WWE PPV Evaluation - Night of Champions
By Nathan Kyght, PWTorch PPV specialist

Let me start by addressing WWE making PPV buyers feel bad. I buy shows, attend live events, etc. But, during this pay-per-view, the commentary team was produced to make a point several times that if fans paid $54.99, then they were morons, as they should just get the Network. I totally get it. However, I don't have access to the Network. Legally. So, I toss down my $60 every month, and so do a lot of people in a lot of major markets. You know how easy it is to not have to pay for your shows, WWE? It's as easy as having Google. I pay because I support the shows, and so do a ton of people that eventually will get the Network when it becomes available to them. In the interim, I'm not sure making fun of them is the way to go.

BEST MATCH – SHEAMUS VS. CESARO

If anyone reading this is a fan of the New Japan style of wrestling, then check out this match. Both men worked a really hard-hitting style, and I thought the back and forth in the last five minutes was excellent. A great match that I recommend going out of your way to see.

WORST MATCH – THE MIZ VS. DOLPH ZIGGLER

To clarify: these two work well together in general, but the presentation of this was horrendous. WWE cut away from the action constantly so the commentators could do atrocious comedy. Why would anybody care what is happening in-ring if the announce team doesn't?

BIGGEST SURPRISE – MAIN EVENT FINISH

I'm writing this with the benefit of retrospect, but having Seth Rollins attack Brock Lesnar and then having no follow up at all is baffling. My assumption was that they were building to a three-way as a way to get a finish without beating either Lesnar or Cena, but apparently not so. And I don't care how it fits into the "big picture." Main event DQ finishes suck.

BEST MOVE – AMBROSE DIVE

I really liked that Dean Ambrose came out to save the segment after Roman Reigns was unfortunately rushed into surgery. His dive onto the backstage folks trying to stop the brawl was a highlight of a fun few minutes, and I think Ambrose has a real opportunity here to become a major player.

BEST MATCH FINISH – SHEAMUS VS. CESARO

After some awesome back-and-forth action, Sheamus hit the Brogue Kick out of nowhere for the quick pin. This was very well done.

OTHER THOUGHTS

The rest of the action on the card was mostly average, with the exception of Chris Jericho and Randy Orton, who had a very good match. Jericho is going to be missed during this next absence.

WHAT IT'LL BE REMEMBERED FOR

It was mostly a holding pattern type of show, but one that actually entertained. While I'm not thrilled with the way the main event ended (particularly if it does not lead to Lesnar vs. Cena at Hell in a Cell), I thought there was enough good on the event to warrant a Thumbs Up.

UPDATED 2014 PPV EVALUATION RANKINGS

1 - WWE SUMMERSLAM (2014-08-17)
2 - WWE WRESTLEMANIA XXX (2014-04-06)
3 - WWE PAYBACK (2014-01-06)
4 - ROH BEST IN THE WORLD (2014-06-22)
5 - WWE MONEY IN THE BANK (2014-06-29)
6 - WWE NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS (2014-09-21)
7 - WWE EXTREME RULES (2014-05-04)
8 - TNA SLAMMIVERSARY (2014-06-15)
9 - WWE ELIMINATION CHAMBER (2014-02-23)
10 - WWE ROYAL RUMBLE (2014-01-26)
11 - WWE BATTLEGROUND (2014-07-20)
12 - TNA LOCKDOWN (2014-03-09)
13 - TNA SACRIFICE (2014-04-27)

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