Greetings and salutations! Its Night (Afternoon) Of Champions Day and we have a full card. Who will talk out as new World Heavyweight Champion? Will Roman Reigns add to his collection of belts? Is Cody okay enough to compete against Brock Lesnar? So many intriguing stories as we lead into the show. Without further ado, let’s get to the show.
World Heavyweight Championship: Seth Rollins VS AJ Styles
Rollins was pandering to the crowd and Styles went straight to business. Bell to bell, this match was outstanding. Both Rollins and Styles proved that they may be pound for pound the best on the roster. Styles continued his attack on Rollins which included a Springboard DDT but Rollins counters and hits a Buckle Bomb on Styles. Rollins followed that up by climbing to the top rope and landing a Splash on Styles for a nearfall. Rollins continued this offense with a Reverse Top Rope DDT that he rolls through and lands a second Reverse DDT. The two continue to battle and Styles ends up at ringside. Rollins attempts a Suicide Dive but his knee buckled and the target is set for the rest of the match.
Will @WWERollins be singing the song of victory at #WWENOC? pic.twitter.com/bC0XW6GU9K
— WWE (@WWE) May 27, 2023
Styles immediately targets the injured knee of Rollins and ends this streak of punishment with a Calf Crusher. Rollins gets out eventually and Styles is ready to end the match but anytime Styles went for the Styles Clash, Rollins had an answer to it. Styles went for a Styles Clash three times but Rollins mastered his way out each time. Rollins decided it was time to change things up and went for Rollins’ own move, a Pedigree. Styles set up for the Phenomenal Forearm and Rollins counters it with a Superkick. Rollins is looking for a Curb Stomp but his knee buckled yet again. This slowed him down but Rollins eventually hit a Pedigree and a Curb Stomp after rolling through a Calf Crusher for the huge win in front of a hot crowd.
Winner: AND NEW World Heavyweight Champion; Seth Rollins
After the match, Triple H brought the new title into the the ring and helped Rollins to his feet and then presented him with the championship and raised his arm
New World Heavyweight Champion @WWERollins is joined by @TripleH for an emotional celebration at #WWENOC! pic.twitter.com/TWbOgF65QP
— WWE (@WWE) May 27, 2023
Cody Rhodes was shown backstage. Cole said it was confirmed that Cody has a broken arm, but he will move forward with his match against Brock Lesnar later in the show.
“The Street Profits” Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford were shown sitting in the crowd enjoying the show.
A video package recapped the feud between Becky Lynch and Trish Stratus
Becky Lynch vs. Trish Stratus
The match started off hot as Lynch raced towards Stratus and went for the early attack. Lynch kept attacking Trish until they ended up outside of the ring. Stratus took control of the match with the two women at ringside. Stratus launched Lynch to the Steel Stairs. Stratus continued her offense and capped it off with a Head Scissors from the apron to the outside of the ring.
Who will gain the edge between @BeckyLynchWWE and @trishstratuscom at #WWENOC? pic.twitter.com/bBO2oPl3Nl
— WWE (@WWE) May 27, 2023
Stratus continued to rely on cheating and underhanded tactics through the match. Stratus poked and prodded the face of Lynch through the match looking for the win by any means necessary. Lynch came back and hit a Becksploder Suplex on Stratus in the corner. Stratus was tryign to eit the ring but Lynch got the best of Stratus as she tried to run and roll out of the ring. Lynch hit a Leg Drop on Stratus while she was over the middle rope. This was good for a 2-count.
Lynch with a Manhandle Slam and the pin but Trish drapes a leg under the rope for the break. Stratus is outside again and looked under the ring. Lynch pulled Stratus out and threw her back in the ring. As Lynch was about to get back in the ring, Zoey Stark appeared and hit a Z360 on Lynch and threw her into the ring. Stratus hits a Stratusfaction for the win.
Winner: Trish Stratus
After the match, Stark and Stratus exit together.
You can thank @trishstratuscom if you'd like, but Trish should be thanking @ZoeyStarkWWE!#WWENOC pic.twitter.com/2lRZ7I67yz
— WWE (@WWE) May 27, 2023
Intercontinental Championship: Gunther VS Mustafa Ali
Its a David vs Goliath match. Gunther man handled ali through the match. Gunther with his huge chops early in the match. Ali tried to focus his attacks on the legs of Gunther but Gunther proved to be too much for Ali. Gunther slams Ali down and went for a Single Leg Crab and transitioned that to a Crossface. Ali went for a Springboard but Gunther with a HUGE KICK that send Ali to ringside. Gunther stalked his prey and ran Ali to the ring post.
