Chris King’s Top 10 WWE Night Of Champions Matches

WWE’s annual Night of Champions PLE is coming up on June 27th, and Chris King has gone back to watch all the previous events to give his top ten matches in history.

10. Mark Henry vs. Kane vs. Big Show (ECW Championship) Night of Champions 2008

The champion delivered stiff punches to both of his challengers. With Mark Henry on the outside, both Kane and The Big Show teed off against each other. ‘The Big Red Machine’ delivered a swinging DDT for a one-count. ‘The World’s Strongest Man’ is looking to win his first world championship, as Show dominated him with a bodyslam. A double clothesline allows Kane to make his way up to the top rope to deliver his patented flying lariat.

A momentary temporary alliance saw both giants to hit a huge double chokeslam to Henry. The champion went up top again, and it was countered into a chokeslam for a two-count. Kane managed to hit a 450-pound superplex, and Henry delivered his World Strongest Splash to win the WCW Championship! This was the perfect embodiment of big sweaty men slapping meat in this massive triple-threat match. All three giants are beating the hell out of each other for the ECW Championship. I know there was not a ton of great matches in the second-coming of the ECW brand but, this definitely was a good match under the WWE banner.

9. Chris Jericho vs. Kofi Kingston (Intercontinental Championship): WWE Night of Champions 2008

The young Jamaican high-flyer came out to go toe-to-toe with one of the greatest professional wrestlers to ever lace up the boots. Kingston brought out his athletic skills to the table and surprised the champion. The veteran excels at making his opponents look great. This one was one of Kingston’s first true challenges in WWE, as Y2J pummeled his opponent.

Jericho has always been an in-ring technician and a master of his craft, as he used his twenty-plus years of experience to outsmart and overpower the young up-and-comer.

The wily veteran locked in the Walls of Jericho, but HBK came out to provide the distinction, which allowed Kingston to hit Trouble in Paradise to win the Intercontinental Championship!

WWE had such a stacked roster in 2008 with superstars like Triple H, Batista, John Cena, Shawn Michaels, and the eight-time record-holding Intercontinental Champion Chris Jericho. It’s wild to see how quick Kingston was to learn the WWE model this early into his career. Kingston could not have asked for a better opponent to win his first singles championship from.

8. Randy Orton vs. Dolph Ziggler: WWE Night of Champions 2012

On a night that was headlined by CM Punk defending his WWE Championship against John Cena, Mr. MITB Dolph Ziggler and Randy Orton stole the show. On paper you would think Orton would’ve squashed the young up-and-comer and call it a night, but that’s not what happened at all. Both superstars put on a technical wrestling classic that is overlooked. Ziggler, who was still trying to prove himself in his career, and Orton continued to play WWE’s gatekeeper.

From the start of the match, this was a challenge of one-upmanship between superstars. Orton utilizing his veteran knowledge to keep Mr. MITB on his toes. Dueling chants made this match so special, as Ziggler hit a Famouser for a two-count. ‘The Viper’ hit his draping DDT on the outside but was unable to get the three-count. The young upstart tried to go for another finisher, but Orton caught him midair and hit a beautiful RKO for the victory!

• Even in defeat, Ziggler looked like a star, bringing out the best of The Viper and continuing to gain support from the WWE Universe at Mr. MITB. Orton played the perfect gatekeeper role here, solidifying Ziggler as a great upcoming world champion in the near future.

7. Dean Ambrose vs. Dolph Ziggler (United States Championship): WWE Night of Champions 2013

Ziggler took the fight to the champion, forcing Ambrose to reach down into his arsenal. The champion utilized his gritty moveset with hard chops and crazy punches to combat his challenger. A double-hook suplex off the top rope gave Ambrose a two-count. The Show-off answered back with a beautiful X-Factor off the top rope for a near-fall as this aggressive match carried on. Ziggler hit a picture-perfect Famouser, but the champion had the wherewithal to grab the bottom rope to break up the pin. A stealthy champion sidestepped, allowing Ziggler to hit the top turnbuckle and deliver his Headlock Driver finisher to secure the victory.

