[narrator] Every WWE superstar dreams of being a champion,
and when they achieve this glory,
it creates a moment that transcends time.
[Vince] The boyhood dream has come true.
[Michael] Austin, another champion.
[Ross] These are moments that you work your whole life to be a part of.
[Michael] Dreams do come true!
[narrator] Now, on a night where every championship will be defended,
whose moment has come?
[dramatic music playing]
[Randy] My name is Randy Orton, WWE Champion.
[narrator] Those who possess their prize have the most at stake.
[Michael] How can Randy Orton possibly survive this?
[narrator] Because the ones without, have nothing to lose.
[Jerry] There won't be a chance Jeff Hardy will not take
to earn the World Heavyweight title.
[narrator] So, whether you're trying to make a name for yourself…
[Dolph] I'm Dolph Ziggler, looks like I got your attention.
[narrator] …protect the one you have…
Jeff, look at yourself, you're a joke.
Sorry, man, I guess I'm not as perfect as you.
[narrator] …or make certain yours is engraved into the annals of time.
[Michael] The Triple Threat match for the WWE Championship.
The WWE Universe will see one of the greatest matches of all time.
[narrator] When this opportunity is all you might have left.
[CM Punk] You know what your chances are of beating me at Night of Champions?
Zero.
[narrator] Who poses the biggest threat and how far will they go?
[Triple H] I will fight like my life depends on it.
[narrator] Who will stand alone…
as champion?
And now, WWE presents Night of Champions.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] It only happens once a year, a celebration of greatness.
This is Night of Champions.
You are watching live at Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
There's not a seat to be had.
It's jam-packed,
17,774 WWE fans
are on hand.
[bell ringing]
The following tag team contest is scheduled for one fall,
and it is for the Unified Tag Team Championship.
[crowd cheering]
["It's a New Day" playing]
[Lilian] Introducing the challengers,
at a combined weight of 458 pounds,
Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase!
[Michael] Hello again, everybody. Michael Cole, Jerry "the King" Lawler
for Monday Night Raw at ringside.
And what an opportunity, King,
for these two young superstars for Monday Night Raw.
Orton, his accomplices, DiBiase and Rhodes.
Well, you're right. Certainly not fan favorites
as you can hear from our WWE Universe right here,
but they can walk outta here tonight
the Unified Tag Team Champions.
[Michael] They both claimed that by the end of tonight,
all of the legacy will have gold.
But remember what happened this past Monday night on Raw, King,
everybody speculated who their opponent Chris Jericho
was going to pick as his partner tonight to defend the tag team title.
DiBiase and Rhodes didn't seem too concerned.
[Jerry] Well, I think the reason they're not concerned
is because there's some doubt as to whether or not
Jericho can find a friend.
Somebody said, "If Jericho wants a friend, he may have to buy a dog."
He may not be able to find a partner.
-["Break the Walls Down" playing] -[singer] ♪ Break the wall down ♪
♪ Break down the walls ♪
♪ For those about to rock I'm what ya want ♪
♪ Baby, you know you're Judas And I'm your priest ♪
♪ Baby, what I got is not from the least ♪
♪ Bring it from the stage In the rage of the beast ♪
[Lilian] Weighing in at 226 pounds,
he is one half of the Unified Tag Team Champion,
Chris Jericho!
[Michael] Chris Jericho, indeed, a superstar from Friday Night SmackDown.
Those Unified Tag Team titles can be defended on all three brands here
in World Wrestling Entertainment.
The uniqueness of those titles which means Jericho,
if he indeed, has found someone to team with him,
could pick a superstar from either ECW, SmackDown, or Monday Night Raw.
[Jerry] All these unified titles are unique in more ways than one.
I mean, Jericho found that loophole, if you wanna call it that,
in the contract it says, he would be allowed to pick a partner,
of course, his original partner that he won the titles with, Edge,
on the disabled list right now.
And, you know, Edge and Jericho weren't even friends.
[Michael] Well, pretty smart on Jericho's part to find that loophole
or his attorneys.
[Jerry] Well, let's see if he was able to find a partner.
[Lilian] And introducing Chris Jericho's--
[crowd cheering]
Before I introduce my partner,
let's get a little reminder about what happened to my former partner
in his own words.
[Edge] A torn Achilles tendon,
it's the hardest injury to come back from into any realm of physical competition,
let alone something as physical as the WWE.
But this injury could be the end of my career.
But I will do everything within my power
to get back here and once again become a champion.
I am the first to admit that I've never been an angel here,
but I don't need anyone, let alone you, Chris Jericho,
to come out here and make a personal attack on my character, on my durability,
on my accomplishments here in the WWE.
But I would use that as my motivation in my recovery.
Let me make things really simple,
if I come back-- when I come back,
I will prove you, Chris Jericho, and I will prove everyone else…
wrong.
[crowd cheering]
Let me tell you what's wrong.
I'll tell you right now what's wrong.
It was wrong for me to choose Edge as a tag team partner.
[crowd booing]
And now we found out that Edge is frail.
He's weak. He's injury prone and most of all, he's selfish.
He's selfish to get injured.
What about me?
What about what he did to me,
leaving me high and dry without a partner?
[crowd chattering]
But that's all over now because I have chosen a partner
who is worthy to be a champion.
I've chosen a man who is worthy
to hold these titles and most importantly,
he's worthy to stand next to Chris Jericho in this ring.
So, allow me to introduce my partner and the other half
of the Unified Tag Team Champions.
His name is…
[crowd chattering]
[Jerry] Who is it?
…the Big Show.
-[crowd cheering] -[Michael] Oh, my lord.
-["Crank It Up" playing] -[singer] ♪ Well, it's the Big Show ♪
[Jerry] Are you kidding?
Yeah, from the look on the faces of Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase,
this is absolutely the worst-case scenario.
[Michael] Not only did the Big Show join Chris Jericho here tonight,
Jericho found a partner, the man is the World's Largest Athlete.
He's seven-feet tall.
He weighs 485 pounds.
[Jerry] Look at that smug look on Jericho's face.
[Michael] Look at the look on Big Show's face.
Big Show is a gargantuan man, 64-inch chest.
[Jerry] Oh, man.
[Michael] And over seven-foot wingspan and his fists are the size of mallets.
[Jerry] And there's that wingspan you're talking about. Good grief.
[Michael] What a coup by Chris Jericho here tonight at Night of Champions.
So, if you're Rhodes and DiBiase,
there is no way, King, no way in the world that you have planned or strategize
to take on Chris Jericho and the World's Largest Athlete.
[Jerry] Oh, I don't think there's any way that Rhodes and DiBiase could plan
-on this scenario. -[singer] ♪ Your time is over ♪
♪ Your turn's come around ♪
[Jerry] Well, that's what it's all about.
Every ounce of gold in the WWE on the line tonight at Night of Champions.
-What a night. -[Michael] Only time of the year
and the tag team titles were unified back on WrestleMania Sunday
by Carlito and Primo, The Colóns.
They were defeated by Edge and Jericho last month at The Bash.
[Jerry] I'm gonna tell you something.
I was as shocked as Rhodes and DiBiase to see the Big Show…
-[bell ringing] -…walk out here
because I'm gonna tell you,
I know personally that the Big Show
and Jericho have never gotten along in the past.
[Michael] And look who's starting the match.
-The Big Show against Cody Rhodes… -[Jerry] Whoa.
…and there is just…
-[Jerry] Woo. -…a sample of the power.
And Rhodes and DiBiase are gonna need to use quickness to try to stay away
from this mammoth of a man.
[Jerry] And I can assure you Big Show wants to make a-- Ooh!
[crowd exclaiming]
He wants to make a statement early on to Show Jericho…
-[Michael] Oh! -…that he is a worthy partner.
Is that what Jericho referred to Big Show as, a worthy partner?
-Whoa! -[Michael] And what a biel,
halfway across the ring by the Big Show.
Jericho likes what he sees early on.
You know, King, we've been talking about the Big Show on Raw
-over the past few weeks why-- -[Jerry] Look out!
[Michael] Look, with one hand pulling Cody Rhodes
and Rhodes trying to buy himself some time, back in the ring quickly,
here comes DiBiase off the tag.
[Jerry] Well, that was a good move on the part of Cody Rhodes.
[Michael] DiBiase and Rhodes are gonna have to just try and hit-and-run.
-[Jerry] And the second smartest… -[Michael] Oh!
…move on the part of Cody Rhodes was to tag out immediately.
[Michael] Big shoulder tackle by the near 500-pounder.
Big Show has just been in a foul mood over the past few weeks.
-[Jerry] Oh! -[Michael] We saw what he did
this past Monday night on Raw in the six-man tag team match,
cleared the ring of everyone, bodies strewn everywhere.
[Jerry] And, you know, when you watch the Big Show with those huge punches…
-[Michael] Look at… -…to-- oh!
…the team work already!
[Jerry] To the midsection, I mean, Big Show could just Crush or break,
fracture your ribs with one punch.
[Michael] Tag made to the narcissist, Chris Jericho.
[Jerry] Oh!
[Michael] No doubt in Jericho's credentials however,
only man in WWE history
-to hold both the unified tag titles… -[Jerry] Oh.
…and at one point in his career, was the undisputed world champion.
[Jerry] Oh!
What about Jericho, the words from his mouth earlier
and I… "Edge was selfish to get injured."
Can you believe that?
[Michael] Oh, Jericho has called Edge
over the past couple of weeks an embarrassment.
He said he'd find a partner better than Edge.
[Jerry] Yeah. He was all, "What about me?"
-"What about me, me, me, me?" -[Michael] Look it, look it, look it.
[Michael] Oh, double team by Big Show and Jericho.
-[crowd booing] -[Jerry] Big Show just literally
dropped Jericho, right, almost face to face on DiBiase.
-Here we go. -[Michael] The smug cover by Jericho
and a kickout at two by DiBiase.
[Jerry] Oh, Jericho is really enjoying this.
He's pretty much full of himself now.
[Michael] DiBiase and Rhodes, this is important for them, King.
They gotta try to isolate Jericho from making a tag with the big man.
Strategy is simple.
[Jerry] Well, that's just easier said than done.
[Michael] Oh, and Big Show with an elbow to the small of the back.
Here's the cover by Jericho as he rolls up Rhodes and a kickout again at two.
[Jerry] You know, really-- and nothing illegal about Big Show being where he was.
-[Michael] No. -[Jerry] He was still holding on
to that corner rope.
[Michael] And now the legality comes in.
-[Jerry] Whoa, whoa! Oh! -[Michael] Look at DiBiase!
DiBiase taking advantage as the referee's vision impaired
as he was over with Big Show and this could be the opening that Legacy,
Rhodes and DiBiase, need.
[Jerry] Well, it's like you mentioned, this is--it looks like divide and conquer
which is--should be a pretty good strategy on the part of Rhodes and DiBiase.
[Michael] Rhodes and Jericho are the legal man--Jericho,
kidney first into the apron.
And Rhodes and DiBiase begin the attack
as they look to wrestle away the unified tag team titles.
Tag made to DiBiase, a third-generation superstar.
-Hey! -[Michael] Cody Rhodes, his partner,
a second-generation star.
Remember the reason Legacy is in this match, King,
is because of DiBiase's dad, The Million Dollar Man,
made this matchup, when he's guest hosting Raw!
And look at the double team.
[Jerry] Man.
[Michael] And DiBiase again in on the cover, hooks the leg on Jericho…
-[Jerry] Oh! -…and a kickout at two.
[Jerry] That was close.
[Michael] At one Point in their career,
DiBiase and Rhodes set to win the tag team titles
on a couple of different occasions,
but never, never the unified tag team titles.
[Jerry] And look at DiBiase, how much does he remind you of--
well, the leader of the pack, Randy Orton.
[Michael] Rhodes as well.
[crowd chanting] Y2J! Y2J! Y2J!
[Michael] The passionate fans in Philadelphia of the WWE Universe.
[Jerry] Oh!
Some harsh words early on by Chris Jericho
not worrying about enamoring himself to our fans, but by the same token,
boy, our fans are absolutely fed up with the behavior of Legacy as of late.
[Michael] Well, as I've mentioned before, they have been accomplices for WWE…
-[Jerry] Oh. -…Champion Randy Orton…
-[Jerry] Absolutely. -…on many occasions.
[Jerry] Thick as thieves.
[Michael] Rhodes and DiBiase doing a good job thus far keeping Jericho away
from his new found partner, the Big Show.
[Jerry] Yeah, they've got to keep Big Show out of the ring someway.
Rhodes, nice move there by Rhodes.
[Michael] Did he make the tag? No, he didn't.
-[Jerry] But he's quick… -[Michael] Ooh.
…to prevent Chris Jericho from being able to make a tag.
[crowd chattering]
[Michael] Is that a look of concern perhaps on the face of the big man?
Oh, and Jericho trying to fight back.
[Jerry] I think the big man just wants in the ring.
[Michael] Jericho is a nine-time Intercontinental Champion,
five-time world champion, won the 2008 Superstar of the Year award.
[Jerry] And if you don't believe all those accolades, just ask.
We'd be more than glad to tell you everything that he's accomplished.
And whoa, look at this.
[Michael] And again, the referee's vision
blocked and Rhodes takes complete advantage.
I don't think Jericho has always been attention starved throughout his career,
but he got a lot of people's attention tonight
with his selection of the Big Show.
And again, DiBiase isolating Jericho.
[Jerry] Well, DiBiase and Rhodes doing what they do so well.
If one of them can distract the referee's attention,
get his back to the action, the other one will do some damage.
[Michael] And remember, Jericho and Big Show have to be--
Oh, look out.
Jericho, look it, moving out of the way.
And Chris Jericho trying to regain control of this matchup.
Rhodes and DiBiase have to be careful as well.
If they're disqualified, they can't win the unified tag team titles.
-Cody Rhodes moonsault! -[Jerry speaks indistinctly]
[Michael] Rarely, do you see that-- Will they win the unified gold?
-Did he get him? -[Jerry] No, he didn't.
[Michael] A kickout at two by Jericho.
-[Jerry] Oh! Enzuigiri. -[Michael] Oh, an enzuigiri
to the back of the head could be the opening Jericho needs.
Cody!
Cody! Come on.
Yeah, come on.
-[Michael] Tag made to DiBiase. -[Jerry] I knew that look.
-[Michael] Jericho trying to make it… -[Jerry] Oh, man.
…to the corner, tag not made again.
-And Jericho roll up… -[Jerry] Oh, look at this.
…trying to--trying to steal the victory here, kickout at two.
And DiBiase on the attack.
[Jerry] Jericho turning around quickly, trying to go for the tag on the Big Show,
but DiBiase waiting with that big clothesline.
-Oh, nice. -[Michael] DiBiase…
-[Jerry] Nice counter there. -…perhaps telegraphed it,
but a scoop slam by DiBiase, quickly to cover.
Hooks both legs of Jericho, who manages to kickout at two.
Tell you, King, after the initial shock wore off,
DiBiase and Rhodes have more than held their own in this unified tag match.
[Jerry] Well, that's because they've been successful
in keeping Big Show outside the ring.
Look at this move.
-[Michael] Knee arm drag by DiBiase. -[Jerry] Oh. Goodness.
[Michael] That was a kick right in the head.
-[Jerry] Right in the eye. -[Michael] Hook on the leg yet again,
and a kickout at two.
[Jerry] I mean, that looked like the point of DiBiase's boot
went right into the eye of Jericho and if that's the case…
-[Michael] Oh! Jericho. -…it could be a difference maker
-in this match. -[Michael] Trying to take advantage,
Jericho trying to roll DiBiase onto his stomach for The Walls of Jericho,
a submission maneuver and DiBiase--
-[Jerry] Oh! -[Michael] Great counter.
Oh, look it, going for Dream Street.
And Jericho realizing he's in trouble, trying to find his way out of it.
Does with a counter.
-And now again, going for the Walls. -[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] Can't get it
-[Michael] Now, he goes… -[Jerry] He's got it locked in.
[Michael] Walls of Jericho locked in.
The Walls of Jericho locked in.
Cody Rhodes--and Cody Rhodes, that time, distracting Big Show.
Referee busy with the Big Show.
And Cody Rhodes with a DDT, planting Jericho.
[Jerry] As we said earlier, Legacy doing what they do best.
[Michael] And the referee's view--
Look at this, here's the cover on Jericho,
-who kicks out at two! -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] The referee's view was obstructed by that huge body of Big Show.
[crowd chattering]
[Michael] Big Show may be saying to himself, "I didn't sign up for this."
-"Not one of this match." -[Jerry] Yeah, he wants--
[Michael] And look at-- There's the tag!
Tag was made by Big Show nearly halfway across the ring.
[Jerry] You're right, but he still had one hand on the rope, legal tag.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Double team.
For a modified spear!
What a spear by the Big Show.
-Here's the cover… -One, two--
…and Rhodes barely saving the matchup.
[Jerry] Rhodes and DiBiase went to double team the Big Show
as they've done earlier on Jericho.
[Michael] Uh-oh, Big Show doesn't realize what's happening behind him.
-[Jerry] Watch your back! -[Michael] Dropkick.
Kick to the knee and now Big Show down to DiBiase and Rhodes' size.
-Codebreaker! -[Jerry] Whoa!
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Referee's line of sight blocked again.
He was dealing with Rhodes.
-Big Show going for the Colossal Clutch. -[Jerry] Oh!
Look at that, he tapped.
-[bell ringing] -[Michael] DiBiase taps out
-to the Colossal Clutch. -[singer] ♪ Well, it's the Big Show ♪
[Lilian] Here are your winners and still the Unified Tag Team Champions,
Chris Jericho and the Big Show!
[Jerry] Oh, boy, once that tag was made,
it didn't take long, as J.R. would say, for business to pick up.
