View source for Vengeance: Night of Champions

{{short description|2007 World Wrestling Entertainment pay-per-view event}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2015}}
{{Infobox Wrestling event
|name       = Vengeance: Night of Champions
|image      = Vengeance 2007.jpg
|caption    = Promotional poster featuring [[Bobby Lashley]], [[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]], and [[John Cena]] 
|tagline    = "Night of Champions" 
|promotion  = [[WWE|World Wrestling Entertainment]]
|brand      = [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]]<br>[[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown!]]<br />[[ECW (WWE brand)|ECW]]
|city       = [[Houston]], [[Texas]]
|date       = June 24, 2007
|venue      = [[Toyota Center]]
|attendance = 15,000<ref name="PWH">{{cite web|url=https://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/venge.html#2007|title=Night of Champions results|publisher=Pro Wrestling History|access-date=April 22, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101128040458/https://prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/venge.html#2007|archive-date=November 28, 2010|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
|buyrate    = 243,000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2007/08/ecw-rating-is-in-499614/|title=ECW Rating Is In, PPV Buyrates On The Decline, More|first=Ryan|last=Clark|work=Wrestling Inc|date=August 2, 2007|access-date=April 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230615155936/https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2007/08/ecw-rating-is-in-499614/|archive-date=June 15, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>
|lastevent  = [[One Night Stand (2007)|One Night Stand]]
|nextevent  = [[The Great American Bash (2007)|The Great American Bash]]
|event      = [[WWE Vengeance|Vengeance]]
|lastevent2 = [[Vengeance (2006)|2006]]
|nextevent2 = [[Vengeance (2011)|2011]]
|event2     = [[WWE Night of Champions|Night of Champions]]
|lastevent3 = ''First''
|nextevent3 = [[Night of Champions (2008)|2008]]
}}
'''Vengeance: Night of Champions''' was a 2007 [[professional wrestling]] [[pay-per-view]] (PPV) [[List of WWE pay-per-view and livestreaming supercards|event]] produced by [[World Wrestling Entertainment]] (WWE). It was the seventh annual [[WWE Vengeance|Vengeance]] as well as the inaugural [[WWE Night of Champions|Night of Champions]] and took place on June 24, 2007, at the [[Toyota Center]] in [[Houston]], [[Texas]], held for wrestlers from the promotion's [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]], [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown!]], and [[ECW (WWE brand)|ECW]] [[WWE brand extension|brand divisions]]. It was the final Vengeance event until [[Vengeance (2011)|2011]], as Night of Champions continued in its place. It was also the last Vengeance event, as well as the only Night of Champions event, to be broadcast in 4:3 format, as all WWE shows began broadcast in high definition in January 2008. Per the theme of the event, every match on the [[Card (sports)|card]] was contested for one of WWE's nine then-active [[List of current champions in World Wrestling Entertainment|championships]]; only two people won a championship and the others were retained. 

The [[main event]] featured the Raw brand. It saw [[John Cena]] defend the [[WWE Championship]] in a [[fatal five-way match]] against [[Mick Foley]], [[Bobby Lashley]], [[Randy Orton]], and [[King Booker]]. Cena won the match and retained the title after [[Pin (professional wrestling)|pinning]] Foley. The featured match from the SmackDown! brand was a [[Last Chance match]] for the [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE, 2002–2013)|World Heavyweight Championship]] between [[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]] and [[Dave Batista|Batista]], in which Edge emerged victorious via countout. 

[[Chris Benoit]] was originally booked to face (and defeat) [[CM Punk]] to win the vacant [[ECW World Heavyweight Championship|ECW World Championship]]. However, he did not show up, and was replaced by [[John Morrison (wrestler)|Johnny Nitro]]—who won by pinfall after performing a [[Neckbreaker#Corkscrew neckbreaker|corkscrew neckbreaker]] from the middle rope. Following the event, it was discovered that Benoit [[Chris Benoit double-murder and suicide|had murdered his wife and son, and then committed suicide]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Sherwood|first=Roxanna|date=September 5, 2007|title=Benoit's Dad, Doctors: Multiple Concussions Could Be Connected to Murder-Suicide|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/Story?id=3562665&page=1|access-date=October 21, 2011|publisher=Abcnews.go.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070913225702/https://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/Story?id=3562665&page=1|archive-date=September 13, 2007}}</ref>

