WWE NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS - September 21st, 2014

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WWE World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena

Just days after losing the WWE World Heavyweight Championship in a brutal beatdown at the hands of Brock Lesnar, John Cena invoked his automatic rematch clause and will get his chance at a 16th World Title at Night of Champions.

The decision, announced by WWE COO Triple H exclusively on WWE Network during WWE Main Event, shocked the WWE Universe, still reeling after witnessing the pummeling Cena took from The Beast Incarnate at SummerSlam. The sadistic grin that spread across Lesnar’s usually stoic face — growing wider with every punch that connected with Cena’s head and body — is burned into the minds of fans around the world. The thought of Cena demanding another showdown with the vicious, seemingly unstoppable Lesnar may leave those who watched SummerSlam feeling more than a little uneasy.

Lesnar, no doubt, is happy to step in the squared circle with the Cenation leader once again. At SummerSlam, he toyed with Cena, showing the world what it takes to put the unbelievably resilient Superstar down. The One in 21-1 rained down a barrage of fists on the Cenation leader, pulverizing his insides. Lesnar tossed Cena around the ring with ease, dropping him on his head and neck with 16 German suplexes. Two F-5s — one at the start of the match and one at the end — brought Cena’s reign as champion to an end with a sickening exclamation point.

No one can question Cena’s heart. After all, he did last 20 minutes against the most devastating force to ever step foot in the ring. But heart only got Cena so far at SummerSlam. How far can it get him when he steps foot in the ring with The Beast Incarnate again at Night of Champions?

Can Cena reverse his fortunes? Or will Brock Lesnar give the WWE Universe a repeat performance of his championship victory? Find out at WWE Night of Champions, available live on WWE Network and pay-per-view Sunday Sept. 21, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

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Chris Jericho vs. Randy Orton

In a match that will have great importance in determining the pecking order of WWE going forward, Chris Jericho will square off against Randy Orton at Night of Champions.

Even though the bout is for bragging rights and not a championship, Jericho and Orton remain two of WWE’s most decorated Superstars on the current WWE roster, boasting a combined 18 World Title reigns between them.

The Viper appears to have targeted Y2J after a criticism from Jericho cut too deeply. On a recent edition of “The Highlight Reel,” The Ayatollah of Rock ‘n’ Rolla stated that Orton’s opportunities at success and glory in WWE were all handed to him on a silver platter. In response, an enraged Orton attacked his familiar rival in the WWE trainer’s room on the Sept. 8 edition of Raw, mere moments after Jericho endured a knee injury in a Steel Cage Match against Bray Wyatt.

Now, the two ring veterans — one a merciless, Authority-backed Apex Predator, the other a crafty warrior who just may be “the best at everything he does” — are set to meet at Night of Champions.

Will Jericho teach Orton a lesson in respect to Orton, or will The Viper show the outspoken Y2J that he doesn’t need any assistance turning back the challenge of top-flight competitors? See which Superstar earns vindication when Night of Champions airs live on WWE Network Sunday, Sept. 21, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

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Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler vs. The Miz

The thrilling Intercontinental Championship rivalry between Dolph Ziggler and The Miz will continue at Night of Champions when The Showoff puts the title on the line against the Superstar with the “moneymaker,” The Awesome One.

These two, hungry athletes have carved out a brilliant series of matches in recent months, including their SummerSlam showdown in which Ziggler recaptured the championship gold. The Miz won a subsequent rematch on Raw by count-out, though in doing so, he ate a mean, last-ditch-effort superkick by The Showoff on the apron — a risky maneuver that simultaneously knocked Miz into the ring and propelled Ziggler to the floor.

Though the WWE Universe has witnessed Damien “Miz”-Dow, as The Miz’s stunt double, sub in for The Miz in appearances, it’s unlikely the former WWE Champion will want anyone but himself in the ring against Ziggler at Night of Champions, when the Intercontinental Title, which recently celebrated its 35th anniversary, is at stake. With “Miz”-Dow acting as a distraction, The Miz was even able to pin Ziggler during a tag team match on the Sept. 1 edition of Raw.

Can The Miz lock in the Figure-Four Leglock and claim his fourth Intercontinental Championship at Night of Champions? Or will The Showoff repeat his SummerSlam success, retain the title and continue his trajectory up the WWE ladder?

The title clash happens Sunday, Sept. 21, at Night of Champions, which will be available live on WWE Network at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT!

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WWE Tag Team Champions The Usos vs. Gold & Stardust

The bizarre team of Gold and Stardust will try to make the stars align when they challenge WWE Tag Team Champions Jimmy & Jey Uso at Night of Champions. Gold & Stardust defeated the high-flying champions in a non-title match, as well as won a follow-up title bout by count-out, in recent weeks.

Since their latest title opportunity, however, the brothers in gold and black have displayed a new level of aggression — an attitude change that’s brought along with it tough times for the defending titleholders. After accusing Jey Uso of faking an injury to prompt the count-out decision and protect the WWE Tag Team Titles, Gold & Stardust unleashed consecutive, targeted attacks over a fortnight, a campaign that temporarily hobbled Jey's left knee.

