WWE is bringing back the Night of Champions brand name this weekend, and for good reason – though not every title is on the line, as the name used to imply, a brand-new World Heavyweight Champion will be crowned in light of Roman Reigns holding both the WWE and Universal Championships hostage for nearly 1,000 days.
WWE Night of Champions 2023 date and start time
WWE Night of Champions will air live on Saturday, May 27, 2023 from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and as such will have a special start time of 1pm ET in the United States.
How to watch WWE Night of Champions 2023
WWE Night of Champions will stream on Peacock in the United States, and the WWE Network elsewhere.
WWE Night of Champions full card and predictions
Bianca Belair (c) vs. Asuka for the Raw Women’s Championship
Shane: Bianca’s reign has really gotten stale for me. It’s not really her fault – she has just become the victim of poor booking and a ton of transitional feuds. Even her WrestleMania feud with Asuka felt like there was no real stakes or heat heading into the event. The match between Asuka and Bianca at Mania was great, but again, there wasn’t really anything for either performer to sink her teeth into. Until now. I think that Asuka’s heel turn is what their Mania program needed and a viable heel opponent is something that Bianaca has needed since she wiped the floor with Bayley multiple times. But, all good (or in this case decent) things must come to an end and I can see Bianca’s title reign coming to an end here.
Winner: Asuka
Jay: This match is interesting but I’m going to give it to Belair. They have to be careful here. No one wants to boo Asuka and Belair has had that title for a long time. People want new. But on the other hand, a loss here for Belair can be what she needs to renew interest in her and help her along a potential heel turn that has been rumored. I think this match will have either a Dusty finish or something to prompt a rematch but Belair will take it.
Winner: Bianca Belair
Tyler: If the long term plan is for Bianca Belair to be your top babyface in the women’s division, the short term plan should be for her turn heel against Asuka in this title match and retain. Fans want to cheer for Bianca but she’s stuck in second gear with this lengthy babyface title reign. To turn heel halfway through would freshen her up while keeping the belt on her. It would also give something for Asuka to chase and a story to be developed.
So, obviously, Bianca wins clean.
Winner: Bianca Belair
Gunther (c) vs. Mustafa Ali for the Intercontinental Championship
Shane: While it is really neat to see Mustafa Ali get this opportunity to not only compete in Saudi Arabia, but for the Intercontinental Championship as well, there is an absolutely 0% chance Gunther is losing.
Winner: (and STILL Intercontinental Champion) Gunther
Jay: Gunther. I’m glad Ali is getting some shine but it just isn’t his time.
Winner: Gunther
Tyler: While this doesn’t necessarily feel PLE-worthy, you can give some time and a chance to someone the caliber of Mustafa Ali. There’s no doubt in the winner, though.
Winner: Gunther
Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Natalya for the SmackDown Women’s Championship
Shane: This match has Rhea Ripley, who is like, Rhea Ripley going against Natayla, who is like, Natayla.I don’t think I need to say any more.
Winner: Rhea Ripley
Jay: Nattie is gonna job. As much as I can joke about how little I enjoy watching Natalya matches, she cares about her work and does want everyone to succeed. There’s honor in what she is doing at this stage of her career.
Winner: Rhea Ripley
Tyler: I know the joke with Nattie is that they dust her off once a year for her annual world title feud, and that’s, well, exactly what is happening here, but I’m cool with it. I have always questioned Nattie’s status of a ring general, but I’ve come to accept and respect her place amongst the division, especially after her match with Ronda Rousey last year. Having said all of that, though, the outcome is in absolutely no doubt.
Winner: Rhea Ripley
Becky Lynch vs. Trish Stratus
Shane: As much as I love Trish Stratus, Becky needs the win way more than she does. Trish is a legend for a reason and there comes a time when legends need to put over current talent. Becky has done so much and has taken the women’s division so far and really can’t accomplish much more than she already has, but she’s the star. She’s The Man. She’s Big Time Becks and she will win on Saturday. But deep down I’m secretly hoping I’m wrong and we see Trish win.
Winner: Becky Lynch
Jay: Trish. I think they need to heat Trish up for the predicted series of matches to come between the two.
Winner: Trish Stratus
Tyler: I like this angle. If Becky’s not going to be holding a title or chasing after one, she needs to be doing something important. This feels important. Trish has been really good in her heel role, and the motivations behind both women are logical.
While I definitely feel like Becky will win the war, she will lose the first battle. Maybe Lita gets involved. Has she been corrupted by the words of her contemporary? It should serve a fun end to chapter one.
