WWE Night of Champions Predictions

It’s that one PPV of the year where every match is of gold standard: Night of Champions. The 2012 version seems to offer some quality matches and interesting storylines to follow them up. Here are my thoughts:

Divas Championship: Kaitlyn vs Layla (c)

I see Layla going over easily once again. Kaitlyn is young and her in-ring work is sub-par. If she goes over Layla, it’s one of Vince’s force-fed pushes.

United States Championship: Pre Show Winner vs Antonio Cesaro (c)

Can’t see anyone going over Cesaro for the title, nor do I believe anyone should just yet. Cesaro has major potential, but needs to solidify himself with fans and improve his ring work.

Fatal 4 Way for the Intercontinental Championship: Miz (c) vs Mysterio vs Sin Cara vs Cody Rhodes

There’s an interesting dynamic here with Mysterio & Sin Cara pitted against each other for the first time. I’m sure WWE will build up this feud between the two Lucha Libre legends up, so expect limited interaction between the two, but this may be the start of a feud. As for Rhodes & Miz, in my opinion, Miz has overachieved in WWE, but his counterpart Rhodes has under achieved. That seems to be changing and I believe Rhodes is ready for that “big” push. With that being said, this is a toss-up, so I’ll go with Rhodes regaining the IC title.

Tag Team Championship: Kane & Daniel Bryan vs Kofi & Truth (c)

This match could actually be one of the best of the night, with four solid performers working together. I expect great ring work from both teams and I’m sure we’ll get our fair share of comedic relief out of the anger management team of Bryan & Kane. I see Bryan & Kane taking the titles and running with this anger gimmick.

Randy Orton vs Dolph Ziggler

Seems Dolph is on a slow steady climb to main event status and Orton is the next stop on the way. Seeing how they used Jericho to put Ziggler over before he left, I can only imagine Orton may be doing the same since he’s just returned from his failed drug test suspension. That’s not to say Orton can’t go over, but it’s a great championship-quality match nonetheless. I think Ziggler gets the win clean.

World Heavyweight Championship: Alberto Del Rio vs Sheamus (c)

It’s obvious Sheamus is being billed as a dominant champion on Smackdown and the list of viable feuds is short. Del Rio has great mic & ring work in my opinion and has really helped the Smackdown title scene, but I see Sheamus going over clean. Maybe this will be the night Ziggler cashes in and becomes champ? I hope…

WWE Championship: CM Punk (c) vs John Cena

This match should be good. Cena & Punk always seem to deliver when pitted against each other. With the current Punk heel turn in full effect, the presence of Paul Heyman adds an interesting twist. Heyman & Punk together is clearly to solidify Punk as a heel and I believe there’s no way to accomplish that. I would usually take Cena in his home town for the title and he just may win, but I think they want even more heat on Punk as the fans seem to be finally responding to the turn. Maybe Heyman helps Punk steal a win, or maybe Heyman tells Punk to leave and walk out like he did on Raw? The Heyman factor leads me to believe that Punk may leave as the WWE Champion.