Who will walk out of #WWENOC with the #ICTitle? pic.twitter.com/EScENjJaA1
— WWE (@WWE) May 27, 2023
Back in the ring, Ali with a mild comeback but Gunther went right back to work on Ali. Ali found a Neckbreaker that ket Gunther down for a bit. Ali goes to the top but Gunther is up and and chops the living daylights out of Ali again. Gunther sets Ali up for a Underhook Suplex but Ali blocks it and headbutts Gunther. Ali with a Sit-Out Powerbomb and goes for a 450 Splash for a nearfall. Gunther is up and angry now as he clotheslines Ali to hell for a nearfall of his own. Gunther is incredibly frustrated with Ali and screams to Ali saying that he doesn’t belong. Gunther now with a Powerbomb but ALi flips out of it and hits a Tornado DDT. Ali with a 450 splash but Gunther moves out of the way and Ali rolled through. Gunther with a Dropkick and Powerbomb to end things and retain.
Winner: AND STILL Intercontinental Champion; Gunther
SO CLOSE!#WWENOC pic.twitter.com/7NtCy5x64W
— WWE (@WWE) May 27, 2023
Kevin Owens is seen as Sami Zayne takes a seat to him hyping up their match. Zayn talks about winning the tag titles at Mania and says that Reigns always finds a way to win. Owens tells Zayne they won the titles from the Usos who are more of a team than Reigns and Solo. Owens is sick of hearing of Reigns and says that he didn’t come to lose.
LA Knight was seen sitting in the crowd.
Raw Women’s Championship: Bianca Belair VS Asuka
We had the formal intros by Mike Rome. Belair Suplexes Asuka early on and Asuka with a Kip Up. Belair with a Spear to Asuka in the corner and climbs to the middle rope to throw down on Asuka with punches. Asuka slips out of the corner and pulled on Belair’s braid to make her crash on the mat. Belair didn’t stay out of the match too long as she responded to that with a Backbreaker and Standing Moonsault for a nearfall. Asuka also came right back and hit some vicious kicks to the chest of Belair but misses the final one to give Belair a window for some offense.
Is @BiancaBelairWWE ready for @WWEAsuka at #WWENOC? pic.twitter.com/P5zggBu3qu
— WWE (@WWE) May 27, 2023
Asuka eventually kicks the guy of Belair and runs to the ropes only to be cut off by Belair and goes for a Suplex of the middle rope but Asuka fights it off and does a Missle Dropkick on Belair for a 2-count. The two keep battling and Asuka eventually grabbed the hair of Belair and uses that to guide her to ringside. Asuka tried to whip Belair to the Steel Steps but that was reversed. Both women trade punches before rolling back into the ring.
The women end up in the corner and Belair with more punches on Asuka until the ref intervened. Asuka with an Armbar on Belair. Belair right back with a hard slam for a 2-count. Asuka with the mist onto her hands so when Belair set her up for the KOD, Asuka rubbed the eyes of Belair with the new spicy mist. Asuka with a crushing kick to the head of Belair for the pinfall win.
Winner: AND NEW RAW Women’s Champion; Asuka
THE MIST! THE MIST! THE MIST!#WWENOC pic.twitter.com/MFIEEs50iB
— WWE (@WWE) May 27, 2023
Karrion Kross and Scarlett were shown int he crowd watching the show.
Smackdown Women’s Championship: Rhea Ripley (w/Dominik Mysterio) VS Natalya
Mike Rome with the formal championship introductions. Dom yelled at Natalya as things got underway saying she has no chance. Ripley hit Natalya from behind sending her to ringside. Ripley smashed Natalya on the announce table a few times and threw her to the ring steps also. Ripley rolls a lifeless Nataly back in the ring and hit a riptide for the win.
Winner: And Still Smackdown Women’s Champion; Rhea Ripley
Dom jumps into the arms of Mami.
This celebration is EVERYTHING!!!#WWENOC pic.twitter.com/qJQZfsHilo
— WWE (@WWE) May 27, 2023
Byron Saxton is with the new World Heavyweight Champion; Seth Rollins. Rollins says it feels good to be champ after 4 years. Rollins was asked what the future of RAW looks like with him as champ and Rollins says he will be there live every Monday. Rollins says he’s a visionary, a revolutionary, and the World Heavyweight Champion
Brock Lesnar VS Cody Rhodes
Rhodes with a cast on his broken arm so you know there is a target on it. Rhodes tried to use his brains to get a win over Lesnar but anything that he tried was countered by Lesnar and with brute strength. Lesnar with Suplex after Suplex on Rhodes. One Suplex made Rhodes land on his broken arm. Rhodes then channels his inner Bob Orton and smacks Lesnar with the cast, giving him some momentum in the match. Rhodes continued to use his cast to stun Lesnar sending him to ringside. Rhodes with a Suicide Dive, Disaster Kick, Springboard Cutter and not one, but two Cross Rhodes.
