FLASHBACK FRIDAY: Looking Back At WWE Night Of Champions 2010

By Sean O'Conner

It’s Friday and you know what that means, it is time for another edition of Flashback Friday where pay per views of the past are reviewed in order to get you, the fans ready for another hard hitting pay per view from the WWE. As Clash of Champions draws closer, I feel there are certain events on Smackdown that are overshadowing Raw’s first pay per view since the brand split. The story of Heath Slater comes to mind as Slater’s Cinderella story had a happy ending and we are left wondering where does Slater go from here, we also have Dean Ambrose in a position on Smackdown which could lead to in some people’s minds, a long overdue heel turn. However, much of the fans’ focus has been on the tension between Smackdown GM Daniel Bryan and Intercontinental Champion The Miz. Stemming from their infamous encounter on Talking Smack, The Miz has become one of the most talked about superstars in the passing weeks with fans speculating whether Daniel Bryan will step back into a WWE ring and face The Miz. Today we look back at WWE’s Night of Champions 2010 where those two very men clashed over The United States Championship. We also have a 6 pack challenge for the WWE Championship and a certain Big Red Machine is looking to emerge from the shadow of his brother, The Undertaker. So strap in, grab a coffee and prepare for another trip down memory lane as I look back on Night of Champions 2010.

Opening Promo

The only night of the year where all champions will be on the line, 7 championships in total. A lot of focus on the WWE Championship with 6 superstars competing for the title. We also have focus placed upon Undertaker and Kane as Undertaker calls Kane unworthy of being the champion and his brother. Usual high quality stuff from the WWE that we have come to expect. The action is live and emanating from Chicago. Michael Cole welcomes us to the pay per view alongside Jerry Lawler and Matt Striker.

(WWE Intercontinental Championship Match) Kofi Kingston vs Dolph Ziggler © W/ Vickie Guerrero/Kaityln

One important note on this match: if there is a disqualification or countout, the title changes hands. Striker puts over that a large number of former Intercontinental Champions go on to win world championships (Good Matt). They lockup, large Kofi chants, side headlock by Kofi but Dolph counters with a side headlock of his own. Kofi attempts a Trouble In Paradise and Dolph back away cautiously. Dolph tries tossing Kofi to the floor, Kofi hangs on and Dolph is clotheslined over the top rope. Vickie shoves Kaityln away from Dolph as Vickie is jealous of Kaityln. Schoolboy by Kofi, two count and now Kofi takes down Dolph with clotheslines and a dropkick. Dolph is in the corner, Kofi attempts a splash and pays for it as Dolph dodges. Neckbreaker by Dolph with a cover, two count for the champion. Camel clutch by Ziggler, Kofi battles back to his feet, flying clothesline by Kofi but Dolph decimates Kofi with a big boot to the face. Two count for the champion, elbow by Dolph and again, the champion gets a two count. Bodyscissors by the champion with a sleeper, Ziggler pulls the hair of the challenger with Kofi hitting the mat hard. Snapmare neckbreaker by Dolph gets a two count, stomps in the corner by the champion. FameAsser by Dolph, two count for the champion. Dolph has Kofi in a sleeper once more, elbows to the back of head by Ziggler. Each time Ziggler gets a two count, the frustration is building inside of the champion. Kofi and Dolph trade blows, Kofi has the advantage but Ziggler uses the referee as a shield. Kofi kicks Ziggler in the face, crossbody by Kofi and a close two for Kingston. Double handed chop by Kofi, followed up by a dropkick. Lou Thesz press by Kofi, Boom Drop on Dolph. Kofi motions for The Trouble in Paradise, Dolph dodges, Dolph tries for the sleeper but Kofi shakes off the champion. SOS by Kofi, Ziggler puts his foot on the ropes at two and a half (Crowd thought this one was over). Kofi has Dolph on the floor, scoop slam on the floor by Kofi. Kofi drags Dolph into the ring, Ziggler kicks out at two. Kofi was looking for the SOS once more but Ziggler was playing possum and Ziggler has his sleeper in the centre of the ring. Kofi is fading fast, Dolph has the bodyscissors. Kofi breaks free Dolph’s arms and Kofi has the sleeper. Dolph throws Kofi into the ropes and Vickie walks over to Kofi. Dolph warns Vickie not to slap Kofi, Kofi misses The Trouble in Paradise and Ziggler nails The Zig-Zag for the win. Good solid opener from these two, ending caught me by surprise, I thought as Dolph warned Vickie not to interfere that Kofi would catch Ziggler who was not concentrating. It was not meant to be though as Dolph goes over Kofi clean.
Winner: Dolph Ziggler

