Rusev def. Mark Henry

Mark Henry had the support of an entire country behind him in his clash with Rusev, but it was just not enough to help defeat the Russian juggernaut, who forced the American to tap out and remain undefeated.

Emotions were running high from the start, when Henry was brought to tears during Lilian Garcia’s pre-match singing of America’s national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner.

Weighing over 400 pounds, The red, white and blue clad World’s Strongest Man came out swinging against the powerful Russian, who he promised to defeat and induct into the international wing of his Hall of Pain. With Henry dominating him, Rusev became visibly frustrated.

The former Olympian tried to regain momentum, but Rusev continued to target his injured back. Although Henry managed to retaliate with a World’s Strongest Slam, hoisting Rusev’s massive frame took its toll on Henry’s injured back and he could not capitalize and pin Rusev.

Rusev struck Henry with a leaping side kick to the face, leaving him vulnerable on the canvas. Seizing the opportunity, Rusev locked in The Accolade, forcing Henry to tap out.

The result was a disappointment for The World’s Strongest Man and the entire WWE Universe (except maybe those in Russia), but it was a familiar outcome for Rusev and Lana, who celebrated the continued winning streak as the Russian flag hung above the ring.

Randy Orton def. Chris Jericho

Putting to rest any doubt that The Viper has lost his bite, Orton prevailed against Y2J in a highly personal battle between two of WWE’s most decorated Superstars. The Face of WWE punctuated his victory, sealing the win not just with an RKO, but with an RKO executed in mid-air!

The match took a dark turn when Jericho, having been run shoulder-first into the corner, crumpled in the corner. Sinisterly, Orton tapped his earlobe, almost mocking the Jerichoholics in attendance, before slinking back in the opposite corner in preparation for the feared punt. The veteran Y2J, however, sensed the attack coming and countered with a schoolboy for a near-fall.

 

More fisticuffs ensued, followed by chants of “Y2J,” and yet another momentum swing. When it looked likeOrton was readying for the RKO, Jericho wisely escaped again, this time hitting the Codebreaker for atwo-count. So in disbelief was Jericho that he let out an incredulous “Are you serious?” in response.

 Choosing to take to the air in a last-ditch effort, Jericho perched himself on the top rope. This strategy would prove to be a fatal misstep: As he sprang off the top, Jericho was caught by surprise with a remarkable RKO, followed by the pin.

Cold and calculating as ever, and knowing he had just topped an incredibly accomplished competitor, Orton smirked in contentment as Justin Roberts announced him the victor. Who will The Viper sink his fangs into next?

AJ Lee def. Divas Champion Paige and Nikki Bella

As the old saying goes, keep your friends close, your enemies closer, and your “frenemies” locked in a Black Widow … or something like that. But where does that leave a pair of quarrelling sisters?

The surprises continued as the unorthodox Paige requested that AJ kiss her hand, but the veteran responded by smashing her frenemy’s face into the canvas instead. Despite the denied request, Paige continued to show sympathy for AJ. After becoming the victim of an attack by Nikki, Paige consoled her rival with an embrace, followed by a swift kick to the gut. “Why don’t you love me?” Paige screamed out, as AJ lay on the mat.

The arrogant Bella twin — who earned a title opportunity by assisting Stephanie McMahon at SummerSlam — overpowered AJ with tremendous strength. AJ somehow managed to briefly lock in the Black Widow, which was broken up by Paige to save the match and the title.

With Nikki out of the equation, AJ was finally able to focus squarely on her frenemy and the title. She wrapped Paige in the Black Widow, and while the champion had found a way to squirm out of the hold in the past, not on this night. The “English crumpet” — as AJ had called her — was forced to tap as AJ reclaimed the Divas Championship.

But with two sisters at odds and AJ and Paige’s rivalry becoming more fascinating with every encounter, the Divas Title is as coveted as it’s ever been.

John Cena def. WWE World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar by disqualification

John Cena brought the fight to WWE World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar like never before at Night of Champions. Yet despite the Cenation leader’s near-superhuman tenacity against The Beast Incarnate in this massive SummerSlam rematch, redemption slipped through his fingers. Shockingly, it wasn’t Lesnar that would be his undoing.

