Vengeance: Night of Champions
Vengeance: Night of Champions | |||
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Promotion | World Wrestling Entertainment | ||
Brand(s) | Raw SmackDown! ECW | ||
Date | June 24, 2007 | ||
City | Houston, Texas | ||
Venue | Toyota Center | ||
Attendance | 15,000[1] | ||
Tagline(s) | Night of Champions | ||
Pay-per-view chronology | |||
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Vengeance chronology | |||
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Vengeance: Night of Champions was the seventh annual Vengeance professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). It featured talent from the Raw, SmackDown, and ECW brands. The event took place on June 24, 2007 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.[3] Every match on the card was contested for a championship; two were won and seven were retained. This event was notable for being on the weekend of the Chris Benoit double murder and suicide case. Chris Benoit, who was originally booked to face CM Punk for the vacant ECW World Championship, legitimately no-showed due to "personal reasons".[4]
The main event featured the Raw brand. It saw John Cena defend the WWE Championship against Mick Foley, Bobby Lashley, Randy Orton, and King Booker. Cena won the match and retained the WWE Championship after pinning Foley following an FU.[5] The featured match from the SmackDown! brand was a "Last Chance match" for the World Heavyweight Championship between Edge and Batista, which Edge won by count-out.[6] The primary match from the ECW brand was CM Punk versus Johnny Nitro for the vacant ECW World Championship, which Nitro won by pinfall after performing a corkscrew neckbreaker from the middle rope.[7]
Background
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Cena_With_Spinner_Belt.jpg/125px-Cena_With_Spinner_Belt.jpg)
The main feud on the Raw brand heading into the event was between John Cena, Bobby Lashley, King Booker, Mick Foley, and Randy Orton over the WWE Championship. The feud began when Lashley was drafted to the Raw brand and stripped of the ECW World Championship.[8] After being stripped of the title, Lashley began to pursue the WWE Championship.[8] On the June 18 edition of Raw, Foley, Orton, Booker, and Lashley all cut promos on why they deserve to be the number-one contender to the WWE Championship. Cena also cut a promo on who he believed deserved to be the number-one contender to the championship.[9] Following this, Interim General Manager Jonathan Coachman announced that all five men would compete for the title in a match billed as the "WWE Championship Challenge" at Vengeance.[10]
The main feud heading into Vengeance on the SmackDown! brand was between Edge and Batista over the World Heavyweight Championship. Their match stemmed from their Steel cage match at One Night Stand, the pay-per-view three weeks before Vengeance, where Edge won by escaping the cage.[11] On the June 8 edition of SmackDown!, WWE Chairman Vince McMahon announced that Edge would be defending the World Heavyweight Championship against Batista in a "Last Chance" match at Vengeance.[12] On the June 22 edition of SmackDown!, Batista and Ric Flair defeated Edge and Montel Vontavious Porter (MVP). Midway through the match, Flair and MVP brawled outside the ring, leaving Edge on his own against Batista. Batista gained the pinfall after executing a Batista Bomb on Edge.[13]
The feud between The Hardys (Matt and Jeff) and Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch began at Backlash. At the event, The Hardys defeated Cade and Murdoch to retain the World Tag Team Championship.[14] At the following event, Judgment Day, Matt and Jeff defeated Cade and Murdoch once again to retain the title.[15] On the June 4 edition of Raw, Cade and Murdoch defeated The Hardys to win the title.[16]
Event
Before the event aired live on pay-per-view, Super Crazy defeated Carlito in a dark match.[17]
Preliminary matches
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b9/Nitrorawmarch2007.jpg/150px-Nitrorawmarch2007.jpg)
The event began with a video package of the event and its theme, "Night of Champions," followed by opening pyrotechnics. The first match was between Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch and The Hardys (Matt and Jeff) for the World Tag Team Championship. Cade and Matt started the match, with Matt in control. The two teams tagged in and out until Cade and Murdoch attempted to walk out of the match, but the Hardys went after them, and brought them back into the ring. Jeff attempted a Swanton Bomb onto Cade, but Murdoch interfered on Cade's behalf. Matt tried to interfere on Jeff's behalf, but was stopped by the referee. Murdoch used this as an advantage, and pushed Jeff off the turnbuckle, leading to Cade performing a powerbomb. Cade gained the pinfall on Jeff to win the match and retain the tiles.[18]
The second match was between Chavo Guerrero and Jimmy Wang Yang for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship.[3] The match began with Yang and Guerrero locking up, followed by Yang in control through most of the match. After Yang missed a moonsault, Guerrero executed a Gory Bomb. Shortly after, Guerrero performed a Frog Splash on Yang. Afterwards, Guerrero pinned Yang to win the match and retain the Cruiserweight Championship.
