WWE Night of Champions 2011: The True Main Event

Welcome, readers, to a new experimental type of article called, The True Main Event. The purpose of the slideshow is to determine which of WWE's hotly promoted matches in Night of Champions should be the final show of the night.

To help decide, I will look at the PPVs from four different perspectives. First, the build up. This will consider how each rivalry has played out in the lead up to the match. Character development and major events are taken into consideration.

The second category is prestige. This determines the match's value. It takes into effect everything from titles to the value of the match based on the wrestler.

The next area is probable result. This will be the expected outcome for the match and how strong I think it will contribute to the PPV.

Finally, I will look at the aftermath of the possible outcomes and how they could help build up future story lines.

Each match will be rewarded 1-3 points regarding their position in each segment. The PPV that earns the most out of these four categories will be declared the most suitable main event for the night and thus, the True Main Event.

For this first edition we have three matches. First is the WWE Championship match where Alberto Del Rio defends the title again John Cena.

Next, Randy Orton is putting his World Heavyweight Championship on the line against Mark Henry. Last is the grudge match between CM Punk and Triple H.

Buildup

Del Rio vs. Cena

Since this is Del Rio's first run with a world title, WWE needed to establish him as a credible holder of the championship.

Unfortunately due to his need to renew his work permit, the WWE Champion was missing in action for an entire week.

Even when they have both been on the show, Del Rio has done nothing to make me think that he will defeat Cena at the upcoming PPV.

He needed to debut an impact finisher (even if it was the enziguri that he used to beat Punk at SummerSlam) because a submission doesn't cut it against Mr. Never Give Up.

The week in which he got five guys to attack Cena didn't help and cancelled out the good start from his defense against Rey Mysterio.

Del Rio is affected by the Money in the Bank curse, where only a few guys will get a decent reign out of their briefcase run...unless he does something major this Sunday.

Unfortunately it doesn't look that way. 

Orton vs. Henry

Whereas the buildup didn't do the heel's credibility any favors on Raw, Mark Henry has actually had a decent run for the past few months.

With a lack of main event heels on SmackDown, he has probably gotten one of the best pushes of his career.

Orton has yet to get one over on Henry and has been left laying by the World's Strongest Man on occasion.

The build up has me believing that Henry could beat Orton this Sunday. The problem with the WWE Championship match is that it would be unbelievable if Del Rio wins, but predictable if Cena wins.

Either way, I wouldn't complain. 

Punk vs. Triple H

We go from pretty good to excellent right here. Every week the segments between Punk and Triple H have been must-see moments on Monday Night Raw.

The verbal battle between the new boss and the rebellious employee have been sharp and witty with the exception of the final week.

By keeping Punk and Trips apart, WWE has done this match wonders as it has just made me more eager to see them tear each other apart this Sunday.

The Kevin Nash element threw us off the scent a little, regardless of it being on purpose or not. Yet we must still wonder if he is going to play a role.

Then there is John Laurenitis and Stephanie McMahon...there are so many possibles for this Sunday.

Point Decision

The buildup to the WWE Championship match is weak and while the World Championship match is better, it's pretty standard compared to the might of CM Punk and Triple H.

This feud has been the reason to watch WWE since SummerSlam and looks to be the reason why you will buy the PPV.

WWE Championship: 1 point

World Heavyweight Championship: 2 points

CM Punk vs. Triple H: 3 points

Prestige

Del Rio Vs. Cena

Aside from the future of the WWE Championship being decided, this match is huge for Alberto Del Rio. As I mentioned, this is his first run with the belt and he needs to build up credibility.

Unfortunately if my prediction for this match (on the next slide) is true he will walk away with much less.

Cena, on the other hand, is in a prime position to help craft a future regular main eventer. If he allows himself to be pinned then fans will lay off him for a short while.

When ever he puts over talent he does himself wonders. Unfortunately he will probably dominate the match and make himself look super strong against a cowardly Del Rio. 

Orton Vs. Henry

Mark Henry will no doubt go into this match strong and will come out of this for the better. If he wins he will be the new World Champion.

If he loses, he won't be much worse off that he was before the PPV. Henry has everything to win and nothing to lose.

Orton is in the same boat with Henry. Win, lose or draw he will be the face of SmackDown. This will be true regardless of being the World Champion or not. 

Punk Vs. Triple H

If CM Punk is truly here to make the WWE fun for us again, this will be the place to prove it. He has already defeated Cena in two consecutive PPV matches.

Defeating another regular of the rare losers club will be a great step forward into achieving his goals.

Triple H will not have a crisis of reputation if he loses and will gain very little if he wins. Although, the fact that his position of COO is in danger gives his character everything to fight for.