==Production==
===Background===
[[File:Toyota Center entr.jpg|thumb|right|The event was held at the [[Toyota Center]] in [[Houston]], [[Texas]].]]
[[WWE Vengeance|Vengeance]] was an annual [[pay-per-view]] (PPV) [[List of WWE pay-per-view and livestreaming supercards|event]] produced by [[World Wrestling Entertainment]] (WWE) since 2001.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/vengeance/history/|access-date=August 3, 2018|title=WWE Vengeance history|work=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070323144305/https://www.wwe.com/shows/vengeance/history/|archive-date=March 23, 2007}}</ref> From that inaugural event until 2006, the event was promoted solely as Vengeance, but in 2007, WWE retitled the seventh Vengeance as "Vengeance: Night of Champions". It took place on June 24, 2007, at the [[Toyota Center]] in [[Houston]], [[Texas]].<ref name=slam/> While the previous three Vengeance events were held exclusively for the [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]] [[WWE brand extension|brand]], the 2007 event featured wrestlers from Raw, [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown!]], and [[ECW (WWE brand)|ECW]], as following [[WrestleMania 23]] in April, brand-exclusive PPVs were discontinued.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://corporate.wwe.com/news/2007/2007_03_14.jsp|title=WWE Pay-Per-Views To Follow WrestleMania Formula|work=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |date=March 18, 2007|access-date=November 25, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070319234707/https://corporate.wwe.com/news/2007/2007_03_14.jsp |archive-date=March 19, 2007}}</ref>

With the event's subtitle of "Night of Champions", the theme of the event was that every championship promoted by WWE at the time was contested. These included the four championships on Raw—the [[WWE Championship]], the [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|Intercontinental Championship]], the [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE, 1971–2010)|World Tag Team Championship]], and the [[WWE Women's Championship (1956–2010)|WWE Women's Championship]]—the four championships on SmackDown!—the [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE, 2002–2013)|World Heavyweight Championship]], the [[WWE United States Championship|United States Championship]], the [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|WWE Tag Team Championship]], and the [[WWE Cruiserweight Championship (1991–2007)|WWE Cruiserweight Championship]]—and ECW's sole championship—the [[ECW World Championship]].<ref name=slam/>

===Storylines===
[[File:Cena With Spinner Belt.jpg|left|thumb|upright|[[John Cena]] as [[WWE Championship|WWE Champion]].]]
The main [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feud]] on the Raw brand heading into the event was between WWE Champion [[John Cena]], [[Bobby Lashley]], [[King Booker]], [[Mick Foley]], and [[Randy Orton]]. The feud began when Lashley was [[2007 WWE Draft|drafted]] to Raw and stripped of the [[ECW World Championship]].<ref name="Lashley drafted">{{cite web|first=Mike|last=McAvennie|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/06112007/|title=One wild night|work=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=June 11, 2007|access-date=December 26, 2007}}</ref> After being stripped of the title, Lashley began to pursue the WWE Championship.<ref name="Lashley drafted"/> On the June 18 episode of ''[[WWE Raw|Raw]]'', Foley, Orton, Booker, and Lashley all cut [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Promo|promos]] on why they deserve to be the number-one contender to the WWE Championship. Cena also cut a promo on who he believed deserved to be the number one contender to the championship. Following this, [[Professional wrestling authority figures#Raw authorities|Interim General Manager]] [[Jonathan Coachman]] announced that all five men would compete for the title in a match billed as the "WWE Championship Challenge" at Vengeance.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/nightofchampions/history/2007/matches/4081164/preview/|title=WWE Championship Challenge Match|work=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=June 24, 2007|access-date=July 22, 2008}}</ref>

The main feud heading into Vengeance on the [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown!]] brand was between World Heavyweight Champion [[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]] and [[Dave Batista|Batista]]. Their match stemmed from their [[Steel Cage match]] at [[One Night Stand (2007)|One Night Stand]], three weeks before Vengeance, where Edge won by escaping the cage.<ref>{{cite web|first=Mike|last=McAvennie|title=Edge wins by two feet|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/onenightstand/history/2007/matches/4362508111/results/|work=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=June 3, 2007|access-date=October 10, 2007}}</ref> On the June 8 episode of ''[[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown!]]'', [[World Wrestling Entertainment#Executive officers|WWE Chairman]] [[Vince McMahon]] announced that Edge would defend the World Heavyweight Championship against Batista in a "[[Last Chance match|Last Chance]]" match at Vengeance.<ref>{{cite web|first=Corey|last=Claton|title=It's do or die again for The Animal|url=https://www.wwe.com/inside/news/batistaedge06092007|work=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=June 8, 2007|access-date=November 6, 2007}}</ref> On the June 22 episode of ''SmackDown!'', Batista and [[Ric Flair]] defeated Edge and [[Montel Vontavious Porter]] (MVP). Midway through the match, Flair and MVP brawled outside the ring, leaving Edge on his own against Batista. Batista gained the pinfall after executing a [[Powerbomb#Sit-Out Powerbomb|Batista Bomb]] on Edge.<ref>{{cite web|first=Andrew|last=Rote|title=Night of chance?|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/06222007/articles/4899516|work=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=June 22, 2007|access-date=November 6, 2007}}</ref>

