Night of Champions

WWE Night of Champions PPV Results – 7/26/09
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Commentators: Michael Cole & Jerry “The King” Lawler, Jim Ross & Todd Grisham and Josh Mathews & Matt Striker
Report by: Adam Martin of WrestleView.com

– The WWE promo hits.

– A video package airs focusing on how all WWE championships will be defended tonight at Night of Champions and then focuses on the top two main events tonight between CM Punk and Jeff Hardy and the triple threat involving Randy Orton, Triple H and John Cena.

– Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase are out first to kick off the show.

– Before the match, Chris Jericho takes the mic and wants to give the crowd a reminder of what happened to his former partner Edge in his own words. A promo airs focusing on the torn Achilles tendon Edge suffered in early July. When the promo is done, Jericho said it was wrong of him to pick Edge as a tag team partner. Jericho said he has picked a partner that is worthy to stand next to him in this ring. He introduces his partner…The Big Show. Big Show walks down the ramp sporting some new attire.

WWE Unified Tag Team Championship Match
Chris Jericho & Big Show vs. Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase

The bell rings and we start with Big Show and Cody Rhodes. Big Show grabs Cody and tosses him into the corner with force. Cody gets away, but Big Show corners him in the other area and hits a big chop to the chest. Big Show with a big right to Cody’s body and then tosses Cody halfway across the ring to the other side. Cody rolls out, but Big Show grabs him by the head and pulls him back up to the ring apron. Cody then drops Big Show’s head off the top rope and tags in Ted DiBiase. Ted hits the ring and is taken down right away by Big Show with a big shoulder block. Big Show puts Ted in the corner near Jericho and gets in a few chops. Tag to Chris Jericho who is launched by Big Show into Ted in the corner. Jericho kicks Ted in the head a few times, throws him into the ropes and catches Ted with a big elbow. Tag to Big Show and Jericho sends Ted face first into the big boot of Big Show. Big Show with a headbutt to Ted that sends him down and another quick tag to Jericho. Big Show then lifts Jericho up and slams him down over Ted. Jericho hooks the leg and gets a two count. Ted fights to the corner and tags in Cody. Cody goes to work on Jericho’s left arm. Cody hits the ropes, but takes an elbow to the back by Big Show and gets leveled by Jericho.

Jericho goes to hit the ropes, but Ted pulls the top rope down and Jericho falls to the outside. Ted gets in a few shots with the referee’s back turned. Cody then jumps out and sends Jericho into the side of the ring a few times. Cody rolls Jericho back in, tags in Ted and Ted drops the boots on Jericho. Quick tag back to Cody and both members of Legacy take out Jericho with a double team move. Cody tags Ted back in and Ted covers Jericho for a two count. Tag back to Cody who continues to work Jericho in the corner. The fans in Philly start a loud “Y2J” chant. Cody with some knees to the gut of Jericho into a snapmare takedown. Cody then applies a modified headlock on Jericho. Jericho breaks out, hits a sunset flip on Cody, Cody holds on to the ropes and rolls out to break up the pinfall attempt by Jericho. Cody with a shot to Jericho under the bottom rope. Cody gets back in and tags in Ted. Ted hits Jericho with some big right hands and kicks to the chest. Cody then starts choking Jericho against the ropes with Ted distracting the referee. Jericho jumps at Big Show attempting a tag, but Ted cuts him off and throws him back to their corner. Tag back to Cody who misses a body splash in the corner on Jericho. Jericho takes a big boot from Cody in the corner.

Cody with a HUGE moonsault from the top turnbuckle on Jericho that results in a two count. Jericho then fires back with a big kick to the back of the head. Tag to Ted who cuts off Jericho who was crawling to the corner of Big Show. Jericho with a small package on Ted that results in a close two count. Ted fires back with a quick clothesline on Jericho. Ted with a big powerslam on Jericho, hook of the leg and Jericho kicks out after two. Ted with an arm drag and kick to the face combo that results in a two count. Jericho gets Ted down and attempts a Walls of Jericho, but Ted counters out. Ted attempts the Dream Street submission, but rolls out, dodges Ted and gets the Walls of Jericho locked in. Cody distracts Big Show causing Big Show to leave his corner. The referee holds Big Show back allowing Cody to grab Jericho and drop him with a big DDT! Cody goes back to his corner, Ted covers Jericho and gets a close two count. Tag to Big Show as Jericho hits the ropes. Ted then drops Jericho with a big standing dropkick. Big SHow grabs Ted and then Cody who comes in. Jericho pulls Cody out and Big Show levels Ted with a Spear. Cover by Big Show and Cody breaks it up. Big Show tosses Cody over the top rope, but Cody holds on and flips in. Cody dropkicks Big Show in the back and Ted dropkicks Big SHow in the knees. Jericho with a Codebreaker on Cody and Big Show locks on the Clutch on Ted who quickly taps out.