• During Dolph Ziggler’s feud with The Authority (Triple H, Stephanie McMahon, and WWE Champion Randy Orton), HHH would reward ‘The Show-off’ with a title shot for The Shield’s Dean Ambrose’s United States Championship. Ziggler was always a workhorse for the WWE during his time with the company, and he’s proven that on any given night he can steal the show!

6. The Miz vs. Daniel Bryan (United States Championship): WWE Night of Champions 2010

The young up-and-comer started off the match trying to lock in his LeBell Lock against his rival, and the veteran escaped multiple times. Miz is being more aggressive with technical wrestling than he normally is during his matches, trying to outsmart Bryan. The cocky champion continued to outwrestle the young challenger and prove he’s the best. Bryan was able to hit a beautiful suicide plancha to the outside.

The NXT rookie continued to gain momentum using his high-octane offense to throw the champion off his guard. A stiff kick gave Bryan a near-fall. Miz bounced back with a flying elbow strike to take advantage of his rival’s injured arm. Alex Riley tried to interfere, and Bryan was able to thwart an attack on the outside. Miz couldn’t make it to the ropes as his rookie locked in the LeBell Lock and won the United States Championship.

• In the first season of the NXT show, where the next superstars of today are mentored by the superstars of the current roster, The Miz was Daniel Bryan’s pro. Throughout the whole show, Miz berated and humiliated his NXT rookie, who was winless. Bryan was eliminated, and during Miz’s match with John Cena on an episode of Monday Night Raw, Bryan came out to attack his former mentor. Bryan then demanded a United States Championship match at Night of Champions.

Honorable Mention: John Cena vs. CM Punk (WWE Undisputed Championship): Night of Champions 2025

The buildup to the match was fantastic as CM Punk tried to play the voice of reason to his longtime rival and friend, then-WWE Undisputed Champion John Cena, who recently turned heel to win his seventeenth championship at WrestleMania 41. ‘The Unseen 17’ was not looking to be saved because he had one goal, to ruin wrestling for the fans. Cena delivered his own rendition of Punk’s Pipebomb promo from 2011, which was iconic, and his rival hit his own version of Word Life, rapping to Cena.

This was Cena and Punk’s final match ever before the G.O.A.T. retired in December. While it definitely wasn’t up to par with their past encounters at Money in the Bank or Night of Champions 2013, this still was a great match. Both superstars knew each other so well and kicked out of their respective finishers.
Mr. MITB Seth Rollins and The Vision came down after a referee bump to cause chaos. The WWE champion knocked Charles Robinson down and thwarted Rollins’ plans to cash in his briefcase.
Punk and Cena shared one final special moment before The Vision caused one final distraction to Punk. Cena capitalized and managed to successfully retain his title.

5. CM Punk vs. Jeff Hardy (World Heavyweight Championship): WWE Night of Champions 2009

Hardy started off the match firing on all cylinders, utilizing his fast-paced offense, and the champion outsmarted his challenger, sending him crashing outside. Punk flew outside, and Hardy pulled one on the champ. The arrogant champion has taken full control over the match, as he is giving lackadaisical pinfall attempts for two-counts.

Hardy mounted a comeback that saw the champion reeling for a few minutes. A Swanton Bomb was thwarted as Punk locked in a submission. The challenger blocked some stiff strikes and hit Twist of Fate. The overconfident champion hit a GTS, but Hardy kicked out. Punk tried to walk out, and Hardy capitalized and delivered a Swanton Bomb to win the World Heavyweight Championship.

• CM Punk and Jeff Hardy had one of the most personal feuds in WWE history, where Punk would bring up Hardy’s real-life drug addiction and life issues. This was the perfect blend between storyline and kayfabe, as ‘The Charismatic Enigma’ was fighting to silence his rival and win the world championship.
• Their controversial feud went from professional to personal real quick as Punk verbally attacked his challenger at every turn. At The Bash, Punk feigned an eye injury and kicked the referee intentionally, disqualifying himself to retain the world title. Hardy winning the title here will just infuriate his rival much more in the weeks to come.