The feud between [[Hardy Boyz|The Hardys]] ([[Matt Hardy]] and [[Jeff Hardy]]) and [[Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch]] began at [[Backlash (2007)|Backlash]]. At Backlash, The Hardys defeated Cade and Murdoch to retain the World Tag Team Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/history/2007/matches/3960652/results/|title=The Hardys survive|date=April 29, 2007|first=Andrew|last=Rote|work=[[WWE]]|access-date=July 24, 2008}}</ref> At the following event, [[Judgment Day (2007)|Judgment Day]], Matt and Jeff defeated Cade and Murdoch once again to retain the titles.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/2007/matches/41244022111|title=World Tag Team Champions The Hardys def. Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch|date=May 20, 2007|work=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|access-date=March 2, 2015}}</ref>

==Event==
{| class=wikitable style="font-size:90%; margin: 0.5em 0 0.5em 1em; float: right; clear: right;"
|+ Other on-screen personnel
|-
!Role:
!Name:
|-
|rowspan=6|English [[Sportscaster|commentators]]
|[[Jim Ross]] {{small|(Raw)}}
|-
|[[Jerry Lawler]] {{small|(Raw)}}
|-
|[[Michael Cole (wrestling)|Michael Cole]] {{small|(SmackDown!)}}
|-
|[[John "Bradshaw" Layfield]] {{small|(SmackDown!)}}
|-
|[[Joey Styles]] {{small|(ECW)}}
|-
|[[Tazz]] {{small|(ECW)}}
|-
|rowspan=2|Spanish commentators
|[[Carlos Cabrera]]
|-
|[[Hugo Savinovich]]
|-
|[[Interviewer]]
|[[Todd Grisham]]
|-
|rowspan=2|[[Ring announcer]]
|[[Justin Roberts]] {{small|(Raw)}}
|-
|[[Tony Chimel]] {{small|(SmackDown/ECW)}}
|-
|rowspan=9|[[Referee (professional wrestling)|Referees]]
|[[Charles Robinson (referee)|Charles Robinson]]
|-
|[[Mike Chioda]]
|-
|Chad Patton
|-
|[[Jack Doan]]
|-
|[[Mickie Henson]]
|-
|Marty Elias
|-
|[[Jim Korderas]]
|-
|[[Scott Armstrong (wrestler)|Scott Armstrong]]
|-
|Mark Yeaton
|}

===Preliminary matches===
Before the event aired live on pay-per-view, [[Super Crazy]] defeated [[Carlito (wrestler)|Carlito]] in a [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Dark match|dark match]].<ref name=match0>{{cite web|url=https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/vengeance07.html|work=Online World of Wrestling|title=Vengeance 2007 results|access-date=November 6, 2007}}</ref>

The first match was between [[Lance Cade]] [[Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch|and]] [[Trevor Murdoch]] and [[Hardy Boyz|The Hardys]] ([[Matt Hardy|Matt]] and [[Jeff Hardy|Jeff]]) for the [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE, 1971–2010)|World Tag Team Championship]]. Cade and Matt started the match, with Matt in control. The two teams tagged in and out until Cade and Murdoch attempted to walk out of the match, but the Hardys went after them, and brought them back into the ring. Jeff attempted a [[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#High-angle senton bomb|Swanton Bomb]] onto Cade, but Murdoch interfered on Cade's behalf. Matt tried to interfere on Jeff's behalf, but was stopped by the referee. Murdoch used this as an advantage, and pushed Jeff off the [[turnbuckle]], leading to Cade performing a [[powerbomb]]. Cade gained the [[pinfall]] on Jeff to win the match and retain the titles.<ref name=match1/>

The second match was between [[Chavo Guerrero Jr.|Chavo Guerrero]] and [[James Yun|Jimmy Wang Yang]] for the [[WWE Cruiserweight Championship (1996–2007)|WWE Cruiserweight Championship]].<ref name=slam>{{cite web|first1=John|last1=Powell|last2=Powell|first2=Justin|title=Vengeance banal and badly booked|url=https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2007/06/25/vengeance-banal-and-badly-booked/|work=SLAM! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]|date=June 25, 2007|access-date=November 6, 2007}}</ref> The match began with Yang and Guerrero locking up, followed by Yang in control through most of the match. After Yang missed a [[moonsault]], Guerrero executed a [[Facebuster#Gory bomb|Gory Bomb]]. Shortly after, Guerrero performed a [[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Frog splash|Frog Splash]] on Yang. Afterwards, Guerrero pinned Yang to win the match and retain the Cruiserweight Championship.