Winners & STILL WWE Unified Tag Team Champions: Chris Jericho & Big Show

After the match, Chris Jericho and Big Show hug and then hold up their respective tag team championships. We then see highlights of the match leading to the finish. Back live, we see Jericho and Big Show standing in the ring staring down Rhodes and DiBiase smiling as Legacy heads up the ramp to the back.

– Backstage, Josh Mathews is with WWE World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk. Mathews wants thoughts on Punk’s title defense against Jeff Hardy tonight. Punk said he isn’t going to answer that question and instead ask a question of his own. He asks the audience why they would still stick behind Jeff Hardy after everything he said about him that was true. Punk asks to borrow the mic and then walks out in the arena. Punk stands up top some production equipment and addresses the crowd asking why they would still support a man who for all intents and purposes can’t support himself. He asks all of the Jeff Hardy fans to stand up in the arena and let the world know. Punk asks the camera man to get a good shot of all of “those” people. Punk said he doesn’t blame anyone here for supporting Jeff Hardy. He said the people he blames is the parents or even “parent” since it is obviously a single parent situation, much like how Jeff Hardy grew up. Punk calls those people “enablers” and it is proven because they let their kids cheer for a guy like Jeff Hardy. He said most Jeff Hardy fans are under 17 and impressionable. Punk said the problem lies with the parents and how they aren’t taught the proper way to live. He said it starts with a Jeff Hardy t-shirt, then they are smoking a pack of cigarettes, drinking alcohol, smoking marijuana and getting addicted to more serious drugs. The fans cheer this and Punk said this proves what he is saying is true. Punk asks the parents of the world to sit their kids down and tell them that some times it is what you don’t do that defines you. He asks the parents to say yes to a Drug Free America and Just Say Yes to the winner of tonight’s match and the World Heavyweight Champion.

ECW Championship Match
Tommy Dreamer (c) vs. Christian

The bell rings and both Tommy Dreamer and Christian shake hands. A loud “ECW” chant breaks out in Philadelphia. Both lock up and Christian pushes Dreamer to the corner. Dreamer slaps Christian and Christian slaps Dreamer back. Dreamer with a shoulder block takedown on Christian that results in a quick one count. Dreamer floors Christian, but Christian fires back taking Dreamer down with a big side kick. Cover by Christian and Dreamer kicks out before even a one count. Christian attempts his double kick to the face in the corner, but Dreamer blocks it and drops Christian down from the corner. Cover and Christian kicks out after two. Christian with a slap and flying elbow off the corner on Dreamer. Dreamer gets up on the ring apron and Christian attempts a running shoulder block. Dreamer cuts him off hitting him with a shoulder instead. Christian backs off and slaps Dreamer, slides under him, rolls back in and then dropkicks Dreamer off the ring apron right into the announce table. Christian springboards off the top turnbuckle, but misses when Dreamer moves. Dreamer with a flip off the ring apron taking out Christian. The referee has already started the count, but Dreamer breaks it up rolling Christian back inside and covering him for a two count.

Dreamer puts Christian up on his shoulder and connects with a big powerslam. Christian kicks out after two. Dreamer goes up top, but Christian pulls him off and Dreamer lands hard on his back. Christian with a snapmare and kick to the back combo on Dreamer. Dreamer fights back, but Christian fights him off, attempts a Killswitch, Dreamer tosses Christian over his back, Christian lands on his feet, locks in a sleeper on Dreamer and Dreamer falls back down over Christian. Christian then jumps on Dreamer’s back again applying the sleeper. Dreamer then jumps over the top rope along with Christian to break it up. Both men are laying on the outside as the referee starts the count. Both men slide back in at 8. Christian goes up top, but Dreamer cuts him off with shots to the gut. Dreamer plants Christian down over his chest after lifting him up the air and goes for a pinfall that results in a two count. Dreamer then puts Christian in the tree of woe in the corner, backs up, runs and hits a dropkick to the face. Christian falls off, takes a kick to the gut, counters a DDT attempt, but Dreamer hits a Sky High that results in a two count. Christian off the top turnbuckle with a huge dropkick on Dreamer. Another Killswitch attempt, but Dreamer breaks it up. Christian then counters a DDT into the Killswitch for the pinfall.

