WWE Night of Champions 2011: Alberto Del Rio's Reign Won't End vs. John Cena

Alberto Del Rio has been WWE champion for less than one month and, if there is an ounce of sensibility left in Vince McMahon's head, his title reign won't end against John Cena at Night of Champions on Sunday night.

WWE has been waiting all year long to put the title belt on Del Rio. He was originally booked to win the world title at WrestleMania from Edge, but because everyone knew the results of all the big matches going into the show, the finish was changed allowing Edge to retain the title.

At Extreme Rules, Del Rio was originally booked to win a ladder match against Edge. But when Edge was forced to retire two weeks before the show and Christian was put into Edge's spot, the finish was changed yet again. Del Rio moved to Raw and Christian completed his feel-good story by winning the title.

After three months of wallowing in mid-card feuds on Raw, Del Rio won the Money In the Bank ladder match in July. He cashed in the briefcase against CM Punk at Summer Slam and finally won the title. By this time, however, no one cared about him anymore because he was pushed and then not pushed so many times that it was impossible for fans to invest in him as a character.

Now, Del Rio gets to defend his title against Vince McMahon's troll, John Cena. It would be logical booking to have Del Rio go over clean in this match because Cena does not need the title and Del Rio needs all the help he can get to look like a credible champion in the eyes of the fans.

The biggest reason I am skeptical about WWE doing the right thing, apart from the fact that I have no faith left in the booking team, is because Cena has not won at the last two pay-per-view events.

That might not sound that bad for anyone else, but when you consider that Cena has not lost two consecutive one-on-one matches on pay-per-view since 2008, it could be time for Vince to give Cena a pay-per-view win. 

In the best interest of business, and to make Del Rio a legitimate heel whom people will take seriously, it is imperative that he retains the WWE championship on Sunday night.

That is why, despite all my better judgment, I believe that Del Rio will walk out of Night of Champions carrying the WWE championship belt.