We still don't know who Chris Jericho will be defending against at Night of Champions

[Mr. Nerfect]

Every title is meant to be on the line at this PPV, but we are still unsure of just who it will be challenging Chris Jericho for the WWE Intercontinental Championship at Night of Champions.

We also don't know who Natayla will face to decide the first-ever Diva Champion. But they have SmackDown!, and to a lesser extent, ECW, to reveal that.

Any guesses on just what these two remaining matches yet to be confirmed for Night of Champions will be? CM Punk seems like a good candidate for an IC Title challenger, but there isn't really a story there. Any ideas?

[Londoner]

JBL. :(


OR...


HBK. :)(wont happen)

[Ben Rodrigues]

Jeff Hardy. To even out the midcard titles.

[GD]

Random WWE Legend. Maybe Ricky Steamboat.

[Xero]

They just plum forgot about Jericho.

[Londoner]

Or they just forgot about the IC title itsself.

No, stupid me, what an idiot i am for suggesting such a thing. :shifty:

[KingofOldSchool]

Basically any guy could come out and challenge Jericho because of the respect they have for HBK.

Hell Punk would be good, maybe have HBK come in and give Jericho the Sweet Chin Music and cost Jericho the title?

The next night on Raw we could have Cadicho vs. The Heart Break Punk.

But it'll will probably be Jericho vs. HBK at NoC just because HBK won't QUIT.

[GD]

Jericho has never defeated Michaels and as far as I know Michaels ain't aiming to be the next WWE Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion.

[Dorkchop]

Didn't Jericho say a couple of weeks ago that he wants to defend his title as often as possible?

[The CyNick]

Punk makes sense to me. He needs to make an impact on RAW. Thats a good way to do it.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Yeah I'd place my money on Jeff. He'd have a feud with MVP.</font>

[GD]

Hope they make the superstars "EXCLUSIVE" to their respective brands 'cause if they don't then I guess there is no reason to have 3 brands.

[Heros Welcome]

I like the idea of Punk being the challenger and taking the belt from Jericho. They do have a little something with each other from MiTB, the following RAW, and the KoTR. Punk takes the belt and Jericho then decides to send his full attention to HBK while Punk can feud with Cade. I would really enjoy a Punk Cade feud.

[NoRoolz]

Kenzo Suzuki

[thedamndest]

Hakushi

[Mr. Nerfect]

CM Punk seems to be a popular one, but I'm not sure myself. The match would be good, I guess, as Jericho would now be a heel, and they'd have guidelines as to how to actually work a match this time (last time their bouts were good, but not as great as they could have been). Punk as IC Champion is not something I particularly want to see. The man is a former ECW Champion and Money in the Bank Winner. If the WWE wants to decorate him up, I'd go with the World Tag Team Titles. I think he is slightly above the IC Title right now.

However, within the RAW brand, that seems like the only match they could do. If that is the case, I would actually have Jericho retain, and then pass the title off to Lance Cade. Punk can have a few matches with Cade. Hell, let them trade the belt a few times, more so to help Cade than Punk, while Jericho and HBK settle out their tiff.

Jeff Hardy seems like a good candidate. Sending the IC Title to RAW would balance things out. Why not Mr. Kennedy, though? I mean, it's the same idea, but why Hardy? Unless they explained he cashed in the rematch clause he never used. Maybe Jericho's opponent will be announced, and then supplementary drafted over to SmackDown!, and go on to win the title. I'm just trying to think of who that could be, and I come up with nothing.

Unless they gave another student of Shawn Michaels a shot, and let Brian Kendrick challenge Chris Jericho, then had London & Kendrick drafted over to SmackDown!? But Jericho vs. Kendrick would not really inspire marks (and even smarks) as anything but a mismatch.

[MCEazy]

Unless they gave another student of Shawn Michaels a shot, and let Brian Kendrick challenge Chris Jericho, then had London & Kendrick drafted over to SmackDown!? But Jericho vs. Kendrick would not really inspire marks (and even smarks) as anything but a mismatch.

I would still like to see this regardless of it working or not, it could work into tag matches w/ michaels and kendrick vs. jericho and cade and i feud w/ kendrick vs. cade to determine the better student perhaps.

[The Optimist]

Hakushi
Finger Poke of Doom-style Lance Cade
Cluster with Shelton/Kofi/etc/etc
Jeff Hardy would be pretty blah
CM Punk would be pretty blah

[Mr. Nerfect]

I would still like to see this regardless of it working or not, it could work into tag matches w/ michaels and kendrick vs. jericho and cade and i feud w/ kendrick vs. cade to determine the better student perhaps.

That would actually work if you drafted Paul London to ECW, or something. He could do something with the crazy high-flyers there, like Kofi Kingston and Evan Bourne, which could be somewhat of an attraction of watching ECW. Meanwhile, Brian Kendrick gets a bit of a push on RAW as Shawn Michaels' student.