Winner: Trish Stratus
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn (c) vs. Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship
Shane: I can easily see this match going either way since I can literally come up with 1000+ ways to fantasy book this match. Normally, I never bet against Roman Reigns in any sort of match. In fact, I am one of the few that correctly predicted him winning at WrestleMania. However, I am going to go against that logic this time and predict that Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn will retain their Tag Team Championships at Night of Champions. In kayfabe, the best friends can retain their titles without pinning or submitting Roman or Solo as they have the Champion’s Advantage walking in. There is also the threat or idea of the Usos costing their cousin and younger brother the match by interfering on behalf of KO and SZ. And politically, will they actually have Sami and Kevin lose?
While I have my fantasy booking hat on, I’m going to go all out here. Usos will interfere in the match, taking out their brother Solo. During the chaos that is soon to follow, KO will hit the legal Roman Reigns with a stunner. Sami will tag in and hit Roman with not one, not two, but three Helluva kicks and will get the pin on Roman Reigns. This will mark Roman’s first pinfall loss since December of 2019. And it will be on his 1000th day as WWE Universal Champion. Roman can come out on SmackDown after and destroy the Usos, taking them out of action and setting up a possible triple threat match at SummerSlam between Roman, Jimmy and Jay that I personally would love to see happen. Ok, fantasy booking done.
Winners: Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn
Jay: Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens are going to take it. The Bloodline is too big right now and the only people left for them to fight are themselves. Reigns and Solo are going to lose it, likely due to botched interference from The Usos, to further the dissension amongst them.
Winners: Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens
Tyler: Only the last few weeks has any sort of momentum picked back up on the aftermath of WrestleMania. Roman and Solo could just win the belts, of course. But that would set the storyline back several notches. So, who eats the pin, and why?
Solo is the obvious choice in this matter, but Roman would be way more fun. It’s highly unlikely, however, as I can’t imagine WWE plans on running back either of those rematches.
The Usos have to cost their fellow Bloodline members the match. I’d prefer it to be intentional, but WWE’s pacing probably won’t allow for that.
Winners: Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn
Seth “Freakin” Rollins vs. AJ Styles for the World Heavyweight Championship
Shane: I really don’t understand why we don’t have two Raw Superstars in the final of this tournament. While I love AJ Styles, his inclusion really makes no sense to me since this is supposed to be the main title on Raw. With that in mind, this match will be great and Seth Rollins will win to become the inaugural (?) World Heavyweight Champion. Sing. His. Song.
Winner: Seth “Freakin” Rollins
Jay: Seth Rollins and only Seth Rollins. I can write a whole essay about how much I hate this World Heavyweight Championship idea. First and foremost, they botched the introduction and it is so clearly a consolation prize for all the other main eventers as Roman isn’t losing the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship anytime soon. I mean, the goddamn main title has “Undisputed” in the name. The last time WWE was in this situation with an “Undisputed” title in 2002, they were wise enough to rename that title simply the “WWE Championship” and even through in a storyline reason about why there was so much dispute regarding the champion. Plus, they directly stated that this title is being made because Roman doesn’t want to defend so often. Like, WTF?
The only way out is this. Have Seth win it. Have Seth constantly yell about how he’s the only person Roman did NOT beat in his reign (which is true – go watch Royal Rumble 2022), how Roman is hiding from him, and that this belt is the belt of the man Roman did not beat. The coup de grace would be for Seth to defend against Roman at Survivor Series in a match that is ONLY for the WHC to draw prestige to the belt and properly recognize it as a top prize.
Winner: Seth “Freakin” Rollins
Tyler: No disrespect to AJ Styles, but the only decision here is for Seth Rollins to win the World Heavyweight Championship. It’s vital they get this title off to a strong start, as its mere existence is questionable. WWE has framed this whole situation so that Seth is the only person on this roster that can immediately give it prestige. Carrying the company on his shoulders – it’s just what Seth Rollins does.
Winner: Seth “Freakin” Rollins
Cody Rhodes vs. Brock Lesnar
Shane: I feel like this match needs a stipulation. Why is this match any different from what we saw in Puerto Rico? Brock will probably win. And then at either Money in the Bank or SummerSlam we can get round 3 which will probably have a stipulation involved. Texas Bullrope Match, anyone?
Winner: Brock Lesnar
Jay: Cody Rhodes. Brock Lesnar can lose a match to Dana Brooke and still be Brock Lesnar. They are trying to mint Cody Rhodes and then have a final match at SummerSlam after Lesnar disrupts a win for Cody at Money in the Bank.
Winner: Cody Rhodes
Tyler: As a full-blown Cody Rhodes mark, I hate to say it: Cody is losing. WWE has been careful to book this angle in a context that suggests a Cody loss sets him up to ultimately win the feud later this summer.
First, it’s a fight. Cody was clear to point out that he defeated the fighter with a wrestling maneuver. Second, Brock has already attacked and broken (?) Cody’s arm. Cody will show resiliency in his defeat.
His father said hard times breed better men. But for now, these will be hard times.
Winner: Brock Lesnar
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