Winner & NEW ECW Champion: Christian

After the match, we see highlights of the match leading to the finish. Back live, Christian is celebrating in the ring with the ECW Championship. Tommy Dreamer gets in Christian’s face and then offers a handshake. Christian then hugs Dreamer and Dreamer holds Christian’s arm up. Christian then gets up on the top turnbuckle and celebrates some more holding up the ECW Championship.

– A promo for WWE SummerSlam on August 23 airs. Interesting to note that Shawn Michaels has been removed, but Jeff Hardy still remains in the ad.

– Backstage, Todd Grisham is with WWE Unified Tag Team Champions Chris Jericho and Big Show. Big Show said tonight was about business. Jericho said the best business decision he could make was to pick Big Show as his partner and says they will be the most dominate tag team in WWE history. Big Show said this team is about strength, size, agility and intelligence. He said there are over 40 championship reigns between the two of us and it is simply smart business. Jericho then thanks Edge for making all of this possible.

WWE United States Championship – Six Pack Challenge Match
Kofi Kingston (c) vs. Jack Swagger vs. Carlito vs. The Miz vs. Primo vs. MVP

Primo will replace Big Show in this match.

Everyone will be in the match at the same time and the action is already everywhere. Miz catches Primo with a neckbreaker that Kofi Kingston breaks up. Kingston leaps over Carlito two times and catches Carlito in mid air with a big elbow to the back. Swagger goes after Primo in the corner along with Miz. Primo with a jumping headbutt to Miz and another to Swagger in the corner followed by a huracanrana takedown. Primo catches Miz with a clothesline and springboard cross body on Miz. Primo with a big dropkick to Swagger and elbow to Kingston. Kingston sends Primo into Swagger who hits a gutwrench powerbomb that is broken up by Carlito. Swagger dumps Carlito the outside and attempts the same on MVP, but MVP holds on and tosses Swagger to the outside instead. MVP then works on Swagger on the outside. Swagger then grabs MVP and sends him back first into the guard railing with force. Carlito with a springboard dive that takes out MVP on the outside. Kingston with a kick to Miz sending Miz into the announce tables. Kingston stays in the ring kicking Swagger away and then hits a springboard dropkick on Swagger as well. Kingston with his double leg drop on Swagger, cover and Miz breaks it up. Miz with a big clothesline on Kingston and big clothesline to Swagger in the corner.

Primo catches Miz with some big left hands in the corner. Primo goes up with Miz, Kingston follows, Swagger goes under them all and we have a Tower of Doom spot from the corner. Carlito with a big dropkick to the face of Swagger in the corner. MVP with right hands to Miz. Miz sends MVP face first into the corner. Kingston leaps up on Swagger in the corner and hits a few right hands. Swagger lifts Kingston up, throws him away and then picks Kingston up again slamming him to the mat real hard. MVP tosses Miz over the top rope. Primo, Kingston and Carlito all have near fall attempts. Swagger trips up Primo and Carlito throws Kingston down. Carlito asks for help from Primo and Primo does so. Swagger then double clotheslines both Primo and Carlito. Swagger knocks Miz off the ring apron and then clotheslines Kingston with force. MVP with a knee to the face on Swagger, hits the ropes and drops an elbow on Swagger. MVP attempts a Play Maker, but Miz counters dropping MVP down on his face. Miz covers MVP, but that gets broken up by Carlito and Primo. Carlito wants to work with Primo. Primo agrees, but Carlito drops him with a backcracker. Kingston then hits the Trouble in Paradise on Carlito and gets the win. Kingston falls back in the ropes celebrating his win with a smile on his face.

Winner & STILL WWE United States Champion: Kofi Kingston

After the match, Kofi Kingston is handed the WWE United States Championship and jumps up on the corner celebrating his win. We then see highlights of the end of the match leading to the finish.

– Backstage, Josh Mathews is with WWE Champion Randy Orton. Orton said what happened to Ted and Cody earlier tonight was unfair. He said just like you couldn’t predict that outcome you can’t predict the outcome of tonight’s triple threat adding that he doesn’t even have to be pinned to lose his title. Orton talks about the disrespect the WWE audience shows him and until they respect him he will remain WWE Champion.