The third match was between CM Punk and Johnny Nitro for the ECW World Championship.[7] Chris Benoit, who was originally booked to face Punk, legitimately no-showed due to "personal reasons." The match started off with Punk attempting a crossbody on Nitro. Nitro countered, however, and executed an enzuigiri. Nitro delivered a corkscrew neckbreaker and pinned Punk to win the match to become the new ECW World Champion.[7][19]
The fourth match was between Santino Marella and Umaga for the WWE Intercontinental Championship.[3][20] The match began with Umaga in control, squashing Marella. Two minutes into the match, Umaga was punching Marella uncontrollably. The referee disqualified Umaga when he refused to stop, and Marella retained the as he delivered a splash and a Samoan Spike.[20]
The fifth match was between Montel Vontavious Porter (MVP) and Ric Flair for the WWE United States Championship.[3][21] The match started with Flair executing a series of backhand chops to MVP. Flair kept the advantage and applied the figure four leglock. MVP countered, by executing a low blow. MVP then performed the Playmaker and pinned Flair to retain the United States Championship.[21]
The sixth match was an open challenge by Deuce 'n Domino to any tag team for the WWE Tag Team Championship, which was accepted by Jimmy Snuka and Sgt. Slaughter.[3][22] Snuka and Slaughter controlled most of the match; however, Deuce 'n Domino got the win after Deuce pinned Snuka. After the match, Deuce 'n Domino attacked Snuka and Slaughter until Tony Garea and Rick Martel came into the ring to assist Snucka and Slaughter.[22]
Main event matches
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Edge_World_Heavyweight_Champ.jpg/125px-Edge_World_Heavyweight_Champ.jpg)
The seventh match was between Edge and Batista for the World Heavyweight Championship.[3][6] This was a "Last Chance match," meaning if Batista lost, he could not get another shot at the World Heavyweight Championship as long as Edge was champion. Batista originally won the match by disqualification after Edge executed a low blow; however, SmackDown! General Manager Theodore Long restarted the match with the stipulation that Edge could lose the title by countout or disqualification. Edge won the match after Batista was counted out, thus retaining the title.[6]
The eighth match was between Melina and Candice Michelle for the WWE Women's Championship.[3][23] After a back and forth match, Michelle executed a spinning heel kick on Melina to gain the victory and win the Women's Championship.[23][24]
The main event, billed as the "WWE Championship Challenge," was John Cena versus King Booker versus Bobby Lashley versus Mick Foley versus Randy Orton for the WWE Championship.[3][5] Throughout the match, all five men gained an advantage over one-another at one or more spots. One spot in the match saw Lashley dive over the top rope onto the other four competitors. Towards the end of the match, Cena executed an FU on Lashley through an announce table. Cena won the match and retained the title by pinning Foley after performing an FU.[5]
Aftermath
Chavo Guerrero went on to defend the WWE Cruiserweight Championship in a Cruiserweight Open at The Great American Bash against Jimmy Wang Yang, Jamie Noble, Funaki, and Shannon Moore. Hornswoggle also entered the match at the bell, but immediately escaped the ring and hid under it. With all of the cruiserweights down, with the exception of Noble, Hornswoggle came out from under the ring and delivered a Tadpole Splash to Noble. He pinned him afterwards to win the match and the Cruiserweight Championship.[25][26] Candice Michelle and Melina continued to feud over the WWE Women's Championship. The two had a rematch at The Great American Bash for the title. Michelle pinned Melina after delivering a Candy Wrapper to retain the title.[27]
On the July 2 edition of Raw, Umaga defeated Santino Marella in a rematch to capture the WWE Intercontinental Championship.[28][29] Two weeks later, Jeff Hardy defeated William Regal, Shelton Benjamin, and Santino Marella in a Fatal Four-Way Elimination match to become the number one contender to the Intercontinental Championship. At The Great American Bash, Umaga defeated Hardy to retain the title after the Samoan Spike.[30] That same night, Bobby Lashley won a "Beat the Clock" tournament to become the number-one contender to the WWE Championship.[28] At The Great American Bash, Lashley faced John Cena for the WWE Championship in the main event. Cena retained the title after an FU.[31]
On the June 26 edition of ECW, CM Punk defeated Elijah Burke in a Two out of three falls match to become the number one contender to the ECW Championship.[7] At The Great American Bash, Punk faced John Morrison (formerly known as Johnny Nitro) for the ECW Championship. Morrison retained the title after hitting Punk with both of his knees.[32]
On the July 6 edition of SmackDown!, Kane was named the number one contender to the World Heavyweight Championship after he appeared as the special guest on Edge's Cutting Edge segment.[33] Edge held a celebration for himself on the July 13 edition of SmackDown!, and was attacked by Kane, who in the process legitimately injured Edge.[34] On the July 20 edition of SmackDown!, Edge was forced to vacate the World Heavyweight Championship as a result of his injury. The Great Khali went on to win a 20-man battle royal to become the new World Heavyweight Champion.[35][36] At The Great American Bash, Khali defended the title successfully against Kane and Batista in a Triple Threat match.[37]
Results
See also
References
- ^ "Night of Champions results". Pro Wrestling History. Retrieved 2008-04-22.