Will Gold & Stardust’s newfound hostility result in the crowning of new WWE Tag Team Champions and, in turn, end their quest for the “cosmic key”? Or will The Usos, amid one of the most dominant WWE Tag Team Championship reigns in modern history, keep hold of the tandem titles? Find out when Night of Champions airs live on WWE Network on Sunday, Sept. 21, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

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Mark Henry vs. Rusev

The irresistible-force paradox will be put to the test at Night of Champions when Mark Henry and Rusev tie up in a collision of super-heavyweight Superstars. Which will stand tall: the proud Texas Longhorn or the ever-confident Russian bear?

The 413-pound World’s Strongest Man and 307-pound Super-Athlete have been at odds since Henry boldly objected to Rusev and Lana’s anti-American rants on the Aug. 18 edition of Raw. In voicing his dissent, Henry, who twice represented the United States weightlifting team at the Olympics, made clear that while he does not disapprove of competitors expressing national pride, he thought Rusev and his Social Ambassador’s badmouthing of the United States had gone too far.

When Rusev tried to ambush him, Henry not only took The Hero of the Russian Federation off his feet, but he also outright outmuscled Rusev, even landing The World’s Strongest Slam. Since then, Rusev has gained an upper hand, ambushing Henry mid-match on the Sept. 1 edition of Raw. The World's Strongest Man responded by noting his plans to open an international wing of the Hall of Pain.

Several Superstars, from former Intercontinental Champion Big E to former World Heavyweight Champion Jack Swagger, have tried dealing Rusev his first pinfall or submission loss, to no avail. At SummerSlam, Swagger, a former All-American grappler at the University of Oklahoma, managed to pick an ankle and reverse the Accolade, but even he was ultimately “crushed” by Rusev.

Will Mark Henry induct Rusev be the first to hand The Super-Athlete a decisive defeat? Or will Rusev continue his mighty streak of pay-per-view victories and add another former World Heavyweight Champion to his list of downed opponents? Find out when Night of Champions airs live on WWE Network on Sunday, Sept. 21, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

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United States Champion Sheamus vs. Cesaro

Having defeated Rob Van Dam in a No. 1 Contender’s Match, Cesaro earned the right to challenge United States Champion Sheamus at Night of Champions.

Even before overcoming RVD on the Aug. 25 edition of Raw, The Swiss Superman, a former United States Champion in his own right, clearly had his sights set on WWE’s stars-and-stripes title. A week prior to beating Van Dam, Cesaro sat in on commentary during Sheamus’ match against Curtis Axel on WWE Main Event, and after the Celtic Warrior’s win, Cesaro grabbed the title and inspected it before arrogantly tossing the prize to the champion. He continued his disrespectful antics after claiming the No. 1 Contender spot on Raw, too, throwing the U.S. Championship in the face of Sheamus.

Every time the WWE Universe has seen Cesaro and Sheamus compete against each other, the action has been fierce and physical. On commentary, Cesaro went so far as to compare the hard-hitting U.S. Champion to a wild Tasmanian devil. Will Cesaro, arguably pound-for-pound the strongest Superstar in all of WWE, find a weakness in the Irishman’s bruising offense and capitalize to golden results? Or can Sheamus, who’s held onto the title since winning it in a Battle Royal in May, beat back yet another contender to the throne?

Check out the fiery United States Championship action when it airs live at Night of Champions, available on WWE Network Sunday, Sept. 21, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

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Divas Champion Paige vs. Nikki Bella vs. AJ Lee

By order of Stephanie McMahon, one of WWE’s principal owners, Divas Champion Paige will put her title on the line at Night of Champion against both Nikki Bella and AJ Lee.

The announcement came at a time of incredible turmoil within the Divas division. Not only have things remained incredibly explosive between “frenemies” Paige and former champion AJ, but now the sibling troubles between Brie and Nikki Bella — which many agree have been stirred up by Stephanie herself — have taken center stage. Case in point, when Nikki was named No. 1 contender to the butterfly-emblazoned title on the Sept. 1 Raw, her sister threw her into the reigning champion.

But regardless of the firestorm surrounding the circumstances by which the bout was made, few can deny that it will be nothing short of an awesome Divas showdown. The Diva of Tomorrow and her unhinged predecessor are not only highly skilled and downright vicious when it comes to getting what they want, but they also have both shown a strong knack for employing serious mind games on one another.

And as far as Nikki Bella is concerned, the words “Total Diva” are not simply indicative of the show she stars in. A former Divas Champion herself, Nikki is the complete package of danger, ability and calculation. She’s a competitor who could easily best her opponents in a contest where the titleholder does not have to be pinned or submit to lose her championship.

But considering the volatile atmosphere, will the turbulent troubles between the elite Divas allow any of them to keep their focus on walking out of Night of Champions with the Divas Title? Also, will Stephanie McMahon and Brie Bella play a part in the overall outcome? Find out Sept. 21 on WWE Network for only $9.99.

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Chris Jericho to appear on Christian's 'Peep Show' during Night of Champions Kickoff

Former World Heavyweight Champion Christian will host a special edition of “The Peep Show” with guest Chris Jericho during the free, hour-long Night of Champions Kickoff this Sunday at 7 p.m. ET/ 4 p.m. PT on WWE Network, WWE.com, the WWE App, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Pheed and Pinterest.

Controversy always thrives whenever Christian steps through the ropes for his iconic talk show, and the charismatic Superstar no doubt has some hard-hitting questions in store for his fellow Canuck and former World Tag Team Champion partner, Y2J, moments before Jericho’s anticipated clash with Randy Orton. In addition to “The Peep Show,” the Night of Champions precursor will feature expert analysis from a panel of Superstars and WWE Legends.

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