal. No names have yet been announced, meaning the opposition could range from a former U.S. Champion to a hungry up-and-comer gunning for his first title. In how many languages does Cesaro know how to say “surprise”?
Catch all the action of Night of Champions, including the all-important Pre-Show at 7:30 p.m./4:30 p.m. PT to see which Superstar will have the opportunity of a lifetime.

SRC- WWE.com

WWE Night Of Champions 2012 » Matches » Kofi Kingston & R-Truth vs Kane & Daniel Bryan (Tag Team Championship)

Thanks to an unforeseen turn of events on Raw, the strange-but-true duo of Kane & Daniel Bryan has supplanted The Prime Time Players as No. 1 contenders to WWE Tag Team Champions Kofi Kingston & R-Truth. WWE’s most explosive “odd couple” will test out their tenuous pairing against the reigning champions this Sunday at Night of Champions. Kane and Bryan scored the all-important opportunity by overcoming Titus O’Neil & Darren Young on Raw Monday night. Prior to the contest, Raw General Manager AJ Lee had announced that The Prime Time Players, who were awarded No. 1 contender status days earlier on SmackDown (WATCH), still had one team to beat before they could move on to the champions. Unfortunately for the swaggering Players, the remaining obstacle was the unlikely but effective tandem of The Big Red Monster and WWE’s premier submission specialist. Originally conceptualized by Dr. Shelby, the team of Kane and Bryan showed barely a glimpse of continuity in their win over O'Neil & Young. In fact, the winning pinfall came after Kane — upset that Bryan had tagged himself in — Chokeslammed Bryan onto Young. (PHOTOS) Unthinkable as it may seem, the former nemeses will now have to rely on each other if they plan to leave Boston with championship gold this Sunday. Will the unusual team prove to be the toughest challenge yet to Kingston and Truth’s championship reign, which is now in its fifth month? On one hand, the uneasy alliance seems like a perfect recipe for success. Former World Champions Kane and Bryan are considered two of WWE’s best singles competitors, and history strongly suggests that many singles competitors have transitioned successfully into WWE’s tag team division. Yet, there is no denying that Kane and Bryan still appear less-than-comfortable — and more-than-combustible — working as a unit. Though their shared experience in an anger management course brought the two Superstars closer together than ever before, their RAWActive “Hug It Out” Match on the Sept. 3 Raw did not end cordially. With the WWE Tag Team Titles hanging in the balance, can Kane and Bryan put their differences aside, or is this pairing simply too flammable to succeed? Even if Kane and Bryan are able to get on the same page, their team may still be fatally hindered by each Superstar’s individual hostility. Dr. Shelby’s efforts to curb their anger problems have shown signs of moderate progress, but the WWE Universe would be hard-pressed to describe either Kane or Bryan as “rage-free.” (In fact, Bryan’s anger toward the “Yes!”-chanting crowd in Milwaukee, Wis., on Raw three weeks ago caused him to lose his temper and lose via count-out to R-Truth.) That could spell trouble for the challengers, as standing across the ring from them this Sunday will be the well-oiled machine known as the WWE Tag Team Champions. Kofi Kingston & R-Truth have stood atop WWE’s crowded tag team division for nearly half a year, and over the course of their reign, they’ve turned back one team after another. Cohesive and fun-loving, Kingston and Truth are polar opposites of Kane and Bryan, and there seems to be little reason to think they will change their strategy at Night of Champions. Who will leave Night of Champions with the WWE Tag Team Titles? Will Truth & Kingston add yet another high-profile victory to their already long list of beaten challengers? Or will Kane and Bryan shock the WWE Universe — and maybe even each other — by forging a successful unit? Find out this Sunday at Night of Champions.

WWE Night Of Champions 2012 » Matches » Randy Orton vs Dolph Ziggler

At Night of Champions, every illustrious title in the WWE will be up for grabs. However, not every match at the pay-per-view will revolve around championship gold. Some rivalries are so intense that they become more about the simple need to be better than an adversary. Such is the case between Randy Orton and Dolph Ziggler.

As learned by WWE.com on Sunday, Sept. 9, the two are set to square off in a furious showdown at Night of Champions.

Ziggler continues to set the WWE ablaze, proving week in and week out that he is one of the best up-and-comers that the squaredcircle has to offer.  After overcoming seven other elite Superstars to capture a Money in the Bank contract at the epic pay-per-view of the same name, the former World Heavyweight Champion went on to battle Chris Jericho and help end Y2J’s time in WWE.

Then, after Randy Orton cost him a chance to cash in his World Title opportunity on World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus, Ziggler set his sights on WWE’s Apex Predator.