WWE Women’s Championship Match
Michelle McCool (c) vs. Melina

During Melina’s entrance, Michelle McCool took out Melina with a huge baseball slide dropkick when Melina jumped in the air to do the splits. Melina got back in the ring smiling and then took out McCool with a big takedown as the bell officially rang to start the match. Melina then uses the ropes to stand on the bottom one and kick McCool in the chest. McCool tries to leave the ring and Melina chases her down pulling her by her hair. Melina with a big dropkick to the face of McCool. Melina with a big back kick to the face of McCool. Melina attempts a splash over the body of McCool, but McCool moves and Melina slides through the ropes to the outside. McCool gets in a few shots and then tosses Melina back in the ring, covers and Melina kicks out after two. McCool then applies a half leg Boston crab on Melina. Melina screams out in pain reaching for the ropes. McCool breaks up the submission when Melina gets to the ropes. McCool then slides out to the ring apron and McCool pulls her down by her back against the middle rope and Melina bounces off to the outside. McCool then attempts a running knee and Melina moves causing McCool to get wrapped up on the ring barricade. Both women then stand up on top of the ring barricade and McCool drops Melina over the top of the wall with a big DDT.

McCool rolls back in the ring and gives an evil smile towards the direction of Melina. Melina gets back in the ring, McCool attempts a baseball slide dropkick and Melina lifts her body up and McCool slides out under her. Melina wraps her legs around the neck of McCool and drops her head off the ring apron a few times. Melina then takes out McCool with a big running attack off the ring apron. Melina slides McCool back in the ring and takes a big kick from her. Melina with a kick to the back of McCool sending McCool into the ropes. Melina then hits her two knees to the back of McCool and then drives her into the corner. Melina with elbows to the head of McCool in the corner. Melina gets McCool drapped across the corner and drops her knees down across her body. Melina with a running side kick, hook of the leg and McCool kicks out after two. McCool fires back with a big belly-to-belly suplex, cover and Melina kicks out after two. McCool sends Melina into the corner, Melina wraps her legs around her neck and chops her away. Melina with a body splash from the corner, but McCool rolls Melina up holding her legs down across the mat and gets the pinfall.

Winner & STILL WWE Women’s Champion: Michelle McCool

After the match, Melina stares at Michelle McCool and McCool tries to recover on the outside. McCool is handed the WWE Women’s Championship and she holds it up in celebration to absolutely zero crowd reaction. We then see a shot of Melina staring down McCool as she heads up the ramp still holding up her title.

– Backstage, we see John Cena getting prepared for his match tonight.

– A video package airs highlighting the events in the weeks leading to Night of Champions to determine a #1 contender for Randy Orton’s WWE Championship tonight.

WWE Championship – Triple Threat Match
Randy Orton (c) vs. Triple H vs. John Cena

They did ring introductions for the challengers John Cena and Triple H and the champion Randy Orton. Cena got some heavy mixed reaction. Triple H got a big babyface reaction. Orton’s reaction was mixed.

The bell rings and we get stare downs among all three. Orton drops down and slides out of the ring. Triple H and Cena then stare each other down and leave the ring. Both men corner Orton from both sides. Orton slides back in the ring as do Cena and Triple H. Triple H is up first with right hands to Orton. Orton slides out of the ring and Cena jumps out catching him with a big clothesline. Cena then tosses Orton back in the ring and Triple H goes after Orton with some big right hands. Triple H catches Orton with a big boot in the corner and Cena follows it up with a big running bulldog. Cena and Triple H then take turns taking shots at Orton. Orton then quickly rolls out and starts walking up the ramp. Cena catches up with him and takes him out. Triple H follows out, grabs Orton and sends him into the steel ring barricade. Triple H with right hands to Orton on the ground. Cena grabs Orton and tosses him back in the ring. Orton hits the ropes and then knocks Cena off the ring apron right into Triple H on the outside. Orton grabs Cena, tosses him in the ring and starts hitting some big rights. Orton with some more right hands and grounds Cena on the mat mounting him bringing down more rights. Orton then stomps on the arm of Cena and hits more rights.

Triple H is up on the ring apron and Orton catches him with some punches and kicks sending him back down to the outside. Cena with a flying shoulder block two times on Orton followed by his spinning powerbomb plant. Cena does the “you can’t see me” taunt and hits the five knuckle shuffle on Orton. Cena has Orton up, but Triple H comes in, kicks Cena and tosses him shoulder first into the corner to the outside. Triple H turns around and Orton levels Triple H with a big clothesline. Cover by Orton and Triple H kicks out after two. Orton with right hands that keeps Triple H down and Orton follows that up with some Steve Austin like stomps in the corner. Orton with a big standing dropkick on Triple H, cover and Triple H kicks out after two. Orton takes the back of Triple H and applies a reverse chinlock. Triple H fights to his feet and starts exchanging right hands with Orton. Orton with a big powerslam on Triple H. Triple H favors his back after the move. Orton then backs up and starts stalking Triple H. Triple H counters an RKO attempt and hits a quick DDT on Orton. Cena is up on the top turnbuckle and hits a double leg drop on both Orton and Triple H (although it appears he caught Orton more). Cena levels Orton and Triple H as they get to their feet.