 Since Cena’s crushing defeat at SummerSlam that saw him fall victim to 16 suplexes and two F-5s, the indomitable Superstar has gone into overdrive, determined to match WWE’s most dominant force with some newfound intensity of his own. Shortly after the opening bell of this titanic Night of Champions main event, it was almost hard to believe that the muscled juggernaut pummeling Lesnar was the same guy who could be found smiling at us from the Fruity Pebbles box or solving animated mysteries with Scooby-Doo. Cena had become a destroyer, and if you looked close enough at Lesnar’s face during Cena’s early Attitude Adjustment, you might have noticed something that resembled doubt in The Conqueror’s eyes.

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 16thWorld 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.

Rusev def. Jack Swagger in a Flag Match

 

Despite being hampered by an ankle injury suffered before the match began, Rusev survived the Patriot Lock and held on to defeat Jack Swagger in a high-stakes Flag Match.

Heading into the supremely nationalistic match — which for the winner meant the right to have his country’s flag raised and national anthem played— there was no questioning which Superstar had the support of the WWE Universe in Los Angeles. Not only was Swagger heralded down to the ring by the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment Color Guard; his and Zeb Colter’s war cry of “We the People” also drew an enormous response from the STAPLES Center. Rusev’s supporters in LA, meanwhile, may have totaled one: his Social Ambassador, Lana.

That didn’t stop Rusev from getting an early start, as he ambushed The Real American before the bell, knocking Old Glory out of Swagger’s hands and to the mat . During the pre-match brawl , however, Swagger applied the Patriot Lock, causing Rusev’s attack to backfire as the Russian would be at a disadvantage when the match officially started.

Swagger targeted  Rusev’s ankle, though The Super Athlete had a target of his own — Swagger’s ribs, which Rusev injured weeks ago with a flagpole. The Russian wrecking machine  used precise kicks and a vice-like bearhug to wear down The Real American’s mid-section. Rusev’s first attempt to cinch in the Accolade, however, proved unsuccessful, as Swagger picked the weakened ankle and applied the Patriot Lock.  Strategically, Rusev rolled to his back and escaped Swagger’s famed hold with kicks to Swagger’s injured ribs.

 

 

After a battery of more kicks and a big splash, Rusev — in visible pain, thanks to his injured  ankle — again locked on the Accolade. As the excruciating submission hold contorted and wrenched back on Swagger’s spine, The Real American valiantly tried to persevere, only to eventually pass out from the pain, leaving the referee no option but to call the match in Rusev’s flavor.

With Rusev having defeated Swagger, Lana and her Super Athlete watched on as the Russian flag was raised for all to see. While Colter tended to the unconscious Swagger, Rusev, unprovoked, knocked out the veteran manager with a side kick. Have Rusev and The Ravishing Russian put behind them the biggest challenge to The Super Athlete’s domination to date? Regardless of the answer, Lana didn't seem impressed by Swagger's gutsy performance, calling him a "stupid and proud American" in a post-match interview that aired exclusively on WWE.com.

Seth Rollins def. Dean Ambrose (Lumberjack Match)

In a personal clash that had been building for months, Seth Rollins stole a victory from Dean Ambrose when their Lumberjack Match descended into chaos.

 

As former members of The Shield, neither Ambrose or Rollins made many friends in the WWE locker room.A lot of their enemies made up the Lumberjacks who surrounded the ring to prevent either Superstar from escaping the other. Their job was to toss either competitor back in the ring if he tried to flee.

The Lumberjacks included: The Usos, Kofi Kingston, Sin Cara, Titus O’Neil, Goldust & Stardust, HeathSlater, RVD, Cesaro, RybAxel, Damien Sandow (dressed as an actual Lumberjack), Erik Rowan, LukeHarper, Big E, Bo Dallas, R-Truth and Fandango.

As the action spilled outside the ring on a few occasions early in the bout, the Lumberjacks swiftly did their job. But when Ambrose and Rollins eventually managed to elude the lumbrjacks’ grasp, their fight continued at ringside, over the barrier and all over the sold-out STAPLES Center. In an effort to restore order, Corporate Kane emerged and ordered the Lumberjacks to retrieve both competitors.

 

 

While Ambrose was being dragged back to the ring, Rollins tried to make his escape. But The Lumberjacks hauled him back, as well. As Rollins was being returned to the ring, the unstable Ambrose recklessly dove from the top rope onto his former partner and Lumberjacks, sending bodies flying everywhere.

Once both Superstars were back in the ring, the two foes continued to fight ferociously. Ambrose struck Rollins down with a blistering clothesline, then used Rollins' own Curb Stomp against him! But just as Ambrose was about to capitalize, Kane intervened and prevented the pinfall.