WWE Night of Champions 2014 Results: Grading Each Match from PPV Event

WWE Night of Champions was an overall good wrestling card with matches that ranged from excellent to borderline unbearable.

With a handful of standout matches, this show could have gone from good to great if WWE paid more attention to the stories within each feud.

WWE's roster was still able to put forth an honest effort that led to an enjoyable pay-per-view well worth its price. On average, Night of Champions graded out in the B range, but grading each match is a much different story.

Grades are based on match quality, crowd involvement, storytelling and how each match advanced ongoing WWE storylines. Some matches succeeded at these tasks, while others fell flat.

Stardust and Goldust vs. the Usos: B

Cody Rhodes’ latest incarnation as Stardust came with a lot of risk. His career was possibly at stake if the gimmick bombed. But it has exceeded all expectations, and the team of Stardust and Goldust have ended the Usos' long tag team reign.

Fans were really into this match, and the new tag team champions seem to have done a good job connecting with live audiences.

Given how thin the tag team ranks currently are, a long-term rivalry between the Usos and Goldust and Stardust is likely and could produce entertaining matches for weeks to come.

Sheamus vs. Cesaro: B+

Sheamus vs. Cesaro was every bit as physical as it was expected to be. The two combined stiff brawling with innovative power moves to create an athletic showcase. One of the more unique highlights saw Sheamus throw Cesaro from the turnbuckle into a modified sitout powerbomb.

One would be hard-pressed to find a better match than Sheamus-Cesaro, and hopefully this is a feud that produces at least one more match.

The hard work shown from both these otherwise middling characters should serve as a call to action that both Sheamus and Cesaro are ready to carry bigger roles in WWE.

Dolph Ziggler vs. the Miz: D

The fact that this match was a train wreck is no fault of the wrestlers involved.

The Miz vs. Dolph Ziggler has been one of WWE’s more high-profile feuds, and the two have had a solid series of Intercontinental Championship matches.

The ill-advised inclusion of country music act Florida-Georgia Line created an awkward and crowded five-man booth that was more dedicated to shilling and self-promotion than the in-ring action.

The guests in the booth led to Michael Cole snapping into irreverent play-by-play mode as he dismissed the seriousness of the match so as not to look “lame” in front of celebrities.

As Ziggler sat dejected in the ring following his loss, instead of describing the agony of defeat, Cole and the rest of the extended commentary team said their goodbyes and promoted upcoming projects before  throwing to the next segment.

The extra-curricular activities in the announcer booth all but sabotaged an otherwise serviceable in-ring contest.

Rusev vs. Mark Henry: C-

Rusev vs. Mark Henry was more style than substance. As always, Henry’s performance exceeded his booking as he legitimately cried during the national anthem.

Unfortunately, the match itself was also worthy of crying about.

Henry and Rusev are both very good big-man workers, but together they put forth a slow, plodding effort that progressively took the air out of the crowd.

The win over Henry is what matters, as Rusev continues to quietly climb the main-event ladder. But after a string of above-average matches with the likes of Big E and Jack Swagger, Rusev’s latest opponent led to an awkward pairing and a subpar match.

Randy Orton vs. Chris Jericho: B

Randy Orton and Chris Jericho shined in their standard back-and-forth match. Both continue to do good work in the ring despite being limited creatively as of late.

This has especially been a theme with Orton, who seemingly hasn’t had a meaningful feud in months.

The only thing that would have made the Jericho-Orton match better was a deeper storyline, as opposed to a backstage attack leading to a one-on-one match.

Many complained about how repetitive the top-rope RKO finish has become, but the beauty of the RKO is it can be hit in a variety of ways, and the move itself will never get old. WWE needs to do everything in its power to make Orton relevant again. He’s simply too talented in the ring to be rendered another good hand.

Nikki Bella vs. AJ Lee vs. Paige: C+

The inclusion of Nikki Bella didn’t make sense to begin with, but all three Divas worked well with what they were given.

The absence of Brie Bella was peculiar, especially as the story of the match focused more on the tension between AJ Lee and Paige.

Nikki Bella held her own, and is actually an underrated wrestler with a physical brawling style that fits her heel persona. 

The decision to flip the title back to AJ was a curious one, and speaks to a growing problem in WWE as the promotion feels the need to spread wins and losses evenly.

No star has ever been elevated with this type of booking, and it is especially damaging to a first-year Diva like Paige who is still seeking credibility on the main roster.

John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar: B-

The energy created by John Cena-Brock Lesnar matches is palpable. Fans could be heard gasping as Lesnar smothered Cena with knees, suplexes and strikes. Frantic cries of support rang down from the arena as Cena mounted each of his comebacks. 

The uncertainty of whether Cena could actually pull off a win is what made this match. WWE has effectively rebuilt Cena as the biggest threat to Lesnar in WWE, and it certainly appeared as if he was going to win after a fourth Attitude Adjustment.

At the same time, Lesnar standing tall after four AAs from Cena made him look even stronger. The involvement of Seth Rollins took away from this match, especially since Lesnar brings an aspect of reality to the ring and outside interference pierces that veil. 

A third, and likely final, Hell in a Cell match is a fitting conclusion to what has been an entertaining feud. 

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