WWE Night of Champions 2011 Review - Mark Henry & John Cena New World Champions

The Big News: Mark Henry finally became a World Champion some fifteen years after his WWE debut when he pinned Randy Orton following a world's strongest slam. Meanwhile John Cena became the NEW WWE champion after he made Alberto Del Rio tap to the STF and Triple H maintained his position as COO when he defeated CM Punk in a match laden with interference. Opening video package highlighted the build to the nights big matches whilst asking some key questions about the competitors:

€œWill the Viper lose his power to Mark Henry€ €œWill Del Rio lose control of his destiny to John Cena€ €œWill Triple H lose his control of his command at the hands of the outspoken CM Punk.€

Great job here of creating dramatic intrigue surrounding these key clashes. Tag Team Titles: Air Boom defeated Awesome Truth via disqualification Kofi and Miz locked up with Miz getting the early advantage with a rake to the eye. Kofi fired back with a forearm shot and then tagged in Bourne for some double team action. All hell broke loose as Bourne and Kofi cleared the heels out of the ring and performed simultaneous dives to the outside. Highly charged start here. Back in the ring Bourne lost the advantage for the champs when Truth thwarted Bourne's dive to the corner and Miz got in a sneaky punch on the ring apron. Bourne then suffered a lengthy beatdown before rolling out of a skull crushing finale attempt and making the hot tag to Kofi. Kofi ran wild and connected with the Boom Drop on Miz and then cleared Truth out of the ring. Miz fought back with a DDT but as Truth was distracting the referee Bourne made a clapping noise to pretend that a tag had been made before entering the ring to combat a flabbergasted Miz. Miz managed to dive out of the way of an Air Bourne attempt though and capitalised with another DDT. Kofi broke it up as Miz tagged to Truth but the referee didn't see it and insisted that Miz remain in the ring. Miz then planted Bourne with the skull crushing finale but this time the ref was distracted talking to Truth on the apron. Frustrated The Miz then shoved the referee to the mat causing a lame disqualification finish. This match was doing wonders for the tag titles until it became apparent that it was really just a foil for the development of the conspiracy storyline involving Miz and Truth. ** ½ Post-match Miz beat on the referee some more before the €œgood R-Truth€ restrained him. Truth then went over to apologise to the ref before he changed tact and gave the ref a good slap. If they took out the comedy then they could actually work a great angle with Truth and his schizophrenic tendencies especially with Miz constantly trying to bring out the worst in him. Backstage interview with Miz and Truth in which they waxed lyrical about the conspiracy before teasing that they might intefere in the no disqualifcation match between Triple H and CM Punk. Intercontinental Championship: Cody Rhodes defeated Ted Dibiase via pinfall They played well on the history between the two men at the start as each competitor was able to scout the others moves resulting in some smooth chain wrestling and counter reversals. Cody then got the heat on Dibiase but the problem was that no-one was really into Ted in his face role and why would they be when it was rushed on a Smackdown angle just two days previous. The two competitors made the most of it regardless with Cody dealing a long beat-down and Ted making brief comebacks. Ted then finally came back strong when he dropped Rhodes with a spinebuster and dropkick for two near falls. He then unleashed some stomps on his opponent before taking him to the top rope where Rhodes used his mask advantage to headbutt Dibiase and send him flying back down to the mat. Back at ground level however Dibiase got back on top with an armdrag before unmasking the champion. He then tried to level Rhodes with the mask but Rhodes ducked and capitalised with a sneaky pinfall for the three count. Both men worked hard and deserved a better build for their efforts. ** 1/2 Christian came out and said that Teddy Long and Triple H were €œtoo self absorbed to do the right thing€ with the right thing of course being to allow Christian to have the opportunity to have one more match for the world heavyweight championship. He then asked the crowd to chant €œone more match€ and numerous members of the smarky crowd in Buffalo didn't need much of an invitation to concur with his wishes. The fun parade was interrupted however by Sheamus who said that it was supposed to be night of champions not night of the complaining weasels. Sheamus then wanted Christian