Sunday, 16 September 2012 - The 2012 WWE Night of Champions pre-show kicks off with Scott Stanford and Matt Striker at ringside. They hype tonight’s show as we see fans settling into the arena. They talk about the pre-show battle royal and mention it’s a 16-man match. More hype for tonight’s matches.
- We get a look at the Sheamus and Alberto Del Rio feud. Josh Mathews is backstage with Booker T and asks him about the Brogue Kick. Booker talks about how he takes safety very seriously. Booker confirms that the kick is still banned.
- We get a vignette hyping WWE United States Champion Antonio Cesaro.
#1 Contender Battle Royal: Brodus Clay, Primo, Epico, Justin Gabriel, Tensai, Tyson Kidd, Michael McGillicutty, Zack Ryder to a big pop, Darren Young, Titus O’Neil, Jinder Mahal, JTG, Drew McIntyre, Ted DiBiase, Heath Slater, Santino Marella
The winner of this one will face WWE United States Champion Antonio Cesaro later tonight. It comes down to Ryder and Tensai. Ryder goes for the Ruff Ryder but Tensai catches him with a powerbomb. They fall over the ropes but Tensai’s feet hit the floor and Ryder hangs on for the win.
Winner and New #1 Contender: Zack Ryder
- Mathews interviews Ryder in the ring after the match and asks if he can go on to beat Cesaro. Ryder says WWWYKI and goes on to celebrate the win.
- Josh Mathews is backstage for a CM Punk interview but Punk has refused him. We see Paul Heyman. Mathews asks for comment but he doesn’t get much. We get a vignette for Punk vs. John Cena.
- The 2012 WWE Night of Champions pay-per-view kicks off with a promo video that focuses on the WWE Title, CM Punkand John Cena.
- We go ringside to Michael Cole. Cole talks about what happened to Jerry Lawler and updaters on his condition. Cole says Lawler thanks the fans for their support. Cole announces Lawler will be going home tomorrow. We go to the ring and comes former WWE Champion JBL to join Cole on commentary.
*Fatal 4 Way for the WWE Intercontinental Title: Rey Mysterio vs. Sin Cara vs. Cody Rhodes vs. The Miz(c)
Cara kicks Cody in the head and pulls out one of his masks. Cara goes toput it on Cody but Miz catches him with a Skull Crushing Finale for a close 2 count. Miz ends up with the mask on and can’t see. Cody goes for Cross Rhodes on Cara but Miz hits SCF on Cody for the win.
Winner: The Miz(c) - Titus O’Neil and Darren Young are backstage complaining to Eve Torres. Eve hears something and runs off. Kaitlyn is backstage witha trainer and she’s been attacked. She says someone attacked her and their face was covered. Apparently her ankle is injured.
- We get a look back at Kane and Daniel Bryan’s anger management classes.
*WWE Tag Team Title Match: Kane and Daniel Bryan vs. Kofi Kingston and R-Truth
Kane shoves Bryan off. Bryan runs over and pushes Kane off the top. Kane splashes Kofi for the win and the tag titles.
Winners and New WWE Tag Team Champions: Kane and Daniel Bryan
- After the match, Kane and Bryan celebrate before meeting in the middle of the ring. They have words and raise their titles up after yelling about which of them is the champions. They come face to face and Kane makes the ring explode. Kane storms off and we go to replays.
- Teddy Long and Booker T are talking about the tag title match when Eve Torres comes in. She says Kaitlyn twisted her ankle and the trainers say she cannot compete tonight. They wonder who’s going to compete against Layla. Booker says she earned a shot and has been doing a good job as his assistant. Booker says this will be a reward for Eve. Eve thanks him and walks off. Booker tells Teddy he will holla at him in a minute and walks off, leaving Teddy look confused.
- We go ringside to Cole and JBL. They talk about partnering with the Susan G. Komen Foundation tofight breast cancer. The middle rope will be pink throughout October.
*WWE United States Title Match: Zack Ryder vs. Antonio Cesaro(c)
Ryder calls for the Broski Boot but Aksana helps Cesaro out of the way. Cesaro runs back in the ring and Ryder chases. Cesaro hits a big uppercut and then the Neutralizer for the win.
Winner: Antonio Cesaro(c)
- Cesaro and Aksana make out in the ring as we go to a promo for Saturday Morning Slam.
