The stakes cannot be higher as all of WWE’s championships will be on the line at Night of Champions, live on WWE Network. Will Seth Rollins lose everything, or leave Houston with two career-defining wins? Can Sting capture WWE’s top prize? And who will stand alongside Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns in their fight against The Wyatt Family?
See who WWE Hall of Famer Howard Finkel, ECW Original Joey Styles and WWE.com editors think will prevail in our Night of Champions predictions, presented by Mountain Dew.
Let us know your picks in the comments below.
Full Night of Champions coverage | Get WWE Network
The stakes cannot be higher as all of WWE’s championships will be on the line at Night of Champions, live on WWE Network. Will Seth Rollins lose everything, or leave Houston with two career-defining wins? Can Sting capture WWE’s top prize? And who will stand alongside Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns in their fight against The Wyatt Family?
See who WWE Hall of Famer Howard Finkel, ECW Original Joey Styles and WWE.com editors think will prevail in our Night of Champions predictions, presented by Mountain Dew.
Let us know your picks in the comments below.
Full Night of Champions coverage | Get WWE Network
@howardfinkel: My heart wants to go with Sting, but my head believes Seth Rollins will win. I’ve got to go with my head here. It’s all a matter of constant activity, which Rollins thrives at. While there’s no doubt that Sting will give Rollins a run for his money, the champion retains, in a match that WWE fans will remember for a long time to come. WINNER: Seth Rollins
@JoeyStyles: After losing his long overdue WWE debut match to Triple H at WrestleMania, Sting needs to reset the balance of sports-entertainment and win the title has long eluded him. I also predict that after the match, Rollins will repeatedly Pedigree The Icon, leaving Sting easy prey for Mr. Money in the Bank, Sheamus. WINNER: Sting
Jeff Laboon: Seth Rollins’ first title reign has been legendary, but he doesn’t have any more rabbits to pull out of his hat. Sting adds a WWE World Heavyweight Championship to his Hall of Fame resume. WINNER: Sting
Anthony Benigno: Sting embarrasses Seth Rollins. Sting beats Rollins. Rollins learns lesson? Rollins doesn’t learn lesson. Sting beats Rollins again. Sheamus cashes in? Hmmmmm. WINNER: Sting
Ryan Pappolla: The 7-year-old version of me wants to believe Sting will leave Night of Champions as the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion. But Seth Rollins doesn’t care about my, Sting’s or anyone else’s heart. The Architect shall find a way. WINNER: Seth Rollins
Sting: 3, Seth Rollins: 2
WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match preview | Watch Sting debut in WWE
@howardfinkel: Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley have looked better than ever since returning to the WWE fold, and they will parlay their efforts into once again becoming WWE Tag Team Champions. WINNERS: The Dudley Boyz
@JoeyStyles: Bubba Ray and D-Von Dudley have been unrelenting since making their long overdue return to WWE and they will not be stopped on Sunday. The most decorated tag team in history will add yet one more title to their Hall of Fame resume and become 10-time Tag Team Champions in WWE at Night of Champions. WINNERS: The Dudley Boyz
Jeff Laboon: The Dudleys have been all-business since returning to WWE, but they haven’t run into the sneaky tactics of The New Day. Tables will be broken in Texas, but the champions will somehow retain. WINNERS: The New Day
Anthony Benigno: The Boyz are back, but tag title reign No. 1 on their reunion tour will have to wait. The on-a-roll New Day retains by the skin of their teeth and the brass of Xavier Woods’ trombone. WINNERS: The New Day
Ryan Pappolla: The Dudley Boyz are on an absolute tear. Doesn’t that just feel good to say? We know The New Day will not go down quietly, but it simply feels predestined that The Dudleys walk out of Houston victorious. WINNERS: The Dudley Boyz
The Dudley Boyz: 3, The New Day: 2
Watch the Dudleys’ top 10 table moments | Title match preview