[[File:Nitrorawmarch2007.jpg|right|thumb|upright|[[John Morrison (wrestler)|Johnny Nitro]] (pictured) faced [[CM Punk]] for the vacant [[ECW World Championship]].]]
The third match was between [[CM Punk]] and [[John Morrison (wrestler)|Johnny Nitro]] (who replaced the absent [[Chris Benoit]]) for the [[ECW World Championship]].<ref name=match3>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/vengeance/matches/40811641113/results/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071114193128/https://www.wwe.com/shows/vengeance/matches/40811641113/results/|archive-date=November 14, 2007|title=ECW World Title goes A-list|date=June 24, 2007|first=Bryan|last=Robinson|access-date=September 19, 2009|work=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> The match started off with Punk attempting a [[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Diving crossbody|crossbody]] on Nitro. Nitro countered, however, and executed an [[Professional wrestling attacks#Enzuigiri|enzuigiri]]. Nitro delivered a [[Neckbreaker#Corkscrew neckbreaker|corkscrew neckbreaker]] and pinned Punk to win the match to become the new ECW World Champion.<ref name=match3/><ref>{{cite web|title=John Morrison's first ECW World Championship reign|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/history/ecwchampionship/062407johnnynitro|work=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]| access-date=November 19, 2007}}</ref><ref name="Benoit absent">{{cite web|first=Adam|last=Martin|date=June 24, 2007|url=https://www.wrestleview.com/news2006/1182739600.shtml|title=Vengeance PPV Results – 6/24 – Houston, TX|work=WrestleView|access-date=November 18, 2007}}</ref>

The fourth match was between [[Santino Marella]] and [[Umaga (wrestler)|Umaga]] for the [[WWE Intercontinental Championship]].<ref name=slam/><ref name=match4/> The match began with Umaga in control, [[Squash (professional wrestling)|squashing]] Marella. Two minutes into the match, Umaga was punching Marella uncontrollably. The [[Referee (professional wrestling)|referee]] [[Professional wrestling#Disqualification|disqualified]] Umaga when he refused to stop after giving a five count, and Marella retained the title. Umaga, following the disqualification, delivered a [[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Splash|splash]] and a [[Professional wrestling attacks#Throat thrust|Samoan Spike]] to Santino.<ref name=match4/>

The fifth match was between [[Montel Vontavious Porter]] (MVP) and [[Ric Flair]] for the [[WWE United States Championship]].<ref name=slam/><ref name=match5/> The match started with Flair executing a series of [[Professional wrestling attacks#Backhand chop|backhand chops]] to MVP. Flair kept the advantage and applied the [[figure-four leglock]]. MVP countered, by executing a [[Professional wrestling attacks#Low blow|low blow]]. MVP then performed the [[Neckbreaker#Overdrive|Playmaker]] and pinned Flair to retain the United States Championship.<ref name=match5/>

The sixth match was an open challenge by [[Deuce 'n Domino]] to any [[tag team]] for the [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|WWE Tag Team Championship]], which was accepted by [[Jimmy Snuka]], who was Deuce's real-life father and [[Sgt. Slaughter]].<ref name=slam/><ref name=match6/> Snuka and Slaughter controlled most of the match; however, Deuce 'n Domino got the win after Deuce pinned Snuka. After the match, Deuce 'n Domino attacked Snuka and Slaughter until [[Tony Garea]] and [[Rick Martel]] came into the ring to assist Snuka and Slaughter.<ref name=match6/>

===Main event matches===
[[File:Edge World Heavyweight Champ.jpg|left|thumb|upright|[[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]] defended the [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE, 2002–2013)|World Heavyweight Championship]] against [[Dave Bautista|Batista]] at the event.]]
The seventh match was between [[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]] and [[Dave Bautista|Batista]] for the [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE, 2002–2013)|World Heavyweight Championship]].<ref name=slam/><ref name=match7>{{cite web|first=Mike|last=McAvennie|title=Batista's last stand falls|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/nightofchampions/history/2007/matches/40811641/results/|work=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=June 24, 2007|access-date=November 6, 2007}}</ref> This was a Last Chance match, meaning if Batista lost, he could not get another shot at the World Heavyweight Championship as long as Edge was champion. Batista originally won the match by disqualification after Edge executed a low blow; however, [[Professional wrestling authority figures#General Managers 2|SmackDown! General Manager]] [[Theodore Long]] restarted the match with the stipulation that Edge could lose the title by disqualification. Edge won the match after Batista was [[Professional wrestling#Countout|counted out]], thus retaining the title,<ref name=match7/> and with the match stipulation, Batista would be unable to challenge for the World Heavyweight Championship as long as Edge was the champion. After the match, in complete frustration, Batista attacked Edge and performed a Batista Bomb on him outside of the ring onto the ground before leaving him with the title.

