LIVE Night of Champions thoughts - September 21, 2014

10:46 - So to be clear:  We didn't get a proper ending to the match, we didn't get a cash in, and the announcers don't even remember how the match ended two minutes after the conclusion of the match?  They were STILL talking about whether Lesnar would have tapped out when the interference came after a pin attempt.  Lackluster ending to an otherwise entertaining show.

10:34 - I'm wondering if they'll actually have Cena tap out....

10:30 - I'm a sucker for matches that begin with a finishing move.  Also, I'm BEGGING for them to do something with Cena that shows a little edge.  Even if it's little, like him not coming out with his hat or even just cutting the sleeves off his shirt.  SOMETHING that shows he means business.

I see Lesnar retaining here.

10:15 - Hooray!  My fav wins!  Although, since Nikki didn't play into the finish, I'm concerned that she will stay in the title picture.  Keep this about AJ and Paige!

9:58 - I'm HOPING for an AJ win, but I'm willing to accept a Paige win.  Whatever happens, I'm hoping for two things:  (a) that the feud with AJ and Paige continues and (b) that, if AJ loses, that it won't result in people saying, "I think AJ's leaving."

9:56 - What move exactly was Jericho going for there?

9:45 - I'm guessing Orton wins this one, although I can see them "swerving" us with a Jericho win.

9:38 - Sigh.  And there goes Orton's two PPV streak of not wearing black trunks.

9:24 - By the way, I see Rusev winning.

9:22 - I'm not saying he hasn't done anything, but I'm struggling to think of what EXACTLY Rusev has done that has been so diabolical in regards to his acts against the United States.  It feels like we're supposed to hate him because he's dominant and he's Russian.  Is that reason enough to get all sort of rallied up behind America?  Although I do like Henry's USA singlet.

9:15 - A fun segment that made up for what the fans missed out on (a Rollins/Reigns match).  Plus, it's great to have Ambrose back (the cab bit was cool, too).

9:04 - Looks like slightly new gear for Rollins (with gray accents).  I suspect we'll see Ambrose tonight.

9:00 - I WAS going to complain about how both of our title changes happened with a roll up, but I legitimately laughed out loud when a completely fresh Sandow fell down and pretended his head was hurt because Miz was doing the same.

8:51 - I see Ziggler retaining here.  By the way, I am not a huge fan of Miz's black trunks with black designs on them.  I like his colorful versions more -- which actually fit in better with his gaudy dress clothes.

8:48 - LOVE Miz's Hollywood style entrance video.  And I still get such a kick out of the Sandow mimicking act.  Which is significantly less funny when Truth and Ziggler do it.  However, I do get a kick of the announcers' need to clarify which one is Dolph and which one is Truth.

8:40 - Fun match and great aggression from both, but it's rather shocking that probably the most boring champion on the entire roster is the one that retains.  Disappointing result, but fun match.

8:24 - So the Roku in my bedroom seems to be doing much better, but the SmartTV in my living room seems to have less of a delay.  So I'm going to lean with the SmartTV if it survives.  Right now we have Cesaro (in a snazzy red robe) vs. Sheamus.  I predict a new champ, again.

By the way, I noticed during last match that they don't have the championship belt aprons hanging near the entrance any more.

8:09 - Roku is doing MUCH better than the SmartTV (where I use the web browser).  SmartTV is having both streaming issues and audio issues.  By the way, I'm guessing we see a new champion tonight.

On the gear situation -- I like the Usos' black/gold/purple look.  Like Startdust's new blue lining.  Don't mind Goldust's new gear, but hate the facepaint.

Also, did Stardust change his gloves from the backstage segment?

8:02 - Buffering issues have improved but still not perfect.  My Roku seems to be doing better than my SmartTV, so I might be switching between rooms.

8:01 - Already love this opening video, detailing the making of the physical WWE Championship.  Very cool.

7:51 - Wow, the streaming issues are REAL bad right now.  I've reloaded about 5 times and am not to go a full minute without disruption.  I'm guessing this is the result of a huge surge of people logging on at once, but I'm hoping it improves.  Especially since I actually want to see segment.

7:46 - It's almost show time.....so I'm starting to have some buffering issues.  The pre-show had otherwise streamed perfectly.

I will take this opportunity note that I have come to dislike these "challenge John Cena's character" storylines because they never seem to result in any long-term character growth.  Just makes the past month seem like a waste.

7:43 - I really like these match segments, where they show photos of the prior champions with the title belts.

7:35 - They've done a good job building up AJ Lee and Paige that it would be sooooooooooo disappointing if they gave the title to Nikki so that they could involve the title in the Bellas feud (which is not necessary).  Just have Brie cost Nikki the match as payback.

7:30 - I do have to wonder what the logic was behind removing Booker T from the discussion about tag teams that are brothers, but okay.  And I'm not a fan of Goldust's new facepaint design.

7:25 - The ONE upside of this immensely annoying "$9.99" oversell is that they're creating such a strong connection between the Network and that price is that we likely won't see a price increase for quite some time.

7:14 - I find it interesting how guys like Chris Jericho and Hulk Hogan went, like, 40 or 50 years of their life without tattoos (or obvious ones) and then goes out and gets a bunch of really large ones.

7:07 - That bell to bell by the numbers segment regarding the Cena/Lesnar SummerSlam match was awesome.  MORE OF THIS SORT OF STUFF!  Awesome.

6:36 - I know I've been pretty quiet as of late, but things have been very busy on my end so I haven't had much time to post.  However, with TV starting up soon, I'm sure I'll have things to write about.  Plus I want to write about the finales of True Blood, The Vampire Diaries, and Once Upon a Time, not to mention the first season of The Leftovers.

Anyway, I renewed my WWE Network subscription over the weekend (and I have to admit, it was incredibly easy) so, for the very first time ever, I'm going to watch Night of Champions -- a concept that I've always loved.  So, what happens tonight with Roman Reigns out?  Does that mean Dean Ambrose returns?  Does Cena get dominated by Lesnar again?  Does Cesaro actually get to win a title?  Does anybody from WWE remember that Christian was a heel last time he was on TV for his Peep Show segment?

Check back in about 20 minutes for my thoughts during the pre-show.