And Big Show and Jericho have picked up the unified tag team gold.
[Michael] What dividends paying off here tonight for Big Show
as Jericho retains the unified tag team titles.
I'm still impressed with the tag that was made and you mentioned, King,
earlier on, that huge wingspan really aided Big Show here tonight.
And look at this, all smiles and glad handing.
I thought you said they didn't like each other.
[Jerry] Well, let's look back and how impressive the Big Show was
from the get-go in this match.
Pretty much manhandling Rhodes and DiBiase
and then a Spear towards the end,
but this was the difference maker,
DiBiase turns around right to a Codebreaker.
[Michael] Referee's visibility was hindered.
He was dealing with Rhodes.
-[Jerry] And then this. -[crowd cheering]
-[bell ringing] -[Jerry] No one-- No man can withstand
that Colossal Clutch for any length of time.
[Michael] Near 500 pounds on your back.
DiBiase and Rhodes were very game here tonight,
but what a performance by Big Show and more importantly
what a team that has been formed between Jericho and The World's Largest Athlete.
[Jerry] Well, and Rhodes and DiBiase,
I'm sure not relishing the fact that they got to back
and face Randy Orton without gold.
Ladies and gentlemen, please allow me to introduce to you
the World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk.
[crowd cheering]
And Punk if you don't mind, can you talk to me
about your World Heavyweight Championship match later tonight?
You're defending your title against the man that stated
that you have forgotten what it's like to be human, Jeff Hardy.
[crowd chattering]
You know what, Josh, I'm not gonna answer your question.
Instead, I'm going to ask a question of my own.
And I'm gonna ask it to the audience.
So, audience, do you mean to tell me that after everything I've said,
after telling you the truth that you're still behind Jeff Hardy?
[crowd cheering]
Can I borrow this?
[crowd chanting] Hardy! Hardy! Hardy!
[crowd chatter]
[cheering, booing]
So, all you people here,
despite evidence to the contrary still choose to support a man
who for all intents and purposes can't even support himself?
[crowd cheering]
Okay. Okay. So, if you're a Jeff Hardy fan,
if you're wearing a Jeff Hardy T-shirt,
if you're wearing one of his diabolical little hands sleeves, God forbid,
if you have your face painted, I wanna see you stand up right now.
I wanna hear you make some noise. Go ahead.
If you love and support Jeff Hardy, let the world know.
[crowd cheering]
[CM Punk] Now, cameraman, cameraman, get a good shot,
get a real good shot at all these people.
The truth is, ladies and gentlemen, I don't blame you.
I don't blame anybody here for supporting Jeff Hardy.
The people I blame…
are their parents.
[crowd cheering]
Or let's be realistic.
I said parents.
What I should have said is parent.
Because it's obviously a single parent situation
just like the way Jeff Hardy grew up.
[crowd chatter]
See, you people are so concerned about the relationship
with your children failing just like your marriage did
that you acquiesce to their every whim and their every desire.
I hate to tell you this doesn't make you a good parent, Philadelphia.
This makes you an enabler.
[crowd chatter]
[crowd chanting] You suck! You suck! You suck!
And the fact that you even let your children
look up to a guy like Jeff Hardy just shows that you really don't care
what happens to them to begin with.
It's a sad situation.
So, I don't blame anybody here or sitting at home watching this
that supports Jeff Hardy if they're under 17
because they're young and they're--well, they're impressionable.
The real problem lies with the parents.
It's the parents who don't make the conscious effort
to sit their children down and teach them the proper way to live.
[crowd booing]
You see, it starts with a Jeff Hardy T-shirt,
the next thing you know they're smoking a pack of cigarettes.
After that, they're drinking a bottle of beer.
[crowd cheering]
Right after that, they move on to shots of Jack Daniel's…
[crowd cheering]
…which is a gateway drug for marijuana.
[crowd cheering]
And the fact that you people sit here and cheer that,
just goes to show I'm telling the truth.
[crowd booing]
How about some old-fashioned street drugs?
And before you know it, they're rummaging through mom's purse
because they're addict--they're addicted to her prescription medication.
[crowd chatter]
[crowd chanting] You suck! You suck! You suck!
All of this can be stopped before it's too late.
Parents, all you have to do is talk to your children.
Sit them down and show them the way.
Tell them the words that can save their lives.
Show them that sometimes
it's what you don't do that makes you who you are.
For weeks, for weeks, I've been saying to people like you just say no.
But tonight I think we should all just say yes.
Yes to the future of a straight edge drug-free America.
[crowd cheering]
Just say yes to the winner of tonight's match.
Just say yes…
to the World Heavyweight Champion.
Thank you.
[crowd cheering, booing]
[Cena] Every day, I train.
[Jericho] Thousands of hours of practice.
[Rey] Injuries can happen at any time.
[Triple H] My kneecap just kind of blew over to the side of my leg.
[Cena] I've torn the pectoral muscle completely off my shoulder.
[Rey] I've had surgery five times in my left knee.
[Batista] The tendon was torn off the bone,
I can hardly lift my leg anymore.
-[Carlito] With every move I make… -[Randy] My body…
[Edge] My life is on the line.
[Cena] Don't risk yours.
Please don't try this.
[bell ringing]
The following contest is scheduled for one fall
and it is for the ECW Championship!
-["Bad Dream" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Chimel] Making his way to the ring from Yonkers, New York,
weighing in at 255 pounds,
it's the ECW Champion,
Tommy Dreamer.
Tommy Dreamer is the last remaining ECW Original.
Matt, it took time and nearly two decades to become the ECW Champion.
How special is it for Tommy to come back here to Philadelphia,
the birthplace of Extreme, and defend his title?
[Striker] Well, you can just listen
to the ovation from the WWE Universe
to a man that embodies passion and dedication.
These people believe in Tommy Dreamer
because Tommy Dreamer is one of these people.
[crowd cheering]
["Bad Dream" playing]
-["Just Close Your Eyes" playing] -[singer] Go.
♪ If you close your eyes your life ♪
[Chimel] And the challenger from Toronto, Canada
weighing in at 227 pounds,
Christian!
[Striker] Well, according to the official ECW rankings,
there is no superstar more deserving than a title opportunity than this man.
He is the live wire, the igniter,
the number one contender to the ECW Championship
"Captain Charisma" Christian.
Josh, dare I say, Christian's ovation was on par
or perhaps even surpassed
Tommy Dreamer's ovation right here in Philadelphia.
["Just Close Your Eyes" continues playing]
[singer] ♪ Deceived by my eyes ♪
[Josh] Christian, of course, the former ECW Champion.
Many people feel that Christian is the uncrowned champion
considering the fact that he was never pinned to lose his title.
[singer] ♪ The person they taught me to be ♪
♪ One night in the dark A vision of someone I know ♪
[Striker] Well, I'm telling you, the fans of this area
are discerning and fickle fans.
Superstars need to earn the WWE Universe's respect.
Well, Tommy Dreamer and Christian have that respect.
Let's see who leaves here with the ECW Championship.
[singer] ♪ Inside of me, a light was turned on ♪
♪ Then I was alive ♪
♪ If you close your eyes Your life, a naked truth revealed ♪
♪ Dreams you never lived And scars never healed ♪
[crowd chatter]
[bell ringing]
[Josh] And here we go, the ECW Championship up for grabs
one fall to a finish, the champion Tommy Dreamer
and the number one contender Christian.
Christian, became the number one contender by defeating Vladimir Kozlov
a couple of weeks ago on ECW.
[Striker] The only way that a title can change hands is via pinfall
or submission, counts out or disqualifications
do nothing for the challenger here.
-Get up. -[crowd chatter]
-[Josh] Oh! -Oh, Tommy!
[crowd cheering]
[Striker] Hey, why not? We wouldn't have it any other way on ECW, right?
[Josh] Well, Matt, we talked about the--oh, the friendship
between Tommy and Christian-- Tommy goes for a quick cover.
[Striker] Well, that's clearly in the backseat right now.
[Josh] Earlier today, we sat down with the ECW Champion,
Tommy Dreamer, to talk about how especial
and emotional it is for Tommy to defend his title here in Philadelphia.
You can also read about it on WWE Universe on Tommy's blog.
-Oh! -[Striker] Of course, the tensions came
to a head this past week-- Hang on.
[Josh] Christian with a quick cover, hooks the leg.
[Striker] ECW this past Tuesday on the Abraham Washington Show
where both Tommy Dreamer and Christian were guests,
it almost erupted there.
Now, here we are with, I guess, the volcanic remnants of this rivalry.
-[crowd cheering] -[Josh] Oh.
[Striker] Blocked by Tommy Dreamer well-scouted.
-[crowd cheering] -Watch the rope.
[Striker] Ooh.
[Josh] Tommy quickly into the cover, hooks the leg.
[Striker] I think it's worth mentioning that the ECW title has changed hands
12 times in the City of Philadelphia.
How that bodes for Tommy Dreamer, we will find out.
[Josh] Ooh.
[crowd chanting] ECW! ECW! ECW!
[Josh] And you see the speed of Captain Charisma.
[Striker] And Tommy, very smart to roll to the apron there.
[crowd applauding]
[Josh] Christian building up some momentum,
but goes right into the shoulder of Tommy Dreamer.
Ooh.
Oh.
[Striker] Oh, that's unique.
[Josh] Christian will need to get Tommy back into the ring but look at this!
-[Striker] Oh! -[Josh] Wow!
[Striker] You're 100%, Josh.
Christian needs to get the champion back inside the ring.
[Josh] Christian trying to inflict some more damage though.
One…
[Striker] And on the same token Christian knows that Christian has to get
-back in the ring or else he cannot win! -[Josh] Whoa.
[Striker] Ow.
[Cone] …three
[Striker] The price that Tommy Dreamer will pay is well documented.
[Josh] And this is how this all started right here.
A dropkick from Christian and then Captain Charisma took flight.
There's the cover in the ring, Christian kicks out.
[Striker] You know, earlier today Tommy Dreamer was walking
the streets of Philadelphia.
Crowd started following Tommy.
They made their way down to the Forman Mills section
-right near the… -[Josh] Oh!
-…Old Thousand Seat Arena. -[Josh] Hold on. Hold on.
Cover by Tommy Dreamer, will he retain
[Striker] It was like a tailgate barbecue party with Tommy and all of his fans.
[crowd chatter]
-[Josh] Oh! -[Striker chuckles]
[Josh] Hey, how many fans were there, Matt? Three or four?
[Striker] Tommy has a lot of fans in Philadelphia
as Tommy Dreamer has crossed the entire WWE Universe
but then again so does Christian.
[Josh] As 17,774 members of the WWE Universe here
-for Night of Champions… -[Striker] Ooh.
…in Philadelphia in this ECW Championship match.
[Striker] I notice here that Christian seems to be focusing the attack
on Tommy Dreamer's neck.
Well-documented injuries to Tommy Dreamer's neck and spine,
Christian is focusing on it.
[Josh] You know, Matt, since Christian was never pinned
to lose the ECW Championship,
are you in the school of thought that Christian is uncrowned champion?
[Striker] No. Christian entered the contract, entered the match…
-[Josh] Whoa, whoa, whoa. -…and knowing the stipulations
[Josh] Christian going for the Killswitch right here.
-Tommy had it well-scouted. -[Striker] Whoa.
Very, very smart there.
The sleeper hold, trying to wear down…
-[Josh] Oh! -…the larger Tommy Dreamer!
[Josh] And the larger Tommy Dreamer just landed on Christian.
[Cone] One…
-two -[Striker] Superstars have until the count
of ten to reach their feet…
unless the referee's discretion comes into play on how to rule this contest
but it's not gonna matter, both men are up.
[crowd cheering]
[Striker] Right back to that sleeper hold,
cutting off the flow of blood to the brain.
Essentially knocks you out but you can call it sleeping.
-[Josh] Ooh. -[Striker] Oh.
Come on, guys. Let's go.
[Josh] Tommy Dreamer risking his own well-being to break that sleeper hold.
[Striker] What else is new with Tommy Dreamer?
[crowd chatter]
[Josh] And Matt, you mentioned that Tommy has made a career
out of putting his body on the line.
That's what we're witnessing right here.
[Striker] We also see the after effects of that sleeper hold.
Watch here. Tommy Dreamer had no other choice,
but to risk his own well-being as you said.
What's interesting though is that that flow of blood has to start to build again
for Tommy to become cognitive to get back on his feet.
We're at eight, nine--
Christian broke the count.
Tommy Dreamer entered as well.
[Josh] This match continues!
[crowd chatter]
[Josh] It's Tommy Dreamer who's quickening the pace here, cover, hooks the leg--
[Striker] You can see the respect that Tommy Dreamer has for Christian
constantly going for pinfall attempts.
[crowd chatter]
No, Tommy, no.
No, no.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] ECW!
[crowd cheering]
[Josh] The ECW Champion Tommy Dreamer in control right now.
-DDT coming. -[Striker] Nope.
Oh! Sky-high.
-This could be it. -One, two…
-[Josh] Christian's shoulders are down! -[Striker] Oh.
Notice, Christian was watching the referee's hand
trying to get as much rest as possible.
[crowd chatter]
[Josh] Tommy Dreamer going for Pumphandle.
[Striker] Yes!
[Josh] Christian counters, into the cover.
The leg is hooked. Do we have a new champion?
Two.
[Striker] Both men conserving their energy.
What will be left?
[crowd chatter]
[Striker] Here's the difference in style.
Christian, very comfortable on that top rope.
[Josh] Let's see what Christian has in mind here!
Got caught.
[Striker] And there it is, Tommy has been training
with submission specialist, Dean Malenko.
That is a cloverleaf,
a very, very painful submission hold.
Come on, Christian, what do you wanna do, huh?
[Josh] And if Christian taps out, Tommy Dreamer will retain
the ECW Championship.
[Striker] Smart reversal by Christian there,
but he has to watch his shoulders as well.
The official wise to let the battle continue.
[Josh] Oh.
[grunts]
[Josh] Christian springboarding, sunset flip.
-Tommy Dreamer is stacked up. -[Striker] Nope.
[Josh] And now it's Christian who's down.
[Striker] Like two fish out of water.
[Josh] Dreamer down once again.
-[crowd cheering] -[Josh] And this time, Christian connects.
[Striker] Very smart placement there by Christian
-when to utilize that offensive maneuver. -[Josh] Oh.
Another dropkick from Captain Charisma.
[Striker] That caught Tommy square in the temple.
[Striker] I don't mean the college down the road either.
[crowd applauding]
[Striker] Killswitch engaged. If Christian drops to his back-- No.
[Josh] Tommy reverses, he's going for the DDT!
Killswitch!
[crowd cheering]
[Josh] Christian turns Tommy Dreamer over.
-[crowd] One, two, three. -[Josh] And we have a new ECW Champion!
-["Just Close Your Eyes" playing] -[singer] Go!
[Chimel] Here is your winner
and the new ECW Champion,
Christian!
[Josh] There is a standing ovation in Philadelphia
for the new ECW Champion Christian.
[singer] ♪ If you just close your eyes ♪
[Josh] In the birthplace of ECW Philadelphia,
"Captain Charisma" Christian has just became
a two-time ECW Champion.
[Striker] Well, congratulations are in order for Christian.
-[singer] ♪ Deceived by my eyes ♪ -[Josh] Wow. Look at this ovation, huh?
[singer] ♪ And all I was told I should see ♪
[Josh] A very competitive matchup.
This is how it's started.
-[Striker] Hmm! -[Josh] Friendships out the window
when the ECW title is on the line.
[Striker] And then again here,
earlier Christian this maneuver was blocked,
very smart by Christian to utilize this because this became the turning point,
the Killswitch countered by the DDT, countered again.
And in three seconds, Christian has become our new ECW Champion.
[bell ringing]
[singer] ♪ Inside of me A light was turned on ♪
[Josh] So, at the Night of Champions,
our first championship has changed hands here tonight.
Will there be another?
[singer] ♪ If you close your eyes Your life, a naked truth revealed ♪
♪ Dreams you never lived And scars never healed ♪
♪ Scars never healed ♪
♪ In the darkness Light will take you to the other side ♪
♪ Find me waiting there ♪
[Josh] Tremendous show of sportsmanship by the now former ECW Champion,
ECW Original Tommy Dreamer
to the new ECW Champion here at Night of Champions.
Congratulations to Captain Charisma.
Once again, the ECW Champion.
[singer] ♪ Too close to the fire Yet cold and so numb with the pain ♪
Joining me now, the Unified Tag Team Champions, Chris Jericho and the Big Show.
Congratulations on your win tonight.
You showed great chemistry out there for a new team.
I don't think anyone knew you guys were such good friends.
-What does that say about-- -But-- Oh. Whoa.
Todd, hold this up.
See, I'm taller.
We're not friends.
You don't have to be friends to be champions.
So, this, this is about business.
And for me, the best business decision
was to choose the Big Show to be my partner.
Look at this man.
He's a destroyer.
He is a war machine.
He's the biggest man in this business and he's my partner.
And together we are gonna be the most dominant tag team in WWE history
more so than The Hart Foundation,
The British Bulldogs, The Road Warriors, all of them.
We're gonna be better and greater than any two people
who have ever teamed, period.
See, that's the thing, Todd.
This team is about strength.
It's about size.
It's about agility.
It's about intelligence.
Do you realize that there are over 40 championships between the two of us?
I mean, it's like Chris said,
we're gonna be the most dominant tag team in history.
Isn't that simply smart business?
I mean, it's all business except for, oh, one slight thing, you know.
Thank you, Edge…
for making all this possible.
[chuckles]
[crowd chattering]
[Jerry] Well, in business terms, that's already a successful merger.
