WWE Night of Champions PPV Results
September 15, 2013
Detroit, Mich.
Report by James Caldwell (@JCTorch), PWTorch assistant editor

First Hour PPV Results

The PPV opened with a champions-themed video package. WWE focused on Bruno Sammartino, Hulk Hogan, Shawn Michaels, The Rock, The Undertaker, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, Eddie Guerrero, Rey Mysterio, Triple H, and John Cena. Next were flashing images of numerous champions both past and present. The black-and-white video turned to color focusing on Randy Orton vs. Daniel Bryan and C.M. Punk vs. Team Paul Heyman in the top matches tonight.

Live in the arena, Justin Roberts introduced the show before announcing Triple H. Hunter walked out on-stage dressed in a suit and marched down to the ring with a smug smile on his face.

In the ring, Triple H said he thinks this will be one of WWE's best shows of all-time. He said that he wants to show that he is not a villainous, corporate suit, like some people think he is, and he will do what's best for business. So, in the Randy Orton vs. Daniel Bryan title match, there will be no interference. Just Orton and Bryan, no Shield or Big Show. Hunter said they will find out who should be WWE champion. Hunter asked the crowd if they're ready in his DX Voice before a voice interrupted.

It was Paul Heyman, who walked out on-stage with Curtis Axel. Heyman introduced himself before noting he has been calling and texting and emailing Hunter, even reaching out to Hunter's "servants." Heyman, his voice cracking, said he didn't want to speak with Hunter in public and in Hunter's ring, but he has a real serious problem with Hunter's view of what's best for business. Hunter cut off Heyman and went for the comedy asking Heyman when the last time he slept and showered was.

Heyman shouted that he is a wreck, then calmed down and apologized for raising his voice toward a man of his stature. But, Hunter has made a serious error in judgment by placing him in a match with -- pause for the crowd to chant "C-M-Punk." Heyman said this man is a fighter who nearly broke The Streak at WrestleMania, nearly beat Brock Lesnar, and wants to beat him up and hurt him. Heyman said Punk wants to give him a beating to where he will never be seen again in WWE. Heyman pleaded with Hunter to cancel the handicap elimination match as Axel continued to stand anonymously in the background.

Hunter listened to the crowd before noting Heyman is making some good points. But, he's already tried to weasel out of this. Hunter reminded Heyman that he doesn't even have to tag into the match because Axel can handle it, right? Hunter asked Heyman if he really believes in Axel, which Heyman tried to convince himself of. Hunter said the match stays.

Heyman relied by wondering whether there is no more honor among thieves. Axel took the mic from Heyman, then asked Hunter if this is personal with Heyman. Axel took Hunter back to May when he beat Hunter in a match. Hunter doused water on Axel's victory, then noted that it is Night of Champions. And at Night of Champions, all champions must defend their titles. So, he will correct this mistake of Axel not defending the IC Title on the card.

Hunter said he is going to walk to the back and pick the first person he finds backstage to challenge Axel for the IC Title. Axel sold annoyance as Hunter marched to the back to find an opponent for Axel. In the ring, Heyman sold annoyance with Axel before noting that this IC Title match is being contested under protest.

After a pause, Kofi Kingston's music played to bring out Kofi to face Curtis Axel.

1 -- IC champion CURTIS AXEL (w/Paul Heyman) vs. KOFI KINGSTON -- Intercontinental Title match

Kingston took control of Axel early on, with the announcers noting that Axel came into the PPV preparing to face Punk tonight. Meanwhile, Heyman sat casually on the ring steps, still annoyed with Axel and the events in the opening segment. Axel eventually just bailed to the outside for a breather, prompting Heyman to tell Axel to turn this around. Axel briefly regained control, but Kofi springboarded into a big splash on the outside.

Back in the ring, Axel hung up Kofi in the corner, allowing the champ to pound away on Kofi's chest with forearm strikes. Axel slowed down the pace to wear down the challenger as the crowd tried to rally behind Kofi. A miscommunication led to Kofi finishing the sequence with a swinging bodyslam for a nearfall. Heyman just shook his head and muttered to himself before Kofi set up his comeback.

Kofi wanted Trouble in Paradise, but Axel easily ducked a slow-motion attempt. Axel then drove Kofi into the corner with shoulder thrusts, but Kofi absorbed and regained control. Axel suddenly intercepted a high-flying attempt with a mid-air dropkick. Nice move from Axel, but it was only good for a two count. Kofi came back with an SOS that he transitioned right into a pin for a very close two count, freaking out Heyman.

At 13:30, Axel caught Kofi in the corner for the electric chair, which he turned into dropping Kofi throat-first across the top rope. Axel followed right up with his swinging neckbreaker face-plant finisher. It was good for the pin and the win. Post-match, Heyman calmly entered the ring to congratulate his protege like a proud parent.

WINNER: Axel at 13:54 to retain the IC Title. Slow start, but a good finish. Heyman's facial reactions and body language ringside really made this match. (**1/4)

Locker Room: Rob Van Dam and Ricardo Rodriguez talked about matters before RVD challenges Alberto Del Rio for the World Title tonight. RVD asked Ricardo, whose arm was in a sling, if he's okay. Ricardo said he's fine, then RVD and Ricardo went through some Spanish Lessons. They concluded with the universal language of "R-V-D."

