Seth Rollins vs. AJ Styles – World Heavyweight Championship match

Background: Seth Rollins and AJ Styles meet in the final of a tournement to crown a brand new World Heavyweight Champion. Seth won a triple threat match involving Damien Priest and Shinsuke Nakamura before beating Finn Balor in the semi final. AJ Styles beat Rey Mysterio and Edge in a triple threat and then Bobby Lashley in the semi final.

Previous PPV matches: These two men previously met at Money In The Bank 2019 in a match that Seth Rollins won.

Night Of Champions PPV Record: Seth Rollins is 2-1, AJ Styles wrestles at this event for the first time tonight.

Match: AJ Styles comes to the ring alone, there’s no sign of the OC. Seth’s leopard skin entrance gear is really something. The crowd sing his entrance music all the way to the opening bell. It’s a back and forth start to the match as they counter and reversal each others offence. Styles hits a suplex into the corner to give him the advantage. AJ hits a nice sit-out facebuster for a two count and then a reverse DDT for another two. Rollins hits a buckle bomb and a frog splash for a near fall of his own. AJ hits a death valley driver into a neckbreaker for a near fall. AJ sets up for a Styles Clash from the second rope but Seth counters. Rollins hits an inverted super-plex and then an inverted DDT for a near fall. Styles avoids a phoenix splash and the two men battle onto the apron when Styles hits a brainbuster. Rollins counters a phenomenal forearm and hits a suicide dive but Seth sells his knee. AJ locks on the calf crusher but Rollins breaks it. The two men go back and forth and Styles hits a pedigree for a near fall. Seth counters a phenomenal forearm with a superkick and then looks for a stomp but his knee buckles. Rollins counters a calf crusher attempt, hits a pedigree and a stomp and hooks the leg for the three!

Result: Seth Rollins wins the new World Heavyweight Championship by pinfall.

Review: This was a great way to kick things off. I would have preferred to have seen this match end the evening and the tag team title match kick off the show as this match should have felt like a bigger deal. It’s a big win for Seth Rollins who gets his much needed spotlight. It’s nice to have a full time world champion and hopefully they make the title feel special. A really good match between these two, they didn’t disappoint.

Rating: 8/10

Becky Lynch vs. Trish Stratus

Background: Becky Lynch and Lita were scheduled to defend their Women’s Tag Team Championships against Raquel Rodriguez and Liv Morgan but before the match Lita was attacked by somebody. Trish Stratus would take Lita’s place but after getting pinned Trish would attack Becky. Trish says that Becky hasn’t been grateful enough for the path she paved and tonight they meet one on one.

Previous PPV matches: This is a first time PPV match between these two girls.

Night Of Champions PPV Record: Both girls wrestle at this event for the first time tonight.

Match: Trish’s gear is a throwback to her early WWE days whilst Becky looks like she’s off to Kill Bill. Lynch starts the match by punching Trish in the face. It’s all Becky from here and she lays into Stratus stiffly. Trish takes control outside the ring, throwing Becky into the ring steps a couple of times. Trish hits a tornado DDT for the first near fall of the night. Stratus dominates for a while and for the most part she doesn’t look like she’s missed a beat. She’s really come into her own as a heel. Becky fires up, hitting a Bex-ploder and somewhat of a legdrop for a two count. Trish hits a head-scissors into the ringpost and then a spinebuster for a two count. Trish hits her trademark head-scissors off the middle rope for a two count. Lynch counters Stratus-faction and hits a blockbuster and legdrop off the top for a near fall. The two girls counter each others moves and Becky applies a Boston crab but Trish gets to the bottom rope.Trish hits a chick kick for a near fall. Becky locks on the disarm-her but Stratus grabs Becky’s hair. Becky hits a man-handle slam but when she makes the pinfall, Trish gets her foot on the bottom rope. Trish goes to the outside, Becky follows and gets attacked by Zoey Stark who was hiding under the ring! The referee doesn’t see it. Zoey hits Becky with C360, rolls her back into the ring where Trish hits Stratus-faction for the win!

Result: Trish Stratus wins by pinfall.

Review: This was a good match from these two girls. Stratus is having a really good run since returning and this storyline has been good so far. Zoey Stark was a surprise addition but it makes a lot of sense. It gives Stratus some protection and also provides Becky with an opponent for when Trish isn’t on the road. I enjoyed this match and look forward to seeing where this feud will go.