@howardfinkel: It’s all well and good that Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns have someone to join them this Sunday. But not knowing who that individual is, I am going with The Wyatt Family to emerge victorious. Bray Wyatt will have his disciples beyond ready to do battle this Sunday. WINNERS: The Wyatt Family
@JoeyStyles: I don’t care who decides to fight side by side with former Shield teammates Ambrose and Reigns. Unless it’s Seth Rollins himself, I am not betting against puppet master Bray Wyatt, the destructive Luke Harper and their new monster of a man, Braun Strowman. WINNERS: The Wyatt Family
Jeff Laboon: The Wyatt Family has been on fire since Braun Strowman joined the fold, but Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns will find the perfect teammate to counter his strength. WINNERS: Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns & TBA
Anthony Benigno: Dean Ambrose once made a remark about being able to beat the ghost of Andre the Giant. Well, it’ll take nothing less than that to turn back the revamped Wyatts. WINNERS: The Wyatt Family
Ryan Pappolla: For once, it will be The Wyatt Family who has to game plan for the unknown. Sadly, it likely won’t much matter who Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns select. SEAL Team Six couldn’t stop Braun Strowman right now. WINNERS: The Wyatt Family
The Wyatt Family: 4, Ambrose, Reigns & TBA: 1
Braun Strowman debuts | Full match preview
@howardfinkel: Where Seth Rollins’ two matches are placed in the order of events will be an important factor. Will he get enough time to rest up before he has to take to the mat again? If he’s fresh against Cena, he has a chance. If not, I feel that Cena will regain the U.S. Title. WINNER: John Cena
@JoeyStyles: Seth Rollins’ match with John Cena at SummerSlam was the best match I have ever seen the reigning WWE World Heavyweight Champion have. The Authority’s hand-picked champion seems to get better with each match and for that reason, I expect Rollins to finally score a decisive and definitive victory over John Cena. WINNER: Seth Rollins
Jeff Laboon: After eight Night of Champions events, the United States Champion has left with his reign intact on seven occasions. John Cena makes for a tough challenge, but the odds remain in Seth Rollins’ favor. WINNER: Seth Rollins
Anthony Benigno: Unless Seth Rollins wheels out new “Daily Show” host Trevor Noah as a human shield, well, his time is up. John Cena takes back Old Glory and we pick up where we left off in August. WINNER: John Cena
Ryan Pappolla: From everything we understand, Jon Stewart will not be present for this contest. Rollins may have the mental edge after his SummerSlam win, but John Cena has never met a comeback he didn’t like. WINNER: John Cena
John Cena: 3, Seth Rollins: 2
Full Rollins vs. Cena preview | Watch U.S. Title Match at SummerSlam
@howardfinkel: Since winning the Intercontinental Title, Ryback’s star has shined brightly. On the other hand, Kevin Owens is such a cool customer inside the squared circle and is deceivingly agile to boot. Ryback will be hard-pressed to retain his title, but I look for the brash “Quebecois” to garner the win, and become the “neeewww“ Intercontinental Champion. WINNER: Kevin Owens
@JoeyStyles: Ryback has been on a roll since winning the Intercontinental Championship. But Kevin Owens made the most impressive and impactful WWE debut in recent memory when he pinned John Cena. Owens looks more like a brawler than a sports-entertainer, and that’s what makes him dangerous. All the years that Ryback has spent doing bench presses, squats and deadlifts mean nothing compared to all of the fights Owens has been battling in all over the world for the past 15 years. WINNER: Kevin Owens
Jeff Laboon: Few Superstars can match Ryback’s competitive side. Whether it’s a three-legged race at the company picnic or a championship match, The Big Guy will go all-out to leave with the prize. WINNER: Ryback
Anthony Benigno: Kevin Owens looked nervous on Raw when he got this match, but why? He’s beaten John Cena and Cesaro, so knocking off The Big Guy won’t be too much of a stretch for him. WINNER: Kevin Owens
Ryan Pappolla: Ryback vs. Kevin Owens will be stiff, gritty and full of fists to the face. This may look like a toss-up, but considering it’s a heavyweight brawl with a big-fight feel, I’ll take the guy they label “The Prizefighter.” WINNER: Kevin Owens
