WWE Night of Champions 2011: CM Punk and the Future of WWE in Each Match

Are you ready?

Night of Champions is right around the corner. In fact, time is ticking down as you read these words.

Some people like Robert Knight have predicted it will be the PPV of the year.

I have stated the inherent problems I see with some of the booking for SmackDown and the soon-to-be main event.

There is a lot of right and wrong booking going into this pay-per-view.

However, no matter what has gone on to set this PPV, it is coming tonight.

With some great recent PPVs, Night of Champions will hope to match the quality of WWE's last two pay-per-views.

Looking to these matches, I am going to predict both how the matches will go down and how they will hopefully affect WWE's future.

The US Championship Opener

To start the night off right, the WWE's brightest young stars compete for the US Championship.

Prediction: While anyone can win here, look for either Ziggler to retain or Riley to win his first title.

The first option could be for Ziggler to run in after Swagger hits Morrison with a gut wrench powerbomb. Ziggler would hit the Zig Zag on Swagger and retain by pinning the downed Morrison. This would build up the Swagger/Ziggler tension further and give Ziggler more time to build up his title reign.

The second and most likely option would do everyone in the match some good (other than Morrison). Swagger has Morrison in the ankle lock, and Ziggler runs in and hits Swagger, causing him to let go of Morrison. The two bicker back and forth with Ziggler eventually knocking down Swagger. Riley would come from behind and roll up Ziggler to win his first title.

The Winner and New US Champion: Alex Riley

Post match, Ziggler would freak out and take out Swagger, staring down Vickie as he leaves. This would give us a title change off the bat, allowing the commentators to say that one title has already changed hands tonight as the night goes on.

The Future: Ziggler would continue a feud with Swagger and Vickie, slowly growing into the role of a main event face. Swagger would gain good heat with Vickie and eventually capture the US Title. Riley would get his first taste of gold and be able to show off his skill. Morrison would hopefully get a real feud where he can grow to be a main event star.

Tag Team Rebirth

Lately, the tag title has not been given a worthy spotlight. This match could be the beginning of a change to that travesty.

Prediction: Many people have been predicting the win of The Miz and R-Truth. There is a lot of momentum on their side which is why it won't happen, yet.

With the Miz and R-Truth holding physical wins over both individuals, opposite momentum will keep the titles on the current champs.

Kofi Kingston will make these two stop talking for a short time with the Trouble in Paradise followed by Air Bourne.

The Winners and Still Tag Team Champions: Air Boom

The Future: Again, this match is filled with future stars. Kofi Kingston and Evan Bourne will hold onto the titles for a bit longer then hand them over to the hot team of R-Truth and The Miz. A larger set up is needed to see these two take the titles away from the newly christened Air Boom. All of this will better the division as a whole, setting up a larger reformation of this dying division.

The Intercontinental Quest Begins

This match was just announced in the last few days by WWE. I am not sure it was the right decision. If Rhodes had been given a different opponent, this feud could have been build up longer.

Prediction: This match will be a personal and intense encounter that will only end with Cody Rhodes as champion.

Rhodes and Dibiase will fight back and forth for a long while before Rhodes hits Cross Rhodes after a dirty shot with his mask.

The Winner and Still Intercontinental Champion: Cody Rhodes

The Future: These two will continue their feud with Ted Dibiase getting wins only in non-title matches. Cody Rhodes will finish the feud as Intercontinental Champion while Dibiase moves on to a feud possibly with Wade Barrett or some newer developing heel.

The World's Strongest Champion?

The big focus of this feud has been if Mark Henry will become World Champion for the first time. I think soon but not on Sunday.

Prediction: This match will be a fairly standard match. Hopefully, Mark Henry and Randy Orton can find enough chemistry to develop a brutal and compelling match despite Henry's limitations.

In the end, I don't want to or think we will see Orton win cleanly.

At the end, Henry will look dominant and be on his way to victory when Orton hits the RKO out of nowhere. It will cause Henry to fall out of the ring, and Orton will try to carry him in. Henry will wake up and crush Orton with the World's Strongest Slam. The count will reach 10 with a double count out.

The Match is Ruled a No Contest and Still World Heavyweight Champion: Randy Orton

Post match, these two will have a brawl leading to Randy Orton hitting the RKO and standing tall.

The Future: These two will square off again, this time in Hell in a Cell. This night will be Mark Henry's crowning moment as he captures his first World Heavyweight Title.

The Future of Women's Wrestling

This match will bridge the two world title matches, giving a bit of separation before the two big matches of the night.

Prediction: This will be quick and simple.

Kelly Kelly will be beaten on Sunday.

It will not be absolutely dominant or incredibly surprising.

Beth will win cleanly ushering in a new age in her own home town.

The Winner and New Divas Champion: Beth Phoenix

The Future: The age of the Glamazon will begin as she dominates for several months at least. Kelly Kelly will be built up to eventually be an even bigger star as she chases the title.

Look for maybe a Trish Stratus appearance down the line to support either competitor.

The True Test on Destiny

This match could be amazing if both men are invested. Look for a great technical contest as long as Cena takes Del Rio seriously.

Prediction: I have said it several time before, but Del Rio is not losing the championship this Sunday. In fact, he will hold it through WWE Hell in a Cell at least. Why? Because WWE's tour of Mexico is in October, and they will pander to the crowd.

Looking at this match's participants, it is hard to find a good solution for ending this match.

What I see is Del Rio will slither his way to the outside while set up for the AA. He will grab a chair and blatantly bash Cena in the chest.

He will proceed to dominate Cena as the bell rings.

The Winner By Disqualification: John Cena But Still WWE Champion: Alberto Del Rio

Post match, Del Rio will stand tall over Cena as champion.

The Future: John will face Del Rio again at Hell in a Cell and lose.

Cena moves on to his first non-title feud in a long time while Del Rio will go on to feud with CM Punk.

Speaking of CM Punk...

The Main Event

This will be a great match. I have no doubt about that regardless of my criticism of the angle.

Prediction: How do you predict something with so many possibilities?

Will WWE reveal all or just keep building up bigger question?

The one prediction I know I will get wrong is this one.

Triple H and CM Punk will slowly build a 30 minute classic, and CM Punk will get Triple H up on his shoulders for the GTS through a chair. He hits the move through the chair, but then the lights go out.

When they turn back on, Kevin Nash is standing in the ring. He hits the jack knife powerbomb on Punk and disappears through the crowd. Triple H seizes an opportunity to save his job and pins Punk for the 3 count.

The Winner and Still COO of WWE: Triple H

Post match, Triple H gets CM Punk up and tries to shake his hand. Punk refuses and storms off as the PPV ends.

The Future: The search for answers continues. Triple H and CM Punk continue to drift further apart with appearances sporadically from Nash leading to a Hell in a Cell match between HHH and Punk where Punk wins. After the match, there will be chaos and bedlam, leading to us finding out who is behind it all. Punk will force himself into the WWE Title picture for a while, giving us a lot more to be excited about. I'm still waiting for Punk to make the WWE Title look better. No more spinner belt!

Are You Ready?

The WWE's future rides on having a great PPV here and now.

Will they deliver or disappoint? That is up to them.

All that matters is that there is a pay-per-view is on the horizon that could again make history.

Are you ready?

I know I am.

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