[Michael] Well, how ironic, King, the United States Championship match
is next to where the birthplace of America, Philadelphia.
There is the Liberty Bell, Freedom Hall, give me liberty or give me death.
We're sold out at the Wachovia Center.
[bell ringing]
The following is a six-pack challenge
and it's for the United States Championship.
Now, in this match, the first superstar to score a pinfall
or submission will be declared the winner and the United States Champion.
-["Get On Your Knees" playing] -[singer] Check one, two, oh yeah.
Uh!
[Lilian] Introducing the challengers, first,
from Perry, Oklahoma, weighing in at 263 pounds,
he is the All-American American, Jack Swagger!
[Michael] And King, many people think this young man from Perry, Oklahoma
is the favorite in the six-pack challenge.
[Jerry] Well, he may be the favorite but he's an unpopular favorite.
[Michael] Swagger, a former ECW Champion two-time,
All-American, University of Oklahoma.
[singer] ♪ I'll bring you to your knees ♪
On your knees.
[Michael] Has all the natural talent in the world, the amateur expertise,
but will that come in to play tonight
when all six men are involved in this match at the same time.
[singer spits] I spit on the face of people who don't want to be cool.
["Carlito Caribbean Cool" playing]
[singer] You know what cool is?
[Lilian] From the Caribbean, weighing in at 220 pounds,
Carlito!
[Jerry] Another young man who might want to, uh, go to the library
and check out that book entitled, "How to win friends and influence people."
He's been, uh, spitting in the face of our fans as of late.
-[Michael] And his brother. -[Jerry] Yeah.
["I Came to Play" playing]
[Lilian] From Cleveland, Ohio, weighing in at 231 pounds, The Miz!
[Michael] Oh, this is the opportunity that The Miz says he's been waiting for,
for months and months and months since coming over to Monday Night Raw
in the draft back in April, an opportunity, his goals.
[Jerry] His claims for being-- Well, he is from Cleveland, Ohio,
claims that the mayor gave him the key to the city.
I understand the next day they changed the locks.
[Michael] Again, uh, first man to score a pinfall or submission will be the winner
-of the United States Championship… -["Oh Puerto Rico" playing]
…in the Six-Pack Challenge.
[Lilian] From San Juan, Puerto Rico,
weighing in at 218 pounds, Primo!
[Jerry] Well, we've learned that Primo has officially replaced the Big Show
who is originally scheduled to be in this Six-Pack Challenge match.
[Michael] Oh, Primo better focus on the fact there's six men in this match,
not just one, his brother Carlito who he wants revenge on.
-["I'm Comin" playing] -[Lilian] From Miami, Florida,
weighing in at 259 pounds,
Montel Vontavious Porter, MVP!
[Michael] Great ovation for the longest running United States Champion
in WWE history, MVP.
He's actually had that title on a two different occasions.
[singer] ♪ When I call up my troops ♪
♪ I'm the one like Neo, cocky like T.O ♪
♪ Nobody could guard me ♪
[Michael] And tonight, he wants it back at Night of Champions.
[singer] ♪ My flow is legal ♪
♪ And it's me There will never be a sequel ♪
-♪ I'm comin' ♪ -[Michael] He looks ready to go.
[Jerry] Yes, he does.
-["S.O.S" playing] -[singer 1 speaks indistinctly]
[singer 2] ♪ You, you know ♪
[singer 1] ♪ SOS ♪
♪ I hear them shoutin' ♪
[singer 1] ♪ SOS ♪
[Lilian] And from Jamaica, weighing in at 221 pounds,
he is the United States Champions, Kofi Kingston!
[Jerry] Well, boom, boom, boom, this young man exploded
on the scene here in the WWE
and what a name he's made for himself so far.
[Michael] But do the math, he only has a one in six chance
of retaining the United States Championship here tonight.
Ladies and gentlemen, that prestigious title
is defended all over the world
and many of these WWE fans watching live tonight all over the universe.
And places like the United Kingdom on Sky Box Office
and in Mexico, Germany, Switzerland, the Middle East,
and of course the U.S. Armed Forces
watching Night of Champions via the Armed Forces Network
all over the world.
[Jerry] Night of Champions.
[Michael] So, reminder, the rules of the match,
all six men will be in the ring at the same time.
The first man to score pinfall
-or submission… -[bell ringing]
…will be the winner of the prestigious United States title.
And look at the first pinfall in the matchup.
Miz and Kofi Kingston…
makes the-- And look at this again
and Kofi Kingston trying to save his championship for the second time.
[Jerry] Primo is--
The sound of the opening bell, went after his brother Carlito.
There he goes again,
Carlito making himself scarce.
[Michael] And look at this.
Oh. And remember--
Oh, and Miz with a backbreaker,
quickly into cover, hooks the leg.
Could this be it? Kofi saves the matchup.
Remember, King, the champion Kofi,
does not have to be involved in the decision to lose his championship.
[Jerry] Exactly right.
And, boy, that's why these guys are so aggressive early on here.
[Michael] Oh, it's all about the United States title.
Remember…
-no fewer -[Jerry] Oh, look at this?
Ooh. Wow.
[Michael] No fewer than a dozen WWE Hall of Famers
have held the United States title, among those Harley Race,
Ric Flair, Roddy Piper,
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin.
[Jerry] Oh, yeah, The Rattlesnake.
[Michael] So, break this down King for us,
any strategy you'd employ in this type of match?
[Jerry] Well, as I said, you know, when the--when the bell rung
to start the match, all of these guys went after a quick pin,
that would be great, but it's pretty much out the window now.
Now you just have to try to isolate someone
and get him in a situation where you can get a pinfall
without there being someone around that can-- Whoa, look at this.
-[Michael] Look at Primo rolling. -[Jerry speaking indistinctly]
Nice move by Primo.
[Michael] Only three men at this matchup right now,
the other three taken out momentarily.
Primo would love to win the championship tonight,
stick it right in the face of his brother, Carlito.
-[Jerry] Oh, are you kidding me? -[Michael] Oh, Miz taken out
as Swagger ducked underneath, cover.
-[Jerry] Look out. -[Michael] Can he get him?
No, Miz just roll on the shoulder out.
[Jerry] Miz and Swagger, I don't know if they're trying to…
help each other
or form some sort of coalition but it's not working.
[Michael] Oh, how do you form a coalition in this match?
[Jerry] Oh, you're right.
[Michael] Unless you wanna eliminate all-- eliminate four opponents.
Look at Swagger going for that gutwrench powerbomb.
[Jerry] Oh, that could do it.
[Michael] Could he put Primo away?
Hook of the leg and it's Carlito,
ironically saving the match for his brother.
[Jerry] No, Carlito saving the match for himself.
[Michael] And for five other superstars.
[Jerry] Exactly right. Jack-- Oh, no.
-[Michael] And Swagger-- -[Jerry] Oh, man.
[Michael] Carlito got hit hard and he hit hard.
[Jerry] Here's the MVP back in and back out.
[Michael] Oh, they've had a rivalry, MVP and Swagger,
different lifestyles.
Look at the throw by MVP.
[Jerry] And Swagger landing right on his head.
Don't count him out though,
Swagger, he's tougher than a Waffle House steak.
[Michael] MVP assaulting Jack Swagger.
[Jerry] Trying to punch him right in the face.
Swagger able to duck, dodge and block those right hands.
[Michael] Meanwhile, in the ring, Miz has isolated the champion, Kingston.
Look at this, MVP.
[Jerry] Oh, man.
[Michael] Tremendous impact on the barricaded ring side.
[Jerry] And he was catapulted, then flipped
right into that restraining wall there.
You're not better than me.
I'm the… [speaks indistinctly]
Oh.
[Michael] I heard Swagger yelling at MVP, "You're not better than me."
Swagger claiming he's the MVP of WWE.
Look it, look it, look it, look it, Carlito taking out MVP.
[Jerry] Oh, man.
[Michael] Carlito would like to regain the United States Championship.
This is the six-pack challenge.
First man to gain pinfall or submission is the champion.
[Jerry] Well, that had to-- that had to hurt Carlito as well
that hard landing. What about…
[Michael] And here it is again.
[Jerry] Oh, man, Carlito right on that tailbone.
[Michael] Kofi Kingston looking to pick up the pace,
the controlled frenzy.
[Jerry] This guy's body is a flying airplane.
[Michael] Oh. That leaping ability of Kofi of a missile dropkick.
[Jerry] Now, here's the opportunity Kofi needs.
I don't see anyone in the ring except Kofi and Jack Swagger.
-[Michael] Double leg drop… -[Jerry] Ooh.
…Swagger's in trouble.
Kingston to the cover, hooks the leg.
Will he retain the gold?
And it's Miz breaking up to three-count.
[Jerry] Miz just kind of lying and wait there outside.
[Michael] Look it, look it-- Oh, what a clothesline.
[Jerry] Ooh.
Incoming.
[Michael] Miz, you see the look on his face?
[Jerry] He's showing no favorites.
He took out Kofi Kingston then targeted Jack Swagger.
[Michael] Miz admitted this is an important night
-Watch Primo -[Michael] for him.
It's Primo.
[Jerry] Oh, man.
Right at the side of the head of The Miz.
[Michael] Bodies everywhere.
Kofi Kingston getting in the mix.
What on earth?
-Swagger as well? -[Jerry] Oh, no.
Watch out here.
-[Michael] This is gonna be good. -[Jerry] Look out, look out.
Oh, goodness.
[Michael] I'm not sure who got the best at that.
[Jerry] I know who got the worst of it, The Miz.
I bet he wish he was back on the shores…
-[Michael] Carlito -…of Lake Erie right now.
[Michael] looks to seize the opportunity,
hooks the leg of the champion and kicks out at two.
Kofi goes to Miz.
-[Jerry] That's the man to cover. -[Michael] Hooks the leg there
and Miz kicks out.
Near-fall after near-fall as these
-superstars scramble… -[Jerry] Whoa.
…for the United States title.
[Jerry] Carlito forgot that MVP was behind him
and it cost him.
[Michael] Miz unloading, watching for the moment.
[Jerry] Miz dropping down,
slamming MVP's face right in the middle turnbuckle.
Whoa.
What a leap by Carlito.
[Michael] Oh, both mad brothers, Primo, Carlito.
[Jerry] Thinking alike both going for a flying crossbody block.
Both crash and burn.
[Michael] Swagger picking up the intensity now.
Kofi, that quick sidestep.
The leaping ability again at Kingston.
[Jerry] This kid is fun to watch.
-[Michael] And the electrifying Kingston. -[Jerry] Uh-oh, this is not
gonna be [speaks indistinctly] nice counter there.
-Uh-oh. -[Michael] Just got picked out of the air
by Swagger.
[Jerry] Miz dumped unceremoniously outside the ring
onto the floor and here comes MVP and-- Whoa.
MVP sacrificing his own body to take out Jack Swagger.
[Michael] And look at Carlito.
Kingston up over the top, Carlito, shoulder's down,
does he have it? No.
-One, two -[Jerry] But Carlito's down-- Whoa.
[Michael] Oh, look at this, Primo wants to pin his brother,
Kingston counters.
Kingston with Primo in trouble.
And a kickout again.
[Jerry] Man, this action is fast and furious.
[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] They might need six referees to keep up with the six-pack action here.
-[Carlito] Go over there. -Huh?
[Carlito] Hit the ropes. Hit the ropes.
[Jerry] What is this now?
[Michael] Were they--
[Jerry] It looked like Primo and Carlito were back on the same page.
[Michael] You think? Now, look it.
[Jerry] I heard Carlito shouting orders and then suddenly Primo…
-[Michael] Hey, hey. -…went to oblige.
[Carlito] Help me.
[Michael] I think Carlito just told Primo to help him.
Oh, what a double clothesline.
[Jerry] Oh, that should show Primo.
His brother does not have his best interest at heart.
Look out. Oh, my goodness.
[Michael] Kofi just got knocked inside and out with 263 pounds.
Swagger is dominating for a moment.
MVP.
-[Jerry] Whoa. -[speaking indistinctly]
[Jerry] Swagger's life just got put out by MVP.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] And in the home of the 76ers…
[crowd] Ballin'.
…MVP's ballin'.
[Jerry] MVP trying to get Swagger back on his feet.
[Michael] Look it, look it, look it. Playmaker, but there's Miz.
-[Jerry] What did I miss? -[Michael] Playmaker connects but MVP--
And Miz, Miz is gonna win the title.
Miz is gonna win the title.
Oh, the brothers Colón break it up.
[Jerry] Primo and Carlito arrived just at the same time.
And look at this.
Once again, the brothers Colón…
working at tandem.
-We gotta work together. -No.
You get him [speaks indistinctly] match.
[speaks indistinctly]
No, get him. Get him. Get him.
[Michael] And Carlito directing traffic again.
-[Jerry] Look at this! -[Michael] And there's the Back Stabber,
again stabbing his brother right in the back, is Carlito.
-[Jerry] A literal backstabber. Oh. -[Michael] And Kofi.
And it's Trouble in Paradise for Carlito.
[crowd] One, two, three.
-[Michael] Kofi Kingston… -[bell ringing]
…retains the United States title.
[Jerry] Wow.
Man, oh, man.
[Lilian] The winner and still the United States Champion,
Kofi Kingston.
[Jerry] Well, that's something I did not think I would hear,
and still the United States Champion.
[Michael] King, Kofi Kingston first title defense is a Fatal 4-Way.
If that wasn't bad enough,
he successful retains the title again tonight in the six-pack challenge.
[Jerry] Kofi Kingston making believers out of the WWE Universe
and the other WWE superstars.
This is the young man to be reckoned with.
[Michael] Boom, boom, boom, Kofi Kingston retaining the title.
And watch this.
Carlito stabs his brother in the back again.
[Jerry] Watch this one more time for Primo.
And how can you do that to your own brother?
[Michael] But Carlito perhaps got what he deserve,
Trouble in Paradise.
[crowd] One, two, three.
[Michael] And Caribbean Cool taking out
by the Jamaican's control frenzy.
Kofi Kingston is still the United States Champion.
["S.O.S" continues playing]
[singer] ♪ And it's a shame ♪
♪ What a shame ♪
♪ You lose your life ♪
♪ You have no more time ♪
♪ Your destiny is mine ♪
♪ Hear them callin' ♪
[Jerry] What a big victory for that young man here tonight
at Night of Champions.
[singer] ♪ SOS ♪
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome my guest at this time,
the WWE Champion, Randy Orton.
[crowd cheering]
Randy, earlier tonight
Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase were unsuccessful.
What's your strategy for victory?
First of all, Josh, what happened to Ted and Cody was unfair.
Who could've predicted that the Big Show
would've teamed up with Chris Jericho tonight?
Well, this one you can't predict.
If this was singles competition, I would beat Triple H or John Cena
but you can't predict the outcome of the Triple Threat match.
Let's face it, I could lose my title tonight
without being the one who is defeated
but I'm counting on the egos of my two opponents
to cancel each other out which means I win.
Maybe one day,
one day, you people will stop disrespecting me.
Maybe one day,
you people will give me a standing ovation like you do for Triple H
or cheer me like you do John Cena.
But until then,
I will remain your WWE Champion.
[crowd cheering]
[bell ringing]
This contest set for one fall
is for the WWE Women's Championship.
[singer] ♪ You're not enough for me ♪
[backup singer] ♪ Oh, no, no ♪
[singer] ♪ Just another man In love with me ♪
[Justin] Introducing first from Palatka, Florida,
she is the current WWE Women's Champion,
Michelle McCool.
[singer] ♪ You're not enough for me ♪
Representing SmackDown, my name is Todd Grisham
alongside WWE Hall of Famer "Good Ol' J.R." Jim Ross.
And we're about to see the battle for Diva Dominance on SmackDown.
[Ross] Simply a very spirited contest
and certainly one that Michelle McCool I think has been looking for.
[Todd] Well, Michelle McCool made history at The Bash
becoming the first ever diva to have won the Women's Championship
and the Divas Championship.
[Ross] No doubt about that. Of course, at The Bash, it was Melina
[Todd] Oh.
[Ross] the girl praying to angel's wings…
One, two, three.
[bell ringing]
…puts Michelle McCool in the record book.
[Todd] Michelle McCool with the big win last month
and then this happened this past Friday night on SmackDown.
I invoked my return match
and you know what that means, at Night of Champions,
the WWE women's title will be back around my waist.
So shine that puppy up for me, Michelle,
the championship is coming home where it belongs.
And just a little advice,
you know, I think you need a little bit more makeup.
I also do hair.
-["Not Enough for Me" continues playing] -[singer] ♪ I'm the latest ♪
♪ I'm the latest I'm the latest on the scope ♪
♪ Turn my shit on zoom, what? ♪
[Todd] And that's pretty uncharacteristic of Michelle McCool to just back away.
We've been seeing this the past couple of weeks, haven't we?
[Ross] Well, Michelle McCool has been very conscious and rightfully so,
knowing that our advisory here tonight,
Melina has a lot of fire,
a hot temper and is very emotional.
["Paparazzi" playing]
[Justin] And the challenger from Los Angeles, California,
Melina.
[Todd] Melina has made a-- made it no secret at all.
She wants that Women's Championship back
and she's determined to get it tonight
as called Michelle McCool the biggest fraud she's ever seen.
A phony.
[Ross] Well, McCool certainly is calculating
and usually very composed as a young woman with a master's degree,
high intellect,
very, very, intelligent.
[Todd] And there is a-- Whoa, look at that!
Michelle McCool wasting no time.
[Ross] Well, McCool knew that Melina would be very vulnerable
on her typical ring entrance.
And now the champion strikes first.
Ring the bell.
[Ross] The key is striking last.
Come on.
-[Todd] The bell has not even rung. -[bell ringing]
[Todd] The match hasn't started.