Looks like @BrockLesnar was more than ready this time!#WWENOC pic.twitter.com/Ez3A4PubP9
— WWE (@WWE) May 27, 2023
Rhodes knows he needs one more Cross Rhodes for the win and goes for it, only to be countered by Lesnar who locks in a Kimura Lock. Rhodes with a roll through pin attempt but Lesnar was expecting it this time. Lesnar re-locks the Kimura causing excruciating pain on Rhodes. Rhodes eventully made it to the ropes.
Lesnar goes of a F-5 but Rhodes gets out of it and hits Lesnar with thethird Cross Rhodes for a near fall. Lesnar finally hits that F-5 but Rhodes gets out at 2. Lesnar gets on top of Rhodes and locks in a Kimura for a long while causing Rhodes to pass out from the pain. Lesnar with the win.
Winner: Brock Lesnar
What a match!#WWENOC pic.twitter.com/5RSUzNNXr9
— WWE (@WWE) May 27, 2023
Omos was shown seated in the crowd. He stood up and put his hand over the camera
The broadcast team hyped the Money in the Bank qualifying matches for Raw and Smackdown. Cole noted that Reigns officially reached 1,000 days as champion today.
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles: Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn vs. Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa (w/Paul Heyman)
Mike Rome started the intros but Paul Heyman did the Bloodline and Zayne did his teams in Arabic. Reigns and Owens started the match but Zayne tagged in early on to a huge ovation from the crowd. Reigns was irritated by the crowd love for Zayne. Zayne and Solo eventually lock up and Solo just tosses Zayne to the ground. Owens tags in and trades punches with Solo. Owens gets the upperhand for a while and tags Zayne back in the match. The champs momentum was over as Solo took over the match cutting Zayne off from his partner who just stared in despair watching his partner take a beating.
Mr. 1️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣#WWENOC pic.twitter.com/vymiyu5lyo
— WWE (@WWE) May 27, 2023
Owens eventually does get that hot tag back into the match and rages through the Bloodline. Owens and Solo are at it again but fights his way through him and its time for Reigns and Owens to lock up. Owens takes the battle to Reigns and hits a Pop-Up Powerbomb. Owens with a Frogsplash but that was only good for a near fall.
Solo with a partial distraction that allows Reigns to comes right back to the match with a Superman punch on Owens that was only good for a 2-count. Reigns and Owens trade blows and Owens hits a Stunner on Reigns causing him to bounce off the ropes and hit a spear on Owens on the return. Zayne and Solo are in the match. Zayne with the advantage finally. Zayne kicks Solo to ringside and Zayne follows him out with a Suicide Dive. Back in the ring, Zayne hits a Blue Thunder Bomb but that wasn’t enough. Solo goes for a Samoan Spike but Zayne moves out of the way and hits an Exploder Suplex followed by a Helluva Kick and a pin attempt that was broken up by Reigns.
😲😲😲#WWENOC pic.twitter.com/EZITCmsHKe
— WWE (@WWE) May 27, 2023
Zayne and Reigns brawl and Reigns goes for a Spear that catches the ref. Zayne takes advantage of this and hits a Superman Punch on Reigns but Reigns comes right back with a Superman Punch of his own. Owens is in and takes Reigns out and smashes him on the announce table. The Usos are in the arena and attack Owens and Zayne. Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso each delivered a superkick to Zayn and go for one on Owens but they miss and take out Solo. Reigns is in the ring and is ANGRY. Reigns shoves Jey in the face and turns around only to be Superkicked by Jimmy! The Bloodline is broken! Things are not fine! Jey is shocked and Jimmy said it had to be done. Jimmy with a second Superkick and leave the ring leaving Solo out and Reigns in dreamland. Owens and Zayn deliver a stunner-Helluva kick combination for the win!
Winners: AND STILL Undisputed WWE Tag Team; Kevin Owens & Sami Zayne
WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!?!? 😲😲😲😲😲😲#WWENOC pic.twitter.com/WH00MPpTjl
— WWE (@WWE) May 27, 2023
The Usos were shown watching from the stage. Jey is shocked by it all. Cole is wondering if this is the end of the Bloodline. Reigns was shown looking upset at ringside while Owens and Zayn celebrated their win inside the ring taunting Reigns with their titles.
A video package recapped the highlights of the event to close the show.
Night of Champions 2023
This show was EXCELLENT. We had some good in-ring matches, dynamic story-telling and an overall entertaining show. The huge news is the implosion of the Bloodline. Overall, this is a must watch show with the match of the night going to the main event for the Undisputed Tag Team Championships.