to promise that if he did become champion then he would be his first challenger. Christian seemed fine with this and so Sheamus got the crowd to chant €œone more match€ again as himself and Christian circled the ring. Christian had the look of a child on christmas day before his smirk was wiped out by a brogue kick from Sheamus. This was a good segment which kept Smackdown's secondary heel and face tangent fresh in everyone's mind. Fatal Four Way Match for the United States Championship: Dolph Ziggler defeated Alex Riley, John Morrison and Jack Swagger via pinfall to defend the title Very fun contest which began with the traditional sitcom revolving door routine of having two opponents square off in the ring and one of the challengers arriving to break up a pinfall and start up a different one on one dynamic. This then led to a flawlessly executed multiple man spot as Morrison took Ziggler to the top rope only for Ziggler to knock him down and leave him caught upside down in the corner. Alex Riley then leapfrogged over Morrison to get to Ziggler before Morrison freed himself from the ropes and got himself in position to give Riley a flying belly to back supplex. Following this Swagger then flew up to the top rope to take Ziggler to the mat with a belly to belly supplex ala Kurt Angle. Heels then capitalised as Ziggler caught Morrison in a sleeper hold and Swagger trapped Riley in the Ankle Lock. Morrison then rolled himself out of the ring as Riley flung Swagger into Dolph. Swagger then took Riley down with the Ankle Lock again. Morrison came in to intervene but Swagger telegraphed his springboard kick and then took out Morrison with the gutwrench powerbomb. Ziggler then threw Swagger out of the way and got the pinfall after his opponent had done all the work. Fantastic ring awareness and timing from all four men here. *** ½ Josh Matthews interviewed Mark Henry who ruthlessly tore the mic from his hands and told the cameras that tonight his fifteen years of frustration would be taken out on Randy Orton. He then told Josh that he could interview him again inside the ring after he becomes the world heavyweight champion. Matt Striker interviewed Vickie Guerrero backstage. She was in seventh heaven talking about how she is with the US Champion and also managing Jack Swagger and how every other superstar wants to work with her also. She then said that if Triple H loses tonight she'd be an ideal candidate to become the next COO before planting an unsuspecting Striker with a giant kiss. Vickie was quite great here. World Heavyweight Championship: Mark Henry defeated Randy Orton via pinfall (MATCH OF THE NIGHT) The story here was that Randy Orton's offence was only worth a fraction of his opponents and thus he was going to have to push himself beyond the limit to defend his title. Both men played their roles to perfection as Orton went to the point of exhaustion to try and wear Mark Henry down wheras Henry only had to so much as connect with a big forearm to warrant the same impact. Orton went into overdrive early on landing successive fists on his big opponent and targeting the knee to bring the giant down. Henry then got back to his feet before being thrown outside the ring. Outside Henry whacked the top off the spanish announce table in frustration before reentering the ropes. Back inside the ring Henry attempted a press slam but Orton wrangled his way out of it and tried for an RKO. Henry blocked it and hit Orton with a boot to the face before whipping the champ into the ropes and connecting with a splash in the corner. Henry then went for the worlds strongest splash but Orton got out of harms way and leaped on top of Henry with a sleeper hold. Henry barged him back into the ropes and when Orton tried to fire away in defence Henry simply swatted a hand in his direction to send Orton flying to the outside for some sweet payback. Henry dominated for a while stretching Orton against the ringpost whilst stood outside with a cruel looking crossbow submission and then returning to the ring to land a scoop slam and the worlds strongest slam for the two count. Orton tried to make his comeback but Henry wouldn't fall even after two running clotheslines. He finally toppled Henry with a beautiful dropkick however before trying to set up his mid rope ddt but Henry escaped the manoveur and hit back with a closeline and the world's strongest slam for a two count. Henry then took Orton towards the corner and attempted his mid rope backwards splash but Orton got his knees up and managed to connect with a DDT as Henry lay in a prone position near the ground. Orton then got himself fired up with an RKO but Henry got out of dodge