It has now, and Melina is all over the champion.
[crowd gasps]
[Ross] Nice Matrix-like maneuver by Melina,
a three times WWE Women's Champion.
This title have been around 53 years,
first Women's Champion the great Moolah,
WWE Hall of Famer, Lillian Ellison.
[Todd] On Friday Night SmackDown, Michelle McCool said,
"Hey, I'm the greatest WWE diva ever. I'm better than The Fabulous Moolah."
[Ross] Michelle thinks she's a regular at [speaks indistinctly]
That was before Lillian's time.
[Todd] You're old.
[Ross] Indeed.
[Todd] Melina getting momentum as Michelle McCool continues
just to weather the storm here,
wants to get out of Melina's path.
Wait. No.
[Ross] It's called breaking momentum.
[Todd] Oh.
Melina so agile and aggressive, you can see.
Melina's been relentless since that bell rang.
[Ross] Melina can be agile and hostile,
especially going for the women's title.
[Todd] Oh.
[Ross] Michelle McCool have that maneuver well scattered as well.
-And now using the security wall. -[Todd] Oh!
[Ross] And a running knee between the security wall
and that knee of Michelle McCool,
the challenger is in trouble.
[Todd] As McCool goes for a hook at the leg there and a two count.
[Ross] Here's what happened just moments ago.
[crowd gasps]
[Ross] Melina taking a chance.
Another cover back in the ring.
Second near fall in the last few moments
achieved by Michelle McCool.
[Todd] Before their match at The Bash,
Michelle McCool promised not only to beat Melina,
but to humiliate Melina as well.
No.
[Ross] Half Boston crab here.
Well, really, that's [speaks indistinctly]
perhaps the attitude of Michelle McCool.
Her first order of business would be to win.
Humiliation comes later.
[Todd] Michelle McCool a former school teacher,
probably nice to look at if you're a student
but you don't wanna get on McCool's bad side.
[Ross] Now look at this maneuver and this--
Man, this hold is-- Yeah, this--
[Melina] No!
[Ross] Melina's leg almost got into a very uncomfortable position
to even look at.
Come on. Come on [speaking indistinctly]
[Todd] You have to bend Melina pretty good
to get a scream out of the number one contender.
Melina, as flexible as they come.
[Ross] Very athletic is Melina, but that was a very…
-[Todd] Oh. -…disturbing position
of that leg lock by Michelle McCool.
And yet, we wonder folks, how much damage it has done.
-[Todd] Oh! -[crowd gasps]
[Ross] And one can also speculate
how much damage that McCool just did to herself,
a very physical matchup
between these two Friday Night SmackDown divas.
[Todd] And what has Melina have in store for the champion,
standing on that barricade.
[crowd cheering]
[Todd] Oh, and a DDT.
[Ross] DDT on the top of the security wall.
And you're talking about the fans in the front row
getting a bird's eye view.
And McCool seems to have enjoyed the damage done.
[Todd] And plenty was done watching this.
[crowd gasps]
[Todd] And if McCool thought that was gonna be the end of Melina,
McCool thought wrong.
[Ross] I can't believe Melina is even able to pull herself back on the apron,
much less have enough resources to avoid the contact there.
That DDT on the security wall should have done it.
[Todd] A clever maneuver there by Melina.
And another one here.
[Ross] Melina using her leg strength,
perhaps to secure her head, I don't really know.
[screams]
[Todd] What a primal scream accompanies that dive.
[crowd chatter]
-[referee] One -[man] Let's go, Melina.
-Yeah. -[referee] Two!
[Todd] And we just saw how Melina turned this match around.
A brilliant move to use McCool's own momentum against her.
[Ross] A Sharapova-like scream in a-- one of the most physical matchups…
-[Todd] Oh. -…you can imagine
between two WWE divas
with the women's title on the line in this one fall contest.
Nice takedown.
Again, Melina using her legs very adeptly.
[Todd] And now Melina with a head of steam,
two knees right in the back.
[crowd cheering]
[Todd] And this is a fight right now,
neither one of these divas backing down.
Come on, back it up here. Let's go.
[Ross] As physically intense
as any divas contest we're seeing in a long time.
-Two. -[screams]
[Todd] And regardless of your feelings toward Michelle McCool,
you can't take away from the fact that she has made history,
the first ever diva to be Women's Champion and Divas Champion.
[Ross] Very effective and unique offense by Melina.
McCool is a very accomplished
and very proud to be in the record book.
[Todd] Well, these divas are smart, sexy, and whatever the other word is.
Look at this, hook in the leg.
-And a two. -Two!
[Ross] I think that would be powerful.
[crowd chattering]
[Ross] A lot of kicks tonight, a lot of strikes from Melina,
and very intense as we see Melina firing.
And look at that belly-to-belly suplex.
[Todd] Nice takedown.
McCool has her shoulders down in a two count
as Melina gets that right arm up.
[Ross] The one thing about Michelle McCool
is she continues to add to her offensive weaponry.
Come on [speaking indistinctly]
[Todd] That chopping heel right to the top of McCool's head.
And now look at this, Melina.
And Michelle McCool turns the tables.
One, two, three! That's it!
[bell ringing]
[singer] ♪ You're not enough for me ♪
[Justin] The winner of this match
and still WWE Women's Champion,
Michelle McCool.
[Ross] A very abrupt counter,
timely to say the least, by Michelle McCool.
[singer] ♪ Yeah, yeah ♪
♪ You see, at first, I thought it was me ♪
♪ The way you flip your attitude Constantly ♪
[Todd] Michelle McCool,
bending Melina about as far as Melina could possibly bend.
[Ross] Here's how the match started, the cheap shot by…
by Michelle McCool.
This is before the bell even rang, obviously.
One more look.
[Ross] A low dropkick right to the abdomen.
And then here is the closing moments,
that flying Lou Thesz press.
[Todd] Look at this.
[Ross] Look at the legs all the way back
-over at Melina's head… -[bell ringing]
…in this cradle, a deep cradle.
And McCool accomplishes what she set out to do tonight,
that was to retain the WWE Women's Championship.
[singer] ♪ Just another man ♪
[Todd] Michelle McCool vicious in nature
and tonight, still the Women's Champion.
An impressive win here over Melina tonight at Night of Champions.
[Ross] Great effort by Melina,
frustrating night but great effort, in a physical matchup.
[singer] ♪ I hit the bullseye Dead center every time ♪
♪ And each time I step out Head-to-toe, I'm a dime ♪
[Jerry] Oh, there you see John Cena.
He's getting ready for the Triple Threat match
for the WWE Championship.
[Michael] And John Cena has said that tonight's main event
will be one of the greatest matches of all time.
Ladies and gentlemen, coming up next,
Randy Orton defends the WWE Championship
versus Triple H and John Cena
in a Triple Threat match for the WWE title.
It all started on Monday Night Raw
just a few short weeks ago.
[dramatic music playing]
[Lilian] The following is the finals
of the Night of Champions tournament.
[Michael] It is a big match atmosphere,
the winner to face Randy Orton for the WWE Championship
at Night of Champions.
[dramatic music continues playing]
[Jerry] How much more can these guys take?
-[Michael] What the-- -[Jerry] Hey.
[bell ringing]
[Michael] DiBiase and Rhodes?
Legacy, a hit-and-run attack.
[Jerry] The bell was rung.
This match is a double disqualification,
which means there is no winner.
Which means I won't be facing either of you
at the Night of Champions.
[singer] ♪ Money, money, money ♪
[Jerry] Well, there's the man that has the unlimited power tonight.
[Michael] It's tonight's special guest host,
The Million Dollar Man.
Randy, you're saying that neither one of these men won.
Well, I say neither one of them lost.
So here it is.
At the Night of Champions,
you will defend your WWE Championship
in a Triple Threat match.
[Jerry] Oh, my gosh.
[dramatic music playing]
[Cena] The Night of Champions.
The WWE Universe will see one of the greatest matches of all time.
[Triple H] You're looking for epic?
You've got to go no further.
[Cena] With the WWE Championship on the line,
they will see John Cena
against Randy Orton,
against Triple H.
Two years ago at WrestleMania,
this match was the main event.
[Randy] I don't know what you're so excited about, Cena.
Do you remember what happened in that match of WrestleMania?
[Ross] Oh, my God. What a kick.
I kicked Triple H in the skull
and I pinned you for the victory.
[Ross] Orton wins.
[Jerry] Orton just won?
[Randy] History will repeat itself at Night of Champions.
[Michael] It will be every man for himself.
[Triple H] I don't care who I have to hurt
or who I have to go through to get what I want.
[Cena] May the best man win.
[Randy] This championship means that I am the man.
[Cena] It's only a matter of time before the champ is here.
[Michael] What is gonna happen when Randy Orton,
John Cena, and The Game, engage battle
in a Triple Threat match for the WWE title at Night of Champions.
[bell ringing]
[Lilian] The following is a Triple Threat match
and it is for the WWE Championship.
["The Time Is Now" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[singer] ♪ Krrr, Amadou! ♪
[crowd cheering]
[Cena] ♪ Your time is up, my time is now ♪
♪ You can't see me, my time is now ♪
♪ It's the franchise, boy I'm shining now ♪
♪ You can't see me ♪
[Jerry] Seventeen thousand seven hundred and seventy-four fans here tonight
and that man is one of the reasons.
The roof just came off
under Wachovia Center here.
[Michael] Nobody in the history of the WWE
strikes an emotional chord
like John Cena does.
And I guarantee, in the response from all the 17,000 plus fans,
everybody has a different opinion.
[Cena] ♪ But, they gone fishing With no bait ♪
[Jerry] Oh, John Cena has his game face on.
He's jacked and ready to go for this one.
[Michael] Cena, a five-time champion,
hell-bent on making it six in Philadelphia here tonight.
[Cena] ♪ Your time is up, my time is now ♪
♪ You can't see me, my time is now ♪
[Jerry] He is intense.
[crowd cheering]
["The Game" playing]
[singer] ♪ It's time to play the game ♪
[Jerry] But then again.
[crowd cheering]
[singer] ♪ Time to play the game ♪
[crowd cheering]
[singer] ♪ It's all about the game And how you play it ♪
♪ All about control And if you can take it ♪
♪ All about your debt And if you can pay it ♪
♪ It's all about pain And who's gonna make it ♪
[Michael] Thirteen-times Triple H has held the world championship.
The Game would like to make it 14 tonight by taking it
from the man he has more personal animosity
more than anybody in his entire life,
that being Randy Orton.
[singer] ♪ I am the game And I make the rules ♪
[Michael] But let's not forget about the rivalry
that has developed between Triple H and John Cena.
[Jerry] That's right.
Triple H certainly would love to take the title from Randy Orton
but he wouldn't mind taking it from John Cena either.
["The Game" continue playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] Listen to this explosion.
[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] That's the man that-- maybe invented The Game face.
[Michael] Just six nights ago at Monday Night Raw,
Triple H and John Cena were partners,
but tonight at Night of Champions,
it is every man for himself for the most important,
the most prestigious title in all the WWE.
[Jerry] Boy, I wouldn't have it and they wouldn't have it any other way.
[singer] ♪ It's all about control And if you can take it ♪
[Jerry] What a match this is gonna be.
[Michael] Triple H said he will fight like his life depends on it tonight.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Perhaps no one in history
has been a prouder champion than The Game.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chatter]
[Jerry] And then the champion is making them wait.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chattering]
[singer] ♪ I hear voices in my head ♪
♪ They council me, they understand ♪
♪ They talk to me ♪
["Voices" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Randy Orton claims that history will repeat itself tonight
in one of the greatest main events in the history of WrestleMania.
At WrestleMania XXIV,
Randy Orton defeated both Triple H and John Cena
in a Triple Threat match for the WWE Championship.
Orton seems confident it's gonna happen again
or, King, is he just trying to convince himself that it's gonna happen?
[Jerry] Well [laughing]
we gotta remember, it's every man for himself.
The first man that gains a pinfall or submission
is gonna be the victor
and that's what is in the back of the mind of Randy Orton.
Just look at Randy Orton.
Anybody that thinks there's some good in everybody
has obviously never met Randy Orton.
[Michael] And Orton said tonight that he's counting on the egos
of Triple H and John Cena to cancel each other out.
[singer] ♪ They show me things I'll do to you ♪
♪ They talk to me ♪
♪ Talk to me, talk to me ♪
♪ Talk to me! ♪
[Jerry] We have seen this young man demonstrate in the past
that there may not be one shred of human decency in him.
[Michael] He's called The Apex Predator of WWE.
Among his prey, "The Game" Triple H,
who Randy Orton cost weeks and months of his career
when he kicked him in the head a number of months ago.
And we know the history between Orton and Cena over the years.
Both men with personal issues with Randy Orton.
[Jerry] Well, all these--
all three competitors literally glaring at each other
and Orton's got to keep in mind that we have to realize as well.
Orton doesn't have to be pinned
or he doesn't have to submit to lose the title.
[singer] ♪ They talk to me ♪
[Michael] And Randy Orton beholding the WWE Championship high
for everyone to see here tonight for the last time.
[singer] ♪ Talk to me, talk to me, talk to me! ♪
["Voices" continue playing]
Introducing first, the challengers.
From West Newbury, Massachusetts,
weighing in at 240 pounds,
John Cena!
[crowd cheering]
And from Greenwich, Connecticut,
weighing in at 255 pounds,
Triple H!
[crowd cheering]
From Saint Louis, Missouri,
weighing in at 245 pounds,
he is the WWE Champion,
Randy Orton.
[crowd cheering, booing]
[Jerry] Well, a mixed reaction as you would expect
for both John Cena and The Game,
but pretty much unanimous a standing boo for Randy Orton.
[Michael] Ladies and gentlemen, 46 years ago,
Buddy Rogers won the first WWE Championship.
Since then, it has been held by the greatest stars
in the history of World Wrestling Entertainment.
Among those, the likes of Bruno Sammartino and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin,
and Pedro Morales and Hulk Hogan,
The Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, The Rock,
-and of course… -[bell ringing]
…the three men in this ring right now.
[Jerry] Here we go.
[Michael] Triple Threat match for the WWE title.
First man to gain pinfall or submission wins the championship.
[crowd chattering]
[Jerry] You gotta avoid mistakes at all costs.
Look at Orton.
[crowd booing]
[Michael] Slithering out of the ring in the early going.
Let's go [speaking indistinctly] Randy.
[crowd chatter]
[Michael] Now, will Cena and Triple H take the bait here, King?
Is Orton trying to bait them?
-[Jerry] Well, of course. -[Michael] By taking each other out.
[Jerry] Of course, that's what Orton's got in mind.
[crowd chatter]
[Jerry] And it's not gonna work.
[Michael] No, not at all.
And now Orton is cornered.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] And this is not a good situation for the champ here to say the least.
[Jerry laughs]
[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] Randy Orton right in front of our announce table
and now back in the ring,
as did Cena and The Game.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Orton realized, as he went into this match,
that he gets two of his greatest enemies.
And Orton, here's Triple H.
The first blow struck to the champion.
[crowd chatter]
-[Michael] And John Cena is right there… -[Jerry] Whoa!
…to make Orton pay.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] And whether they are planning on or they're not, King,
Cena and Triple H working as--
quite a tandem in the early going.
[Jerry] Well, I think all these three competitors
know each other so well.
Cena fully expecting that Randy Orton would try to exit the ring if he could
to avoid the punishment from The Game but--
Well, Cena was right there waiting on him.
[Michael] Triple H unloading.
[Jerry] Oh, man.
[Michael] And John Cena.
-[Jerry] Look out! -[Michael] Bulldog.
And Orton is like a ball in a pinball machine right now.
[Jerry] Yeah, but this coexistence may stop
the first time someone covers Randy Orton.
[crowd chattering]
[Jerry] Orton certainly reeling right now early on.
[Michael] Oh, not sure quite what hit him.
And John Cena not gonna allow Orton to retreat.
[crowd chattering]
[man] Kick his head off.
[Jerry] That would be the easy way out
if Orton could try to run and get counted out of this match.
[Michael] Again, first man to gain pinfall or submission
will win the championship.
There is no count-out, no disqualification in this type of matchup.
Cena and Triple H having their way with Orton.
-[Jerry] The pin or submission… -[Michael] Uh-oh.
…must take place in the ring-- Oh, no.
[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] Well, that was an--
certainly an advantageous turn of events there for Randy Orton.
Triple H in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Cena knocked off that ring apron,
landing right-- it looked like face to face with--
shoulder to shoulder into The Game.
[Michael] Well, Orton perhaps perceiving that John Cena
was the weaker of the two,
gonna go right after Cena
-for this first assault-- -[Jerry] Once again, look at this.
[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] The Game, as I said, wrong place at the wrong time,
looks up and sees an incoming John Cena.
[Michael] While Triple H was down and out,
Randy Orton successfully made this a one-on-one matchup
for the time being.
[Jerry] Oh, and look at Orton go to work.
[Michael] And for Randy Orton…
[crowd chanting] Cena, Cena, Cena.
[Michael] I mean, there are 18,000 WWE fans in the corner of Cena.
[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] Well, then Randy Orton trying to take this huge crowd
out of the equation here
staying on top of John Cena.
[Michael] Triple H trying to get back in the matchup…
wisely keeping it a two-man match as of now.
For Orton, it would be wise to try to end this thing as quick as possible.
[Jerry] Oh, without a doubt right now if need be.
-Oh. -[Michael] John Cena, building momentum.
And the gritty and determined Cena
is right back in it.
[Jerry] Oh, look out here-- Oh.
[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] And it would also be advantageous for John Cena
to try to end this thing early.
[chuckles]
John Cena enjoys this mixed reaction he gets, the "You can't see me."