Honorable Mention: The Wyatt Family vs. Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose, and Chris Jericho: WWE Night of Champions 2015

Bray Wyatt cost Roman Reigns the Money in the Bank briefcase and has made his life a living hell ever since. When Reigns appeared to have an answer to The Wyatt’s, ‘The Eater of Worlds’ had another trick up his sleeve, ‘The Black Sheep’ Braun Strowman. After seeing Reigns unable to battle the dominant faction, Dean Ambrose entered the fight to help even the odds. To the shock of the WWE Universe, ‘Y2J’ Chris Jericho was revealed to be their partner.

‘The Lunatic Fringe’ started off the match with his fast-paced, gritty offense, taking down Luke Harper. All the babyfaces were given some time to shine, utilizing quick tags between the teams. Harper tagged in Strowman, and the mood completely changed. Both ‘The Big Dog’ and Ambrose were just hauled by Strowman, and Jericho was sent flying to the outside. The Black Sheep is treating all three superstars like ragdolls, throwing them all over the ring. Reigns was able to bounce back momentarily until the Wyatts took control once again.

The babyfaces started a comeback, and Ambrose took out Strowman, and Reigns delivered a spear. Right before The Big Dog could hit another spear, Y2J made a blindside tag and hit his signature moonsault for a count, but Strowman kicked out and lunged him into the air. The Black Sheep bear-hugged the life out of Jericho to give the Wyatts the victory.

4. Sheamus vs. Wade Barrett vs. Chris Jericho vs. Edge vs. Randy Orton vs. John Cena: Six Pack Elimination Match (WWE Championship): WWE Night of Champions 2010

The match started with all the competitors fighting inside and outside the ring, with Chris Jericho and Orton going at it. While Y2J was focused on John Cena, ‘The Viper’ Randy Orton slithered his way into delivering an RKO to eliminate Jericho. All five superstars ganged up and beat up Wade Barrett for his Nexus antics throughout the year. The WWE Champion Sheamus took full advantage of his challengers on the outside to battle Cena for the prestigious title.

Edge and Sheamus formed a temporary alliance to take down Cena with a Superplex. Now they’ve turned attention to The Viper, who came out of the corner with some clotheslines. A series of finishers and reversals, and Cena was finally able to hit an Attitude Adjustment and eliminate his longtime rival Edge. Now the leader of the Nexus is given some spotlight, but it’s thwarted by Cena. Nexus came down to the ring, and Barrett delivered Wasteland to eliminate Cena.

Cena came back with a steel chair and takes out Nexus and finally takes out Barrett with a thunderous RKO to eliminate him. The champion blasted Orton with a Brogue Kick, but The Viper kicked out. A stunned champion fell victim to a vicious RKO, and Orton has become a seven-time WWE Champion!

• I wish WWE would do more six-pack elimination challenge matches, but I understand why they don’t. At the 2018 Fastlane PLE, the then-WWE Champion had a six-pack challenge, but it wasn’t elimination. It was shocking to see Jericho eliminated within the first few minutes.
• I would have loved to see Cena and Orton face off more, but there were other superstars breaking it up. Sheamus had a great first two years with victories over Triple H at WrestleMania and being a two-time WWE champion. The crowd erupted for Orton’s win here.

Honorable Mention: Triple H vs. John Cena (WWE Championship): WWE Night of Champions 2008

WWE built this match up as one of the biggest matches in company history with a fantastic hype video as Triple H and John Cena have a classic rematch from their previous encounter at WrestleMania 22. On the grandest stage of them all, HHH tapped out and Cena retained the title. What will happen with the roles reversed as HHH is now the WWE champion? Both the champion and challenger tried to outwrestle and hit their signature taunts to each other.