The eighth match was [[Melina Perez|Melina]] against [[Candice Michelle]] for the [[WWE Women's Championship (1956–2010)|WWE Women's Championship]].<ref name=slam/><ref name=match8/> After a back and forth match, Michelle executed a [[Professional wrestling attacks#Spinning heel kick|spinning heel kick]] on Melina to win the Women's Championship.<ref name=match8/><ref>{{cite web|title= Candice Michelle's first Women's Championship reign|url=https://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/women/45982941232|work=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|access-date=November 19, 2007}}</ref>

The main event, billed as the "[[WWE Championship]] Challenge", saw [[John Cena]] defending the WWE Championship against [[Booker T (wrestler)|King Booker]], [[Bobby Lashley]], [[Mick Foley]], and [[Randy Orton]].<ref name=slam/><ref name=match9>{{cite web|first=Louie|last=Dee|title=Five alive|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/nightofchampions/history/2007/matches/4081164/results/|work=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=June 24, 2007|access-date=November 6, 2007}}</ref> Throughout the match, all five men gained an advantage over one-another at one or more spots. One [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Spot|spot]] in the match saw Lashley dive over the top rope onto the other four competitors. Towards the end of the match, Cena executed an [[Professional wrestling throws#Fireman's carry takeover|FU]] on Lashley through an announce table. Cena won the match and retained the title after pinning Foley following an FU.<ref name=match9/>

==Aftermath==
The scheduled June 25 episode of ''Raw'' was going to be a three-hour memorial to "[[Mr. McMahon]]". However, due to the real-life death of [[Chris Benoit]], the show opened with McMahon standing in an empty WWE arena, acknowledging that his [[Vince McMahon#Faked death, illegitimate son and Million Dollar Mania (2007–2008)|reported death]] was only of his character as part of a storyline.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/ny-usbenoit0626,0,4246396.story?coll=ny-top-headlines|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070705113805/https://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/ny-usbenoit0626%2C0%2C4246396.story?coll=ny-top-headlines|archive-date=July 5, 2007|title=WWE wrestler Chris Benoit and family found dead |author=Alfonso A. Castillo|publisher=Newsday.com|access-date=July 2, 2007|date=June 26, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> This was followed by a tribute to Chris Benoit that filled the three-hour timeslot.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/inside/news/benoitdead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070627210219/https://www.wwe.com/inside/news/benoitdead|archive-date=June 27, 2007|title=WWE Superstar Chris Benoit found dead|work=[[WWE]]|access-date=June 25, 2007|date=June 25, 2007}}</ref> Once the details of Benoit's [[Chris Benoit double-murder and suicide|actions]] became apparent, WWE made the decision to remove nearly all mentions of Chris Benoit from their website,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/superstars/smackdown/chrisbenoit|title=Superstars}}</ref> future broadcasts, and all publications.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/sheriff-wrestler-chris-benoit-murder-suicide-case-closed|title=Sheriff: Wrestler Chris Benoit Murder–Suicide Case Closed|publisher=FOXNews.com|date=February 12, 2008|access-date=July 9, 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080322015134/https://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,330440,00.html|archive-date=March 22, 2008}}</ref>

Chavo Guerrero went on to defend the WWE Cruiserweight Championship in a Cruiserweight Open at [[The Great American Bash (2007)|The Great American Bash]] against [[James Yun|Jimmy Wang Yang]], [[Jamie Noble]], [[Shoichi Funaki|Funaki]], and [[Shannon Moore]]. [[Hornswoggle]] also entered the match at the bell, but immediately escaped the ring and hid under it. With all of the cruiserweights down, with the exception of Noble, Hornswoggle came out from under the ring and delivered a [[Professional wrestling aerial techniques#Frog splash|Tadpole Splash]] to Noble. He pinned him afterwards to win the match and the Cruiserweight Championship.<ref>{{cite web|first=Mike|last=McAvennie|title=A leprechaun's pot o' Cruiserweight gold|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/thegreatamericanbash/history/2007/matches/42789824/results/|work=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date= July 22, 2007|access-date=November 19, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080713135052/https://www.wwe.com/shows/thegreatamericanbash/history/2007/matches/42789824/results/ |archive-date = July 13, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/cruiser/18137422|title=Hornswoggle's first Cruiserweight Championship reign|work=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|access-date=November 19, 2007}}</ref>