Orton then drops Cena over his back and Cena falls to the outside. Triple H with a Pedigree attempt, but Orton tosses Triple H over his back to the outside. Cena is getting up on the ring apron when Orton kicks him in the face. Triple H gets up on the ring apron and Orton catches him and looks to drop both with a double DDT. Triple H and Cena break free and then toss Over over the top rope. Triple H and Cena then stare each other down as the referee motions to get moving. Triple H does the “you can’t see me” taunt in his face. Both men exchange big right hands. The fans cheer for Triple H and boo for Cena. Triple H gets the better of Cena in the exchange, but Cena comes jumping off the ropes with two big shoulder breaks. Triple H with a knee to the face on Cena, but Cena comes back hitting the ropes and hitting a Blockbuster on Triple H. Cena has Triple H up, Triple H counters down, attempts a Pedigree, Cena goes for an STF, Triple H counters, Cena attempts an Attitude Adjustment and Triple H counters that into a spinebuster. Triple H with a Pedigree on Cena, cover and Orton pulls Triple H out of the ring. Orton then sends Triple H shoulder first into the steel ring steps and then starts clearing off the Smackdown announce table with Cena still in the ring.

Orton grabs Triple H, hits him head first off the Raw announce table and then off the Smackdown table. Orton tosses Triple H onto the Smackdown table. Triple H with a low blow on Orton which is legal in this match. Cena then hits Triple H from behind and Orton gets dumped into the first row of the crowd. Cena then gets an STF locked in on Triple H on top of the Smackdown table. Orton then walks up and starts hitting Cena with some right hands. Orton and Cena brawl back into the ring and exchange right hands. The fans cheer for Orton right hands and boo for Cena’s right hands. Orton with a huge kick to Cena’s head. Cena counters a huge jumping RKO attempt by Orton. Cena puts Orton up on the top turnbuckle and hits a big right hand. Cena climbs up with Orton, hooks the arm of Orton around his head, Triple H slides in the ring, puts Cena on his shoulders, Cena jumps off, gets Triple H up for an Attitude Adjustment, Cena counters down and catapults Triple H into the groin of Orton. Orton is hanging off the corner in pain as Cena gets Triple H down and locks in the STF. Triple H scrambles and reaches for the ropes. Triple H tries to power himself out of the submission and pushes towards the ropes. Cena then breaks the hold and locks it on again. Orton then falls down from the corner and backs up.

Orton attempts a punt, but Cena breaks the hold and rolls Orton up for a close two count from the corner. Orton then drops Cena with a big clothesline. Orton then starts stomping Cena and Triple H as both men are down in the middle of the ring. Orton starts working on the legs of Triple H and continues to stomp over Cena’s body. Orton then drops a knee and misses favoring it. Cena gets dumped over the top rope by Triple H. Triple H drops Orton down and locks on Sharpshooter. Orton screams out in pain and reaches for the bottom rope. Triple H then drags Orton further away. Cena then walks up and applies an STF on Orton. Orton then starts tapping out and the referee doesn’t know how to rule the match saying not to ring the bell. At this point Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase hit the ring and starting beating down Triple H and Cena. DiBiase is taking care of Triple H on the outside as Cody Rhodes takes out Cena in the corner. Cena then grabs Rhodes and gets him up for an Attitude Adjustment when Orton jumps up and drops Cena with an RKO. Orton covers Cena and gets the pinfall.

Winner & STILL WWE Champion: Randy Orton

After the match, Randy Orton is handed the WWE Championship and holds it up quickly as he bails out of the ring and walks up the ramp with Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase. We then see highlights of the finish with Triple H having the Sharpshooter locked on Randy Orton and John Cena having an STF applied as well. This lead to Rhodes adn DiBiase breaking it up and Rhodes sacrificing himself to setup an RKO on Cena for the pinfall. Back live, we see a shot of Orton, Rhodes and DiBiase staring down Triple H and Cena in the ring.