Time for a little Five Knuckle Shuffle. Oh.
[Michael] And John Cena could be closing in
on the WWE Championship.
Randy Orton, Attitude Adjustment time.
Could Randy Orton be in trouble?
It's Triple H--
-every man for himself… -[Jerry] Oh.
…takes out Cena.
And from behind, look at Orton.
-Orton is stalking. -[Jerry] Watch your back, Game.
[Michael] Stalking The Game with a clothesline.
Cover, hooks the leg.
Orton-- No, he didn't retain.
[Jerry] You cannot forget for one moment
that you have not one but two opponents.
Every man for himself.
Boy, John Cena taking a hard shoulder first into that ring post.
[Michael] And Randy Orton begins the methodical assault.
There is absolutely no absence of malice when it comes to Orton.
[Jerry] No.
[crowd chatter]
[Jerry] Once again a reminder,
no disqualification, no count-out.
[Michael] Oh, what a dropkick on the chin.
[Jerry] Randy Orton…
-[Michael] Crawls to the cover. -…taking just about
-anything he wants [speaks indistinctly] -[Michael] Triple H…
Two.
…at two has to power out.
You saw Orton--
To your point, King, you saw him pulling the hair of Triple H,
bringing Triple H back into position.
[Jerry] In this reverse chinlock,
at this point, Randy Orton doesn't have to worry
whether or not it slides down, it grips the neck.
It cuts off the oxygen and chokes Triple H until he has to tap out.
The referee can't break the hold.
[Michael] Now, if Randy Orton can knock Triple H out,
it'd be a pretty easy cover, wouldn't it?
[Jerry] Yup…
if he choked him out.
[Michael] Triple H needs to get back to a vertical base, trying to do that,
but Orton has just got it cinched in.
[Jerry] You see The Game trying to turn to his left,
trying to turn face him,
and to get that pressure off of his throat.
He's done it.
[Michael] Well, there's never been any quitting Triple H
and it's not gonna happen here tonight.
[Jerry] These two guys literally throwing bombs.
Who's gonna land the last haymaker?
-Oh. -[Michael] Scoop Slam, quickly like that.
And did you see the way that Triple H's back bent?
[Jerry] Triple H landing hard, but Orton…
[Michael] And there are those biting, icy eyes,
the venomous look from Orton.
[Jerry] Watch once again as this-- as you said, look at that--oh.
-[Michael] Look at that -[Jerry] That awkward landing.
And now The Viper…
is about to strike.
[Michael] RKO.
-[Jerry] No. -[Michael] Triple H countered.
But Orton was right there for a moment.
Triple H with a DDT.
-[Jerry] Oh. -[Michael] And suddenly,
Orton and Triple H are down.
And it could be John Cena's turn.
[Jerry] And The Game just literally planted Randy Orton skull-first
into that ring floor.
And what's Cena got in mind?
[Michael] John Cena all 240 pounds to the top rope.
Triple H, Orton in trouble.
-[Jerry] Look out. -[Michael] Leg drop,
I believe caught both men.
[Jerry] I think John Cena hit them both.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Triple H struggling back to his feet, Orton as well.
And John Cena looking to take over the match.
Triple Threat match for the WWE title.
-[Jerry] John Cena -[Michael] Oh, wow.
-[Jerry] Oh. -[Michael] Neckbreaker.
And keep in the back of your mind, I'm sure Orton knows
the surgically repaired neck of John Cena.
[Jerry] Well, that was the best thing that could've happened
to Cena right there, to roll out of the ring
because he would have been in a precarious situation.
[Michael] And Triple H going for Pedigree.
Going for the Pedigree.
-[Jerry] Whoa. -[Michael] And it's Orton getting control.
And suddenly, the WWE Champion buys himself precious time to regroup.
[crowd chatter]
[Jerry] Orton better take advantage of this.
But in actuality, if he'd have the opportunity
to get either Triple H or Cena back in the ring,
both of those guys are hurting.
-[Michael] Again, no-- -[Jerry] Orton can take advantage
of this possibility.
[Michael] Again, no count-out.
[Jerry] Well, the referee doesn't even start to count.
[crowd chatter]
[Michael] John Cena, he's trying to wheel himself back in the match,
-but he almost -[Jerry] I think he just kicked.
[Michael] Oh, look at-- look at--look at this.
Oh, no, not-- That's a both.
-[Jerry] What? -[Michael] Randy Orton.
[Jerry] Are you kidding me?
[Michael] Oh, and Triple H and Cena counters.
-[Jerry] No. Look out. -[Michael] And there goes Orton.
-[crowd cheering] -[Jerry laughs]
Orton thought he was gonna pull off the coup of the century there
by dropping both The Game and Cena on their heads.
But it didn't work.
[Michael] And look who are left in the ring.
[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] Well, it's every man for himself.
[Michael] Remember their match to determine
the number one contender a number of weeks ago?
It was never concluded
when Legacy interrupted.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chatter]
[Jerry] Whoa.
[Michael] And Cena said no way as Triple H went to mock Cena.
And here we go.
[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] Man.
Oh.
[Michael] Listen to the WWE Universe.
[Jerry] Both these guys hitting each other with everything they've got.
Oh, The Game drops to one knee…
-[Michael] Oh. -…comes right back up.
Cena lifting.
[Jerry] Cena ducking under.
[Michael] Vintage Cena off the shoulder block.
[Jerry] Another one.
[Michael] And John Cena--
oh, for a moment, but there's the high knee,
a trademark of Triple H.
[Jerry] And Cena ran face-first right into it.
Reversal.
-Oh. -[Michael] Oh, face-first goes Cena.
And now, it's Cena…
[Jerry] Both these men countering each other's…
-…back in control. -…best stuff here, but The Game,
head-first into the ring mat.
[Michael] It is indeed every man for himself.
[Jerry] Here it is.
[Michael] Going for the Attitude Adjustment.
Triple H counters, now goes for the Pedigree.
-[Jerry] No. -[Michael] Cena counters
for the STF perhaps.
-[Jerry] No. -[Michael] Triple H counters.
[Jerry] Uh-oh.
[Michael] Attitude Adjustment again.
Spinebuster.
[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] Triple H, the first man to actually hit one of his patented moves.
He may be about to finish off John Cena.
Looking for that Pedigree, I'm sure.
[Michael] Going for a Pedigree a second time.
John Cena's in trouble.
Triple H connects.
And The Game could be closing in on a 14-time title reign.
Here's the cover and Randy Orton saves the matchup.
[Jerry] Orton lying in wait.
[Michael] Remember Triple Threat rules,
a pinfall there, Triple H would have been champion.
-[Jerry] Oh, look out. -[Michael] And Orton…
[Jerry] Oh. Oh.
…realizing his title is in terrible jeopardy here,
begins what looks to be a venomous assault.
[Jerry] What is Orton doing here? Oh.
Get inside the ring, Orton.
[Michael] He looked at Triple H, glanced back at Cena,
almost like he's surveying the landscape, King,
to try to decide which one of these men is the weaker of the two.
[Jerry] Watch it here. Oh.
[crowd chatter]
Come on, Orton. Get back in the ring.
-[Jerry] Man. -Get inside the ring.
Come on.
[Michael] Orton, glancing back to this other opponent, Cena,
to make sure he doesn't stir…
as Randy Orton now stalks Triple H.
Oh, and a low blow, perfectly legal.
[Jerry] No disqualification.
[Michael] Triple H going for the Pedigree.
-[Jerry] On the table-- Oh! -[Michael] John Cena from out of nowhere.
[Jerry] Well--
[Michael] And Orton tossed into the crowd.
-[Jerry] Oh, my gosh. -[Michael] Randy Orton.
And now it's down to Triple H and Cena
on this announce table just to our left.
Triple H, John Cena.
Look at--look at--look at.
-[Jerry] STF. -[Michael] STF. STF.
-Can he lock it in? -[Jerry] It is locked in.
[Michael] And Cena's locked it in.
Will Triple H tap out?
[Jerry] Well, he can't tap out outside of the ring, can he?
[Michael] I don't-- Okay. I mean, he's got him there.
And Randy Orton makes sure it doesn't happen.
Chaos.
[Jerry] I don't know, but I think it's my understanding
a submission or pinfall would have to take place in the ring.
-[Michael] Have to take place in the ring. -[Jerry] Yes.
[Michael] And look at Orton.
[Jerry] Nonetheless, damage done to Triple H.
[Michael] Now Cena and Orton exchanging blows.
Again, it is a two-man matchup.
Triple H is down and out outside the ring.
[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] Randy Orton is just relentless.
Reversal.
-[Michael] Oh. -[Jerry] Oh.
How cold, how calculating.
[Michael] That's what Orton's all about.
A heartless champion, but successful.
RKO?
-[Jerry] No. -[Michael] Cena countered.
[Jerry] What strength.
Still, Cena had the strength left in him some way to just…
just toss Randy Orton through the air.
[Michael] This is Night of Champions
and three of the greatest champions in WWE history
involved in a classic Triple Threat match.
[Jerry] John Cena got something in mind here.
Oh [speaks indistinctly] Randy Orton.
Now, Orton is helpless up there right now.
Straddle across that top turnbuckle.
[Michael] It's not often you see John Cena climb the ropes,
not once, but twice in a match.
And Cena doing it again.
Triple H gets himself back into the ring.
What does Triple H have in mind?
[Jerry] Wait a minute.
He's underneath John Cena.
[Michael] For a moment.
Cena went for the Attitude Adjustment.
Triple H going yet again for a Pedigree.
John Cena…
-slingshot. -[Jerry] Oh. Oh. Oh, no.
Orton…
falling,
-a direct hit. -[Michael] And look at--look at--look at--
Triple H center of the ring. John Cena, going for the STF.
Look at Triple H trying to fight.
Look at him trying to fight his way out of this.
That's locked in.
[Jerry] He's got it.
[Michael] Will Triple H tap out?
Will John Cena win the WWE title?
[Jerry] Orton is helpless.
[Michael] Triple H scrapping and scrambling.
[Jerry] Look at the way The Game's leg has been.
How can he take this punishment?
-[Michael] Look at Triple H. -[Jerry] Look at this.
[Michael] The power of The Game,
but he's in trouble in the center of the ring.
Orton's helpless in the corner.
Triple H may tap out to Cena.
[Jerry] Look at Triple H's foot.
Cena could break his leg.
[Triple H screams]
[Michael] Triple H trying to power his way out of this.
And Cena back down, wrestlers Triple H back down on the mat again.
But Triple H close to the ropes, John Cena realizing that.
[Jerry] And he pulls The Game back to the center of the ring
and reapplies it.
-[Michael] Yes, he does. -[Jerry] Yes.
[Michael] Randy Orton has freed himself.
And Randy Orton-- Oh, no.
Randy Orton, look at the look in his eyes.
[Jerry] Look out.
-Here comes Orton. -[Michael] Oh, my God. And for a punt.
For a punt.
And John Cena--
And here's the cover,
-shoulders down and a kickout. -[Jerry] Oh.
[Michael] Oh, and Orton with a wicked clothesline.
And I'm--
But Orton missed that kick, King, but…
[Jerry] Well, he missed the kick because John Cena
released Triple H at the last second.
[Michael] It almost looked like John Cena
forced Triple H's skull down into the mat,
creating that void in which Randy Orton missed with the punt.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Cena perhaps saving Triple H,
but also saving the matchup for himself. Watch this.
[Jerry] Let's see as we watch this one more time.
You're right.
[crowd] One, two…
[Jerry] The Game was actually spared by John Cena.
[Michael] And now both Triple H and John Cena are down.
And Randy Orton realizes
that he may have the pick of the litter,
as he begins the methodical stump.
[Jerry] Orton gonna certainly take advantage of this situation.
Both Cena and Triple H flat on their back.
[Michael] Very unsettling moment here.
[Jerry] Orton trying to make it where neither one of these men
will be able to get to their feet.
Working on the legs. Look at this.
Oh.
[crowd chanting] Cena! Cena! Cena
[Michael] Every single move done with a purpose.
[crowd chanting] Cena! Cena! Cena
[Michael] Orton relishing almost in this.
[Jerry] Oh, without a doubt.
That Cena chant working against John Cena right now
because it's just fueling the fire
that's built inside Randy Orton.
[Michael] Well, remember what Orton said earlier, King,
that maybe one day, the WWE Universe will stop disrespecting him.
[Jerry] You gotta earn respect.
Well, I've never seen Randy Orton do one thing to earn respect.
[Michael] I've never seen Orton as maliciously as he's been
over the past minute or two in this attack.
[Michael] And Triple H rolls out of the way,
perhaps the opening that both men,
Cena and Triple H need to go down to the leg.
[Jerry] Well, it looked like Orton hurt his right knee
when he missed that knee drop and then
Cena took out the left knee. Oh.
[Michael] And Triple H, "The Cerebral Assassin,"
focusing on the leg.
And again, in a weird sort of way, King, this entire match has gone full circle
because it's almost as if Cena and Triple H have worked in tandem here
over the past few seconds.
[Jerry] Well, I think Orton just personally
made a mistake in strategy a moment ago.
-Oh. -[Michael] So much for that.
Triple H, every man for himself.
[Jerry] Well, that's exactly right.
But moments ago, I think Orton…
missed out on more than one opportunity when he didn't try to pin
either The Game or Cena when he had them down.
[Michael] And Triple H, what in the world is he doing?
[Jerry] Figure-four? No, Sharpshooter.
-[Michael] Yes. -[Jerry] Yes.
[Michael] Yes.
The Sharpshooter!
[Jerry] And it's locked in.
[Michael] The submission maneuver.
And Randy Orton realizing he's in trouble.
[Jerry] Oh, look at the pain racking
on the face of Randy Orton.
[Michael] Hey, listen to him. Listen to him.
What do you say, Orton?
Give it up?
-Do you want me to [speaks indistinctly] -[Michael] Orton in no man's land.
[Jerry] And screaming in pain.
[Michael] Trying to get to the bottom rope.
The WWE title slipping through his fingertips.
[screams]
[Jerry] Oh!
Orton being dragged further away
-from his salvation. -[Michael] Look at Cena.
What is Cena doing?
[Jerry] What in the world?
-[Michael] What -[Jerry] Oh, my God.
[Michael] What have we-- The STF and a crossface.
[Jerry] This is it. Orton can't last.
[Michael] A Sharpshooter. Orton's tapping out.
-[Jerry] And he's tapped. -[Michael] Orton's tapping out.
[Jerry] But wait a minute.
Who's he tapping out to?
[Randy screaming]
[Jerry] The Sharpshooter or the STF?
[Michael] The ref's gotta make some sort of decision here.
It looked like the referee was gonna call for the bell.
-[Jerry] Well, in the meantime… -[Michael] And look at this,
Rhodes and DiBiase,
Orton's accomplices.
Legacy.
[crowd booing]
[Michael] And the referee is powerless to do anything about this assault.
There's no disqualification.
[Jerry] I don't know what to think of this,
but Orton is absolutely helpless in the ring.
He's devastated,
but now, Rhodes and DiBiase down here to take out
both The Game and Cena.
[Michael] Listen to Rhodes.
[Michael] Is he all right? No, he's not all right. Are you crazy?
-[Michael] And John Cena -[Jerry] Look out.
[Michael] Attitude Adjustment.
-RKO. -[Jerry] Oh, my God.
[Michael] RKO by Orton from out of nowhere.
Randy Orton just sacrificed Cody Rhodes
for his own gain.
-[bell ringing] -[Michael] Orton retains the WWE title.
[Lilian] Here is your winner and still the WWE Champion,
Randy Orton.
["Voices" playing]
[Michael] Again, with the help of Legacy.
[singer] ♪ You got your rules And your religion ♪
♪ All designed to keep you safe ♪
-♪ But when rules start getting broken ♪ -[Michael] Unbelievable.
[Jerry] How did Orton survive this?
[Michael] You know what, King, on a night we're supposed
to be celebrating champions,
a man with the most prestigious WWE title,
Randy Orton retains the championship like that.
[singer] ♪ I hear voices cryin' ♪
♪ I see heroes dyin' ♪
[Michael] I don't know why I'm surprised anymore.
[Jerry] Let's look at this once more.
The Game has the Sharpshooter.
Cena has the STF locked in.
The referee didn't know what to do.
[Michael] And then the assault by Rhodes and DiBiase.
And watch how Randy Orton sacrifices Cody Rhodes.
He didn't care about Rhodes here, used it to his advantage.
[Jerry] It's a picture-perfect RKO
and then rolls John Cena over for the pin.
Man, oh, man.
[singer] ♪ All the doctors are disease ♪
♪ And the preachers all are sinners ♪
[Michael] Cena and Triple H shocked.
[Jerry] I think every one of these nearly 18,000 fans are shocked.
[Michael] I'm shocked,
disappointed.
[singer] ♪ Politicians all are liars ♪
♪ I see darkness fallin' ♪
♪ I hear voices callin' ♪
♪ I feel justice crawlin' ♪
♪ I see faith has fallen ♪
♪ I hear voices in my head ♪
♪ They council me ♪
♪ They understand ♪
♪ They talk to me ♪
♪ They tell me things that I will do ♪
♪ They show me things I'll do to you ♪
♪ They talk to me ♪
♪ Talk to me, talk to me, talk to me ♪
[Michael] Again, King, as you mentioned, the referee completely confused,
didn't know what to do here.
John Cena puts half the STF on it.
[Jerry] And then, look, watch Orton tap out.
[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] He's submitting right here, but to whom?
-[Michael] Well, you know what… -[Jerry] To which hold?
…just a couple of minutes later--
a couple of moments later, it all became moot,
because Legacy made sure.
He tapped out, ref.
[Michael] Here's Cena screaming, "He tapped out ref."