When it comes to in-ring competitors, Orton is synonymous with ability, fearless fury and unpredictable ruthlessness. Over the years, these qualities have helped to make him a nine-time World Champion and one of the most dangerous Superstars in WWE. He has forged his greatness against the likes of John Cena, The Undertaker and Triple H.

However, while there is no denying The Viper’s impressive resume, The Showoff does have one distinct advantage against him. Despite Orton’s countless accolades, he is still facing a Superstar who is hungry to test his worth. As he clutches his Money in the Bank briefcase, Ziggler stands constantly poised to show that he can hang with the likes of The Viper in the main event.

When Orton cost Ziggler a chance to do just that – hitting him with an RKO as Mr. Money in the Bank was looking to cash in his title opportunity on The Great White on the Aug. 24 edition of SmackDown, he ignited a firestorm.

One week later, Orton reigned supreme over his bleach blond opponent in the SmackDown main event. Three days later on the Sept. 3 edition of Raw, the determined Ziggler returned the favor, overcoming Orton with the help of a handful of tights.

On the following SmackDown, just moments after Damien Sandow fled his match with The Viper, Orton initiated a post-match battle with The Showoff, presumably retaliating after Ziggler caused a distraction during the contest. This led an irate Ziggler to confront SmackDown General Manager Booker T’s Senior Advisor Theodore Long and demand a third match with his venomous adversary.

Who will reign supreme in their third brutal showdown? Find out when the nine-time World Champion attempts to bankrupt Mr. Money in the Bank, Sept. 16 at 8/5 PT, only on pay-per-view.

SRC- WWE.com

WWE Night Of Champions 2012 » Matches » Layla vs Kaitlyn (Divas Championship)

Kaitlyn sent shockwaves through the Divas roster when, against all expectations, she won a No. 1 Contender’s Battle Royal on Raw to win the right to face her friend, Divas Champion Layla. With the blond powerhouse and Layla set to face off at Night of Champions, Kaitlyn will have her chance on Sept. 16 to not only shine in her biggest match to date, but also to dispel talk that her Battle Royal victory was a fluke.

For as much respect as the Divas Champion claims to have for her friend and challenger, winning the position of No. 1 contender has not endeared Kaitlyn to the other Divas in the locker room, several of whom have better win-loss records. The winner of WWE NXT season three, Kaitlyn is a relatively unproven commodity in WWE and as such, she’s been the focal point of derision since claiming the spot of top contender.

The more seasoned Natalya, a former Divas Champion in her own right, took to Twitter to trash-talk Kaitlyn. Natalya alleged Kaitlyn has not paid her dues and did not deserve to win the Battle Royal. Then on SmackDown, Kaitlyn again stunned the WWE Universe, quickly rolling up Natalya out of nowhere for a flash pinfall.

The other Divas can say what they want about Kaitlyn’s Battle Royal win, but the young, “The Simpsons”–quoting top contender bested the division’s best technical grappler at her own game, on the mat in singles competition.

Does that spell trouble for Layla, who congratulated Kaitlyn on her Battle Royal win and showed nothing but competitive enthusiasm for her upcoming title defense against one of her closest allies in the locker room? Layla’s been on a roll since winning the Divas Championship in late April. Though that is a sign of a strong champion, is it possible that Layla’s success has made her complacent? If there’s ever an opponent the high-flying Brit could under-prepare for, it’d be her friend, who also happens to have spent precious little time in serious title contention.

Another variable to consider in this match is Eve, the runner-up in the No. 1 Contender’s Battle Royal. Now serving as the clearly competent Assistant to SmackDown General Manager Booker T, Eve’s motives aren’t exactly clear, but she’s watched Kaitlyn’s quick ascent with ambiguous interest. After Kaitlyn congratulated Layla on her win against an always game Alicia Fox on the Aug. 24 SmackDown, Eve raised both Divas’ hand seemingly in a sign of good sportsmanship.

However, even if Eve never enters the picture at Night of Champions, the Layla vs. Kaitlyn bout holds much intrigue for the Divas Division. Can Kaitlyn rise to the occasion in the biggest match of her life? Or will Layla bolster her resume with yet another decisive title defense? The butterfly-emblazoned championship gold will be decided between friends at Night of Champions — who will come out on top?

WWE Night Of Champions 2012 » Matches » Sheamus vs Alberto Del Rio (World Championship)

World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus and No. 1 contender Alberto Del Rio are certainly not strangers in battle. Over the course of the past few months, The Great White and The Mexican Aristocrat have continually crossed paths, with almost every instance inevitably ending in absolute bedlam.

Now, coming off Sheamus’ controversial victory over Del Rio at SummerSlam and The Mexican Aristocrat’s triumph over Randy Orton on the Aug. 24 episode of SmackDown to once again lay claim to No. 1 contender status, the two Superstars are primed and ready once again to duel it out for championship gold at Night of Champions.