Backstage: Divas champion A.J. Lee walked past the non-Total Divas and said they need to prove to the Total Divas who the real Divas of the roster are. Layla, Aksana, and Alicia Fox were not on-board, though. A. Fox said they are done helping A.J., who shouted after Aksana and Fox. Layla was left alone with A.J. to make sure they're on the same page. Layla had somewhere to be, though, and bailed.

Announcers: Cole, Lawler, and JBL reset the show from the announce position. Cole referred to The Original Sheik since they're in Detroit before transitioning to the Divas Title match.

2 -- Divas champion A.J. LEE vs. NATALYA vs. BRIE BELLA vs. NAOMI

Natalya was out first, drawing a Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart reference from Cole. Naomi was out next without Cameron, Brie Bella was out next without Nikki Bella, and the Divas champ A.J. Lee was out last.

Once the bell sounded, the "Total Divas" quickly chucked A.J. to the floor to take out their anger on the champ. Various three-Divas spots ensued before Natalya found herself with Brie and Naomi in prime position for a double Sharpshooter. Natalya applied, but A.J. suddenly re-entered the ring and smashed Natalya to break up the submission. A.J. followed with her Black Widow submission for the win.

WINNER: A.J. via submission at 5:35 to retain the Divas Title. Odd mix of non-babyfaces and semi-heels colliding, but A.J. vs. Natalya is clearly the top feud in the division.

All-Star Panel: Josh Mathews welcomed in Alex Riley, Booker T, and Santino to preview the World Title match up next.

In-ring: Following World Title match ring entrances, Ricardo introduced Rob Van Dam in his home-state, then Lilian Garcia introduced Alberto Del Rio in Spanish.

3 -- World Hvt. champion ALBERTO DEL RIO vs. ROB VAN DAM (w/Ricardo Rodriguez) -- World Title match

Van Dam controlled early on as Del Rio sold being a little woozy. Or, slightly injured. RVD then knocked Del Rio to the outside and attempted a moonsault from the ring apron, but he overshot Del Rio and yanked Del Rio down to the floor on the way down. On the outside, RVD delivered more offense, but lost control on the way back in. Del Rio, now recovered from his opening-match issues, slowed down the pace back in the ring.

Del Rio knocked RVD to the floor, then measured the challenger for a suicide dive, but RVD moved and Del Rio crashed down to the floor. Back in the ring, RVD went to work on the World champion with strikes. RVD wanted Rolling Thunder, but Del Rio moved. RVD landed on his feet, stopped, threw out his arms with his back to Del Rio, and Del Rio dropped him with a Backstabber for a two count.

At 8:30, Del Rio took RVD up-top for a reverse facebuster, but Van Dam blocked with elbow strikes. RVD then cannonball-splashed Van Dam for a nearfall. Van Dam followed with a Split-Legged Moonsault for a nearfall, then caught his breath on the mat. RVD couldn't follow up, though, allowing Del Rio to target the left arm/shoulder. Del Rio wanted a top rope move, but RVD intercepted with a windmill kick. Van Dam then tried a top-rope Five-Star Frogsplash, but Del Rio got his knees up to block. Del Rio followed right up with the cross arm-breaker in the middle of the ring. The crowd woke up with an "R-V-D" chant and Van Dam made a desperation grab for the bottom rope. The ref admonished Del Rio for not releasing the hold, then the ref hit a five count, forcing a DQ.

Post-match: Lilian Garcia announced RVD as the winner, but Del Rio still World champion. Del Rio then attacked RVD after the match. Del Rio left the ring and retrieved a chair, but Ricardo yanked it away from Del Rio. RVD then dropped Del Rio in the corner and Ricardo held the chair in Del Rio's face for RVD to go coast-to-coast with a Van Terminator to "end the match on a happy note."

As RVD celebrated, doctors came over to ringside to check on Del Rio as the World champ rolled out of the ring. After a replay of RVD's high-points, Del Rio was shown being dragged away from ringside.

WINNER: RVD via DQ at 13:25; Del Rio retains the World Title. Uninspired match, for the most part, and the crowd wasn't invested until the ending since it was pretty clear RVD wasn't going to be winning the title. Del Rio was shaken up early on, so that may have been a factor in the match quality. (**1/2)

Backstage: Curtis Axel was shown smiling as he clutched his IC Title belt. Paul Heyman, in a track-suit, told Axel not to leave him alone with Punk. Heyman said he has believed in Axel since Day One, so he needs Axel to believe in himself now.

Executive Office: Randy Orton walked into Triple H's phone conversation to wonder why he's going against their plan by banning The Shield from ringside. Triple H said he just wants to make sure he picked the right guy to be WWE champion. Orton smirked. "You did," he said and walked off.

END OF FIRST HOUR. SECOND HOUR COVERAGE CONTINUES AT PWTORCH.COM . ...

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