Night of Champions 2023: New Matches Confirmed; Top Match off the WWE PLE?

On May 6 at WWE Backlash, Rhea Ripley successfully defended her SmackDown Women’s Championship against Zelina Vega. Thus, Night of Champions will be her second title defense since winning the title from Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania 39.

After the Draft distinctions fell into place during the May 8 episode of Raw, Ripley, and Natalya first crossed paths as the latter came out to interrupt Ripley’s post-match beatdown on Dana Brooke.

As Ripley vs. Natalya was teased that night, the internet mostly gave negative reactions to the feud as they’re not in favor of this no-brainer program where Nattie is obviously booked to put over the champion in a big way.

Last night, Ripley further confirmed the match with a promo stating, “At Night of Champions, I’m gonna make an example out of you.” Plus, The Nightmare also promised to end Natalya’s 15-year-long WWE career for good at the PLE.

“I’m going to end your legendary career!” – @RheaRipley_WWE sends a message to @NatbyNature ???? #WWERAW #WWENOCt pic.twitter.com/9NinX5vG2B

— WWE on BT Sport (@btsportwwe) May 23, 2023

Speaking of Night of Champions, the dream match between WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus and Becky Lynch has been made, official at the event via a contract signing segment between the two on last week’s Raw.

Trish again claimed that she laid the path for Becky’s success in WWE while Becky reminded her that if Trish thinks barking like a dog (referring to Vince McMahon making Trish bark on Raw in 2001) was bad, Night of Champions will be worse.

If you bring up @BeckyLynchWWE‘s past, she will definitely bring up yours, @trishstratuscom! Woof Woof! #WWERaw pic.twitter.com/zoIEfKbaRl

— USA Network (@USANetwork) May 23, 2023

Brock Lesnar’s attacking spree on Cody Rhodes also continued on Raw, essentially affirming that the match announced between the two at the PLE could be off the card. This comes after Rhodes is dealing with a hand injury.

Raw kicked off with Lesnar brutally assaulting Cody in a backstage segment where he used a steel can to hurt Cody’s left arm. Later, Lesnar said Cody will not face him at Night of Champions due to the earlier beatdown.

Cody eventually came to the ring with a sling and pounced on him. However, The Beast Incarnate easily victimized him, targeting the hand and then laying him out using the torturing Kimura Lock submission hold.

Neither @CodyRhodes nor @BrockLesnar will give up without a fight, but someone may need to step in and stop this…#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/a3tFA60nI8

— USA Network (@USANetwork) May 23, 2023

WWE Night of Champions 2023 Premium Live Event will go down this Saturday, May 27, 2023, at the Jeddah Super Dome in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The updated match card for the PLE following Raw is given below:

– Brock Lesnar vs. Cody Rhodes

– Tournament Final to crown new WWE World Heavyweight Champion: Seth Rollins vs. AJ Styles

– Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Match: Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn (c) vs. The Bloodline (Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns & Solo Sikoa)

– Trish Stratus vs. Becky Lynch

– Intercontinental Championship Match: Gunther (c) vs. Mustafa Ali

– Raw Women’s Championship Match: Bianca Belair (c) vs. Asuka

– SmackDown Women’s Championship Match: Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Natalya