WWE Night of Champions 2015 Matches, Predictions, Schedule, How to Watch: Seth Rollins Fights Sting, John Cena
The WWE's five major championship titles will be on the line, live, from Houston on Sunday night for “Night of Champions.”
From the Toyota Center, Sting will participate in his first WWE title match and pay-per-view main event against WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins. A six-man tag-team match, however, will help kick off the show.
Kick-Off Show:
Neville and The Lucha Dragons (Kalisto and Sin Cara) vs. The Cosmic Wasteland (The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor) and Stardust):
The feud between Neville and Stardust continues, even after "SummerSlam" and the inclusion of "Arrow" actor Stephen Amell. Since "SummerSlam," Stardust and The Ascension have formed a coalition, named the Cosmic Wasteland, against Neville and The Lucha Dragons. The Cosmic Wasteland have not built much momentum since their introduction on "SmackDown" several weeks ago. Therefore, "Night of Champions" will determine their fate.
Prediction:
The match could go either way: Neville and The Lucha Dragons could win to start the show on a positive note. Or the WWE may be gradually building The Cosmic Wasteland as a viable team -- as most fans will know, The Ascension definitely needs the career boost. Neville and The Lucha Dragons will probably defeat The Cosmic Wasteland, if only because the WWE is likely more supportive of Neville's rising star power.
Main Show:
Dolph Ziggler vs. Rusev (with Summer Rae):
It's a feud that does not end, yet it does have its developments. It was widely expected the "Night of Champions" card would feature Lana and Dolph Ziggler against Rusev and Summer Rae. It would have been Lana's in-ring wrestling debut, but she legitimately injured her wrist and is sidelined for a few months. Instead, fans have another one-on-one match. The storyline, however, continues, as Summer Rae and Ziggler give each other mixed signals and Rusev seems partially oblivious to it all.
Prediction:
Will the storyline end this Sunday night? Regardless, the victory should go to Rusev, since he needs the win. Ziggler is popular with the fans, and a loss won't hurt him.
Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns, and Mystery Partner vs. The Wyatt Family (Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper and Braun Strowman):
The Wyatt Family continues their feud with Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns, but this time the Wyatts have Braun Strowman in their team. Strowman has been booked to be a big and strong member, which is quite a feat since Luke Harper is also tall. For weeks, Ambrose and Reigns have dealt with the feud as a duo, but announced they will have a third member for the six-man tag-team match at "Night of Champions." Speculative mystery partners include Randy Orton, NXT's Baron Corbin to even Kane.
Prediction:
The outcome might depend on Ambrose and Reigns' tag-team partner. If it is someone such as Corbin, who the WWE has booked pretty well in NXT, they will surely have his team win against the Wyatts. This match is also Strowman's first pay-per-view match, so it could swing his way. In the end, the win will likely go to Ambrose and Reigns.
WWE Intercontinental Championship: Ryback (c) vs. Kevin Owens:
Kevin Owens entered the main roster with the NXT Championship and then fought for the United States Championship, at the time held by John Cena. However, Owens lost his matches against Cena. After a brief feud with Cesaro, Owens has now challenged Intercontinental Champion Ryback for the title. The feud hasn't been strong -- perhaps only because it's only two weeks old -- but, either way, it's clear who should win the championship.
Prediction:
The Intercontinental Champion needs to be Owens. He can both deliver in the ring and promos, and he can help boost the title's recognition. Ryback has been decent as champion, but he hit a setback when he encountered a staph infection, which sidelined him for several weeks. Ryback will likely look better chasing for the title as well.
WWE Tag Team Championship: The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E, and/or Xavier Woods) (c) vs. The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray Dudley and D-Von Dudley):
This is a match that will deliver entertainment value. WWE Tag Team Champions The New Day continue to engage the crowd with their often ridiculous antics. For many WWE fans, The New Day have saved a few broadcasts and delivered the "entertainment" in "sports entertainment." With the addition of the ever-popular Dudley Boyz, Sunday's match will definitely be a memorable one, especially for the careers of New Day. Throughout the feud, The Dudleys have attempted to use tables, but The New Day have always escaped and preached to "Save the Tables."
Prediction:
It's possible that The New Day can take the loss, because, regardless the outcome, they have the engagement of the crowd. The New Day and Dudley feud should and will likely continue after Sunday, and it could set up a tables match. Expect a dirty finish in New Day's favor.
WWE Divas Champion: Nikki Bella (c) vs. Charlotte:
The "Divas Revolution" continues, and, finally, the Divas Championship is the focus. Champion Nikki Bella officially surpassed AJ Lee's achievement of longest-reigning Divas Champion on Monday night by being champion for more than 295 days. Bella had a title match against Charlotte during "Monday Night Raw," but it ended in disqualification when Brie Bella substituted for Nikki. Stephanie McMahon ruled that Nikki will lose Sunday's match if she gets counted out or disqualified.
Prediction:
Charlotte wins. The "you will lose the title if counted out or disqualified" stipulation was previously used for then-champion Eve Torres against Kaitlyn, who eventually won. It isn't a secret the WWE wants to build Charlotte as the next star, and it is time for Nikki to pass the title after more than 300 days.
WWE United States Championship: Seth Rollins (c) vs. John Cena:
It's double-duty night for Seth Rollins. John Cena gets his right, as former champion, to a rematch for the United States Championship. Rollins, as United States Champion, will fight Cena. There really isn't much storyline development between the two, since most of Rollins' focus has been against his other "Night of Champions" opponent.
Prediction:
Cena wins. Rollins, rightfully, won against Cena at "SummerSlam," but at "Night of Champions" Cena can take the title back.
WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Seth Rollins (c) vs. Sting:
Sting competes for the first time in WWE history for a title and on a pay-per-view event. Rollins has been irate at Sting for ruining his statue. Who would have thought a statue would have been at the center of this storyline? Through it all, Rollins has been working on making appearing as "The Man," not afraid of Sting and not a coward.
Prediction:
Rollins wins. Sting does not have much in him to deliver a lengthy and compelling match if he wins the title, and Rollins, billed as "The Future," should get the win.
How to Watch:
Television: Contact your cable or satellite provider for information on how to order the "WWE Night of Champions" pay-per-view event, with the broadcast set to begin at 8 p.m. EDT.
Online: Live coverage streaming of "WWE Night of Champions" begins at 7 p.m. EDT, and it can be seen on the WWE Network. The "Kickoff" show can also be seen on Facebook, Google+, Pinterest, Twitter, WWE.com, the WWE App and YouTube.
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