"He tapped out, ref." But it didn't matter.
[Jerry] And then once again,
John Cena about to put that--
Uh, that's a--that's hard to watch.
That almost--that had almost break John Cena's neck.
[Michael] Well, ladies and gentlemen, the bottom line is this for Randy Orton.
[singer] ♪ They talk to me ♪
[Michael] History did repeat itself
for the WWE Champion Randy Orton
at Night of Champions.
[singer] ♪ But when rules start getting broken ♪
♪ You start questioning your faith ♪
[crowd cheering]
Need some help stretching?
No.
Oh, I can't wait to watch you in action later on tonight.
It's going to be awesome.
Well, maybe if you meet me after my match, I'll show you my other moves.
[chuckles] Oh, yeah.
Oh, no.
You didn't win the United States Championship tonight.
And I don't want to be seen with a loser.
A loser?
Who do you think you are?
I get the whole hard-to-get thing, but enough is enough.
I'm The Miz.
I can get any girl I want.
And you're gonna talk to me like that?
I wasted my time last week with you
so you could--so you could blast Mickie in the face with your little perfume
and what did I get out of it?
Nothing. I got--
Hey, listen I'm a champion, so don't--
You're not a champion, you're a tease.
And one day, you're gonna lose that championship,
could be tonight.
And you're gonna come crawling back. You're gonna beg to be with me.
That's gonna be too late.
You had your chance, but you butchered it
just like you butchered the English language
every time you open your mouth.
Au revoir, Maryse.
[Michael] Now, ladies and gentlemen, tonight,
Night of Champions in Philadelphia.
There's the famous Ben Franklin Bridge
connecting Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Camden, New Jersey
just across the Delaware River,
and the stars are out tonight at Night of Champions.
[Jerry] Oh, you think that's a sight. What about this?
There's Chilli, formerly of TLC and her son Tron in the house.
[Michael] Yeah. We're talking to Tron earlier on today.
What a huge member of the WWE Universe.
[Jerry] I got a kiss from Chilli earlier today.
-[Michael] No, you didn't? -[Jerry] I did, too.
[bell ringing]
[Lilian] This next match is set for one fall,
and it is for the Divas Championship.
-["Obsession" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Lilian] Introducing the challenger from Richmond, Virginia,
Mickie James.
[Michael] Now, Mickie James is all fired up and ready to go tonight,
especially after what happened this past Monday night on Raw.
Mickie James is all set to be interviewed by our colleague, Josh Matthews,
and just when she got started,
she was interrupted.
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome my guest at this time,
she's a four-time Women's Champion,
-Mickie James. -Hi, Josh. Thank you.
[Michael] And look who arrived on the scene.
-[Jerry] Yeah, Maryse. -[Michael] The Divas Champion, Maryse.
[Jerry] I thought that we would hear Maryse maybe talk some smack,
but no, Maryse had other idea,
spraying something, maybe hairspray, perfume,
I don't know what, but into the eyes of Mickie James.
-What a cheap shot. -[crowd booing]
[Michael] Now Mickie James claims that that woman, Maryse, needs a reality check.
Walking around like she owns the place, in Mickie's words,
perhaps that reality check would come tonight.
["Pourquoi?" playing]
[Lilian] And from Montreal, Quebec, Canada,
she is the Divas champion, Maryse.
[Michael] A lot of people have claimed that Maryse is scared of Mickie James.
That she can't beat Mickie.
[Jerry] Michael, why do you continue to pronounce it Maryse when it's Maryse?
[Michael] I'm not that, you know, learned in the Canadian vernacular.
[Jerry] Canadian? She's French.
[Michael] French Canadian.
Nonetheless, how do you pronounce--
[Jerry] I haven't seen you eaten French fries?
[Michael] How do you pronounce it?
[Jerry] Have you never had a French kiss?
Maryse, Maryse.
[Michael] Maryse, Maryse.
Nonetheless, the rumor is that
she's scared of defending that title against Mickie James.
However, she does own a victory over Mickie James
in a tag team match a couple of weeks ago.
This is for the Divas Championship.
["Pourquoi?" playing]
[Michael] Maryse bringing the Divas title…
over to Raw from SmackDown in the draft back in April.
[Jerry] And the referee gonna have his hand full in this.
-The bell. -[bell ringing]
[Jerry] Almost like a cat fight sometimes.
[Michael] Well, Mickie's got to keep her, uh, emotions in check.
Maryse has done a lot to play the mind games
in the past few weeks.
Mickie's beat Maryse a few times
over the past couple of months, non-title matchups.
[Michael] Mickie, a four-time Women's Champion,
but Mickie doesn't brag about those accolades
unlike her competitor, Maryse,
who's often been called pompous and boastful.
[Jerry] Who called Maryse, Maryse, pompous and boastful?
-Was that you? -[Michael] No.
Many people and divas locker room.
I did talk to some of the divas believe it or not, King.
[Jerry] But don't try to make me think you hang out in the divas locker room.
-[Michael] And Maryse-- -[Jerry] There you go.
[Michael] And, you know, Mickie is aggressive in her own right.
She gotta--she gotta take that lion down.
[Jerry] And a handful of Maryse's hair.
[man] Let's go, Mickie!
-[Michael] All you have to do… -What about that?
…if you wanna find out…
-how good Maryse is, just ask her. -One, two, three.
[Jerry] Well, Maryse keeps swinging and swinging
that pretty blonde hair of hers.
-Look at this move. -[Michael] Look at Mickie James.
Wow. And Maryse just kicks out.
Mickie James mentioned four-time Women's Champion,
won one of those titles right here in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
a few years ago.
[Jerry] She would love more than anything to become five-time
Women's Champion here tonight.
[Michael] Well, she would love to do that if she was on SmackDown,
but since this is for the Divas title,
she's trying to become only the second women,
woman I should say, as Mickie goes into the cover,
-hooks the leg and a kickout. -No count. Shoulders down.
[Michael] Mickie trying to become the second woman
to be both Divas Champion and Women's Champion.
[Jerry] I hate it when you correct me.
[Michael] I hate to do it.
And look at Mickie James as Maryse counters.
[Jerry] Oh, man.
A couple more of those elbows right into the face of Maryse
and she'll be experiencing an extreme makeover.
Oh.
-[Michael] Did you hear that? -[Jerry] Yes, I did.
That was right to the side of Mickie's head I think.
[Michael] Mickie could be out cold.
Count.
-One… -[Michael] And now…
-the referee begins to count. -…two…
Remember, if Mickie does not make it back in before the count of ten,
Maryse will, uh, retain the Divas Championship.
-…four… -[Jerry] Maryse having trouble
-not limping on that leg… -…five…
…as she kicked Mickie James so hard.
-Watch this. -[Michael] Oh, wow.
She may hurt herself.
[Jerry] Yes, she did hurt herself, but she hurt Mickie a lot more.
-…seven… -[Jerry] Count to seven.
-Referee up to… -…eight.
[Michael] Well, Mickie has got to get back in before ten,
slides into the bottom rope.
-[Jerry] She's in trouble though. -Off the hair.
No.
Off the hair.
[Michael] Maryse loves to trash talk, doesn't she?
You think you've won it?
[Jerry] I would love to listen to that for a while.
[Michael] Hello. [whooshes]
[Jerry laughing]
[Michael] Oh, and Mickie with a forearm to the jaw,
trying to battle back into this match for the Divas Championship
here at Night of Champions,
over 17,700 in attendance.
Of course, millions watching all over the world here tonight.
[Jerry] Well, Maryse on a roll here.
[Michael] Into the cover, shoulders down, Mickie James' great counter.
-Unique. -Check!
[crowd chatter]
[Jerry] Maryse admonishing the referee.
She didn't like his-- And this-- He considers it a slow count.
[Michael] The long legs of Maryse on display.
Let's go.
[Michael] She continues to wear down Mickie James.
What you say? Are you gonna give it up?
No.
[Jerry] Oh.
Adding a little injury to insult or insult to injury here.
[man] Come on, Mickie.
[Jerry] Slapping and rubbing Mickie James' face in the mat.
[Michael] Now, Maryse heard all those rumors
about how she was scared to face Mickie
and I think she wants to make a point here tonight.
No.
[Michael] Send a message to the rest of the divas back in the Raw locker room
[Jerry] Well, she's sending a message.
She's showing that she's not afraid of Mickie James,
but by the same token,
she hasn't shown that she can beat Mickie James.
[Michael] See Mickie grab the back of her leg, the hamstring area?
You think you're [speaks indistinctly] and you think you're that good?
Two…
-[crowd chatter] -…three…
[Michael] Uh-oh.
Look at it, King.
[Jerry] It's the can of that same stuff she sprayed into the
-[Michael] It's like Monday night on Raw. -[Jerry] Yup.
[Michael] And Mickie James, this time, has a counter for it.
Hey, no. Put it down. Put it down.
[Jerry] Whoa.
[Michael] Mickie's got to be careful here.
[referee] Hey, come on. Put it down.
No, no.
You're not gonna use it, back in the ring.
-[Michael] Uh-oh. -[Jerry] Well, that may have been
the best thing that could have happened to Mickie
because I would think that the referee would have disqualified Mickie James.
[Michael] And Maryse would've retained the Divas Championship.
[Jerry] If that's a can of hairspray and had Mickie sprayed that into the eyes…
…four…
…Maryse, she would have been disqualified.
[crowd chatter]
[Michael] What does Mickie have in mind?
[Jerry] Going to the top.
High-risk, go.
[Michael] And nobody home.
[Jerry] Nope.
[Michael] And the Divas Champion looks to put this one away
and retain her championship.
Two.
[Michael] Mickie bridges out at the count of two,
and Maryse again…
hammers away.
Off of it.
[Jerry] Referee gonna have to be a little more stern on, uh, Maryse I think,
just throwing those closed fists.
-What do you say? You wanna give it up? -No.
[Michael] Yeah. This could be a submission maneuver.
Maryse always still talking trash to Mickie.
[Jerry] Well, I think Maryse feels like
she's got this thing well in hand right now
and from the looks of things, she does.
She can talk smack all she wants to right now.
[Michael] Oh, if she wins this match…
[Jerry] Oh, we'll never hear the end of it.
[Michael] Yeah. And she'd been walking around like she owns the place,
but Mickie James said she could do it anyway.
[Jerry] Yeah. Maryse already walked around like she owns the place.
[Michael] Look at Mickie trying to power back.
Maryse in trouble. This could be the opening Mickie needs.
Both divas are down.
[crowd cheering]
[Jerry] Mickie looking a little worse for wear.
Oh.
[Michael] Almost a look of disgust there on the face of Maryse.
[both grunt]
[Jerry] Mickie coming right back now,
trying to answer every move that Maryse is putting out there.
-Whoa! -[Michael] Oh, and here comes Mickie.
[Jerry] Running forearm.
Oh, man. Mickie runs right into that knee.
Midsection.
[Michael] And probably Mickie James is trying to get back in this
and she's building momentum.
[Jerry] Mickie, I think, ready to just throw caution to the wind.
She's gonna go for-- Oh, she hit it.
Neckbreaker.
[Michael] And Mickie James to the cover.
Will she win the Divas Championship?
Hooks the leg again and Maryse kicks out at two.
[referee] Two.
[Michael] A little bit frustrated Mickie James there.
[Jerry] Well, I think there was sort of a mindset
on the part of Mickie James that she is just gonna come in here
and do to Maryse what she's done a couple of times in the past
and beat her without too much problem.
[Michael] Now, Maryse loves being Divas Champion,
there's no doubt about that.
And Mickie James.
[Jerry] There's a nice move.
Oh, and look at--
[Michael] I think Mickie was trying to put Maryse away, and counter.
Again, a kickout by Mickie James.
[Jerry] A good back and forth action here.
Both these young ladies want this match.
[Michael] All for the Divas Championship.
[Jerry] Oh.
[Michael] Maryse taking a little but too much time,
Mickie James top rope.
[Jerry] Well, watch out.
Oh!
[Michael] Uh-oh, Maryse, looking to put Mickie away,
and Mickie James counters.
And there goes the Divas Champion.
Mickie James into the cover, hooks the leg,
-shoulders are down. -[referee] One, two, three.
[Michael] Mickie James has won the Divas Championship.
["Obsession" playing]
[Lilian] Here is your winner and the new Divas Champion,
Mickie James.
[Jerry] Wow.
[Michael] And Mickie James now joins SmackDown's Michelle McCool
as the only two divas
to have ever held both the Women's Championship
and the Divas Championship.
Congratulations to Mickie James here tonight at Night of Champions.
[Jerry] Well, though it wasn't easy,
but Mickie hung on, she hung in and…
finally got the victory.
[Michael] A victorious Mickie James,
the new Divas Champion.
Ladies and gentlemen, I'm joined now by Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase.
[crowd booing]
Ted, Cody, tonight, you guys failed on your bid to become the unified tag--
You know, that is so typical of you people.
You harp on the negative.
What do you think people will remember more tonight, Josh?
The fact that we didn't win the tag titles yet,
or the fact that Randy Orton is still the WWE Champion?
Randy Orton won, yes,
but more specifically Triple H and John Cena
they lost.
In that respect, Ted and myself, we have a great sense of accomplishment.
I mean, that's what this is all about, step by step,
we're cementing our legacy.
Well, I guess congratulations to all the champions tonight,
every championship match
or every championship title on the line tonight
including the Intercontinental title, which belongs to Rey Mysterio.
Should be a great night,
and what an opportunity for Dolph Ziggler tonight
against one of the all-time greats.
[Todd] Rey Mysterio, the incomparable high-flyer
will square off against Dolph Ziggler
who's searching for his first ever singles championship.
And to get it, all Dolph has to do
is beat one of the greatest WWE superstars of all time.
[Jerry] The biggest little man in the WWE.
[Michael] The sensational Intercontinental Champion.
[Ross] The electrifying Rey Mysterio.
[Rey] Rey Mysterio will keep representing for all of you
by being one of the greatest Intercontinental Champions of all time.
[Ross] Rey's commitment and his passion to the WWE Universe is unparalleled.
[Jerry] Certainly one of the most popular superstars in the history of the WWE.
[Rey] I know that there's a lot of hungry guys
that would love the opportunity at becoming Intercontinental Champion.
[Dolph] My name is Dolph Ziggler.
It is a name that you…
will never forget.
[dramatic music playing]
[Rey] You think you're the first hotshot on the block?
You seriously think you can beat me?
I have beaten better than you.
If you really think you stand a chance with me,
why don't you put up your Intercontinental Championship
at Night of Champions?
[Rey] If that means getting my hands on you one-on-one
and showing that you are not on my level,
you got yourself a title match.
[Dolph] After Night of Champions,
you're all going to know me as Dolph Ziggler
Intercontinental Champion.
[tense music playing]
[bell ringing]
[Justin] This bout set for one fall
is for the Intercontinental Championship.
-["I am Perfection" playing] -[singer] ♪ I am perfection ♪
♪ Perfection ♪
♪ I am perfection ♪
[Justin] Introducing first the challenger
from Hollywood, Florida, weighing 223 pounds,
Dolph Ziggler.
[Todd] Well, every young superstar needs a breakthrough moment.
Tonight could be Dolph's.
A win over Rey Mysterio on a major stage like this
would be the defining moment of Ziggler's career.
[Ross] And certainly Dolph Ziggler would love to go into SummerSlam,
ladies and gentlemen,
which is coming up the next opportunity that we have to bring you
a WWE extravaganza on pay-per-view.
Of course, the staples center, Los Angeles will be the site,
and Ziggler has a chance tonight
to get to SummerSlam as the Intercontinental Champion.
[Todd] Speaking of sites, Maria accompanying Dolph Ziggler to the ring.
[singer] ♪ I hold your life here in my hands ♪
[Ross] Unique relationship I would venture to say.
Unlikely relationship.
And some of our folks' just amazed.
Ziggler's first opportunity at the Intercontinental title here tonight.
Ziggler being a gentleman [speaks indistinctly]
[Todd] Uh, I don't know if patting your girlfriend on the head is a gentleman.
[singer] ♪ I am perfection ♪
[Ross] Don Muraco, Kerry Von Erich, and Jeff Hardy
all won their first Intercontinental titles here in Philly.
Let's see if Ziggler can.
-["Booyaka 619" playing] -[singer] ♪ Booyaka, booyaka ♪
♪ 619 ♪
♪ Booyaka, booyaka ♪
♪ That's my pueblo ♪
♪ 619 ♪
♪ Booyaka, booyaka ♪
♪ That's my pueblo ♪
♪ Booyaka, Booyaka ♪
♪ 619 ♪
♪ Booyaka, Booyaka ♪
♪ Rey Mysterio ♪
♪ Booyaka, Booyaka ♪
♪ 619 ♪
♪ Booyaka, Booyaka ♪
♪ That's my pueblo ♪
♪ Booyaka, Booyaka ♪
♪ 619 ♪
[singer] ♪ What you gonna do When we come for you? ♪
♪ Ya llego el Rey Mysterio ♪
♪ Bato cabron de San Diego ♪
[Justin] And his opponent from San Diego, California,
weighing 175 pounds,
he is the current Intercontinental Champion,
Rey Mysterio.
[Todd] Who could forget the recent matches
Rey Mysterio had against Chris Jericho
including that epic Battle at The Bash
when Rey Mysterio not only retained his Intercontinental Championship,
but continues to wear that mask
that has identified him since the age of 14.
[Ross] Certainly, Dolph Ziggler, he's very opportunistic
in taking physical liberties
with uh, Rey Mysterio in a weakened condition.
Rey Mysterio, as you mentioned,
had his first match at the age of 14 in a Tijuana church.
And now, the congregation of the WWE Universe
swelling to over 17,000 here tonight.