but only as far as the ropes where Orton was able to hit his mid rope DDT for the near fall. Henry then threw Orton into the ropes and got back on top with a big kick. Tremendous finishing sequence then saw an exhausted Orton paying for his earlier efforts as he tried to use Henry's own body to get himself back to his feet. Out of desperation he attempted a final RKO but Henry thwarted it and dropped Orton to the ground again. This time when Orton tried valiantly to get to his feet he had nothing to offer in way of offence and was left completely vulnerable for Henry's worlds strongest slam for the pinfall. It wasn't the smoothest match you'll ever see but it engaged through sublime storytelling with Orton tiring himself out trying to beat his opponent and Henry capitalising with his superior strength. *** 1/2 After the match Josh Matthews was out to interview Mark Henry as promised. Henry grabbed the mic from his hands like earlier and cut a golden promo in which he lambasted the people who were cheering as this was his moment and he didn't want to share it with anyone. He then said that he was never going to lose the title before declaring that the era of Mark Henry had begun. Alberto Del Rio was with Ricardo Rodriguez backstage moaning at John Laurenitis and saying that after he beats Cena tonight people better start showing him more respect. John Laurenitis then wished CM Punk luck but Punk wasn't buying it. Divas Championship: Kelly Kelly defeated Beth Phoenix via pinfall Beth got an amazing ovation from her home fans and seemed genuinely moved by the cheers. Kelly got the advantage early with a hurrancana attempt for the near fall before trapping Beth's neck in the ropes with her upside down submission move. Beth then fought back humiliating her opponent with some ass slaps before kicking her in the ribs and catapulting Kelly's neck into the bottom ropes. Finish saw Kelly keep trying to capitalise with pinfalls whilst Beth tried to ground Kelly with power moves. Beth landed a top rope supperplex which looked really cool but then saw her poweslam attempt reversed into a winning pinfall combination from Kelly. Best Divas match in quite some time. I wonder if they now have plans to settle this feud inside the cage at the Hell in a Cell PPV. That might actually be quite the spectacle and a great environment for Beth to truly snap in her new heel role. ** They aired an amazing video package looking at past WWE champions from Buddy Rogers to Bruno Sammartino to Hulk Hogan and Stone Cold Steve Austin etc and putting over the honor of being the WWE title holder. This then transitioned into focusing on the Del Rio/Cena feud which of course is based on Cena not feeling that Del Rio is an honourable champion. Stupid comedy before the start as Cena drove out in Del Rio's car and then did his own ring announcing routine. I try to be open minded with Cena but he is such a tool at times. WWE Title: John Cena defeated Alberto Del Rio via submission to become the NEW WWE Champion Very good match in spite of the counterproductive outcome. Crowd were into this from the off and helped to build intensity in a back and forth encounter which began with a series of headlock takedowns. Cena got on top with a bulldog but as he was running across the ropes Ricardo grabbed his legs to take him out and the ref sent Del Rio's right hand man packing. Del Rio was still able to capitalise however as he connected with a couple of brutal kicks that sent Cena tumbling to the outside. Cena fired back when back inside the ring with a string of supplexes before Del Rio sent him to the ground with a boot to the skull. Very even match built well dramatically as Del Rio locked Cena in his cross armbar only for Cena to rise to his feet and knock the champ to the mat to free himself in an amazing show of strength. Numerous near falls followed before Cena fought his way out of another cross armbar and locked in the STF. Del Rio hung on valiantly but eventually tapped as John Cena became champion once again. Hooray! *** Video package for Hunter/Punk which also encapualated the Kevin Nash affair. No DQ Match: Triple H defeated CM Punk via pinfall Incredible opening stretch saw Punk attack Hunter during his water spitting routine as the two men proceeded to engage in one heck of a war. Hunter dominated early throwing Punk into the guard rail and sending him flying over the announce desk. He then tried to pedigree him through the table but Punk weaseled his way out and then tried to hit the GTS. Triple H shoved him off the table as Punk retreated towards the ring. With Punk stood tall inside the ropes and Hunter stood tall on the announce table both