‘The Cerebral Assassin’ utilized strength and power to gain the advantage, and Cena used his brawling attacks to take down the champion. HHH bounced back with his high-octane offense with a powerful spinebuster. The champion tweaked his knee on the outside, and the Cenation leader targeted the champion going right after his injured knee. The resilient champion wouldn’t allow Cena to lock in the STFU and delivered a massive Pedigree for a two-count. Cena answered back with an FU for a near-fall.

Cena has a magnificent counter to the Pedigree and locked in the STFU. HHH managed to get out of it and locked in his own modified version of a crossface. The challenger lifted up the champion to deliver another FU, but a defiant champion hit another Pedigree to successfully retain his title.

3. Seth Rollins vs. AJ Styles (World Heavyweight Championship): Night of Champions 2023

‘The Visionary’ Seth Rollins battled one of his idols, ‘The Phenomenal One’ AJ Styles, for the inaugural World Heavyweight Championship in a stellar match. Both superstars have the same in-ring styles that put them on a different level than most. Both veterans delivered a five-star classic for the right to call themselves the inaugural champion. Rollins hit a beautiful inverted Superplex into a Falcon’s Arrow for a two-count.

The Phenomenal One managed to hit a nasty brainbuster on the ring apron. A suicide dive on the outside took out Styles but also tweaked Rollins’ knee. An aggressive opponent locked in the Calf Crusher to target the knee of The Visionary. A slugfest ensued between both superstars inside the ring. After Styles was unsuccessful in hitting the Styles Clash multiple times, he pulled out a Pedigree from his repertoire. The finish saw Rollins hit a superkick to a flying Styles, and The Visionary delivered a Pedigree followed by a Stomp to win to become the inaugural World Heavyweight Champion.

• Styles and Rollins know each other so well, with both superstars coming from the independent scene. It had been a few years since the 2019 Money in the Bank PLE, where they wrestled last, but both elite superstars worked so well together.
• This is the kind of match that will be talked about for years to come. Styles and Rollins both proved to be worthy of being the inaugural world champion. Triple H coming out to hand Rollins the World title was a classy touch given their history going back to NXT.

2. Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena (WWE World Heavyweight Championship): WWE Night of Champions 2014

At SummerSlam, The Beast Incarnate Brock Lesnar was booked to look unstoppable after ending The Undertaker’s undefeated streak at WrestleMania. John Cena was obliterated and slaughtered by Lesnar in the most one-sided WWE Championship match in company history. The Beast would convincingly win the championship from his long-time rival in a blowout. Cena was pissed and ready to come back for blood against The Beast.

WWE produced a great video package that hyped up how important this match was. Can Cena slay The Beast and take back the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, or will Cena fall to the hand of The Beast again? It almost felt right up there with their Extreme Rules match at 2012 Extreme Rules PLE. Cena came right out of the gate firing on all cylinders as he destroyed Lesnar with some stiff clotheslines. The Beast immediately locked in the Kimura and went on offense, pummeling his challenger. Cena entered Suplex City as Lesnar destroyed his longtime rival, reminiscent of their clash at SummerSlam.

‘Mr. Never Give Up’ kept coming back for more punishment in hopes of tying Ric Flair’s record with an unprecedented sixteen WWE title reigns. The Beast just keeps demolishing Cena, cutting him off at all turns. A defiant challenger had The Beast reeling momentarily with some stiff punches, but Lesnar drops him with another German suplex.

The former UFC champion took off his gloves, and this is about to get nasty. Cena hit a shocking Attitude Adjustment for a near-fall. Cena countered an F5 into an STFU for a thrilling moment. Lesnar turns it around into a Kimura Lock on his challenger. Cena managed to deliver multiple AA’s and lock in the STFU on several occasions to try and make The Beast tap out.

Seth Rollins, Mr. MITB, came out of nowhere and caused a disqualification in this incredible match. Rollins delivered a Curb Stomp to Lesnar, but before he could cash in his MITB, Cena thwarted his plans. Lesnar hit a thunderous F5 to Cena to close the show!

