Night of Champions has never been a PPV high in my personal cards. After Summer Slam, one could almost expect certain rematches, and since all the WWE titles have to be on the line, some short-notice feuds are pushed down your throat in a desperate try to make them seem legit instead of having a long build up to the individual matches.
This year wasn't that much different, and in my personal opinion, the whole main event angle was a bad joke. I'm not saying that I hated the idea of Seth Rollins cashing in, God, I loved the idea! It would put an end to a yawningly boring match. Brock Lesnar would have been stripped off the title without the belt immediately going back to John Cena.
But no, Cena had to interrupt and steal the chance of someone who I personally would like to see with more gold than the one painted on a shabby briefcase for once!
So much for the main event, but there was one true showstealer in the show:
The United States Championship Match!
Call me biased, but yes, this had been the match I had been looking forward to in advance as well - the only match to be precise. And I wasn't disappointed.
After winning the No. #1 Contenders Match against Rob Van Dam, this relatively short-notice feud picked up with the two competitors never facing each other one-on-one in the ring. In mixed up (and muddled) 6-man tag team matches, yes, but never one on one. Instead, the bouts about the title took place with one party at commentary or simply disturbing the other with their sheer presence.
Back at Money in the Bank, Sheamus and Cesaro both had the most noteworthy bouts in the Money in the Bank Ladder Match, and thus the expectations and forecasts were throughout positive for this title clash. And why wouldn't they? After all, both European competitors are known for giving everything in the ring, for working amazingly well with their opponents, and for having a damn lot of fun by giving the crowd a good show.
The match may not have ended the way I would have wished, but I am still far from disappointed. A slow build up at the beginning, and a quickly picking up pace lead to the final climax that got many spectators off their seats in cheers and frantic applause. The chemistry between Cesaro and Sheamus is undeniable, and the Swiss Superman himself named Sheamus as being his top pick for a tag team partner (as seen in this Q&A video).
Thus, I am far from being surprised that this physically demanding match drew the applause and praising backstage as well - a fact that lets me hope the future push of the Swiss wrestler isn't that far in the future as many want to make me believe.
Additionally, it is said that pro-Cesaro signs have been confiscated prior Night of Champions, stating lines like "Cesaro - King of Wrestling". One one hand, sure, the WWE don't want a whole arena chanting and cheering for the heel persona. On the other hand, why taking measures they took during the times where CM Punk leaving was heating the minds of the fans? Cesaro didn't leave the company, not on good terms, not on bad terms, so why confiscate signs that unambiguously show that the crowd WANTS to support the Swiss Superman?
Predicting a Daniel Bryan-like uprising would be too much, especially at this stage, but the signs are clear and similar. Held down for reasons I can not understand (Bryan being too small, Cesaro having not enough charm) and both elevating from a Indie (and more specific ROH) background, there can surely be parallels found. Yet, if any, it's too soon to speak of a Daniel Bryan situation 2.0 - even I as a frantic fan can see it.
And yet, what are my hopes? What do I see could be done to enrich the top ranks of the WWE and make Cesaro a main event player?
- Give him back the Cesaro Swing!When had been the last time we saw this move after it got nearly shoved down our throats while he was part of the Real Americans? Don't overdo, but this was a move that got the crowd involved, the fans happily counting along with every round Cesaro swung his opponent.
- A long-lasting story line!Don't cut him of after one chance to get his hands on a title. Immediately after the Battle Royal to determine the future IC champion after Wade Barrett's injury, Cesaro was out of the title picture. Now, let him chase the US title for a while! I'm not saying "Hand the gold to him", oh no, but give him and Sheamus the feud they both deserve! Without 6-man tag team matches, but with gimmick matches, build ups, backstage segments, maybe the one or other appearance on Jericho's Highlight Reel, the Peep Show, or - dear Lord, am I really suggesting this - MizTV! Build up some nice heat between the two powerhouses until they can clash for the title again in the upcoming PPV - or even in the one afterwards!
- A face turn?This is something I am not quite sure about, not just yet. I think that, yes, he would work as a face, and honestly, who doesn't want to see Sheamus being heel again? But is it quite the time already? The Cesaro Swing is over, no question, and if they would have spun it a little bit more, WWE could have established The Real Americans as a face team. Jack Swagger made his turn against Rusev, and Cesaro's time could come - soon.