– Backstage, we see WWE Divas Champion Maryse warming up and streching when The Miz walks up. He asks if she needs any help and she laughs. Miz adds that he can’t wait to see her moves tonight. Maryse said maybe she could show him some more moves later, but calls him a loser since he didn’t win the WWE United States Championship tonight. Miz said he has had enough and asked what he got out of helping her on Raw last week. He calls her a tease and said she won’t be champion forever and when she wants attention she won’t be getting it anymore from him.

– A graphic hits the screen reminding us that Shaq will be hosting Raw tomorrow night.

WWE Divas Championship Match
Maryse (c) vs. Mickie James

Before the bell rings, Maryse throws her cape at Mickie James. The referee calls for the bell and here we go. Mickie misses a clothesline when Maryse dodges it. Lock up and Mickie pulls Maryse down with a quick takedown. Maryse with a big elbow to the head of Mickie. Mickie goes after her and Maryse goes into the ropes telling the referee to get her off. Maryse does her hair flip pose against the ropes and Mickie runs up getting her down in a quick roll up that results in a two count. Mickie with a snapmare takedown and dropkick to the face combo. Cover and Maryse gets her shoulder up after one. Mickie catches Maryse with an elbow in the corner, tries to wrap her legs around the neck and Maryse sends her to the ring apron. Maryse then catches Mickie with a huge kick to the head sending her to the outside. The referee then starts the count. The referee gets to 8 when Mickie slides back in. Maryse grabs Mickie and throws her down on her face. Mickie with a quick elbow to the jaw of Maryse. Maryse fights back with a big knee to the head on Mickie, cover and Mickie counters out of it. Maryse then applies a camel clutch on Mickie. Maryse breaks it up and slaps and rubs Mickie’s face in the mat. Maryse goes back to the clutch when Mickie gets to her feet breaking it up.

Maryse then sends Mickie through the ropes to the outside. Maryse starts slapping Mickie on the outside and tosses her back in the ring. Maryse then goes under the ring and grabs a can of hair spray. Maryse brings it in the ring, but Mickie kicks her in the gut and sprays some of it in the air. Mickie goes to the outside looking to spray Maryse with it when the referee takes it away. Mickie then jumps on Maryse and mounts her with some right hands. Mickie then sends Maryse into the ring apron and tosses her back in the ring. Mickie then goes up top, jumps and Maryse moves. Maryse holds Mickie down and covers her getting a two count before Mickie powers out. Maryse then sits on the back of Mickie and applies another camel clutch. Mickie then powers out of that and sends Maryse to her back. Maryse with elbows to Mickie and Mickie returns with some of her own. Maryse sends Mickie down face first on the mat and then Mickie answers that with two of her own. Mickie hits the ropes and hits some running forearms. Mickie drops Maryse with two clotheslines and a big neckbreaker. Mickie covers and Maryse kicks out after two. Mickie sends Maryse into the corner and hits some shoulder charges. Mickie with a huracanrana takedown on Maryse. Maryse with a roll up that results in a two count.

Mickie kicks Maryse from the corner. Maryse fights back with rights and launching Mickie off the corner. Maryse goes for a DDT, but Mickie counters out. Mickie then drops Maryse with a DDT, covers and gets the pinfall.

Winner & NEW WWE Divas Champion: Mickie James

After the match, Michael Cole reminds us that Mickie James now joins Michelle McCool as the only women to have held the WWE Women’s and Divas Championships.

– A promo for WWE SummerSlam on August 23 airs.

– Backstage, Josh Mathews is with Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase. He added that they failed in their attempts to win the WWE Unified Tag Team Championships tonight. DiBiase said that is so typical and disagrees with Mathews. Rhodes adds that Triple H and John Cena didn’t win the WWE Championship tonight so they were not failures.

– A video package airs highlighting tonight’s WWE Intercontinental Championship match between champion Rey Mysterio and challenger Dolph Ziggler.

WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
Rey Mysterio (c) vs. Dolph Ziggler w/ Maria

The bell rings and both men circle the ring. Lock up and Dolph Ziggler pushes Rey Mysterio to the corner. Ziggler backs off and then slaps Mysterio. Ziggler puts his arm up for a test of strength, but then catches Mysterio with a big dropkick, cover and Mysterio kicks out after two. Lock up and Ziggler gets a headlock applied on Mysterio. Ziggler with a shoulder block, cover, Mysterio breaks it up, another shoulder block and Mysterio kicks out after two. Ziggler stays on Mysterio going back to the headlock. Mysterio gets to his feet, takes a kick from Ziggler and then hits a modified huracanrana takedown. Mysterio with elbows to Ziggler in the corner. Mysterio irish whips Ziggler to the corner, flips himself up onto the shoulders of Ziggler, Ziggler holds on and then powerbombs Mysterio into the top corner. Cover and Mysterio kicks out after two. Ziggler goes back to the headlock on Mysterio lifting his legs in the air, holding them and then driving them back down to apply more pressure. Mysterio with a head scissors sending Ziggler into the corner. Mysterio with a springboard body spalsh into a springboard cross body that results in a two count. Mysterio with a big kick to the face of Ziggler, but Ziggler fires back with a quick powerslam that results in a two count.

