WWE Night of Champions 2011: What Should and Will Happen

The 2011 edition of Night of Champions will take place this Sunday in Buffalo, New York. And just as every other pay-per-view event, this one presents us with its fair share of questions.

Will Triple H put over CM Punk?

Can Mark Henry finally win a major strap?

And is it really possible for John Cena to lose, yet again?

Maybe, maybe not.

But until then, here is what I think should happen and what will happen at Night of Champions.

CM Punk vs. Triple H

What Should Happen: CM Punk wins

Besides "COO" and "I'm the Senior Vice President of Talent Relations," the most uttered phrase in the WWE today is "What's good for business."

And what is good for business is CM Punk defeating Triple H. Punk is the second biggest baby-face on Raw, he is the fan favorite of the older demographic, and he's the hottest commodity in the business.

Triple H has to swallow his pride and put over Punk.

What Will Happen: CM Punk wins

It wouldn't be very smart to have Triple H defeat Punk. A victory for The Game wouldn't do anything for the storyline. Punk needs this win to continue his ever-growing popularity in the WWE.

There are also rumors of Vince returning to television soon. This could perhaps be an indication of Triple H losing his role as COO.

WWE Championship: Alberto Del Rio vs. John Cena

What Should Happen: Alberto Del Rio Wins

Although the creative staff has done a poor job building up Alberto Del Rio as a top heel, his title reign should continue. For one, the WWE title scene needs a guy like Del Rio to challenge John Cena. If there's one complaint about the product today, it's the lack of variety for its major straps. The WWE belt is dominated by Cena while the World Heavyweight belt is dominated by Orton. 

Secondly, the company has been treating the WWE Championship like some sort of prop. Over the past two months, the belt has changed hands much too many times to count. I thought this was the crown jewel of the business. How are fans supposed to take it seriously if there's a new champion every two or three weeks?

What Will Happen: Alberto Del Rio Wins

Sending Cena to his third straight pay-per-view loss may be a scary thought for today's writing staff, but it'll probably be done. If Cena were to win, that would accomplish absolutely nothing. Cena would just win again, and the chances of having a legitimate heel would diminish.

World Heavyweight Championship: Randy Orton vs. Mark Henry

What Should Happen: Mark Henry wins

This has to be Mark Henry's best angle since his days as Sexual Chocolate. Why?

Because it looks like the company is building up one of those old fashioned heel runs. The type of heel run where the wrestler is flat out dominant in his pursuit for the strap, meeting little to no resistance on the way. 

The way the writing staff has been building Henry over the past couple of months, it feels like just that. Henry should find a way to defeat Randy Orton to become the new World Heavyweight Champion. This could evolve into another long-lasting feud, similar to Orton and Christian's.

Plus, they should throw him some sort of a bone since he's been around for a while.

What Will Happen: Randy Orton wins

Heaven forfend if the WWE is deprived of a Cena or Orton title reign.

Unfortunately, we are watching a product that must have at least one, if not both, John Cena or Randy Orton as a major champ. They wouldn't want to upset their younger demographic, right?

If Orton wins, I think it'll be by disqualification or count-out. Mark Henry will squash Orton outside of the ring just like he did with Sheamus at SummerSlam. The Henry angle should continue and this would be the only way to do it with Orton still champion. So this way Orton will not be beat cleanly, and Mark Henry will still be the dominant force he is today. 

Divas Championship: Kelly Kelly vs. Beth Phoenix

What Should Happen: Beth Phoenix wins

Who is convinced that a 105-pound "exhibitionist" can roll through an entire women's division? Not me.

That's why Beth Phoenix has to pull this one out at Night of Champions. 

She looks like a legitimate champion, she was a legitimate champion, and, most of all, the lady can wrestle. 

What Will Happen: Beth Phoenix wins

I can't see the whole Phoenix-Neidhart vs. the Divas angle going to waste just yet. It's a good storyline for a laughable division. If they want to continue it, they allow Beth to pick up the Divas strap in her hometown of Buffalo, New York.

Tag Team Championship: Air Boom vs. Miz & R-Truth

What Should Happen: Air Boom wins

When Kofi Kingston and Evan Bourne captured Tag Team gold, a once struggling division was looking up. Bourne and Kingston brought some excitement and charisma to the tag team scene. In fact, they're the first champions in a while that actually fit well together. 

If the company wants to keep the revival of this division going, they'll have Air Boom win.

What Will Happen: Miz & R-Truth win

Miz and R-Truth are undoubtedly the most entertaining act in the business today. Both can work a good match, both can work a mic, and both are extremely funny.

And since this duo is gaining so much steam, creative may solidify it with gold.  

Miz just defeated Kingston and Truth just defeated Bourne, which could be a precursor of things to come.

United States Championship: Ziggler vs. Swagger vs. Riley vs. Morrison

What Should Happen: Alex Riley wins

The company has something in Alex Riley. He still needs a bit of work and a considerable amount of building, but A-Ry has the tools to succeed in the WWE. 

By throwing the strap on Riley, the WWE would accomplish a few things. For one, it would finally come off of Ziggler who has held the title since June. I'm not saying his title run is too long, it's just that he never seems to defend it. He has a good enough angle with Swagger where the U.S. title doesn't need to be a factor. 

Plus, crowning Riley would provide him with a solid push. He could actually have some sort of presence on television if he becomes the new United States champion.

What Will Happen: Jack Swagger wins

I'm not completely sure why, but this smells like a Swagger victory from a mile out. Swagger and Ziggler will continue this rivalry out of the PPV, and something tells me the U.S. strap will have something to do with it. 

This is just a pure gut feeling here.

Intercontinental Championship: Cody Rhodes vs. Ted DiBiase

What Should Happen: Cody Rhodes wins

This match has yet to be announced but all signs point to it happening. 

DiBiase just attacked Rhodes on SmackDown!, the development of Rhodes seems to be going swimmingly and, after all, it is the Night of Champions. I know the IC belt has been worthless for a while, but it's still a championship.

And if this match doesn't happen, you're welcome for the free slide.

Anyway, it only makes sense for Rhodes to win. There's really no explanation to why he shouldn't win.

What Will Happen: Cody Rhodes wins

He is a rising star, he is being pushed very well and just came off a victory against the untouchable Randy Orton. The reign of Rhodes will continue.