Edge Promo

Todd Grisham asks Edge what is his strategy for the six pack elimination match, Edge says you should ask them how they are going to beat me. Edge promises to be the new WWE Champion. Brief and straight to the point, I like it.

CM Punk vs The Big Show

During this time, Punk was the leader of The Straight Edge Society while Big Show was on one of his many face runs. Punk cuts a promo beforehand as he sucks up to the crowd who I might add were cheering loudly for their local hero. Punk swerves the crowd by telling the people he hates them, that they ruined Chicago for Punk. Punk kicks Show who no sells and crushes Show with a headbutt. Shot to the ribs by Show, Punk nails a dropkick before Show takes over on Punk. Choke with the boot in the corner by Show, massive chest slap that sends Punk to the floor. Punk is on the apron as Punk flattens Show with a few nasty knees to the jaw. Punk scores with a plancha to the floor but Show makes it back into the ring, breaking the ten count. Punk puts the boots to Show, kicks to the head and ribs, Show fights back from the floor. Punk nails a second rope elbow as Show continues to kick out repeatedly. For every three kicks by Punk, Show hammers Punk’s ribs. Punk drills Show with a kick to the head that gets a two count. Punk chokes Show with a knee, Punk attempts his springboard clothesline but Show scores with a spear. Knockout Punch and this one is over. Ok match, it was not very long and Punk never looked like he had a hope in the world so it was only a matter of time before Show annihilated the leader of The Straight Edge Society.
Winner : Big Show

Chris Jericho Promo

Josh Matthews interviews Jericho where Jericho says he has great odds in matches with many participants. Jericho rambles off beating Rock & Austin, winning championship scrambles and one elimination chamber. Jericho says he will win because he is the best in the world.

(United States Championship Match) The Miz © W/ Alex Riley vs Daniel Bryan

Mr. Money in The Bank, The Miz takes on Daniel Bryan. Bryan was Miz’s rookie in NXT. Daniel Bryan had lost every match in NXT, The Miz was frustrated as everyone thought Daniel Bryan was the better wrestler while The Miz believes that Bryan is bland and boring. Bryan would be part of The Nexus Angle but Bryan would be fired for choking announcer Justin Roberts with his necktie. Bryan would be rehired in time for Summerslam where Bryan was having a star making performance before Miz took out Bryan (Bryan had replaced The Miz on John Cena’s Team). The match has a promo package which highlights the history between the two. Michael Cole rags on Daniel Bryan throughout the entrance while heaping praise on The Miz (Let’s hope it is not obnoxiously annoying throughout the match). Side headlock by Miz, shoulder block by the champion. Bryan looks for the Lebell Lock but Miz powders to the floor. Arm drag by Bryan, dropkick by Bryan and there is a two count for the challenger. Miz goes to the apron and hotshots Bryan’s arm. Miz continues to smash Bryan’s arm into the turnbuckle before executing a back suplex. Miz has Bryan’s arms behind his back and Miz drives his knees into the back of Bryan. Bryan counters into a backslide, Miz regains control with a huge boot to the arm of Bryan. In the ropes, Miz wrenches Bryan’s arm. Miz pulls away the referee while Riley continues the punishment on Bryan’s arm. Hammerlock by Miz as Bryan rolls out of the move, forearm shots by Bryan. Miz shuts off Bryan’s momentum with a shoulder breaker, Miz wrenches the arm against the ropes as Bryan falls to the floor. Cover and a forearm across the face by Miz (Good heel stuff). Two count for the champion, Miz goes back to the arm as Bryan battles back with forearm shots. Bryan uses Miz’s momentum to toss him to the floor, suicide dive by Bryan. Dropkick by Bryan and a two count, shining wizard like manoeuvre by Bryan for two. Bryan grabs Miz’s leg but Miz kicks the arm to push off Bryan. Bryan boots Miz in the face and flys out of the corner with a vicious kick to Miz’s head. Right hand by Miz, Bryan answers with one of his own and we have a slugfest. Kicks to the chest by Bryan, rapid fire kicks and a running dropkick by Bryan. Massive head kick, two count for the challenger. Bryan perches Miz on the top rope, Miz shoves Bryan onto the top rope and Miz nails a huge lariat that knocks himself and Bryan to the canvas. Miz places his knees on Bryan’s head and pulls back on the arm, Bryan screams out in pain but he reaches the ropes. Miz breaks the hold, Miz looks for The Skull Crushing Finale, Bryan rolls through into a pin, two count for the challenger. Bryan almost has The Lebell Lock, Riley distracts the referee, Miz nails Riley by mistake and Bryan goes for a rolling prawn hold, two count for Bryan! Miz tosses Bryan to the floor, Riley tries to attack Bryan and Bryan sidesteps Riley. Bryan steps into the ring and Miz quickly applies a small cradle, two count for the champion. Miz loses it and stomps and punches Bryan, Bryan capitalizes on Miz’s anger and Miz is in The Lebell Lock. Miz taps and the crowd goes nuts as we have a new champion, his name is Daniel Bryan. I love it, the story was there, Miz had taunted and belittled Bryan at every chance he got, Miz believed that he was superior in every way possible. Miz thought there was no chance Bryan would win the title and yet, Bryan won against all the odds. Miz worked the arm really well and Miz’s frustrations causing him to lose the match was just perfect and when Bryan, this rookie locked in The Lebell Lock, the crowd just loved it. Great story telling, fun psychology and a great start to the career of a new superstar in Daniel Bryan while Miz would recover to win Money in The Bank.
Winner: Daniel Bryan