- ^ Medalis, Kara A. (2007-06-21). "Fueling Vengeance: Night of Champions". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2008-04-21.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Powell, John (2007-06-25). "Vengeance banal and badly booked". SLAM! Sports. Retrieved 2007-11-06.
{{cite web}}
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- ^ a b c d Dee, Louie (2007-06-24). "Five alive". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2007-11-06.
- ^ a b c d McAvennie, Mike (2007-06-24). "Batista's last stand falls". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2007-11-06.
- ^ a b c d e Robinson, Bryan (2007-06-24). "ECW World Title goes A-list". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2007-11-06. Cite error: The named reference "match3" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ a b McAvennie, Mike (2007-06-11). "One wild night". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2007-12-26.
- ^ Anderson, Donny (2007-06-18). "Raw Results--6/18/2007". Lords of Pain. Retrieved 2007-12-26.
- ^ "WWE Championship Challenge Match". World Wrestling Entertainment. 2007-06-24. Retrieved 2008-07-22.
- ^ McAvennie, Mike (2007-06-03). "Edge wins by two feet". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2007-10-10.
- ^ Claton, Corey (2007-06-08). "It's do or die again for The Animal". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2007-11-06.
- ^ Rote, Andrew (2007-06-22). "Night of chance?". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2007-11-06.
- ^ Rote, Andrew (2007-04-29). "The Hardys survive". WWE. Retrieved 2008-07-24.
- ^ Clayton, Corey (2007-05-20). "'By the book' couldn't beat the Hardys". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2008-07-24.
- ^ Clayton, Corey (2007-06-04). "Crazy like a fox?". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2008-07-24.
- ^ a b "Vengeance 2007 results". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved 2007-11-06. Cite error: The named reference "match0" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ a b Dee, Louie (2007-06-24). "Sportsmen of the year?". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2007-11-06.
- ^ "John Morrison's first ECW World Championship reign". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2007-11-19.
- ^ a b c McAvennie, Mike (2007-06-24). "Santino: A very sore winner". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2007-11-06.
- ^ a b c Clayton, Corey (2007-06-24). "MVP puts on legendary show with win over Flair". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2007-11-06.
- ^ a b c Robinson, Bryan (2007-06-24). "Tag champs win, but taught a legendary lesson". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2007-11-06.
- ^ a b c DiFino, Lennie (2007-06-24). "Dream come true". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2007-11-06.
- ^ "Candice Michelle's first Women's Championship reign". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2007-11-19.
- ^ McAvennie, Mike (2007-07-22). "A leprechaun's pot o' Cruiserweight gold". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2007-11-19.
- ^ "Hornswoggle's first Cruiserweight Championship reign". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2007-11-19.
- ^ Robinson, Bryan (2007-07-22). "Not just another pretty fluke". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2007-11-19.
- ^ a b Rote, Andrew (2007-07-02). "A matter of time". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2007-11-19.
- ^ "Umaga's second Intercontinental Championship reign". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2007-11-20.
- ^ Robinson, Bryan (2007-07-22). "Firmly in the grip of a Samoan Bulldozer". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2007-11-20.
- ^ Robinson, Bryan (2007-07-22). "One WWE Champion, but two champions at heart". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2007-11-20.
- ^ Rote, Andrew (2007-07-22). "Morrison enlightens the Straightedge Superstar". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2007-11-20.
- ^ Rote, Andrew (2007-07-06). "A big surprise". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2007-11-20.
- ^ Rote, Andrew (2007-07-13). "Officially on". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2007-11-20.
- ^ Difino, Lennie (2007-07-20). "Giant change to Friday nights". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2007-11-20.
- ^ "The Great Khali's first World Heavyweight Championship reign". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2007-11-20.
- ^ McAvennie, Mike (2007-07-22). "The Great Khali wins the big one". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2007-11-20.
- ^ Rote, Andrew (2007-06-24). "Chavo cruises". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved 2007-11-06.