8 WWE Night Of Champions Opening Matches - From Worst To Best

Night of Champions, Night of Champions, Night of Champions. A WWE special event (I much prefer the term pay-per-view, but I guess it isn't factually correct anymore) that I really enjoy, if only because my traditionalist mindset likes to believe that the championships still mean something in 2015 World Wrestling Entertainment.

Unfortunately, I'm wrong.

This year will be the ninth edition of the event, and the previous eight years have given us many title changes, some great matches and a whole lot of entertainment. Unfortunately, not many of the opening matches have been up to scratch, which made this a bit of a chore to put together. 

There have been many bouts that should produce quality on paper, but if there's one thing I know it is that wrestling doesn't take place on paper.

One interesting fact, and maybe a harbinger of the order of the card this Sunday, is that the tag team titles have opened up the show on five out of eight occasions, with the Intercontinental title opening the other three. Whilst Seth Rollins pulling double duty hints at him opening the show, I can't see Sting or John Cena in a big event opener in 2015, so expect The New Day/Dudleyz tussle to open proceedings on Sunday.

Without further ado, here are the eight opening matches from the previous Night of Champions events, ranked from worst to best. 

I think there might be some personal prejudice seeping in here. Many people often joke about Kofi Kingston and Dolph Ziggler squaring off against each other so many times that the entire thing has become duller than the proverbial ditchwater, but it really is true. 

After doing so at SummerSlam the previous month, the two would contest the Intercontinental Championship match once again in 2010. There was a catch this time, however, as if Dolph was disqualified or counted-out the title would change hands, a rule that came about due to Vickie Guerrero's excessive interfering. 

The added ruling had the potential to bring something new to the rivalry, but what we got was the most boring WWE-style match imaginable. At one point, I counted three chinlock spots in what seemed like three minutes. Guys with the ability that Dolph and Kofi possess really shouldn't be wasting time with such segments.

I'm all for working slow, but come on guys, really? Dolph retained after hitting the zig-zag, and everyone forgot what happened pretty quickly.