John Cena Promo

John Cena does not think of the numbers and statistics, it is simple: Do not count out John Cena.

(Women’s/Diva’s Title Unification Match) Michelle McCool © vs Melina ©

It is also a Lumberjill’s match apparently, there is Maryse, Bellas, Eve and many others. Michelle comes out wearing a broken in half Women’s title as she co-owned the championship with Layla. Layla is making a pouting face at Michelle so maybe there could be some tension between the two. Out comes Melina and I really do not understand why WWE wanted this woman as their top babyface, it seems so unnatural. Anyways, Micheel attempts to attack Melian while she is doing her splits, it backfires and Michelle hits the floor hard. The two women lockup and roll out of the ring, Lumberjills do not attack either women, strange as that is their only role. Melina hair pulls Michelle and nails two kicks to the head, shoulder thrusts in the corner by Melina. Melina has Michelle in the corner all tied up, Michelle pulls Melina to the floor and none of The Lumberjills attack Melina. The story is Michelle is a dick so nobody wants to help her, Michelle puts the boots to Melina. Melina is choked on the bottom rope while Michelle uses a triangle headscissors to wear down Melina. Michelle attempts the Faith Breaker, Meilina fights out with a facebuster, forearm shot by Melina. Michelle counters with a belly to belly, Natalya is up on the apron while Melina had a roll up on Michelle, Melina had the match won. Michelle goes after Natalya, big mistake as The Lumberjills wipe out Michelle. Melina kicks and drives her knees into Michelle’s head. Melina screams (WHY GOD WHY?). My ears bleed yet the match continues, both women fall to the floor and The Lumberjills do nothing again until Michelle pushes Gail. Layla helps Michelle by attacking Melina, Michelle capitalizes by big booting Melina for the win. I will be kind, it was watchable. I have seen much worse, finish was kind of lame as Melina was looking right at Michelle as she booted her. The intended finish was for Melina to be distracted and not see the boot coming but she was staring right at Michelle, it makes Melina look like an idiot.

Barrett Promo

Promising Wade Barrett, seems like ions ago yet it was only 6 years ago. Barrett says the winds of change are blowing in the WWE and that it is now time for the future to take over.

(WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match) Kane © vs The Undertaker

Ok so you know I found Bryan and Miz’s story gripping so imagine what I thought of this storyline. Kane was a monster, he was destroying everyone in his initial run in the WWF. No selling and being a monster were the norm for The Big Red Machine. Kane could not escape Undertaker’s shadow, Undertaker was always more popular, more successful and more dominant. Kane put Taker in a vegetative state and in Undertaker’s absence, Kane won The World Championship. For years and years, Kane was second best yet this new Kane had confidence and a swagger about him. Perhaps Kane could finally be the dominant brother. So much backstory, so much history. If I had one word to describe it, it would be big. Kane meets Taker on the ramp, both men hammer one another on the stage. Undertaker peppers Kane on the stage structure, rights and lefts floor the champion. Kane is hurled into a pillar before Kane goes low on his brother. More kicks to the knees by the champion, Undertaker battles back, choking Kane. Undertaker loses control after Kane rakes the eyes, big boot by the champion. Kane tries ramming Undertaker into the guard rail, Undertaker reverses and Kane greets the barricade with his face. Undertaker is sent crashing into the steel steps by Kane, nasty boots the face by The Big Red Machine. Kane stomps on the head of Undertaker while also ramming Undertaker into the barricade. Kane enters the timekeeper’s area, grabbing his championship. Belt to the ribs by Kane, haymakers are thrown by the champion. Huge diving clothesline and legdrop by The Big Red Machine. Taker kicks out but Kane chokes his brother against the ropes. Corner clothesline by Kane, make it two and Kane nails a third as Taker drops to the mat. Taker kicks out barely, dropkick to the face by Kane. Kane slides to the floor and elbows his brother in the throat. Kane uses the announce table to drill The Undertaker. Undertaker hurls Kane into the steel steps, Taker punches his brother on his knees. Boot to the head by Taker, vintage Taker with the legdrop across the ring apron. Taker clotheslines Kane into the timekeeper’s area, Taker leaps over the barricade and onto the champion. Kane recovers quicker than Taker and Kane stabs his brother with a chair in the ribs. These two are in the crowd as Taker beats Kane with his punches. Undertaker cannot hold the advantage as Kane takes over with a straight right and a knee to the head of Taker. Kane throws Taker over the barricade to ringside and connects with another leaping clothesline from the barricade. Taker tells Kane to bring it yet Taker cannot even stand, Kane continues the beat down. Undertaker is not defending himself, Kane is teeing off on the challenger. Undertaker says come on while Kane is all too happy to oblige. The referee asks Undertaker to quit but Taker continues to fight on. Champion and challenger are throwing bombs, Taker has the advantage, Kane goes low but Taker scores with his leaping clothesline. Corner clothesline, rights and lefts by The Deadman. Snake Eyes and a big boot by Undertaker. A legdrop for good measure but Kane powers out at two. Undertaker motions for The Chokeslam, Undertaker drills the champion with The Chokeslam! Undertaker says it is Tombstone Time, Undertaker has Kane but Kane reverses The Tombstone and Kane drills Undertaker with The Tombstone, 1…2…3. Just like that, after so many years in Undertaker’s shadow, Kane had won, Kane had conquered his brother in the middle of the ring clean with The Tombstone. This was Kane’s coming out party and it was a very well written story, Kane had taken out his brother to climb to the top, Kane was more confident than ever and looked like a monster throughout the match. After every punch, Kane was up first. After every move, Kane was up for first. I would have liked to have seen Kane sit up from The Chokeslam but that could have made Taker look weak so I understand why that did not happen but wow, Kane was the unstoppable monster in this match, it was as if it was 1998 all over again. However, this was not a one man show, Undertaker sold his ass off for this match. At every move, Taker looked as if he was going to collapse, there was a sense of desperation in every movement and facial expression. There was really a feeling that this could be the end of The Undertaker, that Taker had gone soft and now, age was getting to The Deadman. Undertaker was still a menace in the ring but Kane was now the powerful brother. Tremendous stuff.
Winner: Kane

(WWE Tag Team Championship Match) Cody Rhodes/Drew McIntyre vs The Hart Dynasty © vs The Usos vs Mark Henry/Evan Bourne vs Vladimir Kozlov/Santino Marella (Tag Team Turmoil Match)