Mysterio counters a suplex from Ziggler. Ziggler then pushes Mysterio into the ropes. Mysterio holds on and Ziggler falls to the outside. Mysterio then gets on the ring apron and jumps off taking out Ziggler. Ziggler rolls back in and Mysterio goes up top. Ziggler cuts off Mysterio putting him on his shoulders. Mysterio throws some rights, jumps off, hits the ropes, but takes a kick from Ziggler, attempts a Tiger Driver, but Mysterio dumps him into the ropes. Mysterio misses a 619 and then tosses Mysterio out of the ring under the bottom rope and crashing into the announce table. Back in the ring, Ziggler covers Mysterio and gets a two count. Ziggler then gets a full nelson applied on Mysterio and stands Mysterio up with it applied. Mysterio starts kicking the knees of Ziggler to break it up. Mysterio then walks right into another powerslam by Ziggler that results in a two count. Ziggler then hits a flying elbow over Mysterio, another cover and Mysterio kicks out. Ziggler then starts slapping Mysterio. Mysterio tries fighting back, but Ziggler gets the full nelson applied again. Mysterio breaks out and again goes to the full nelson. Ziggler and Mysterio then exchange pinfall attempts. Mysterio with a huge kick to the head of Ziggler, cover and Ziggler gets a shoulder up after two.

Ziggler with a modified jawbreaker on Mysterio, hooks the leg and Mysterio kicks out in a close two count. Mysterio with a drop toe hold on Ziggler sending Ziggler face first into the second turnbuckle. Mysterio is launched in the air, but lands on the ring apron. Ziggler grabs Mysterio, Mysterio blocks a shot in the corner, hits Ziggler with some rights, goes up top, jumps and Ziggler catches Mysterio in mid air with a big dropkick! Cover and Mysterio gets a shoulder up after a close two count. Another cover by Ziggler and Mysterio again kicks out. Ziggler is tripped up by Mysterio in the corner as he crashes and burns. Mysterio puts Ziggler up on the top turnbuckle. Mysterio crawls up and gets on his shoulders. Ziggler then brings Mysterio down off the top rope hitting a huge knee to the gut. Cover and Mysterio finds a way to kick out after two. Ziggler can’t believe it and gets up frustrated. Ziggler grabs Mysterio, has him up on his shoudler, Mysterio jumps off, kicks Ziggler and then hits a kick to the head sending Ziggler into the ropes. Mysterio with a 619 and springboard body splash. Cover and Mysterio gets the pinfall.

Winner & STILL WWE Intercontinental Champion: Rey Mysterio

After the match, we see highlights of the match leading to the finish. Back live, we see Rey Mysterio heading up the ramp and holding up the WWE Intercontinental Championship as a concerned Maria looks on from ringside at Dolph Ziggler.

– A promo for the “WWE Allied Powers: World’s Greatest Tag Teams” DVD is shown.

– A video package airs highlighting the events between CM Punk and Jeff Hardy leading into tonight’s WWE World Heavyweight Championship match.

WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match
CM Punk (c) vs. Jeff Hardy

They did ring introductions for the challenger Jeff Hardy and champion CM Punk.

The bell rings and here we go. Crowd in Philadelphia starts a loud “HARDY” chant. CM Punk with a big kick to the leg of Jeff Hardy. Punk throws more kicks and another big one catches Hardy. Punk yells out, “What do you got? Seriously, what are you going to do to me?” Punk gets a headlock on Hardy, takes his back and toys with him as he pushes Hardy away and taunts towards Hardy’s direction. Lock up and Punk gets another headlock on Hardy. Punk with a shoulder block takedown on Hardy. Punk gets Hardy up on his shoulders, but Hardy breaks out of it, hits the ropes and drops Punk with two big clotheslines. Hardy with shoulder charges to Punk in the corner. Hardy sends Punk to the corner with a big irish whip. Punk then comes back grounding Hardy and going back to a headlock. Hardy breaks free, hits the ropes, Punk falls down and Hardy goes flying over Punk, through the ropes and to the outside crashing and burning. Punk hits the ropes, goes for a suicide dive, Hardy moves and Punk crashes into the ring barricade. Hardy rolls Punk back in the ring, cover and Punk kicks out after two. Hardy with a neckbreaker on Punk, goes up top, but Punk rolls out of the ring. Hardy turns himself towards Punk, jumps, but Punk moves and Hardy drops head first off the top of the ring barricade.