Rating: 6.75/10

Gunther (c) vs. Mustafa Ali – Intercontinental Championship match

Background: Mustafa Ali won a battle royal on Raw to become number one contender to the Intercontinental Championship.

Previous PPV matches: This is a first time match between these two men.

Night Of Champions PPV Record: These two men wrestle at Night Of Champions for the first time tonight.

Match: Mustafa Ali is treated like a hometown favourite despite not being anywhere near his hometown. Mustafa Ali starts well, setting a quick pace but Gunther just throws, slams and chops Ali around the ring. Gunther applies a Boston crab and then an STF. Ali manages to get out of the hold but Gunther boots him out of the ring and launches him into the ringpost. Gunther hits more chops but Mustafa Ali fights back until heading to the top where Gunther goes up with him only for Ali to hit a sunset flip powerbomb. Mustafa Ali then hits a 450 splash for a near fall. Gunther counters a tornado DDT and hits a couple of big clotheslines for a near fall. Ali counters a powerbomb and hits a tornado DDT. Gunther avoids a 450 splash, hits a shotgun dropkick and a powerbomb for the win.

Result: Gunther retains the Intercontinental Championship by pinfall.

Review: This match was a lot of fun. They made you believe that Mustafa Ali could walk away with a fluke victory but we all knew Gunther was retaining. He’s so stiff. But this was a great showing for Mustafa Ali who got some good offence in. Gunther might just wear this title forever.

Rating: 6.5/10

Bianca Belair (c) vs. Asuka – Raw Women’s Championship match

Background: Bianca Belair defeated Asuka at Backlash a few weeks ago but Asuka would continue her pursuit of the title, spitting mist in Belair’s eyes and earning herself another shot at the Raw Women;’s Championship.

Previous PPV matches: This is a second PPV match between these two girls, Bianca Belair previously beat Asuka at Wrestlemania.

Night Of Champions PPV Record: Both girls wrestle at this event for the first time tonight.

Match: It’s a physical, back and forth start to the match until the fight goes to the outside where Asuka throws Bianca into the ring steps. Asuka then hits a German suplex and running knee for a two count. Asuka dominates from here, sometimes goading Belair. Bianca hits a nice running neckbreaker to even things up. Bianca fires up with power moves and a moonsault for a two count. The pace slows down and both girls struggle to gain any momentum. Asuka counters a moonsault attempt and the two girls go back and forth, Lots of pinfall attempts before they brawl to the outside and back in. Asuka looks to spray the mist but Bianca manages to avoid it. Asuka counters the KOD and applies an armbar but Bianca powers her up and breaks the hold. Asuka sprays mist on her own hand, Bianca sdcoops her up for the KOD but Asuka rakes the eyes, kicks her in the head and pins Bianca for the win!

Result: Asuka wins the Raw Women’s Championship by pinfall.

Review: This was a decent match. It was a little slow in places and the crowd were quiet for a lot of it but you can’t fault Bianca and Asuka too much. I really liked the finish, it was very creative. I like Asuka, she’s great, especially at the moment. Bianca’s long run comes to an end and with the crowd turning on her at Backlash you can’t help but wonder whether a heel turn would freshen her up.

Rating: 6/10

Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Natalya – Smackdown Women’s Championship match

Background: Following a match between Rhea Ripley and Dana Brooke, Natalya would make her return, saving Dana from a post-match beatdown. The match was then made that for Night Of Champions with Natalya challenging for the Smackdown Women’s Championship.

Previous PPV matches: This is a first time PPV match between these two girls.

Night Of Champions PPV Record: Natalya is 0-1, Rhea wrestles at this event for the first time tonight.

Match: Dominik accompanies Rhea ripley to the ring and causes a distraction when the bell rings which allows Ripley to kick Natalya out of the ring, throw her into the ring steps and then throw her back into the ring, hit Rip-tide and hook the legs for the three!

Result: Rhea Ripley retains the Smackdown Women’s Championship by pinfall.

Review: This was basically a squash. Rhea made very quick work of Natalya before hitting her with the rip-tide for the win. I have no problems with this. I like Ripley being booked so dominantly.