Two teams start, when a team gets eliminated, another team comes to the ring until all teams have entered. Usos vs Hart Dynasty, Tyson starts with one of The Usos. Jimmy stomps Tyson in the corner, Jimmy misses a splash on Tyson. Tyson tags David Hart Smith, Smith nails Jey and belly to belly suplexes Jimmy. Jimmy drags out Jey to save him before Tyson Kidd flattens The Usos with an asai moonsault. Tyson has an Uso ready for a sharpshooter, Jey nails Tyson Kidd with a boot and the champions have been eliminated. Kozlov and Santino are out next, Santino headbutts and hiptosses Jimmy. Jey and Kozlov fall to the floor, Santino is distracted by Tamina and Jey Samoan drops Santino and Santino and Kozlov are eliminated. Next up, it is Mark Henry and Evan Bourne, Bourner kicks Jey around the ring before Jey wipes out Bourne with a clothesline. Jey misses a splash and Henry is in the match. Jey is wiped out by a Henry headbutt, Jimmy is tossed to the floor and Jey is squashed with The World’s Strongest Slam before Bourne nails Air Bourne. Usos are eliminated. Final team are in the match, Drew and Cody. Drew stomps Bourne, tag to Cody and a kick to the face by Rhodes. Suplex by Rhodes, Drew is in and stomps on Evan Bourne. European uppercut by Drew, Bourne fights out before a clothesline derails Bourne’s momentum. Bourne arm drags Drew, Cody gets the tag and smashes Henry, preventing the tag. Kick to the ribs by Drew, gutbuster by Drew. Reverse chinlock by Drew, Cody smashes Bourne on the floor. Camel clutch like manoeuvre by Drew, Bourne fights out of a suplex and kicks Drew right in the head. Both men are down as Bourne crawls towards Henry. Henry wrecks everything, punches to Cody, headbutt to Drew and shoulder thrusts to Cody. Splash and a military press slam by Henry. Tag to Bourne who climbs Henry’s shoulders, Drew breaks up the combo. Bourne kicks Drew in the head but Cody capitalizes with Crossrhodes. We have new champions! That was alright, first half was so quick that the teams did not get to show anything while the latter half was fine. Bourne did not get to show a lot as did Henry while Drew and Cody were fine.
Winners: Drew & Cody

Alberto Del Rio Promo

Well, isn’t this topical? We are treated to a vignette for a man who is making all the waves on Smackdown, the one and only Alberto Del Rio. Del Rio was just starting off in the WWE, taking out Rey Mysterio and moving onto Christian.

(WWE Championship Match) Randy Orton vs Sheamus © vs Wade Barrett vs Chris Jericho vs Edge vs John Cena

