Triple H held an open forum for all WWE Superstars and Divas

MINNEAPOLIS – After WWE COO Triple H engaged in a heart-to-heart with an alarmed locker room, RVD battled the “Face of WWE,” AJ Lee showed how dangerous beauty can be and Daniel Bryan overcame The Hounds of Justice both inside and outside the ring.

Triple H opened SmackDown, explaining that, in essence, “Cody Rhodes fired Cody Rhodes” on Raw by showing disrespect and insubordination towards the office of COO, the WWE Universe and to his fellow Superstars – before failing to do his job by losing to WWE Champion Randy Orton.

Photos: Superstars speak up |  Exclusive WWE.com Triple H interview 

To deal with the issue of Superstars and Divas who might have problems with the way business in WWE is being done, The Game presented an open forum, inviting any and all to the top of the ramp to speak their minds.

While Damien Sandow’s comments were dismissed as kissing up to the COO, the 13-time World Champion listened to the concerns of Kofi Kingston, Rob Van Damn, Heath Slater and Ryback. He then rewarded their words with a series of matches: Ryback vs. Dolph Ziggler; Kingston vs. Intercontinental Champion Curtis Axel and RVD vs. WWE Champion Randy Orton.

In addition – pointing out Daniel Bryan’s absence during the forum (a meeting Bryan later claimed he was told he wasn’t invited to) – The King of Kings offered the submission specialist a one-on-one match against any member of The Shield.

WWE Champion Randy Orton def. Rob Van Dam

With World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio joining the SmackDown announce team, his No. 1 contender at Night of Champions, RVD, went head-to-head against WWE Champion Randy Orton.

Photos: RVD vs. RKO | RVD's greatest adversaries

At the height of the action, after Del Rio assaulted Ricardo Rodriguez by throwing his former ring announcer into the steel ring post, RVD hurled himself over the ropes and onto the Mexican Champion. While payback was indeed served, The Viper would also strike – reengaging his opponent with a hanging DDT onto the ringside floor before hitting the RKO on his prey for the victory.  

Afterwards, Del Rio sent a message to his pay-per-view foe, locking up his war-torn prey in the Cross Armbreaker.

Ryback def. Dolph Ziggler

After attacking Dolph Ziggler on Raw, United States Champion Dean Ambrose joined the SmackDown announce team to watch The Showoff take on Ryback.

"Human Wreckage" photos | Ryback's not nice

As the action raged on, the U.S. Champion explained that he attacked Ziggler because of the "disrespect" he showed the business. When asked if The Shield was, in fact, working for Triple H, Ambrose stated that The Shield works for The Shield, serving justice and establishing order.

In the final moments of the match itself, Ambrose baited Ziggler, causing a distraction that allowed the Human Wrecking Ball to blast the former World Heavyweight Champion with a furious Meathook Clothesline – setting up Shell Shocked for the victory.

Kofi Kingston def. Intercontinental Champion Curtis Axel

After Kofi Kingston racked up a non-title victory in a high-octane contest against Intercontinental Champion Curtis Axel with the SOS, Paul Heyman was left in a state of absolute panic. For, if Axel is defeated at Night of Champions, Heyman will be left to  face CM Punk one-on-one – a moment that would, most likely, mean the end of the crafty advocate.

Photos of Axel's shocking defeat

Naomi vs. Brie Bella ended in a No Contest

Prior to Naomi’s match against fellow “Total Divas” star Brie Bella, Divas Champion AJ Lee talked her way into a loose alliance with Alicia Fox, Layla and Aksana – convincing her fellow femmes fatales that the E! Network stars were trying to put themselves above the rest.

"Total Divas" fall to AJ and company |  Night of Champions Divas Fatal 4-Way

And it soon became very apparent what that grouping would mean, as the titleholder led her fired-up cohorts to the ring to take out both the Funkadactyls and The Bella Twins in a vicious sneak attack!

As the smoke cleared, AJ reaffirmed herself as the Divas Champion!

The Real Americans def. The Usos

At the height of a fierce tag team showdown, Jack Swagger thwarted an Uso top-rope assault, tossing one of his high-flying opponents from his lofty perch and allowing Antonio Cesaro to catch the descending Superstar in mid air with an earth-shattering uppercut for the win.

Big Show def. 3MB in a 3-on-1 Handicap Match

The World’s Largest Athlete may not be happy with the direction that COO Triple H and Stephanie McMahon have forced him on in recent weeks. But, when The Game put him into a  match against all three members of 3MB – whose front man spoke up against the giant “standing around and doing hardly anything” earlier in the evening – Big Show's opportunity to blow off some steam tripled.

The World's Largest photos | Watch Big Show KO Bryan

And after decimating the outmatched Superstars, Big Show delivered a double chokeslam on Drew McIntyre and Jinder Mahal before finishing off Heath Slater with the KO Punch for the victory. 

Triple H then led the still-fuming giant of the locker room away before he could do additional damage to the emerging Shield.

Daniel Bryan def. Seth Rollins

Even though, earlier in the night, Triple H had offered Daniel Bryan the chance to face any member of The Shield he wished, the former WWE Champion opted to place that choice in the court of The Hounds of Justice.

While it looked for a moment like it would be Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins secured the spot with a sneak attack from behind at the last second.

Photos: The Viper uncoils on Bryan  

But Bryan would overcome. Despite a fierce opposition – not only from his opponent, but also from the other two Hounds of Justice – the No. 1 Contender to the WWE Title scored the important victory with an authoritative high knee.

However, as Bryan celebrated at the top of the ramp, leading the WWE Universe in a “YES!” chant, WWE Champion Randy Orton attacked him with the title, leaving his  Night of Champions adversary in a world of hurt as he held championship gold above his head.