I mean, the WWE has obviously thought about them going solo, given Brian Kendrick's recent heel turn that was revised almost the next week.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Hakushi
Finger Poke of Doom-style Lance Cade
Cluster with Shelton/Kofi/etc/etc
Jeff Hardy would be pretty blah
CM Punk would be pretty blah

I think they should do an actual match at Night of Champions, so the Jericho/Cade thing (which I actually am for), would come later, hopefully.

The Shelton/Kofi things intrigues me. Maybe have some kind of "Intercontinental Champion Invitational?" All the former IC Champions not already booked gather for a one-fall match: Chris Jericho defends versus Jeff Hardy, Shelton Benjamin, Carlito, Santino Marella and Val Venis. Fuck, make it elimination, if you want. It'd obviously come down to Chris Jericho vs. Jeff Hardy, but then you could do the Shawn Michaels run-in, and it gets to Jericho vs. Hardy with some kind of reason behind it.

[The Optimist]

That'd also be a BIG comeback for Shawn. I like that idea.

[Team Sheep]

To be fair, it doesn't actually say every title is on the line. It just says that every match will be a title match. That's what they've been saying for weeks on TV anyway.

[The CyNick]

Punk could win the title, then fued with Cade and get mixed up in the Jericho-HBK program. Leads to some decent tag matches and stuff.

The thing about the IC title is that its really meaningless. So even though Punk is the MITB winner, and a former ECW champion, that still doesnt put him on the level of a guy like Jericho or Jeff Hardy who have both held that title recently. I just dont think the IC title would be a step down or hurt Punk in any way. If anything it gives him a reason to be on TV every week.

Coming in cold, I dont think he gets a big spot on RAW because there are so many guys ahead of him. Without the IC title, I think he would get lost in the shuffle.

[Fox]

Jericho will not wrestle at NOC. Belee dat, playa.

[Mr. Nerfect]

There's no story for it, but I'd love to see a Chris Jericho vs. Jamie Noble match. Have Jericho issue an open challenge because Shawn Michaels is a "coward and a liar." Jamie Noble answers, and we get a hot match.

[Mr. Nerfect]

To be fair, it doesn't actually say every title is on the line. It just says that every match will be a title match. That's what they've been saying for weeks on TV anyway.

I'm sure I've heard the exact phrase "Every title will be on the line." I may be wrong, though.

[The CyNick]

I'm sure I've heard the exact phrase "Every title will be on the line." I may be wrong, though.

Yeah I thought that was the whole point of the show.

They could even do a deal where Jericho lays out an open challenge (he's cocky from laying out Shawn), Punk (or whoever) accepts. They have a match, HBK's music hits but he doesnt come out, Jericho's opponent rolls him up, and there's your switch.

Jericho gets heat back on RAW by beating that guy up with Cade.

[NeanderCarl]

I'd be all for a Shawn Michaels IC title reign. Bring some prestige to the belt, and when he eventually loses it, big rub for a rising star.

Plus, he certainly doesn't want the schedule of a top title run, and he's got major star power, so we can either have Michaels never wear gold again in his career, or we can have him do 'the favour' for the IC title division.

[Theo Dious]

Said it before, say it again:

Give HBK the strap, feed him some nobodys to make them sort-of-somebodies, then have him drop the belt to a real up-and-comer. And while he's at it, BRING BACK THE MOTHERFUCKING CLASSIC STRAP!!!!!111

[MCEazy]

Said it before, say it again:

Give HBK the strap, feed him some nobodys to make them sort-of-somebodies, then have him drop the belt to a real up-and-comer. And while he's at it, BRING BACK THE MOTHERFUCKING CLASSIC STRAP!!!!!111

might as well, HBM can make any sucka look like gold, this is the same guy who got match of the year facing vince mcmahon lets not forget.

[NeanderCarl]

Umm.. that wasn't the match of the year. Fuckin' much better than anyone had a right to expect, but it wasn't the best match of the year by a long shot. Possibly the best individual performance of the year, mind, seeing as it was ALL Michaels.

[Theo Dious]

It was sure as hell the best match-like occurrence Vince has ever been a part of.

[NeanderCarl]

I'd probably agree with that. Nothing better comes to mind.

Actually, I did like the Hogan match at Mania XIX.

And the Shane match at Mania X-Seven.

Thinking about it, Vince is 3-0 for entertaining matches at WrestleManias.

[MCEazy]

Umm.. that wasn't the match of the year. Fuckin' much better than anyone had a right to expect, but it wasn't the best match of the year by a long shot. Possibly the best individual performance of the year, mind, seeing as it was ALL Michaels.

Actually it was, Pro Wrestling Illustrated match of the year for 2006. I didn't mean that I thought it was the best match of the year, just that it was "named" match of the year.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PWI_Match_of_the_Year

[Mr. Nerfect]

Sites are reporting that Chris Jericho is scheduled to defend the belt at Night of Champions, and that they may leave Jericho's opponent a surprise.

