WWE Night of Champions 2011: 8 Surprises That Would Make it a Classic

WWE is on a roll.  This year's Money in the Bank far exceeded most people’s expectations.  SummerSlam followed and delivered nearly as good of a pay-per view. 

Can they make it three for three?

With some intriguing matchups scheduled and the CM Punk, Triple H and Kevin Nash feud coming to a head, Night of Champions could be just as great as we demand it to be. 

If these following eight surprises were to happen, Night of Champions would be vaulted into the status of an unforgettable classic. 

Most of them admittedly range from highly unlikely to borderline impossible, but sometimes the unexpected does happen. 

WWE Recognizes the Internet Championship and Zack Ryder Defends It

What better place for the first defense of Zack Ryder’s creation than Night of Champions?

The Internet Championship is a clever idea similar to when Ted DiBiase Sr. claimed to be the Million Dollar Champion.  WWE could announce through social media that it has decided to make the title official and have fans vote on the number one contender.

Daniel Bryan? Sin Cara? Ted DiBiase?  We decide.  Not that we have much time now. 

Giving the fans some say, along with a well-booked match, could really put Ryder over. 

Air Boom Debuts a New Finisher

It looks as if WWE's promise to revive the tag team division is coming true.  Four of the best athletes on the roster are competing in the Tag Team Championship match. 

Evan Bourne and Kofi Kingston took a big step in naming themselves albeit with the somewhat juvenile moniker, Air Boom.  Their next step is to create a cooperative finisher.

Just combining Trouble in Paradise and Air Bourne is not enough.

Something in the vein of the Hart Attack or the Dudley Death Drop is in order.  On Night of Champions, at the end of their match with the Awesome Truth, would be a great time to debut some jaw-dropping new move and raise the bar for everyone else in the division. 

Dusty Rhodes Announces Cody Rhodes' IC Title Defense

As of yet, the Intercontinental Champion has inexplicably not been booked for a match at Night of Champions.   Assuming Cody Rhodes does get a match Sunday, it would be a great surprise to have his father call the match along with Jim Ross.

Not only would there be an emotional moment waiting to happen with a Hall of Fame father calling one of his son’s biggest wins, Dusty’s ridiculously funny commentary would certainly be great entertainment.  One of the best talkers in wrestling history, Dusty is sorely missed at the announcer’s table. 

A Stable Is Born

The Fatal 4-Way for the United States Champion will likely be excellent because of the presence of John Morrison and Dolph Ziggler. 

What would make it a much bigger moment is if Jack Swagger helps Ziggler retain the title, announce that they’ve joined forces and are on their way to building a stable.

The recent Vickie Guerrero Swagger/Ziggler storyline is growing tired.  Having her head a stable of young heels is far more compelling. 

The next few weeks on Raw could see the newly created faction busted heads and looking for new recruits.  It seems like we haven’t seen a dominating stable in quite a while.

Might Night of the Champions be the start of the next big one?

Mark Henry Begins a Reign of Terror

After a long back and forth battle, Mark Henry climbs up to the top rope and delivers a flying version of the World's Strongest Slam.

Henry's finisher is underwhelming.  It looks slightly more painful than being gently placed on the mat.  Having him perform it from the top rope makes the move look far more devastating.

And it wouldn't hurt Henry to add to his repertoire.

Winning the World Heavyweight Championship seems the likely course for this man on a mission.  But what would make his reign meaningful is if WWE continues to book him as a monster heel tearing through his opponents and often trying to injure them.

When a face finally breaks through and beats the seemingly unbeatable champ, it'll be that much more exciting.

Divas Championship Match Gets Hardcore

Beth Phoenix and Natayla have promised to save the Divas division from prissy pushovers like Kelly Kelly.  Having Phoenix win after a four minute match won't mean a whole lot to a fanbase who saw this coming.

A more compelling angle would be that Kelly Kelly is sick of being disrespected and not only beats Phoenix, but destroys her.

With the aid of some cheating, Kelly could go on an offensive tear midmatch, driving Phoenix into the steel steps, slamming her through the announce table and (with the ref distracted) she cracks her opponent with a chair. 

Blood drips down into Phoenix's eyes as Kelly Kelly standing over laughing maniacally. 

Seeing the ladies bleed is I know is extremely unlikely, but would wake up the fans expecting to see another ho-hum Divas match and set the tone for a new direction of the division. 

Kevin Nash Does Not Interfere

WWE is doing its best to make Nash's firing look real.  Savvier fans have an inkling that he will have an impact in the CM Punk and Triple H No DQ match. 

Punk is being bogged down by this current storyline and should be better utilized.  A new direction could bring back the buzz Punk first created with his shoot promo.

If Nash doesn't come and muck things up, Punk and Triple H are likely to put on a great match. 

They don't need Big Daddy Cool.

If Nash has to be involved, WWE could have him trudge down the aisle, but not make it to the ring.  Some of Punk's allies, perhaps some of his Ring of Honor buddies, could prevent him from interrupting and let the two of the best performers do their thing in peace. 

John Cena and Alberto Del Rio Put on a Five Star Match

Last year I, along with many of the non-pajama wearing fans, would not have thought it possible for Cena to have anything other than a disappointing match.  Money in the Bank and SummerSlam showed the world otherwise. 

Tons of the credit for those matches have to go to CM Punk.  Del Rio though no Punk, is a better performer than we give him credit for. 

Del Rio is a throwback to the classic cowardly/arrogant heel and much of the match’s drama can be created with in–ring storytelling.   

With a well written ending, these two guys giving it everything they have and an engaged crowd response could make this, the unlikeliest of outcomes, a reality.