Candice Michelle and Melina continued to feud over the WWE Women's Championship. The two had a rematch at The Great American Bash for the title. Michelle pinned Melina after delivering a [[Facebuster#Inverted double underhook facebuster|Candy Wrapper]] to retain the title.<ref>{{cite web|first=Bryan|last=Robinson|title=Not just another pretty fluke|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/thegreatamericanbash/history/2007/matches/427898221/results/|work=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=July 22, 2007|access-date=November 19, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080712183116/https://www.wwe.com/shows/thegreatamericanbash/history/2007/matches/427898221/results/ |archive-date = July 12, 2008}}</ref>

On the July 2 episode of ''Raw'', Umaga defeated Santino Marella in a rematch to capture the Intercontinental Championship.<ref name=raw-0702>{{cite web|first=Andrew|last=Rote|title=A matter of time|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/07022007/|work=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=July 2, 2007|access-date=November 19, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Umaga's second Intercontinental Championship reign|url=https://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/3644266111|work=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|access-date=November 20, 2007}}</ref> Two weeks later, Jeff Hardy defeated [[William Regal]], [[Shelton Benjamin]], and Santino Marella in a [[fatal four-way elimination match]] to become the number one contender to the Intercontinental Championship. At The Great American Bash, Umaga defeated Hardy to retain the title after the [[Professional wrestling attacks#Throat thrust|Samoan Spike]].<ref>{{cite web|first=Bryan|last=Robinson|title=Firmly in the grip of a Samoan Bulldozer|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/thegreatamericanbash/history/2007/matches/40811641111/results/|work=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=July 22, 2007|access-date=November 20, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080716113526/https://www.wwe.com/shows/thegreatamericanbash/history/2007/matches/40811641111/results/|archive-date=July 16, 2008}}</ref> That same night, [[Bobby Lashley]] won a "[[Beat the Clock Challenge|Beat the Clock]]" tournament to become the number-one contender to the [[WWE Championship]].<ref name=raw-0702/> At The Great American Bash, Lashley faced [[John Cena]] for the WWE Championship in the main event. Cena retained the title after an [[Professional wrestling throws#Fireman's carry takeover|FU]] from the top rope.<ref>{{cite web|first=Bryan|last=Robinson|title=One WWE Champion, but two champions at heart|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/thegreatamericanbash/history/2007/matches/4081164111/results/|work=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=July 22, 2007|access-date=November 20, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080711160447/https://www.wwe.com/shows/thegreatamericanbash/history/2007/matches/4081164111/results/|archive-date=July 11, 2008}}</ref>

On the June 26 episode of ''ECW on Sci Fi'', CM Punk defeated [[Elijah Burke]] in a [[two out of three falls match]] to become the number one contender to the ECW World Championship.<ref>{{cite web|first=Corey|last=Clayton|title=Punk makes mark in wild night of ECW action|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/archive/06262007|work=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=June 26, 2007|access-date=November 20, 2007}}</ref> At The Great American Bash, Punk faced John Morrison (formerly known as Johnny Nitro) for the ECW World Championship. Morrison retained the title after hitting Punk with both of his knees.<ref>{{cite web|first=Andrew|last=Rote|title=Morrison enlightens the Straightedge Superstar|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/thegreatamericanbash/history/2007/matches/42789821/results/|work=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=July 22, 2007|access-date=November 20, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080712183111/https://www.wwe.com/shows/thegreatamericanbash/history/2007/matches/42789821/results/ |archive-date = July 12, 2008}}</ref>