Kevin Owens: 4, Ryback: 1
Preview this title match | Watch Owens’ first match in WWE
@howardfinkel: Based on the events of this past week, I wish that all outside parties would not be allowed at ringside for this match, letting Nikki Bella and Charlotte battle it out to see who the better Diva is. But I don’t foresee that happening. I look for Nikki to retain her Divas Championship by eking out a tainted win over her worthy challenger. WINNER: Nikki Bella
@JoeyStyles: Congratulations to Nikki on becoming the longest-reigning Divas Champion by hanging onto the title via technicalities and competing in many more tag team matches than title matches to run out the clock. Nikki’s reign comes to an end on Sunday when she taps out (again) to Charlotte’s Figure-Eight Leglock. Wooooo! WINNER: Charlotte
Jeff Laboon: Team Bella has been like the Chicago Bulls of the 1990s. They even wear black and red. At the rate Nikki Bella is going, she will have Air Bellas soon enough. WINNER: Nikki Bella
Anthony Benigno: Hope the “Bellabration” was worth it, because Nikki Bella was outgunned on Monday and she knows it. With no stipulation to protect the champion, Charlotte finishes the job and the Divas Revolution gets its leader. WINNER: Charlotte
Ryan Pappolla: Nikki Bella has ruled the Divas Division with a bedazzled iron first for nearly a year, but at Night of Champions, natural selection will run its course. The leader of The Bella Empire will bow to the division’s new queen. WINNER: Charlotte
Charlotte: 3, Nikki Bella: 2
Nikki breaks the record | Divas Title Match preview
@howardfinkel: These two have a genuine dislike for each other, as has been evidenced over the past few weeks. With Lana now on the sidelines, I look for Summer Rae to be an integral part of this match. Dolph Ziggler will be amped up to counter whatever Rusev and Summer have to offer, however, and will take the measure of The Bulgarian Brute. WINNER: Dolph Ziggler
@JoeyStyles: If the injured Lana was in Dolph Ziggler’s corner, I would pick The Showoff to dispatch The Bulgarian Brute at Night of Champions. With Lana at home recovering and Summer Rae at ringside to distract Ziggler, however, I am picking Rusev to steal a win. WINNER: Rusev
Jeff Laboon: Rusev and Summer Rae have done a masterful job lately of ruining Dolph Ziggler’s life. With Lana recuperating at home, Ziggler will be focused on getting some forgiveness by kicking her ex in the face. WINNER: Dolph Ziggler
Anthony Benigno: Dolph Ziggler’s got a way with women, but it’s Rusev who’s all hot and bothered over it. Expect the strategy to pay off when Ziggler finally beats the big man. WINNER: Dolph Ziggler
Ryan Pappolla: Lana drama has dominated this situation from its onset, and even with her being absent at Night of Champions, her presence will still be felt. Ziggler’s head is not in the game, Rusev will crush. WINNER: Rusev
Dolph Ziggler: 3, Rusev: 2
Why won‘t Lana be on hand? | Watch these rivals battle at SummerSlam
@howardfinkel: Based on what I’ve seen thus far, I give the edge to the “Cosmic Wasteland” to prevail in this match. WINNERS: Stardust & The Ascension
@JoeyStyles: While The Ascension may have been the most dominant team in NXT history, they have been anything but on WWE’s main roster. As impressive as Stardust is, his star will only be pulled down while hitched to The Ascension. WINNERS: Neville & Lucha Dragons
Jeff Laboon: Stardust is still fuming after losing to Neville & Stephen Amell at SummerSlam. The Ascension are waiting for the opportunity to showcase their destructive side. Night of Champions will bring some sweet, sweet catharsis to this trio. WINNERS: Stardust & The Ascension
Anthony Benigno: Stardust lost to one superhero, and hee sure as hell isn’t going to do it again. The Prince of Dark Matter takes his throne, and The Ascension begin their long-awaited rise to power. Welcome to … you know the rest. WINNERS: Stardust & The Ascension
Ryan Pappolla: After failing the city at SummerSlam, Stardust will be determined to bounce back at Night of Champions, and will pick up the victory to open the door to a new reign of villainy. WINNERS: Stardust & The Ascension
Stardust & The Ascension: 4, Neville & Lucha Dragons: 1
Your guide to the Kickoff | Introducing the Cosmic Wasteland