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HOUSTON — Seth Rollins thought his evening was finally over after defeating Sting with a roll-up to keep his WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Rollins did not have much time to celebrate, though, as Sheamus’ attempted Money in the Bank cash-in and Kane’s destructive return brought a sour end to a career-defining win.
Moments after losing his United States Champions to John Cena ( RESULT), Rollins attempted to flee — earning another Attitude Adjustment from Cena — before his WWE World Heavyweight Title main event against Sting could begin. Already a six-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion, The Vigilante hoped to add WWE’s top prize to his Hall of Fame–worthy legacy. The brash Rollins, meanwhile, sought to prove that he warranted the bronze statue of himself that Sting had destroyed two weeks prior.
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Sting kicked off the action with a patented Stinger Splash and Scorpion Death Lock, sending a quick message to Rollins. The WCW icon punished Rollins in the early goings, hurling the champion into the steel steps and the barricade.
The champion attempted to sneak into the crowd, but Sting dragged him onto the announcer’s desk before he could get away. Rollins shoved Sting in an act of desperation, though, pushing him through the adjacent Spanish announce table.
Rollins briefly considering heading to the locker room while Sting laid among the remnants of the table, but he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to sadistically punish a legend and prove his place among the greats.
HOUSTON — Seth Rollins thought his evening was finally over after defeating Sting with a roll-up to keep his WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Rollins did not have much time to celebrate, though, as Sheamus’ attempted Money in the Bank cash-in and Kane’s destructive return brought a sour end to a career-defining win.
Moments after losing his United States Championship to John Cena, Rollins attempted to flee — earning another Attitude Adjustment from Cena — before his WWE World Heavyweight Title main event against Sting could begin. Already a six-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion, The Vigilante hoped to add WWE’s top prize to his Hall of Fame–worthy legacy. The brash Rollins, meanwhile, sought to prove that he warranted the bronze statue of himself that Sting had destroyed two weeks prior.
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Sting kicked off the action with a patented Stinger Splash and Scorpion Deathlock, sending a quick message to Rollins. The WCW icon punished Rollins in the early goings, hurling the champion into the steel steps and the barricade.
The champion attempted to sneak into the crowd, but Sting dragged him onto the announcer’s desk before he could get away. Rollins shoved Sting in an act of desperation, though, pushing him through the adjacent Spanish announce table.
Rollins briefly considered heading to the locker room while Sting laid among the remnants of the table, but he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to sadistically punish a legend and prove his place among the greats.
With Sting reeling from the pain in his back, Seth Rollins continued a frenzied attack with his own Stinger Splash, suplex and powerbomb into the turnbuckle. But Sting would not stay down.
The Vigilante met Rollins’ attempt at a Pedigree by flipping him onto the apron and sending him crashing into the ringside barricade.
The rivals jostled for control, but Sting swung momentum in his favor again with a pair of Stinger Splashes and a clothesline that sent Rollins to the floor. Sting then showed the athleticism that helped turn him into “The Franchise of WCW,” leaping from the top rope. A subsequent Scorpion Death Drop seemingly secured the one title Sting was missing from his collection, but Rollins narrowly got his foot on the ropes to save his reign.
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Momentum seemed to be firmly in Sting’s hands, but then the champion exploited Sting’s weakened back with a second powerbomb into the turnbuckles. When Rollins then whipped him into the ropes, Sting collapsed to the mat.
A WWE Certified Athletic Trainer rushed into the ring while Sting writhed in pain, and the status of the match went up in air.
Sting insisted on continuing the match, so Seth Rollins tried to strike quickly with the Pedigree. Sting countered and cinched in the Scorpion Deathlock, but The Architect managed to reach the ropes to escape. When Sting attempted to lock it in again, Rollins countered the submission hold with a decisive roll-up.
While Rollins cradled his WWE World Heavyweight Title, Sheamus’ music hit and he rushed to the ring with his Money in the Bank contract. Hoping to stop the cash-in, Rollins tried to hit Sheamus with the championship, but Sheamus ducked and connected with a Brogue Kick.
Highlights from Night of Champions | Watch on WWE Network | Sting’s injury status
Before the bell could ring for the impromptu match, however, an explosion of fire came at the entrance ramp, signaling Demon Kane’s return. Back in his signature mask, Kane stomped to the ring and chokeslammed his former Authority ally Rollins … and Sheamus, before hitting Rollins with a Tombstone to end Night of Champions.
Rollins entered Houston’s Toyota Center with two titles, but he left with two warnings: Sheamus is quickly becoming impatient with his Money in the Bank contract, and perhaps more terrifying, Kane’s inner monster is more awake than ever.