Punk rolls back in and yells at the referee to start the count. The referee starts the count. The referee gets to 9 when Hardy rolls back in. Punk jumps on him right away with a cover and Hardy powers out after one. Punk with some big knees and kicks to the back of Hardy. Punk with a cover and Hardy again powers out after one. Punk sends Hardy into the corner and Hardy bounces off. Punk sits on Hardy hooking the leg and Hardy kicks out after two. Another cover and Hardy again kicks out after two. Punk sits on the back of Hardy and applies a surfboard submission. Hardy counters out into a pinfall over the chest of Punk. Punk quickly kicks out and then kicks Hardy right in the ribs. Punk with more shots to the ribs of Hardy in the corner. Punk lifts Hardy up to the top turnbuckle and hits a few rights. Punk climbs up, hooking Hardy’s arm over his head, Hardy gets in a few shots and jumps off the corner with Punk hitting a front suplex facebuster on Punk! Punk and Hardy exchange shots. Hardy gets the better of Punk with right hands and then a big takedown. Clotheslines by Hardy on Punk, atomic drop and leg drop to the groin on Punk with a dropkick to the face. Hardy with a cover and Punk kicks out after two. Hardy sends Punk into the corner, looks to attempt a Whisper in the Wind, but Punk trips Hardy up and Hardy crashes down in the corner area.

Punk with a running knee to the face of Hardy in the corner. Hardy counters a bulldog attempt and connects with the Whisper in the Wind from the corner. Cover by Hardy and Punk kicks out after two. Hardy plants Punk down on the mat near the corner. Hardy is up top, jumps, attempts a Swanton Bomb and Punk moves out of the way. Punk hooks the arms of Hardy, picks him up and hits a huge backbreaker. Punk then applies a Dragon Sleeper on Hardy. Hardy pushes himself towards the ropes and gets them to break the submission. A frustrated Punk gets to his feet and backs up staring down Hardy. Punk calls for Hardy to get to his feet as Punk slaps her knees and elbows. Punk with kicks to the body of Hardy along with some slaps. Punk misses a back fist and Hardy drops Punk with a Twist of Fate. Hardy goes up top, jumps and connects with the Swanton Bomb. However, as Hardy came down Punk got his knees up. Punk covers Hardy and gets a close two count. Punk rolls out of the ring and stands up on the ring apron falling into the ropes near the corner. Punk springboards up, but Hardy catches him with a kick to the gut. Hardy goes for the Twist of Fate, but Punk counters and gets Hardy up for the GTS. Cover by Punk and Hardy kicks out after two. Another cover and Hardy kicks out. A third cover by Punk and Hardy again kicks out. Punk can’t believe it and is frustrated.

Punk rolls out of the ring and grabs the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Punk puts the belt over his shoulder and starts walking away. Punk heads up the ramp as Hardy sees this and chases him down. Punk knocks Hardy down, tosses him back in the ring and hits Punk with many right hand strikes. Hardy starts beating down on Punk in the corner. The referee breaks it up and Hardy comes back with a Twist of Fate. Hardy goes up top, connects with the Swanton Bomb and gets the pinfall.

Winner & NEW WWE World Heavyweight Champion: Jeff Hardy

After the match, Jeff Hardy is handed the WWE World Heavyweight Championship and he holds it up high. Hardy gets up on the corner celebrating his win holding up the title. Highlights of the match are shown leading to the finish. Back live, we see Hardy still celebrating his win as we see a shot of CM Punk trying to recover on the outside near the WWE announce tables. The PPV goes off the air with Hardy throwing part of his attire and elbow pads to the crowd below.

What did you think of the Night of Champions? thumbs up – 35% in the middle – 20% thumbs down – 21% didn’t see it – 25%	Gerweck Poll

Best match? Maryse-James – 7% Ziggler-Rey – 9% Y2J/Show-Legacy – 3% Orton-Cena-HHH – 19% Hardy-Punk – 41% Six pack – 9% McCool-Melina – 8% Dreamer-Christian – 5%	Gerweck Poll