[singer] ♪ The streets and the canvas ♪
♪ We live and direct, no reverb ♪
[Todd] We wanna thank all our WWE Universe
watching around the world in over 80 countries
including Germany, Spain, Kuwait, Morocco,
and the United Kingdom on SKY Box Office.
[Ross] And it's always great to know that
the Armed Forces are with us around the world
and we're certainly with you as well.
Thank you for all you do.
[singer] ♪ Booyaka, booyaka ♪
♪ 619 ♪
♪ Booyaka, booyaka ♪
♪ That's my pueblo ♪
[Ross] Rey Mysterio in his second reign as Intercontinental Champion…
and the 30th anniversary year of the Intercontinental title,
which was established in 1979,
thus far, 13 WWE Hall of Famers are former Intercontinental Champions.
[Todd] Mysterio said his goal is to become one of the truly great
-Intercontinental Champions of all time. -[bell ringing]
[Todd] Dolph Ziggler though has promised to end Mysterio's reign
here tonight in Philadelphia.
Dolph Ziggler very calculating and aggressive.
[Ross] Surely a contrast in styles.
Mysterio trained in the lucha libre style starting at 14 as we mentioned.
Ziggler's the big man on campus
not only at St. Edward High School, Lakewood, Ohio,
where he had 82 pins in his amateur career, that's a record.
And also Kent State University
where Ziggler had the most pins in their wrestling team's history.
[Todd] Dolph Ziggler has only known how to be a winner
and tonight seeks his first major single title.
Going for an early cover, wasting no time.
[Ross] Ziggler has-- had great preparation
whether he knew it or not in his lifetime preparing for this matchup
because I certainly believe that
if one is going to upset Rey Mysterio tonight,
Ziggler must do it by grounding the greatest high-flyer
in WWE history.
[Todd] And now Mysterio going for a cover.
Dolph Ziggler said, "After Night of Champions,
you won't know me just as Dolph Ziggler."
"You'll know me as the Intercontinental Champion."
Very forward words from Ziggler
who's been on one of the biggest roles
we've seen in SmackDown quite some time.
Three consecutive wins over The Great Khali
not to mention a victory over R-Truth and John Morrison.
[Ross] Well, Ziggler's got his life together.
Obviously, his social life was doing well
with the lovely Maria here at ringside
vouching for that fact.
So those victories--and a cover,
the near leg was hooked and Mysterio quickly rolled out.
[Todd] And again, look how aggressive Dolph Ziggler has been.
The big spotlight here at Night of Champions
has not deterred Ziggler one bit.
[Ross] I thought earlier today Ziggler might have big match jitters.
Come on, Dolph.
[Todd] Since when did Maria like the bad boys?
[Maria] There you go. There you go.
[Ross] I don't-- Do I look like People magazine?
I don't have any idea.
[Todd] Well, inquiring minds want to know.
[Ross] Now Ziggler showing outstanding quickness tonight
certainly in the league of Rey Mysterio as far as quickness.
I don't know if anybody's quicker than Rey…
or as innovative.
[Todd] Well, Rey Mysterio told Dolph Ziggler,
"You've yet to prove you're in my league."
Tonight, Dolph Ziggler can prove just that.
-[Ross] Oh, Mysterio-- -[Todd] Wow!
[Ross] The back of Mysterio's head on that turnbuckle.
[Todd] And now a cover. Ziggler-- No.
That was a very timely throw by Dolph Ziggler
exactly where he was and what he wanted to do
with the Intercontinental Champion
as Rey's head hit that top turnbuckle.
Take another look here.
Look at Ziggler,
walking around and watch the head hitting the corner.
And Rey Mysterio
must now recover
in a very hard Irish whip.
[Todd] Dolph Ziggler flexing his muscles here
and hooking the leg again.
And a two-count.
You mentioned this is Dolph Ziggler's first big opportunity
for an Intercontinental Championship.
Rey Mysterio on the other hand has competed
in some of the biggest matches in the history of the WWE,
winning a Royal Rumble match,
also becoming a World Heavyweight Champion.
[Ross] Ziggler focusing on the neck of Rey Mysterio
after that unique piece of offense
where Mysterio was essentially speared
into the top turnbuckle.
[Dolph] Yeah.
-[Chad] What do you say, Rey? -No.
-What do you say, Rey? -[Ross] The side headlock
has got the--Mysterio's neck cramped [speaks indistinctly] moments ago
about a 45-degree angle which is--
could become very dangerous and almost can turn into sleeper.
[crowd chatter]
[Todd] You mentioned Rey Mysterio has beaten Chris Jericho,
an established veteran now facing the unknown Dolph Ziggler.
Can Ziggler rise to the occasion?
Rey Mysterio sends Ziggler head first
into sting real post-- steel ring post rather.
[Chad] What do you say?
[Ross] A nice utilization of the legs by Rey Mysterio.
Again, creating some unique offense,
very avant-garde offense by Rey Mysterio.
[Todd] Look at that. Springboard.
The leg drop connects.
Ziggler goes down, but immediately back on his feet
and gets hit with another crossbody.
-One, two-- No. -Two.
[Ross] Mysterio building momentum.
This is exactly what Ziggler cannot afford to allow that to happen.
[Todd] Rey Mysterio always wants to pick up the pace, so electric.
Walked right into that though.
-Ziggler, two. -Two.
[Ross] And that was a near fall. That was a lot closer than--
I think the fans here in Philadelphia realized.
[Todd] Ziggler going step for step right now with the luchador.
[Ross] Powerful slam by Ziggler, a great counter.
And Mysterio, the veteran, just negotiated Ziggler
right between the second and third rope.
Keep your eye on the offensive-minded Rey Mysterio.
[Todd] Mysterio looking to soar, and he does.
[Ross] Mysterio taking a big chance, putting his body at risk in his--
in the position that he did in hopes of taking down Ziggler.
That time it worked.
[Todd] Watch it again. Oh.
[Ross] Mysterio leaves himself very vulnerable with some of his offense,
but as we've mentioned, that time it was successful.
[Todd] And again, Mysterio looking to take flight
but Ziggler’s not allowing it to happen.
[crowd chatter]
[Todd] Mysterio in an uncompromising position.
[Ross] Mysterio may end up with the advantage, as he does.
Nice counter again.
Ziggler is not letting Mysterio put maneuvers back-to-back-to-back on him.
[Todd] Up goes Mysterio and-- Oh, Ziggler deposited on that second rope.
Are we gonna see it, 619?
No.
[Ross] Ziggler just hung up on Rey Mysterio
who just bounces off this announce table here,
the Raw announce table.
[crowd chatter]
[Ross] But Ziggler gets a little bit of an advantage,
but Ziggler cannot win the title by count-out or disqualification.
[Todd] That's kind of become Ziggler's MO.
He loves to win by count-out or disqualification.
[Ross] He better not love it tonight.
Here's another look.
Mysterio going outside,
bouncing on the floor, bouncing into the table.
[Todd] How much damage has been done here?
And Ziggler goes for a cover. Two.
And Mysterio, again, getting that shoulder up.
[Ross] Ziggler's got a very high IQ. The-- Has a degree from Kent State,
as we mentioned, in pre-law, very intelligent.
He should be able to game plan very well.
And what we've seen thus far, Ziggler has a very sound attack
or plan of attack for Rey Mysterio.
[Todd] I was gonna ask you. Are you impressed
-with what you've seen so far? -[Ross] Absolutely. I am.
I've always thought that Dolph Ziggler has an amazing future here in WWE.
He can certainly submit that tonight by winning the Intercontinental title,
but already one has to be impressed with Dolph Ziggler
as he matched Rey Mysterio.
[Todd] But you can never pan out the biggest little man in the WWE,
Mysterio.
[Ross] Rey Mysterio is walking example to every kid
that size should not prohibit any sort of athletic success.
Rey is a living proof that anyone can achieve greatness
if they work hard enough.
The shot to the knee right to the patella.
Patella exposed, three shots and you're out.
[Todd] And a couple of elbows to follow as--
Again, walks right into Dolph Ziggler's trap.
Two, no.
Again, Dolph Ziggler with a near-fall and Rey Mysterio has to be concerned now.
[Ross] Ziggler just can't allow himself to get too cocky.
[Todd] Two.
[Ross] And his ego or his attempt to impress Maria,
who's sitting right here in front of us, get the better of it.
[Todd] Dolph Ziggler has been relentless,
not allowing Rey Mysterio's aerial game to take shape.
[Ross] Well, Ziggler taunting and being antagonizing to Mysterio
may pay for it back into a full nelson.
[Chad] What do you say now, Rey?
What do you say, Rey?
[Todd] Dolph Ziggler made his impact felt a few weeks ago attacking Rey Mysterio
after Mysterio's Intercontinental Championship win
over Chris Jericho.
[Ross] We've seen some powerhouse competitors
in WWE over the years
used the full nelson as a submission maneuver.
But it's not just about strength, it's also about leverage.
And look at the position Mysterio's in and the wide base of Ziggler.
This is a leverage maneuver.
[Todd] Dolph Ziggler's amateur background shining through now.
Locking in that hold,
but Mysterio getting to a vertical base
and trying to hit any body part that Rey Mysterio can.
[Ross] Find a body part exposed,
you go for it and look at Ziggler right back, right back to the full nelson.
-Uh-oh. -[Todd] Oh.
-[Ross] Counter, counter. -[Todd] No.
And now Mysterio rolls Ziggler over.
[Ross] Great counter by Ziggler, re-countered by Mysterio.
[Todd] And J.R., like you said,
it's obvious, Dolph Ziggler has done his homework on Mysterio.
[crowd cheering]
[Todd] Oh, a kick follows right into a cover. No.
[Ross] Ziggler not only showing intelligence,
but toughness here tonight, but that was a sharp kick by Rey Mysterio.
-Look at this. Right-- -[Todd] Oh, wow.
[Ross] Somehow Ziggler able to gather himself back up.
[Todd] Oh.
And again, Dolph Ziggler,
has he won his first Intercontinental Championship?
Not yet.
[Ross] Ziggler one second away
from becoming the Intercontinental Champion,
has had one of the most impressive outings thus far
against Rey Mysterio that we've seen in years.
[Todd] We've already seen two championships change hands tonight,
the ECW title.
Christian is your new champion and Mickie James,
your new Divas' champion.
[crowd chatter]
[Todd] Nice drop toehold there for Rey Mysterio.
[Ross] Mysterio loves to use that drop toehold
on an on-rushing opponent in the corner.
Nice agility.
Rey is like a cat, just landed on his feet.
[Todd] Mysterio able to block that initial shot
as Ziggler crawling away.
Mysterio from the top rope.
Oh, and Ziggler tying that dropkick, absolutely perfectly.
[Ross] And that could do it. This could do it here.
-The dropkick, could we have-- -[Todd] He's got him.
[Ross] Oh, how close is the hand?
And look at Ziggler, again, pressing the moment.
I love to see how close the referee's hand was on that first near-fall.
Look at this counter right here.
Boom, in the sternum, right-- taking the air right out of Mysterio.
Well placed dropkick by Dolph Ziggler.
Not a [speaks indistinctly] counter, on the money, point on.
[Todd] Dolph Ziggler has shown a keen sense for opportunity.
And tonight, again,
everything that Dolph Ziggler has decided to do
appears to be working.
Whoa, except for that.
[Ross] Rey Mysterio using Ziggler's own momentum.
Ziggler's own speed against him.
Ziggler is all in this match.
He just got to avoid any mistakes like this right here.
[crowd cheering]
[Ross] You can't afford to make too many mistakes
against Rey Mysterio.
[Todd] It doesn't take much for the Intercontinental Champion
to get back in the game so to speak.
-[Ross] Uh-oh. -[Todd] Oh, no.
[Ross] Look-- Oh, what a gutbuster.
[Todd] That could do it.
[Ross] The Ultimate Underdog may lose his title.
[Todd] We've got a new champion and it's-- No.
[crowd cheering]
[Todd] Mysterio showing pure grit and toughness.
[Ross] That was about the third time that-- Look at this high impact.
[Todd] Oh.
[crowd cheering]
[Ross] That knee driven into the abdomen.
A real gutbuster by Dolph Ziggler
who on three occasions at least has been a second or less away
from becoming Intercontinental Champion.
[Todd] Mysterio has taken some world-class shots
but continues to get back up.
But how many more can Mysterio suffer?
[Ross] Ziggler's got to take advantage of that gutbuster and the enzuigiri.
[crowd cheering]
-[Todd] And Mysterio lighting it up. -[crowd cheering]
[Ross] Mysterio picked up the telephone
and called somebody at 619, the big splash.
-The champion on the cover. -[Todd] And he has it.
-[bell ringing] -[crowd cheering]
["Booyaka 619" playing]
[singer] ♪ Booyaka, booyaka That's my pueblo! ♪
[Justin] The winner of this match and still Intercontinental Champion,
Rey Mysterio.
[Ross] The passion and the experience of Rey Mysterio
has allowed Rey to retain the coveted Intercontinental title
here tonight at the Night of Champions.
But it was not without a fight
and not without several scares along the way.
[Todd] And Dolph Ziggler might have won this on style points.
That's not what it's all about.
Rey Mysterio digging deep to pull off this win tonight
on Night of Champions.
[Ross] Well, I'll tell you what, Dolph Ziggler had an outstanding match.
He had a very tremendous match and that was a great example of that.
And then we thought it was--it could be over here,
but Ziggler unable to really follow up as much as he wanted
as Mysterio slips off the backdoor
and ends up being able to hit his coveted 619 after the enzuigiri.
[Todd] And then there it is, dial it up, the three digits,
and Mysterio not hesitating for one moment to finish Ziggler off.
[Ross] Mysterio putting Ziggler on speed dial,
en route to retaining the Intercontinental Champion.
And certainly there would be happier nights
for Maria and Dolph Ziggler in the future.
But as far as the Intercontinental title is concerned, that will not be tonight.
[singer] ♪ Two kills You don't believe me now you will ♪
♪ And that's the realist deal homie Since Jesus' last meal ♪
♪ Booyaka, booyaka, 619 ♪
[dramatic continues music playing]
[Ross] Philadelphia, I looked all day
for a barbecued Philly cheesesteak to no avail.
[Todd] Too bad.
[dramatic music playing]
[Todd] And now ladies and gentlemen,
we're getting geared up for what should be an explosive
World Heavyweight Championship title match,
Jeff Hardy versus CM Punk.
This is a rivalry that began at Extreme Rules,
but what's taken into a whole new controversial level
just four weeks ago at The Bash.
[dramatic music playing]
[Todd] Now everybody's talking about the big controversy
stemming from The Bash.
[Ross] I think that elbow caught CM Punk right in the eye.
Oh, hey. Punk just--
[Todd] Punk just got disqualified is what he did.
[CM Punk] People are saying that I purposely struck an official
to take a cheap way out and retain my title by disqualification.
I pride myself on being a competitor.
[crowd cheering]
I know what you were doing.
You kicked him on purpose.
[Ross] Well, Jeff Hardy certainly has his opinion
of what CM Punk has done.
[CM Punk] I have never taken the cheap way out.
I don't take shortcuts inside this ring or outside.
[Ross] Jeff Hardy is so close to standing on top of the mountain.
[dramatic music playing]
[Jeff] I don't want to hear your excuses anymore.
And you knew exactly what you were doing when you kicked that referee.
I can see right through you.
I mean, come on, what does straight edge mean?
That you're a liar?
[CM Punk] Jeff Hardy, you have no idea who I am as a person.
You live your life the way you do and I live my life the way I do.
My advice to you is very simple
and it's something that you should have done a long time ago.
Just say no.
[crowd chanting]
[CM Punk] The people who cheer for Jeff Hardy
are just slaves to the vices
associated with his "living in the moment."
Punk, you just keep bringing up my mistakes
like I'm trying to hide behind something.
You've got two strikes.
You know how many I have? Zero.
[Jeff] People make mistakes.
Jeff, you know how many times I've been suspended?
Zero, and those people can change.
And do you know what your chances are of beating me
at Night of Champions?
Zero.
A guy like you can never beat me.
I'm straight edge.
Sorry, man. I guess I'm not as perfect as you.
[crowd cheering]
[Jeff] I will beat CM Punk.
This title right here, this means the world to me
but that's not gonna stop me from tearing you apart
in the Night of Champions.
[Jeff] Why don't you try living a straight edge lifestyle?
The preaching is over because the WWE Universe,
they'll be living in the moment with me, Jeff Hardy!
[dramatic music playing]
[bell ringing]
[Justin] This contest is set for one fall.
It's the World Heavyweight Championship.
-[crowd cheering] -["This Fire Burns" playing]
[singer] ♪ Yeah! ♪
[Ross] I'm a little bit surprised that the champion
will be the first man to the ring here tonight.
Certainly not the first time that we have seen CM Punk here tonight
at Night of Champions.
Well earlier, CM Punk made an impassioned plea to parents saying,
"Just say yes to the straight edge lifestyle
and yes to a champion."
[Ross] I thought what Punk had to say quite frankly made a--made a lot of sense.
[Todd] And yes.
[singer] ♪ Even through the darkest days ♪
[Ross] The World Heavyweight Champion two times over,
also known as Mr. Money in the Bank,
the only man in WWE history to win Money in the Bank twice.
-["This Fire Burns" playing] -[singer] ♪ This fire burns always ♪
[Ross] Certainly practices social discipline.
[singer] ♪ This is the proving ground ♪
[Ross] Abstinence of alcohol, smoking, and recreational drug use.
[Todd] Well many believe Punk's ready to solve
all of society's ills if he could.
[Ross] The X on the right hand and left of Punk means--
signifies the straight edge lifestyle.