On the July 6 episode of ''SmackDown!'', [[Kane (wrestler)|Kane]] was named the number one contender to the World Heavyweight Championship after he appeared as the special guest on Edge's ''[[WWE Friday Night SmackDown#Recurring segments|Cutting Edge]]'' segment.<ref>{{cite web|first=Andrew|last=Rote|title=A big surprise|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/07062007|work=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=July 6, 2007|access-date=November 20, 2007}}</ref> Edge held a celebration for himself on the July 13 episode of ''SmackDown!'', and was attacked by Kane, who in the process legitimately injured Edge.<ref>{{cite web|first=Andrew|last=Rote|title=Officially on|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/07132007|work=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=July 13, 2007|access-date=November 20, 2007}}</ref> On the July 20 episode of ''SmackDown!'', Edge was forced to vacate the World Heavyweight Championship as a result of his injury. [[The Great Khali]] went on to win a 20-man [[Battle royal (professional wrestling)|battle royal]] to become the new World Heavyweight Champion.<ref>{{cite web|first=Lennie|last=Difino|title=Giant change to Friday nights|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/07202007|work=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=July 20, 2007|access-date=November 20, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The Great Khali's first World Heavyweight Championship reign|url=https://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldheavyweight/5079750|work=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|access-date=November 20, 2007}}</ref> At The Great American Bash, Khali defended the title successfully against Kane and Batista in a [[triple threat match]].<ref>{{cite web|first=Mike|last=McAvennie|title=The Great Khali wins the big one|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/thegreatamericanbash/history/2007/matches/408116411/results/|work=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=July 22, 2007|access-date=November 20, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080713135047/https://www.wwe.com/shows/thegreatamericanbash/history/2007/matches/408116411/results/|archive-date=July 13, 2008}}</ref>

Vengeance: Night of Champions would be the final Vengeance until the event was [[Vengeance (2011)|reinstated in 2011]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.attcenter.com/events/detail/wwe|title=WWE presents Vengeance|access-date=September 1, 2011|work=[[AT&T Center]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110530123256/https://www.attcenter.com/events/detail/wwe|archive-date=May 30, 2011}}</ref> as WWE decided to drop Vengeance in 2008 in favor of continuing [[WWE Night of Champions|Night of Champions]] as its own PPV chronology.<ref>{{cite web|title=Night of Champions history|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/nightofchampions/|work=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|access-date=January 1, 2012}}</ref> This 2007 event would also be the only Vengeance to feature the ECW brand, as it was disbanded in 2010, and it was the final Vengeance to occur during the first brand extension, which ended in August 2011, two months before the 2011 event;<ref>{{cite web|last=Nemer|first=Paul|title=Raw Results – 8/29/11|url=https://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-raw-results/26309-raw-results-8-29-11/|work=WrestleView|date=August 30, 2011|access-date=November 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161106122439/https://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-wrestling-results/wwe-raw-results/26309-raw-results-8-29-11/|archive-date=November 6, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> in April 2011, WWE ceased using its full name with the "WWE" abbreviation becoming an [[orphaned initialism]].<ref>{{cite press release|last1=Sacco|first1=Justine|last2=Weitz|first2=Michael|date=April 7, 2011|title=The New WWE|url=https://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2011/04-07-2011|location=[[Connecticut]]|publisher=[[WWE]]|access-date=November 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503100415/https://corporate.wwe.com/news/company-news/2011/04-07-2011|archive-date=May 3, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Additionally, this would be the only Night of Champions event, as well as the final Vengeance event, to feature the original Cruiserweight Championship, as the title was retired in September 2007,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/|access-date=March 4, 2008|title=WWE title histories|work=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> and it was the only Vengeance event to feature the ECW World Championship, and the final Vengeance event to feature the World Tag Team Championship and WWE Women's Championship, as the three titles were retired in February, August, and September 2010, respectively.<ref name=Zeke>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/results/13527692/|title=Results:Dominant farewell|last=Medalis|first=Kara A.|work=[[WWE]]|date=July 26, 2009|access-date=February 16, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100220085946/https://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/results/13527692/|archive-date=February 20, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1062778-abandoned-the-history-of-wwes-world-tag-team-championship-pt-2|title=Abandoned: The History of WWE's World Tag Team Championship, Pt. 2|date=February 12, 2012|last=Schadler|first=Kyle|work=[[Bleacher Report]]|access-date=September 13, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/inside/wwefeaturepage/features/mccoolhistory/news1/mccool/|title=Flawless mark on history|first=Katie A.|last=Raymond-Santo|date=September 24, 2010|access-date=September 26, 2010|work=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> Night of Champions continued as an annual PPV until its [[Night of Champions (2015)|2015 event]], which was the final Night of Champions, as it was replaced by the similarly themed [[WWE Clash of Champions|Clash of Champions]] in [[Clash of Champions (2016)|2016]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/nightofchampions/history/|access-date=July 6, 2009|title=WWE Night of Champions history|work=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> However, Night of Champions was reinstated in [[Night of Champions (2023)|2023]];<ref name="NoC2023-announced">{{cite news |last=Lambert |first=Jeremy |title=WWE Changes 'WWE King & Queen Of The Ring' PLE To 'WWE Night Of Champions' |url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/wwe-changes-wwe-king-queen-ring-ple-wwe-night-champions |access-date=April 13, 2023 |work=Fightful |date=April 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230414080436/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/wwe-changes-wwe-king-queen-ring-ple-wwe-night-champions |archive-date=April 14, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> while Vengeance was revived in [[NXT TakeOver: Vengeance Day|2021]] for the [[NXT (WWE brand)|NXT]] brand, thus renaming that event Vengeance Day at first as part of the TakeOver series then its own event the following year.