The promo package highlights the importance of the championship while also highlighting the six competitors in the match. Sheamus is your champion after having one of the most successful rookie years in the WWE that rivals the likes of Kurt Angle and more recently, AJ Styles. Sheamus cuts a promo in his big, thick Dublin accent (As a fellow Irishman I must declare Mayo for Sam, I doubt many of you will even get that reference). All 6 men are in the ring and we are underway, Jericho and Edge jump Cena while Orton squares off with Barrett. Sheamus has Orton on the floor, Cena dumps Edge out of the ring. Jericho and Orton are in the ring alone, Jericho hammers Orton with slaps and kicks. Cen reappears in the ring and pummels Y2J. Y2J fights back but Cena scores with a facebuster and Orton RKOs Jericho. Jericho has been eliminated by Randy Orton. Jericho cannot believe what has happened and takes his time leaving the ring after only two minutes. Edge looks dejectedly at Y2J as Edge had planned to team up with Jericho. They milk Jericho leaving for all its worth so I imagine that this led to some sort of angle in the future. After Jericho leaves, Barrett finds himself of a beat down by the other four participants. Barrett is tossed to the floor, Orton and Cena are the only two in the ring. Barrett spoils the face off between Cena and Orton. Barrett directs Sheamus and Edge to hold up Cena and Orton, Edge and Sheamus beat up Barrett instead with reverse elbows. Cena and Orton dropkick Sheamus and Edge respectively. We have our second face-off between the two, Cena blocks the RKO, Orton blocks the STF. Cena blocks the apron DDT. Barrett drops Orton to the floor before Sheamus clotheslines Barrett. Sheamus has Cena in the ring, right hands by the champion. Sheamus clubs Cena before exiting the ring and stomping on everyone else. High knee by Sheamus to the face of Cena, make it two. Sheamus and Cena fight their way to a turnbuckle, Sheamus has Cena perched on the top turnbuckle for The High Cross, Cena battles out with Sheamus dropping to the floor. Edge crotches Cena before Cena could nail Sheamus with a legdrop. Sheamus and Edge form an alliance to take down Cena. Double superplex on Cena, Edge covers but Cena kicks out at two before powdering to the floor. Sheamus and Edge double team Barrett into the barricade, the duo shift focus to Orton. Sheamus clubs Orton’s chest while Edge stomps The Viper. Edge beats down Barrett and Cena while Sheamus roughs up Orton. Edge spears Orton in the corner, double Irish whip on Randy, Orton explodes out of the corner. Powerslam on Edge but Sheamus cuts off The Viper. Barrett is knocked to the floor by Sheamus and Edge turns on Sheamus. Double clothesline and an Edge O Matic. Edge has Sheamus in his sights for a spear but Sheamus dodges and nails The Irish Curse on Edge. Sheamus motions for The Brogue Kick, Edge spears Sheamus. Orton slides in for the RKO, Edge shoves off Orton into Cena who tries for an AA. Orton fights out of the AA but Edge nails Orton with the spear. Cena picks up Edge of the AA, Edge fights out for the Edgecution, Cena counters into the AA, Cena scores and Edge is eliminated! Nice sequence there which ends with our second elimination. Barrett jumps Cena right after the elimination of Edge, Barrett punches Cena in the face and looks for Wasteland. Cena battles for an AA, Barrett counters with a DDT. Two count for Barrett, Barrett beats down Sheamus and Orton. Barrett misses Cena with a jab, two shoulder blocks and the five knuckle shuffle by Cena. Cena lifts Barrett for the AA, Sheamus interferes so Cena applies the STF. Sheamus reaches the ropes as Cena is attacked by Nexus. Cena is distracted and Barrett scores with The Wasteland, Cena has been screwed by Nexus and Barrett! Nexus rough up Randy Orton on the floor. Nexus surround ringside, ready to attack Orton again. Cena lays out Nexus with a chair, Orton RKOs Slater. Barrett sneaks in for Wasteland but Orton counters with his backbreaker, RKO on Barrett and we are down to two as Barrett is eliminated. Sheamus flattens Orton with a Brogue Kick, Orton kicks out at two and a half. Sheamus is shocked, Orton blocks The High Cross. RKO and Randy Orton picks up the win and is your new WWE champion. That was good, the wrestling was good and was exciting. Orton was the most over guy on the roster, having been screwed at Summerslam and it was time for Sheamus to lose the title to Orton. Cena also furthered his feud with Nexus as Nexus screwed Cena in the match which led to Cena screwing Barrett later in the match. Good stuff as we have built in feuds for the next pay per view which would be Hell in a Cell. For now, it was Orton’s night and hats off to all involved for the main event which was a fitting end to the pay per view.
Winner: Randy Orton

Overall, WWE’s Night of Champions 2010 was a solid B Level Pay Per View, you had matches that fans wanted to see and matches that the fans were not overly invested in, you had good and bad. I thought the storylines going into Daniel Bryan vs Miz and Kane vs Undertaker were so simple yet so brilliant, I love the stories of both matches with age catching up on Undertaker and Kane taking his place on the throne so to speak, I loved Miz as the college jock bully who looked down on Bryan only to be utterly humbled by the rookie as he made tap in the centre of the ring. The main event had a lot going on with all those little sub plots adding into the bigger picture like Barrett having Nexus as a backup, Jericho planning to team with Edge, Orton being wronged by Sheamus at Summerslam the previous month. The main event, plain and simple: delivered and sent the fans home happy. So what did you think of Night of Champions? Do you prefer the name Clash of Champions? Do you think Clash of Champions will be a better show than Night of Champions? And do you think Raw’s first pay per view will outshine Smackdown’s pay per view? Tell us in the comments below, thanks for taking the time to read this and I shall see you next week for another edition of Flashback Friday.