Rating: N/A

Cody Rhodes vs. Brock Lesnar

Background: Brock Lesnar attacked Cody Rhodes the night after Wrestlemania which led to a match between the two at Backlash. Cody Rhodes beat Brock with a roll-up but for Lesnar it was far from over. Brock Lesnar would attack Rhodes again and again, most recently attacking Cody backstage with a keg, breaking Rhodes’ arm. Triple H would advice Cody Rhodes to pull out of his match with Brock at Night Of Champions but Rhodes refused.

Previous PPV matches: These two men wrestled at Backlash last month where Rhodes defeated Lesnar.

Night Of Champions PPV Record: Cody Rhodes is 4-2, Brock Lesnar is 0-1.

Match: Cody Rhodes has a titanium cast on his arm which sounds like a weapon to me. Rhodes is really over with this crowd. Cody tries to keep away from Lesnar in the early going but it isn’t long before Brock is tossing him across the ring. Cody uses his titanium cast as a weapon, hammering Lesnar out of the ring and then diving out at him. Rhodes hits double axe handles for a near fall and then a disaster kick and Cody cutter for a near fall. Cody hits Cross-Rhodes twice but Lesnar counters a third attempt, appling a kimura. Cody fades, refusing to tap out until eventually reaching the bottom rope. Brock looks for an F5 but Cody counters and hits a Cross-Rhodes for a two count. Lesnar hits an F5 for a near fall and then goes back to the kimura. Rhodes passes out and the referee calls for the bell.

Result: Brock Lesnar wins by technical knockout.

Review: This was a classic Brock Lesnar match and one I enjoyed. Brock dominated Cody and the arm injury gives Rhodes the perfect excuse for losing. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the rubber match at Summerslam. A fun match tonight, not much more to say.

Rating: 7.5/10

Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn (c) vs. Roman Reigns & Solo Sikoa – Undisputed Tag Team Championship match

Background: The Usos lost the tag team championships to Owens and Zayn at Wrestlemania and when Roman Reigns it was revealed that Paul Heyman had earned The Bloodline another shot at the titles but this time it would be Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa challenging.

Previous PPV matches: This is a first time tag team match between these two teams.

Night Of Champions PPV Record: Kevin Owens is 1-0, Roman Reigns is 1-1 and both Sami Zayn and Solo Sikoa wrestle at this event for the first time tonight.

Match: Paul Heyman introduces the challenges whilst Sami Zayns, who is wearing traditional gear, introduces his team in what I think is Hebrew. Kevin Owens and Roman Reigns are in the ring as the bell sounds but the crowd sing Sami Zayns music so KO tags in Sami. Roman then tags out to Solo. The crowd are massively behind Sami as he and Solo go back and forth. A distraction from Roman gives his team the advantage. Roman finally tags in and slowly picks apart Sami Zayn. The Bloodline dominate for a large portion of the match, keeping Sami away from tagging Owens. KO finally makes the hot tag and picks up the pace against Roman Reigns. Owens counters a superman punch and hits a pop-up powerbomb for a two count followed by a frog splash for another near fall. Reigns hits a superman punch for a near fall. Owens counters a spear and hits a stunner but Reigns bounces off the ropes and executes a spear resulting in both men going down. Sami Zayn and Solo Sikoa tag in and Zayn takes control. Solo counters a helluva kick and Sami counters a Samoan spike. Zayn then hits an exploded into the corner and a helluva kick for a near fall.

Roman accidentally spears the referee which takes him out the match. Surely The Usos are showing up and accidentally costing Roman the match. Zayn takes out Reigns with a superman punch before looking for a spear but Roman hits him with a superman punch. KO then spears Reigns as all hell breaks loose. And as predicted, here come The Usos who attack Owens and tip the announce desk on him. The Usos then superkick Sami before accidentally superkicking Solo. Here we go. Roman isn’t happy. Roman shoved his brothers before Jimmy superkicks Roman! Jimmy superkicks his cousin again and screams at Jey to stand with him! Jey looks conflicted but the brothers leave. Back in the ring Owens stunners Solo and Sami hits a helluva kick. Zayn hooks the leg and another referee counts the 3! 

Result: Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn retain the Tag Team Championships by pinfall.

Review: This was a match that got better as it went along. It was slow for a long time with Solo and Roman taking control but it picked up in the latter stages. Huge pop for Jimmy superkicking Roman Reigns. This was a fun main event which will have huge repercussions going forward.  

Rating: 7.75/10