Sheamus — who has held the World Heavyweight Title since his historic 18-second WrestleMania victory over Daniel Bryan — has proven to be one of the most dominant titleholders in a long time, racking up win after win on big stages with the title gold on the line.

At SummerSlam, though, Sheamus may very well have had the luck of the Irish on his side, thanks to an errant shoe toss by Ricardo Rodriguez. When Del Rio’s personal ring announcer took off his dress shoe and heaved it into the ring — presumably so his employer would be able to wield it as a weapon against The Great White — Sheamus intercepted the foreign object, and smacked his opponent with it.

The Celtic Warrior then planted Del Rio with the Irish Curse Backbreaker, a move that could well have signaled the end for The Mexican Aristocrat. But when the always-cunning Del Rio put his leg on the rope during the three-count, the clever Great White was able to knock it off the rope before referee Mike Chioda could see it. The oversight by Chioda led to Sheamus’ title retention and, soon after, a formal protest by Del Rio.

Addressing the situation on SmackDown the following week, General Manager Booker T concluded that Del Rio and Randy Orton would face each other in a monumental blue brand main event with the opportunity to become the No. 1 contender on the line. With Sheamus looking on at ringside, The Mexican Aristocrat defeated WWE’s Apex Predator, locking Orton in the excruciating Cross Armbreaker and once again proving his mettle inside the squared circle.

While it’s undeniable that he’s had his opportunities in the past and come up short, never has Alberto Del Rio looked as focused as he does now. His exceedingly impressive victory over The Viper sent a message to the WWE Universe and to Sheamus that this Del Rio is more dangerous than ever before.

Will Night of Champions be the proving ground for The Mexican Aristocrat to finally lay claim to his destiny? Or can The Great White continue on what has become one of the most dominant reigns in the history of the World Heavyweight Title?

Source: WWE.COM

WWE Night Of Champions 2012 » Matches » The Miz vs Cody Rhodes vs Rey Mysterio vs SinCara (IC Championship - Fatal 4 Way)

In every match, there is a story; a history that follows the two competitors between the ropes and carries them throughout any given contest. The Fatal 4-Way Match for the Intercontinental Championship at Night of Champions is no different. For The Miz, it is, as always, about himself: about forcing his way into the limelight and exerting his brand over WWE, same as it was when he held the WWE Title for five months. And although Miz is the Intercontinental Champion now, his goals are still the same: to take a title known for its classic prestige and usher it into an era of AAAAWWWESOOOMEEE-ness and to transform it into an extension of himself no matter what Superstar stands in his way. The three men who The Awesome One will face have all wronged him or, worse, one-upped him in recent weeks, which means Miz has a major ax to grind. With the Intercontinental Title in hand, he has an opportunity to build himself back up to the mountaintop and rest assured, there is no tactic he won’t exploit to see that his dream is realized once again. For Rey Mysterio, Night of Champions is about retribution. The Master of the 619 challenged The Miz for his title at SummerSlam, seeking his first championship since his return following a year off due to injury. What he got instead was another injury: a concussion sustained at the hands of a ravenous Miz in the process of fending off the masked man’s efforts. The injury put him out of commission for a week, threatening to cut his comeback short before it even began. Recent weeks teaming with Sin Cara, however, have shown that he’s shaken off the hurt. Mysterio is healthy, the playing field is evened once again and the Intercontinental Championship — not to mention the man who wears it — rests squarely in the sights of The Ultimate Underdog. For Sin Cara, this match is about validation. Night of Champions will be one of the first times The International Sensation challenges for a championship in WWE, and expectations for the mystifying luchador are, as always, high. Sin Cara has been on his biggest roll of late, racking up victories over Cody Rhodes, The Miz, and managing to save himself from the same ignominious fate as his doppelganger last year by retaining his signature mask. Victory at Night of Champions will not come with the greatest of ease, but considering Rhodes’ preoccupation with unmasking the luchadores, and Mysterio and Miz focusing on each other, the time is ripe for The Mexican Icon to do what he has always done best: defy the odds, defy expectations, defy gravity and finally hoist championship gold. As for Cody Rhodes? Well. For him, this match might have been about the Intercontinental Title at one time. It might have been about cementing his legacy as the greatest Rhodes in the family tree and establishing himself as the premier young lion in the jungle of WWE. But the prominence of masked men like Mysterio and Sin Cara has awoken an old obsession within Rhodes: the desire to expose the ugliness he believes rests within us all. He has not sought wins so much as humiliation these last few weeks, attempting to pry the masks of both Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara. These attacks have been to the detriment of his win-loss record, but Rhodes has grown more feral as the weeks pass. On Raw, his rage reached a fever pitch when he defeated Mysterio and felled The Miz with Cross Rhodes before grabbing The Awesome One’s title and screaming that it was his “baby.” In the right scenario, with enough factors in play and with just the right element of surprise in his back pocket, Rhodes could, finally, expose his enemies’ faces to the world at last … and maybe, just maybe, reclaim that which was once precious to him in the process. Whose obsession, drive and determination will win out in the Fatal 4-Way? Tune in this Sunday to Night of Champions at 8/7 CT to find out, only on pay-per-view  