If Punk wins he will change the course of WWE once again by ridding it of yet another authority figure. If he loses he will be at the same place he was the first Raw after SummerSlam. 

Point Decision

For this one I give Punk vs. HHH the win, but only just.The WWE Championship match has Alberto Del Rio's future as a main eventer in its hands but the damage will not be irreversible if it throws him into midcard hell.

He's a talented guy so I'm sure he'll get out eventually. Punk vs. Triple H however has the future of Raw's ratings in its hands. A decent result could give it a boost (or at least maintain them) whilst a poor end play will surely act as a deficit.

WWE Championship: 3 points

World Heavyweight Championship: 3 points

CM Punk Vs. Triple H: 3 points

Probable Result

Del Rio vs. Cena

Del Rio has only just been given the belt so I doubt he will lose it on his first major defense of the title. Cena, on the other hand has lost the last two PPVs and will no doubt want to end that streak as it stands.

The only way around this conundrum is Champion's advantage. Del Rio will get himself disqualified or counted out after Cena almost gets him.

It usually happens around this time of year since Hell in a Cell is the next PPV. Cena gets an excuse for a rematch in a no DQ situation.

Since the match is also not going to be as widely anticipated by the WWE audience, Cena may relax into routine habits for this match,especially if the outcome is not a guaranteed success.

Expect Del Rio to put on a show, however, and try and get himself over by making Cena look good. It's a pretty crappy ending for a match you pay for.

Orton Vs. Henry

I think Henry will dominate this match for the most part to put over his monster heel persona. He will batter Orton pretty bad but in the end Orton will win with a snap RKO.

Orton has only just got the belt back and Henry has been made to look good in the buildup.

This generally means the face will only just get the win and set up a rematch for Hell in a Cell. That match that will make it look even less likely for Orton to walk out as champion.

Unfortunately, I don't think Henry is a good competitor to have at the top level. He has a very limited move set and the offense of his opponents also get diminished because of his stature.

It will be a slow power match which may cause the viewers to pick their time to get the snacks at the beginning of the match.

I feel that snap RKOs are pretty cheap endings, but not as bad as a DQ or count out.

Punk vs. Triple H

It was a huge advantage for the WWE going into this PPV to have Triple H fire Kevin Nash on Raw. I believe Nash will decide the outcome of this match regardless of whose side he is on.

I expect him to help Punk win the match so Triple H loses his COO position and he can be hired back.

This match is the best of the three. There is going to be no holding back from either man. Punk has a point to prove and Triple H is returning to the ring for the first time since WrestleMania. They will probably put on a spectacular show. 

Point Decision

The WWE Championship match is in danger of becoming routine and will most likely have a disappointing result.

The World Championship match is highly probable in being a slow bore-fest with a cheap result. This once again means that the CM Punk vs. Triple H match will earn the points.

On both accounts it is most likely to be the better match and will produce better results.

WWE Championship: 4 points

World Heavyweight Championship: 5 points

CM Punk vs. Triple H: 9 points

Aftermath

Del Rio Vs. Cena

Regardless of outcome, all this will lead to is a rematch at Hell in a Cell. If Del Rio retains it will be via heel methodology. Cena will have his excuse for another match and get it.

If Cena wins Del Rio will have his rematch clause. 

Orton vs. Henry

This match has a little more variety to its eventual outcome. If Orton wins he could face a new opponent. Cody Rhodes picked up a win last Monday so he could easily be the next challenger.

However it looks to be another Orton vs. Henry match as either will claim to a rematch regardless of the result. 

Punk Vs. Triple H

If CM Punk wins, this will set up a new huge story. Who will be the new COO of WWE? If the big reveal is made the following night, CM Punk will still have a new opponent.

His attack on authority will start afresh. But what would Triple H do? Would he go looking for revenge? Who would the target be?

It could be CM Punk, the man who dethroned him or the new COO, who could have plotted his downfall. The possibilities are huge.

If Triple H wins however, we will have to witness how CM Punk recovers, which is still interesting but on a different level. Triple H thinks he can just brush Punk aside but the Second City Saint won't be eager to let this one go.

Point Decision

Once again Punk vs. Triple H wins and makes it a white wash. It has so many more good possibilities from either result while the other two matches are routine.

Good guy champion will move on while good guy challenger will demand a rematch.

WWE Championship: 5 points

World Heavyweight Championship: 7 points

CM Punk vs. Triple H: 12 points

CM Punk vs. Triple Should End the Show

It's ironic that I'm saying the match that has no belt on the line should close the Night of Champions PPV. But in the end it is the match that has much more going for it.

In terms of unpredictability, possibilities and expected quality it is going to be the best match of the night (compared to other main events).