[crowd cheering]
[Ross] Tremendous mat competitor.
Will Punk ground Jeff Hardy tonight?
[crowd cheering]
[Ross] But does--perhaps in some people's youth does a little preachy.
But nonetheless, he believes in what he says.
I'll tell you that.
-["No More Words" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Ross] Well, we have to wonder tonight
will be--will we be participating in another Hardy Party
or the professional wake of Jeff Hardy?
[Todd] Another stirring reaction for The Extreme Enigma
who tonight hopes to once and for all solve the puzzle that is CM Punk.
[Ross] And ladies and gentlemen, if you can figure out the meaning
of the face paint tonight, there's always a message.
We understand that in Jeff Hardy's face paint.
I personally have not been able to figure out those messages,
but the free spirit, he loves to live
the extreme lifestyle, loves extreme sports.
["No More Words" continues playing]
[Todd] Well, Hardy has come so close on so many occasions
to once again becoming World Heavyweight Champion,
but CM Punk has spoiled Hardy at every turn.
And tonight maybe Hardy's final opportunity to unseat Punk
as the World Heavyweight Champion.
[Ross] Well, that wouldn't surprise me quite frankly.
[Todd] Failure is not an option tonight for Jeff Hardy.
[Ross] But failure is a possibility for anyone that wrestles CM Punk
for the World Heavyweight title.
[singer] ♪ Time has come And gone for words ♪
♪ A thousands threats I've heard before ♪
♪ But words are cheap, but lies are big ♪
[crowd cheering]
[Ross] Well, Jeff Hardy has got to avoid--
[Justin] …the challenger, from Cameron, North Carolina,
weighing 225 pounds,
Jeff Hardy!
[crowd cheering]
[Justin] And his opponent, from Chicago, Illinois,
weighing 222 pounds,
he is the current World Heavyweight Champion,
-CM Punk. -[crowd cheering]
[Ross] I was about to say that Jeff Hardy must avoid cataclysmic mistakes tonight
because we know that Hardy will take cataclysmic chances.
[CM Punk] This belongs to me.
This is mine, Jeff.
[crowd chatter]
[Ross] I found the irony in this matchup.
This is the same official that CM Punk inadvertently struck with a kick
to retain the Heavyweight title against Jeff Hardy at The Bash.
[Todd] Do you still really believe it was inadvertent?
[bell ringing]
[Ross] I don't have any way of proving that it wasn't.
[crowd] Hardy! Hardy! Hardy
[Todd] There aren't many in the WWE Universe that believe it was.
As Jeff Hardy squares off against CM Punk here
at Night of Champions.
[Ross] Punk with those kicks.
You know, you nod up the quadriceps, that four-headed thigh muscle,
the quadriceps femoris.
It certainly restricts one's leaping ability.
Not that I've ever been or had a lot of pops, but--
[Todd] You got a credit card junk.
What do you got, huh, seriously?
What are you gonna do to me?
[crowd chatter]
[Ross] Jeff Hardy's got to keep his legs under him
and take it to the limit one more time here tonight
who thinks he's gonna leave here with the world title.
I expect Punk will work on Hardy's legs and try to ground Jeff Hardy.
[crowd cheering]
[Ross] Punish and ground. A little [speaks indistinctly] wrestling.
Beautiful by CM Punk.
What?
[crowd cheering]
[Todd] But Punk made it clear on Friday Night SmackDown,
Punk said, "Hardy's chances of beating me are zero."
[crowd cheering]
[Ross] Well, he may be right about that, but that's why we're having this contest
to find out just for sure.
[Todd] Remember at The Bash, Hardy had Punk beat in one, two, three
but the referee said, "Wait a minute, the foot was under rope."
[Ross] Referee made the right call too that night.
[Todd] That just goes to show you how close Jeff Hardy has been.
[Ross] Jeff Hardy would like to get past the stigma
of being the shortest lived world champion in WWE history.
[crowd chatter]
[Ross] But I guess that's really not a stigma.
Hardy had a long Ladder match with Edge, an amazing match
and then Punk kept cashing in the Money in the Bank contract.
[Todd] On an exhausted and battered Jeff Hardy
who really had nothing left when CM Punk came on the scene.
Hardy now, trying to pick up the pace here against CM Punk.
[crowd cheering]
[Ross] This match should be all about pace and momentum.
[crowd cheering]
[Ross] Punk's ground attack against Hardy's flying.
But don't think Jeff Hardy can't mat wrestle.
We've seen him do it.
[crowd chatter]
[Ross] I just--I just think from talking with Jeff
that he's had such a dream his entire life to be the World Heavyweight Champion.
And to hold it for such a short length of time has been very disheartening.
[Todd] Oh, covers down.
[Todd] And Hardy struggling to get that shoulder up.
[Ross] You know, Punk is a very visible competitor.
[crowd cheering]
[Ross] Knows how to attack the joint,
elbows, ankles, wrists,
quick on the neck, cutting out the blood supply to the brain.
Punk knows a--very, very versed when he is in control and on the mat.
[Todd] As for Jeff Hardy,
when many people talk about the unique enigma,
they talk about high risk, high reward, all the Ladder matches he's had.
But J.R., you've mentioned it many times, Jeff Hardy, one of the toughest superstars
in the WWE today.
[Ross] Well, we've seen that time and time again.
And certainly, CM Punk has a unique lifestyle.
[crowd chatter]
[Todd] Hardy trying to get out of this hold and does.
CM Punk, a two-time world champion.
And Hardy goes flying out of the ring.
[crowd chatter]
Paint all over me.
[Ross] Punk would be more than willing
to, I think, accept this victory as a count out.
It seems like he is ready to accept that if it were to happen.
These two men certainly have different lifestyles.
Jeff Hardy on the other hand, I'm not so sure would be willing to accept
a victory on a count out, rightly or wrongly.
-He likes to live on the edge. -[crowd cheering]
-[Ross] Now, Punk-- -[Todd] Oh!
[Ross] Punk lived on the edge and speared himself
into the security wall head first.
[Todd] Well, Punk taking a page out of Jeff Hardy's playbook
and it may not have been the wisest choice.
One.
[Ross] That suicide dive, a tope.
-Two. -[Ross] And look at this.
-Nobody there and right to the-- Oh! -[Todd] Oh!
[crowd cheering]
[Ross] And we're talking about Hardy taking it to the limit.
Punk took it to the wall and there's a cover.
[Todd] Cover. Hardy--
[Ross] Far leg hook.
Jeff Hardy not wasting any time
in capitalizing on the mistake by CM Punk.
[Todd] And now a neckbreaker from Hardy.
[Ross] Hardy has gone right to the neck.
Smart maneuver,
knowing where Punk went. And now, here we go.
Jeff Hardy thinking about it.
[Todd] Hardy, gonna roll the dice it seems,
but Punk wisely out of the way.
-[Ross] Or is he? -[Todd] No, he's not.
-Yes, he is. -[crowd cheering]
[Todd] Just like that, lulled Hardy in and Punk gets out of the way just in time.
-[Ross] High risk, high reward. -Count him.
[Ross] Perhaps a motto. But Punk says count.
[Todd] Punk doesn't mind a count-out at all.
[crowd cheering]
[Ross] Punk would love to leave Philadelphia
with a world title any way that he can.
And then this referee's somewhat deliberate count
is not making Punk the--
with this official's Christmas list.
[crowd chatter]
[Ross] CM Punk retains the world title
-if Hardy is counted out. -Seven.
[Ross] Punk has the championship advantage.
[Todd] The referee is now at eight.
[Ross] Hardy has got two seconds to make it back in the ring.
[crowd cheering]
[Todd] And yes, Hardy back in the ring.
[crowd cheering]
[Ross] CM Punk gonna make the cover.
Not wasting any time.
Hardy kicks out before, I think, maybe even the one-count.
Watch the hair. Watch the hair.
[Ross] Knee high kicks, those right to the kidneys,
knees kicks.
[crowd cheering]
[Todd] And here was Hardy from the top rope
landing right on that barricade.
-Oh, a cover. -[Ross] Oh, and a cover.
[crowd cheering]
[Ross] The action is so unpredictable.
We're getting these--take a-- go back and recap what happened
and then, boom, and all of a sudden,
another pinning combination with these two.
You'll never know when this match could end
where both their offensive strategies are being displayed.
[Todd] Are you surprised at just how confident CM Punk
-appears to be right now? -[Ross] Not really.
[Todd] Another cover here.
[Ross] Punk's a very unique individual…
and confidence [speaks indistinctly]
[Todd] Punk, again, has Hardy's shoulders down…
and Punk going for a cover at every moment.
You can't blame Punk for doing that.
[Ross] I'm sure some fans might say that Punk has a superiority complex.
I don't know if that's accurate or not,
but he's certainly got a lot of confidence.
A great strategist.
[crowd cheering]
[Ross] Look at the bow and arrow.
[crowd cheering]
[Ross] That's an oldie, but goodie.
[Todd] You could see the agony on the face of Jeff Hardy right now.
The referee asking if Hardy wanna continue.
Come on, Hardy. What do you say?
-[Ross] Hardy being bent backwards. -[Armstrong] Come on, Hardy.
[Ross] I think his right is just stuck into his kidneys.
[crowd cheering]
[Ross] Chin locked, legs hooked, confident Punk,
make sure his shoulders are off the canvas.
That's pretty darn smart.
[crowd cheering]
[Ross] Hardy on the--Hardy counters.
Got a one-count and paid for it.
[Todd] And a shot right to the ribs.
[crowd cheering]
[Todd] Few superstars kick quite as hard and as accurate as CM Punk.
[Ross] Punk took up organized kickboxing as a teen,
really versed with his kicks, hurts it would.
And those shots again going right to that lower back and kidney area.
Jeff Hardy is feeling it.
[crowd chatter]
[Todd] CM Punk just doesn't understand
the WWE Universe's fascination with Jeff Hardy.
Earlier tonight, you heard Punk says, "Hey, listen, it's my lifestyle
that should be emulated, the straight edge lifestyle."
[Ross] Punk certainly made an impassioned plea
to many of the parents here tonight.
The man believes in what he says.
-[Todd] Oh! -[Ross] And look at this.
Hardy counters Punk.
Punk in trouble, but can Hardy capitalize
at this point in time?
Hardy is still lying on his back.
I'm not sure what-- Hardy maybe--
We may have seen his last offense in this match
from the looks of the number one contender.
[Todd] Well, the face paint is all but gone now
as Punk's offense has worked very well.
[Ross] We go to look here and see what the damage has done.
[crowd cheering]
[Todd] And that may have hurt both superstars, J.R.
[Ross] I wouldn't--obviously it did.
Both men are just now getting up.
[crowd cheering]
[Ross] The counter and the damage done.
Hardy holding his lower back and then Punk.
[Todd] Arrogant slap by Punk.
[crowd cheering]
[Ross] Punk with those strikes and Hardy striking back.
[crowd cheering]
[Ross] One fall match, World Heavyweight title
is on the line here in Philadelphia.
[crowd cheering]
[Ross] Inverted atomic drop.
[crowd cheering]
[Todd] And Jeff Hardy finally beginning to build some momentum for his side.
Hooking the legs, two. And, oh, that was close.
[Ross] Hardy with a renewed sense of urgency with offensive flurry.
Just when we thought Hardy's lower back
had perhaps taking him out seriously of this contest.
[crowd cheering]
[Todd] And, oh. Hardy it appeared was setting up
for the Whisper in the Wind, but CM Punk was able to negate it.
[Ross] We saw how Hardy he landed
and then he landed again on his head and neck.
How--
[crowd cheering]
[Todd] Punk having a good time right now.
Come on.
[Ross] Great strategy by CM Punk there.
-[Todd] The running knee. -[Ross] Oh, and a running knee
smack, the knee in the jaw,
Punk looking for the Bulldog.
Jeff got the turnbuckle.
[Todd] Oh, and a Whisper in the Wind out of nowhere.
-[Ross] Jeff Hardy-- -[Todd] Has he done it?
No.
[Ross] I like that Jeff Hardy right after the Whisper in the Wind
went for the cover, went for the victory, had the opportunity,
with--was within a count of becoming world's champion.
[crowd chatter]
[Todd] Well, with the history these two superstars have with each other,
Hardy taking nothing for granted.
Not gonna waste any opportunity.
[Ross] World Heavyweight title, the lifelong dream of Jeff Hardy.
He had his first match in WWE when he was 17.
Now going to the top, looking at the score…
-[Todd] Oh! -…but finds canvas instead.
[crowd cheering]
[Todd] And it may be over here.
[Ross] The thrill ride with a pulse, known as Jeff Hardy,
may have taken his last chance.
And what a backbreaker.
What a backbreaker by Punk.
[Todd] And Punk with a submission hold here.
[Ross] Punk with a Dragon Sleeper. It's a submission maneuver.
[crowd chatter]
[Todd] Torque-ing that lower back of Jeff Hardy just moments
after Hardy missed that Swanton Bomb.
[crowd cheering]
[Ross] The neck, the head,
Hardy being tortured.
Punk in a wasted emotion, showing a little bit--at least I detect
from his eyes and his expression perhaps a little frustration.
[crowd chatter]
[Todd] Again, I don't know that
I've ever seen CM Punk quite this confident.
[Ross] Punk just stayed in his zone.
-[Todd] Just firing away. -[Ross] He's executing his game plan.
-Strikes and-- -[Todd] Oh, Hardy.
Jeff Hardy with a Twist of Fate.
[Ross] Hardy countered the strikes with a Twist of Fate
and the world title is at stake.
[Todd] And Hardy again with the Swanton Bomb and again--
[Ross] The knees--the knees are up.
A cover by Punk. Two. No.
[crowd cheering]
[Ross] Man, I don't know how Jeff Hardy was able to kickout of that.
It just had to be will and passion,
the desire to get back to the top of the mountain
where so many said Jeff Hardy would never reside.
[Todd] Jeff Hardy showing true resiliency here.
A lamborghini without brakes with CM Punk right now.
[Ross] And Punk took a chance.
-[Todd] And look out. -[Ross] And Hardy would pay for it.
-[Todd] Go To Sleep. -[Ross] Go To Sleep.
[Todd] That will do it. It's over. CM Punk has retained-- No!
-[crowd cheering] -[Ross] Oh, my God.
-[Todd] No. -[Ross] How did Jeff--
[Todd] Again and again. Hardy powers out.
Is the third time a charm?
-No, it's not. -[crowd cheering]
[Todd] How is Hardy still in this contest?
[Ross] I have no earthly idea.
Somehow, someway, Jeff Hardy just absolutely reaching down
in his guts and refusing to lose.
[Todd] Well, if CM Punk wasn't frustrated earlier,
Punk certainly is now.
What else can the straight edge superstar do?
[crowd cheering]
[Ross] That's an unusual--
-[Todd] What's Punk doing? -[Ross] I have no idea.
[crowd cheering]
[Ross] Well, Punk taking his belt and--
[Todd] The title cannot change hands on a count out or disqualification.
Punk knows this.
Punk is out of here.
[crowd chattering]
[Ross] Jeff Hardy knows it as well.
And Hardy intervening
and CM Punk… started
-to leave the ring… -[Todd] Begin the count.
…and the count out was beaten, yes.
The ref gave both men perhaps a break there,
maybe not CM Punk.
[Todd] And another Twist of Fate.
[crowd cheering]
[Todd] Hardy again.
Is this the moment of glory for Jeff Hardy's Swanton Bomb?
-[crowd cheering] -[Ross] Hardy's got it. Hardy's got it.
-[Todd] Yeah. -[Ross] Jeff Hardy wins the world title.
["No More Words" playing]
[Justin] The winner of this match
and new World Heavyweight Champion,
Jeff Hardy.
[Ross] The high-risk junkie…
has finally realized the dream of a lifetime…
when everybody said it wouldn't happen,
that it could not happen.
Jeff Hardy has become the World Heavyweight Champion.
[crowd cheering]
[Todd] No contracts will be cashed in tonight.
No one can take this moment away.
Tonight is Jeff Hardy's night.
And he is the new World Heavyweight Champion.
["No More Words" continues playing]
[singer] ♪ A thousand threats I've heard before ♪
[Ross] An amazing effort.
Absolutely just refusing to lose was the free spirit.
["No More Words" continues playing]
[Todd] And CM Punk looked like he had ended this match
right then and there.
[Ross] I don't know how Jeff Hardy kicked out from a Go To Sleep.
I have never seen anyone kick out of the Go To Sleep.
And Punk was pugnacious.
He went right back for another cover.
And Hardy kicked out again and the third time-- the third time.
Would it be the charm?
And the answer is a big and emphatic no.
[Todd] And then CM Punk was done,
grabbed his title, picked up his belt and wanted to leave
but Hardy refused to see it end that way.
[Ross] And look as Punk was going to leave to count it out.
And then Jeff Hardy-- Watch this.
We're talking about the suddenness.
It could be over at any time.
You're gonna see right here,
Twist of Fate.
And then Jeff Hardy Swanton Bombs his way
to the World Heavyweight Championship.
[crowd] One, two, three.
-[crowd cheering] -[bell ringing]
[Todd] Perhaps no one has had to face more adversity
en route to a world title, granted some of it has been self-inflicted,
but Jeff Hardy has risen to the ultimate challenge
on a night made for champions.
-[crowd cheering] -["No More Words" continues playing]
[Ross] An amazing World Heavyweight Championship matchup.
Our congratulations to Jeff Hardy.
And I say, in Philadelphia, let the Hardy Party begin
for the new Heavyweight Champion of the world.
["No More Words" continues playing]
[singer] ♪ Time has come And gone for words ♪
♪ A thousand threats I've heard before ♪
♪ But words are cheap ♪
["No More Words" ends] ♪