WWE Night Of Champions 2012 » Matches » CM Punk vs John Cena (WWE Championship)

Despite wearing the most cherished prize in the history of sports-entertainment around his waist, WWE Champion CM Punk insists he has been shortchanged respect. At Night of Champions, The Second City Saint will have his chance to gain the recognition he believes he’s owed when he puts his treasured WWE Title on the line against John Cena, who himself is hungry to reclaim the spot atop WWE's pecking order.
(WATCH: AJ makes the match | EXCLUSIVE: Punk on facing Cena)
Since beginning his title reign last November, Punk has steadily turned away one challenger after another. He’s disposed of Dolph Ziggler, Chris Jericho, Daniel Bryan and Kane — tough competition, all — and at SummerSlam, he overcame sure-fire first-ballot Hall of Famers Cena and Big Show, albeit under dubious circumstances, according to some. Some argue that Punk stole the pin from Cena, while others argue that Punk exploited the rules of a Triple Threat Match.
Yet, over the course of his lengthy, 280-plus-day title reign — the longest since Cena’s 380-day reign ended roughly a half-dozen years ago — rarely has Punk had the satisfaction of defending the WWE Championship in the main event of a WWE pay-per-view. Instead, that highly coveted and lucrative position on top of the card has often gone to the immensely marketable Cena, who despite his camera-friendly charm, has been in a championship drought since losing the WWE Title last September.
Rightly or wrongly, Punk contends he has unjustifiably taken a back seat to Cena and been relegated to semi-main event status, as a result. His outrage over this and other perceived snubs has only grown more apparent since Raw 1,000, when Punk shocked the WWE Universe by refusing to aid Cena (who was being attacked by Show) and ambushing The Rock. Since then, a darker, more sinister side of The Straight Edge Superstar has seemingly taken hold, culminating with an unprovoked attack against fan-favorite Jerry “The King” Lawler on the Aug. 20 edition of Raw when Lawler refused to recognize Punk as “Best in the World.” Punk trounced an overmatched “King” the following week, after Lawler agreed to face the champion in a Steel Cage Match.
Putting aside his issues with Lawler, Punk has appeared at times obsessed with the notion of getting the Cenation leader to concede that Punk is the best in the world. With the confidence befitting a champion, Cena has stalwartly refused, saying it is part of his DNA as a world-class competitor to not think of himself as anything less than the best.
Punk’s objective at Night of Champions is clear: He already sports the championship gold that signifies he’s the top Superstar in the world; on Sept. 16, he’ll have the opportunity to prove it to Cena. Though Punk holds numerous high-profile wins over Cena — including back-to-back WWE Title Match victories at last year’s Money in the Bank and SummerSlam events — none of those accomplishments would have quite the same impact as besting Cena in Boston, the site of Night of Champions and a stone’s throw from Cena’s birthplace of West Newbury, Mass. Cena admitted as much on the Aug. 20 Raw.
“If you walk into Night of Champions the WWE Champion against me and somehow leave the WWE Champion, that is the moment that will define your existence,” the 10-time WWE Champion defiantly told Punk.
Counterintuitive as it may sound, Night of Champions will be a proving ground for the WWE Champion.
Punk, however, will not be alone in that regard. On the other side of the equation is Cena, who has been on the periphery of the WWE Title scene for the better part of a year. If he were to triumph over The Second City Saint, Cena would silence any critics who suggest his time has passed. Moreover, a win over Punk would theoretically either shut up the verbose champion or render groundless his claim that he’s the best in the world — surely a welcome development for a portion of the WWE Universe.
At Night of Champions, Punk’s long-stewing resentment toward Cena and Cena’s championship ambitions come to a head. Which force will prove more powerful? Can Cena reclaim the WWE Championship for an unprecedented 11th time? Or will the savvy Punk again slide by Cena en route to building one of the most remarkable WWE Championship reigns in the title’s almost 50-year history?
On the Sept. 3 edition of Raw, a new twist was added when Punk attacked Cena and then drove off with Paul Heyman! What implications will this new potential alliance have? (WATCH THE ATTACK)
What’s known for sure is that the main event of Night of Champions will be much more than just a matter of “respect.”