men took the time to soak in the atmosphere for the first time before Punk called Hunter into the ring. Punk got on top inside the squared circle connecting with his corner knee manoveur but Triple H then manhandled Punk over the top rope putting an end to that temporary ring exchange. After all this is war dammit! On the outside both men threw each other into the security wall before Punk connected with a knee to Hunter's head as he lay on the steel steps. Hunter then clotheslined Punk into the audience as the two men fought amongst the crowd. Hunter gave Punk the beating of a lifetime during this exchange though the voice of the voiceless managed to find some respite with a garbage can shot. Then near the top of the stage Punk threw some sandbags in Hunter's direction and brought his opponent back down to the ring and continued on the offence with a chair. Punk then set up a chair in the corner and attempted to whip Hunter in its direction but Hunter landed a spinebuster and then sent Punk flying into the unrelenting steel instead. Match was becoming something of a classic here as Hunter aggressively worked over Punk's legs with some vicious chair shots whilst Punk sold every attack as if he was receiving bullets on the battleground. Punk then stole the show by laying out Hunter on the announce desk and sending him crashing through the structure with a Macho Man Elbow drop from the top rope. Then unfortunately we entered Vince Russo territory. First Truth and Miz came out and interfered as they had hinted and proceeded to attack both Punk and Hunter before placing Punk's arms over Hunter's body. Hunter kicked out however as Miz and Truth attacked the referee. John Laurentis then ran down as Hunter nailed Punk with a pedigree. Laurentis ordered a ref to come out but when the new ref emerged Laurenitis had him tend to the beaten ref instead of making the count. Then Punk got on top with a GTS and the fresh referee started to make the count only for Truth to break the pinfall. Yes the same R-Truth who wanted Triple to lose his position as COO. Then Kevin Nash appeared and proceeded to pummel both men. He thew Hunter to the outside and landed a jacknife powerbomb on Punk but when he stepped outside Hunter was there to level him with a sledgehammer. Hunter then climbed back inside the ring and finally won with a pedigree. This was exhausting viewing with the heavy handed second half dampening what had been an incredible spectacle. *** 1/2 Verdict: It was interesting here that nearly every match on this card was befitting of its build either for better or for worse. Mark Henry defeating Randy Orton for example was the perfect first act to a feud which so far has been focused on the usually immortal babyface meeting his match in the seemingly insurmountable heel. Then we have Punk and Hunter having a classic match when simply beating the crap out of one another only for numerous interferences to nullify and complicate the action. This again is reminiscent of a build which has been brilliant when based on simple, relatable conflicts and convoluted and cartoonish when trying to centre this hatred around wider company issues. Finally we have John Cena calling Del Rio average for weeks prior to their match and low and behold John Cena makes the Champion tap to pretty much confirm his mindset. There is no sense of achievement in John Cena becoming champion again, it is quite simply a case of the wwe not wanting to send the kids home grumpy by booking both Orton and Cena to lose on the same night. After all god fobrid people should actually dramatically invest themselves into a feud by seeing their hero suffering setbacks on his way to prevailing as champion. The protection of John Cena is akin to a movie where the villain is never really a legitimate force and the audience never really need to worry about whether or not the main character is going to be able to overcome the odds. It is lazy, short-sighted and formulaic and becoming increasingly tiresome. Meanwhile the lower card saw some good action but the lack of build hurt both mid card championship matches and the tag title clash was merely used as a set up for an angle later in the show. The quality wrestling across the board and the amazing Mark Henry spectacle gives Night of Champions a slight thumbs up as it proves that the company do at least still have some idea as to how you tell a simple but effective story surrounding a top heel and a top babyface. If they would only follow this formula for all their storylines though then the WWE would be in much better shape creatively and the props formerly known as titles would actually begin to mean something once more.