I could feel it being Kofi Kingston. With his move to RAW, the WWE obviously has something they want to do with him, and after getting pinned on RAW, a solid go at the IC Title could help convince people he's nothing to be sneezed at.

[Theo Dious]

Whoohoo! Surprise title defenses always mean great things for the IC title!

http://www.wwe.com/content/media/images/377012/454042

Wait, that wasn't what I-

http://www.wwe.com/content/media/images/377012/4516222

Look just shut the fuck up. :mad:

[The Optimist]

I remember when Santino was ripped.

[mrslackalack]

Marty Janetty would be a nice suprise. Friend and former tag partner of HBK and former I-C Champ himself. Jericho was a huge Rockers fan back in the day. I think Jericho/Marty could have a pretty good match.

[Afterlife]

Battle Kat.

[Fox]

The return of Arachniman.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Marty Janetty would be a nice suprise. Friend and former tag partner of HBK and former I-C Champ himself. Jericho was a huge Rockers fan back in the day. I think Jericho/Marty could have a pretty good match.

That would actually be really, really cool.

Part of Night of Champions is to celebrate past champions, and we don't really have too much nostalgia as part of the actual wrestling card (which is a very good thing, if you ask me). Marty Jannetty looked good when he wrestled Kurt Angle a while ago, though, and Jericho brings out the best in his opponents. Plus, it'd be funny if it led to Jannetty being rehired and fired again.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I wish the WWE would just go all-out with Night of Champions, and had CM Punk compelled to defend his Money in the Bank title shot against MVP, or something. MVP can make the claim that if Matt Hardy hadn't have interfered, MVP would have won the Money in the Bank Ladder Match, and that every MITB winner has defended the briefcase before. Punk winning would make him look good heading into his venture on RAW. MVP winning would put the title shot on a heel, and give Punk a reason to tease a heel turn, or something.

I'd mark out if MVP won the briefcase with a heelish roll-up, and then afterwards, in the back, Mr. Kennedy comes in and tells Punk that he's an idiot for making the same mistake that he did. Punk and Kennedy almost get into it, and Punk challenges Kennedy to his farewell match on RAW, but Kennedy says he's already locked to face Paul Burchill. Punk comes out and does awesome commentary for that match, and costs Kennedy the win, which would allow Kenneth to put over a RAW guy before going, and could set something up between Punk and Kennedy for WrestleMania, or something.

If Million Dollar Mania was meant to increase TV ratings, I don't quite understand why they didn't give awa $1,000,000 to a fan who ordered Night of Champions, and send the give-away out with a bang. With Vince injured, they could have had Ric Flair give the money away, which allows the WWE to advertise him being used in a fairly prominent role. MVP or someone could confront him, and build some heat for themselves.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I think Punk is great in the ring, and great on the mic, but right now, I think the story of holding the Money in the Bank briefcase would better fit someone like MVP. I'm sure when CM Punk cashes it in, I'll be marking out, and it'll create a great moment, but there was directions to take Punk's character without the briefcase.

[Afterlife]

I wish the WWE would just go all-out with Night of Champions, and had CM Punk compelled to defend his Money in the Bank title shot against MVP, or something. MVP can make the claim that if Matt Hardy hadn't have interfered, MVP would have won the Money in the Bank Ladder Match, and that every MITB winner has defended the briefcase before. Punk winning would make him look good heading into his venture on RAW. MVP winning would put the title shot on a heel, and give Punk a reason to tease a heel turn, or something.

I'd mark out if MVP won the briefcase with a heelish roll-up, and then afterwards, in the back, Mr. Kennedy comes in and tells Punk that he's an idiot for making the same mistake that he did. Punk and Kennedy almost get into it, and Punk challenges Kennedy to his farewell match on RAW, but Kennedy says he's already locked to face Paul Burchill. Punk comes out and does awesome commentary for that match, and costs Kennedy the win, which would allow Kenneth to put over a RAW guy before going, and could set something up between Punk and Kennedy for WrestleMania, or something.

If Million Dollar Mania was meant to increase TV ratings, I don't quite understand why they didn't give awa $1,000,000 to a fan who ordered Night of Champions, and send the give-away out with a bang. With Vince injured, they could have had Ric Flair give the money away, which allows the WWE to advertise him being used in a fairly prominent role. MVP or someone could confront him, and build some heat for themselves.


No. That is bullhit, and has been bullshit every time.

[mrslackalack]

I'm hoping for Janetty. But rumors are stating Jeff Hardy and it does kind of make sense. He never got his rematch after losing the I-C title to Jericho because he got suspended.

[Afterlife]

Maybe getting suspended like a douche redacts your rematch clause.

[TerranRich]

It's about bloody time they have a Women's Title for SmackDown. That's all I have to say. I mean, what is the point of being a Diva on SmackDown? I didn't even know WTF it was until now.

[Destor]

Kofi Kingston is my pick.