• Cena pushed through all the punishment Lesnar had dished out in a valiant effort here to become a sixteen-time world champion, but Lesnar just wouldn’t stop. The Beast took his challenger to Suplex City and continued to just dominate the match.
• Cena was seconds away from possibly tapping out Lesnar until Rollins came down to break things up. All three superstars competed in a fantastic triple-threat for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at the 2015 Royal Rumble PLE.

Honorable Mention: The Usos vs. Stardust & Goldust (WWE Tag Team Championships): WWE Night of Champions 2014

This was classic tag team wrestling at its finest as both teams opened the show to a great PLE. The Usos continued to bring their fast-pace, high-flying offense to their challengers. The Dust Brothers just played to their strengths, utilizing the numbers game against the champions. During the match, Jey got his revenge against the cosmic duo after taking out his knee a few weeks ago.

Both teams have insane chemistry together, and the crowd ate it all up. Several near-falls kept the action going here. Stardust and Goldust proved to be just one step ahead of the champions, as Stardust rolled up Jey after a missed Frog Splash to win the tag team championships!

1.Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa vs. Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens (Undisputed Tag Team Championships): WWE Night of Champions 2023

‘The Head of the Table’ WWE Undisputed Universal Champion Roman Reigns and ‘The Enforcer’ Solo Sikoa would challenge Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens at Night of Champions after The Usos lost the titles in the main event of WrestleMania 39, Night One. The always overconfident champion and his partner made their dramatic entrance into the Jeddah arena for this massive match celebrating his unprecedented 1000-day title reign.

KO made his entrance, and Sami Zayn, with tears in his eyes, made his entrance with a traditional garment for the Saudi Arabia crowd, who loved him. Zayn and Reigns started the match in front of a raucous crowd, but he got pissed and tagged in Sikoa. The enforcer blasted Zayn with chops and uppercuts in the corner. Owens entered the match and gained control. The undisputed champion hit KO from behind to allow Sikoa to recover. The heels isolated the tag team champions, proving why they are the main event players in WWE.

An infuriated Reigns dropped Zayn with a stiff uppercut and tagged in his Enforcer. Zayn was tired of the mind games delivered by The Bloodline and hit a picture-perfect Tornado DDT. Owens made the tag and started his comeback firing on all cylinders to Reigns and Sikoa. One hard punch allowed The Tribal Chief to regain control. A pop-up powerbomb and frog splash gave Owens a two-count. KO hit a Stunner, and Reigns plowed through his rival with a thunderous spear.

Zayn got back into the match with a fast-paced attack on his challenger and delivered a Blue Thunder Bomb for another near-fall. Reigns broke up the pinfall after a Helluva Kick in the corner to Sikoa. Zayn avoided a spear, and Reigns took out the referee, and now the Bloodline shenanigans will start. The Usos came out of nowhere and drilled Owens with a superkick. Zayn ducked and Jimmy and Jey accidentally superkicked Sikoa.

Reigns was berating Jey, and Jimmy blasted the undisputed champion with two superkicks as Jey looked stunned. Owens rolled back in the ring and hit a Stunner followed by a Helluva Kick to retain the tag team titles!

• This was chapter two of the Bloodline Civil War as The Usos cost Reigns and Sikoa the tag team championships in a dramatic way. For years, Jey Uso had been forced to take his cousin’s verbal, emotional, and physical abuse without his brothers’ help. Jimmy made a decision that will continue the split of The Bloodline, which will make for interesting television. Will The Usos leave The Bloodline for good, or was this just a warning to their cousin?
• Reigns has mastered the art of being able to take the energy out of a wild crowd with simple heel tactics at its finest. The way he trash-talks his opponents is damn near hilarious. Zayn was giving him chops, and he said, “What are you, Ric Flair now?” His facial expressions are second to none, and his selling is out of this world. This was a fantastic match where every part fell right into place.