WWE Night of Champions 2014: Updated predictions for the show

UPDATE: Roman Reigns underwent emergency surgery for an incarcerated hernia Saturday and will not take part in the Night of Champions pay-per-view. Reigns was scheduled to face Seth Rollins on the show.

According to WWE, Reigns is doing well after the surgery, but is expected to be out of action between four to six weeks.

With this being the case, my prediction of Rollins defeating Reigns is off the table. My new prediction is for Dean Ambrose, who just wrapped up filming of a movie, to return to be involved in something with Rollins. Whether that's a match or an angle to set up a future match I'm not sure.

-- End of update --

On paper, Night of Champions Sunday looks like a stacked pay-per-view.

A glance at the names that are paired together on this card makes me go, "Wow! This really has potential."

But those feelings I have greatly dissipate when I look back at how we got to this point. Despite the names and matchups the Night of Champions card provides, the build to this point was sub-par to say the least.

It's one thing to have a sub-par build. Those have happened before and they'll happen again. But it's a completely different thing to have two or three of the worst episodes of Raw of the year during the build as well.

Whatever momentum the WWE could have been gathered for this event was lost because of the poor showings the company has had over the past month.

The end result is a show that boasts one hot match and a bunch of what is essentially stuff to fill three hours of programming. And that's only because the WWE is required to fill it, not because there is three hours worth of quality content.

With that said, let's let the predictions roll for Night of Champions, which takes place at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn.:

(Disclaimer: As of this writing, Bray Wyatt versus Big Show has not been officially announced for the show. If it is announced, I'll go with Wyatt. If it isn't, disregard that prediction.)

WWE World Heavyweight Championship – Brock Lesnar (c) vs. John Cena

This is the only match that I'm actually looking forward to seeing on the pay-per-view. That's not because I think it's going to be a quality match. I do believe it will be entertaining and more competitive than their SummerSlam encounter.

But I liked the way the anticipation for this match was built up. The build itself got off to a slow start, but came to a nice crescendo on the most recent episode of Raw.

What was accomplished during the build? Making the people believe that John Cena has a legitimate chance of defeating Brock Lesnar to win his 16th world title.

All of that work was put in to make for a more competitive match, but with the same outcome — Lesnar defeats Cena again to retain his title.

Like I've said many times before, the money is with Lesnar keeping the WWE World Heavyweight Championship until WrestleMania in March.

I know some people are skeptical of having a champion that doesn't appear on television every week, but Lesnar doesn't have to. He's an attraction and you do not want to wear out that attraction by over-exposing it.

Keep him and the WWE World Heavyweight Championship a special attraction.

Prediction: Brock Lesnar RETAINS the WWE World Heavyweight Championship

Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns

This would have been another match I looked forward to seeing, but seeing it six days before the pay-per-view with a clean finish kind of took that all away.

While that decision still baffles me, this match can still be good, but it won't have as much heat going into it.

If I didn't see Roman Reigns beat Seth Rollins clean a couple of days ago, I would have picked Reigns to go over here, as he is seemingly being groomed to be the guy to dethrone Lesnar.

But I did see that happen and I can't imagine Rollins — the Money in the Bank winner — losing to Reigns twice in less than week.

By hook or by crook, I believe Rollins will somehow win this match. How that happens? I have no idea, but I expect plenty of shenanigans.

Prediction: Seth Rollins def. Roman Reigns

Chris Jericho vs. Randy Orton

Let's take a step back for a second. Chris Jericho and Randy Orton have almost 20 world championships between them, but they will face each other in a match that no one really cares about.

That's not the fault of Jericho or Orton, but it's the fault of the WWE for simply throwing these two together without anything for the people to sink their teeth into. That could have been done if they touted the illustrious careers of both men.

With that said, I firmly believe that Orton will win here. Jericho has said on his podcast that this will be the final match of his most recent run with the WWE, as he will begin touring with his band Fozzy.

Since that is the case, it only makes sense for Orton to not only win, but to do something that puts Jericho on the proverbial injured list for a while.

Prediction: Randy Orton def. Chris Jericho

WWE Intercontinental Championship – Dolph Ziggler (c) vs. The Miz

While I like both characters involved, I've seen these two go at it so many times that my anticipating meter isn't necessarily flying off the rails.

Let me reiterate, I'm a fan of both men. I think Dolph Ziggler is one of the most gifted athletes in wrestling and The Miz is doing wonders with his new character.

I know that all signs are pointing toward The Miz winning back the Intercontinental Championship so that Ziggler could chase him, but I've got a funny feeling that Ziggler finds a way to retain the title.

Prediction: Dolph Ziggler RETAINS the Intercontinental Championship

WWE Tag Team Championship – The Usos (c) vs. Goldust & Stardust

Once again, I'm a fan of everyone involved and the match should be great, but the match just feels like filler.

I appreciate the WWE's effort to put some heat into this match, but I'm not sure if the people were remotely captivated by it.

Again, the match should be very good. It may even be the best on the show. It's a match I believe The Usos will win.

I just don't see Goldust and Stardust being the tag champs as heels and with The Ascension seemingly coming to the main roster any day now, I believe their first feud will be with The Usos over the titles.

Prediction: The Usos RETAIN the WWE Tag Team Championship

Mark Henry vs. Rusev

If you watched Raw this past Monday, you would think that this is the hottest angle in the WWE when in reality it's not even close to being that.

I hate to sound like a broken record, but I think the match itself has the potential of being very good.

I like Mark Henry as an opponent for Rusev because Rusev is athletic enough to create motion. Also, Henry is a very credible opponent for him to defeat, which I believe is what will happen here.

Rusev is not going to be losing to anyone anytime soon nor should he. The moment he finally does lose has to be a special one and has to benefit the person getting the nod.

I'm not sure what a victory over Rusev would do for Henry's career and it's just not time to beat Rusev yet.

There's still money to be made with Rusev being undefeated, especially if they begin to add layers to his character, which is something I believe needs to happen sooner rather than later.

Prediction: Rusev def. Mark Henry

WWE United States Championship – Sheamus (c) vs. Cesaro

This is yet another example of a match that looks great on paper, but one that I almost forgot was happening because of the lackluster build.

Sheamus is a credible United States Champion, but he hasn't necessarily set the world on fire since he won the title either.

That's why I believe Cesaro will defeat Sheamus for his second United States title. Hopefully, it's a much-needed shot in the arm for Cesaro. Hopefully, the title win doesn't drag him down into a pit of despair like his first run with the belt did a couple of years ago.

Prediction: Cesaro WINS the WWE United States Championship

WWE Divas Championship – Paige (c) vs. AJ Lee vs. Nikki Bella

Conventional wisdom would say that Nikki Bella should win this match so that she could feud with her sister over the title moving forward.

But more conventional wisdom would say that Brie Bella should somehow cost her sister the match, which would help either Paige or AJ Lee win it.

I predict the latter will happen and the beneficiary will be Paige.

Prediction: Paige RETAINS the WWE Divas Championship