WWE Main Event: World Heavyweight Championship… CM Punk vs. Jeff Hardy
I was taken aback when I watched World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk entered the squared circle first for the main event. As he approached the ring, I noticed the luke-warm reception he received from the WWE fans as he came out for the WWE NOC main event. Traditionally the challenger, Jeff Hardy, was supposed to come out first… not CM Punk. Even poor J.R. was somewhat confused by CM Punk’s unexpected entrance.
When Jeff Hardy came out and moved toward the ring, he received the boisterous applause from the audience which CM Punk, the World Heavyweight Champion, should have received instead. With less that 20 minutes remaining in the PPV event, I sensed that the best moment of the evening was just moments away.
I was elated when Justin Roberts formally introduced both the World Heavyweight Champion and the challenger: CM Punk vs. Jeff Hardy for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. During the formal introduction, the majority of the fans praised Hardy and booed CM Punk in virtually the same breath. Amazing!
The current WWE World Heavyweight Champion taunted the challenger: “What are you going to do to me?” I watched intently and remained silent as both men wrestled aggressively during the first two to three minutes of the main event. Unexpectedly, I popped for… Sorry, I can’t reveal that information because this is supposed to be an unbiased Weblog entry about the Night of Champions.
CM Punk and Jeff Hardy were both aggressive in the ring, proving each man can give and receive punishing moves and holds: brutal shoulder block, finishing move teasers, neck-breaking running clotheslines, a merciless rear chinlock, powerful body throws, instinctive ducks, and an occasional botched suicide dive. Awesome!
After a “three count” a new World Heavyweight Champion in announced: Jeff Hardy, the winner and new WWE World Heavyweight Champion! What a match!
Because Hardy didn’t have a renewed contract prior to Night of Champions, his win may prove he has or will get a new deal with McMahon. Maybe the new World Heavyweight Champion was stay in WWE until Summerslam. I will keep you posted as I get the scoop.
Here’s results for the WWE Night of Champions:
- World Heavyweight Championship: CM Punk vs. Jeff Hardy — Winner… Jeff Hardy
- Intercontinental Championship: Rey Mysterio vs. Dolph Ziggler — Winner… Rey Mysterio
- Divas Championship: Maryse vs. Mickie James — Winner… Mickie James
- WWE Championship: Randy Orton vs. John Cena vs. HHH — Winner… Randy Orton
- ECW Championship: Tommy Dreamer vs. Christian — Winner… Christian
- United States Championship: Kofi v. Primo v. MVP v. Carlito v. Miz v. Swagger — Winner… Kofi Kingston
- Women’s Championship: Michelle McCool vs. Melina — Winner… Michelle McCool
- Unified Tag Team Championship: Jericho and “mystery partner” vs. Legacy — Winner… Jericho and Big Show
Despite the pay-per-view Webcast snafu, which “blacked out” the Unified Tag Championship match, the Night of Champions 2009 ppv event will be one that will be remembered for a long time.