==Results==
{{Pro wrestling results table
|results = <ref name=slam/>
|times = <ref name=slam/>
|note1  = dark
|match1 = [[Super Crazy]] defeated [[Carly Colón|Carlito]] by [[pinfall]]<ref name=match0/>
|stip1  = [[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]]
|time1  =
|match2 = [[Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch]] (c) defeated [[The Hardy Boyz|The Hardys]] ([[Matt Hardy]] and [[Jeff Hardy]]) by [[pinfall]]<ref name=match1>{{cite web|first=Louie|last=Dee|title=Sportsmen of the year?|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/nightofchampions/history/2007/matches/40811641112/results/|work=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=June 24, 2007|access-date=November 6, 2007}}</ref>
|stip2  = [[Tag team match]] for the [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE, 1971–2010)|World Tag Team Championship]]
|time2  = 8:55
|match3 = [[Chavo Guerrero]] (c) defeated [[Jimmy Wang Yang]] by [[pinfall]]<ref>{{cite web|first=Andrew|last=Rote|title=Chavo cruises|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/nightofchampions/history/2007/matches/40811641111/results/|work=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=June 24, 2007|access-date=November 6, 2007}}</ref>
|stip3  = [[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]] for the [[WWE Cruiserweight Championship (1991–2007)|WWE Cruiserweight Championship]]
|time3  = 10:16
|match4 = [[John Morrison (wrestler)|Johnny Nitro]] defeated [[CM Punk]] by [[pinfall]]<ref name=match3/>
|stip4  = [[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]] for the vacant [[ECW World Championship]]
|time4  = 8:00
|match5 = [[Santino Marella]] (c) defeated [[Umaga (wrestler)|Umaga]] by [[Professional wrestling#Disqualification|disqualification]]<ref name=match4>{{cite web|first=Mike|last=McAvennie|title=Santino: A very sore winner|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/nightofchampions/history/2007/matches/4081164111/results/|work=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=June 24, 2007|access-date=November 6, 2007}}</ref>
|stip5  = [[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]] for the [[WWE Intercontinental Championship]]
|time5  = 2:34
|match6 = [[Montel Vontavious Porter]] (c) defeated [[Ric Flair]] by [[pinfall]]<ref name=match5>{{cite web|first=Corey|last=Clayton|title=MVP puts on legendary show with win over Flair|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/nightofchampions/history/2007/matches/4842036/resultsflairMVP06242007/|work=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=June 24, 2007|access-date=November 6, 2007}}</ref>
|stip6  = [[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]] for the [[WWE United States Championship]]
|time6  = 8:43
|match7 = [[Deuce 'n Domino]] (c) (with [[Cherry (American wrestler)|Cherry]]) defeated [[Jimmy Snuka]] and [[Sgt. Slaughter]] by [[pinfall]]<ref name=match6>{{cite web|first=Bryan|last=Robinson|title=Tag champs win, but taught a legendary lesson|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/nightofchampions/history/2007/matches/40811641114/results/|work=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=June 24, 2007|access-date=November 6, 2007}}</ref>
|stip7  = [[Tag team match]] for the [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|WWE Tag Team Championship]]
|time7  = 6:34
|match8 = [[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]] (c) defeated [[Dave Bautista|Batista]] by [[countout]]<ref name=match7/>
|stip8  = [[Last Chance match]] for the [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE, 2002–2013)|World Heavyweight Championship]]<br>{{small|Batista initially won the match by disqualification, but [[Theodore Long]] restarted the match. Had Edge gotten himself disqualified for the second time, he would have lost the title.}}
|time8  = 16:50
|match9 = [[Candice Michelle]] defeated [[Melina Perez|Melina]] (c)<ref name=match8>{{cite web|first=Lennie|last=DiFino|title=Dream come true|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/nightofchampions/history/2007/matches/40811641115/results/|work=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=June 24, 2007|access-date=November 6, 2007}}</ref>
|stip9  = [[Singles match (professional wrestling)|Singles match]] for the [[WWE Women's Championship (1956–2010)|WWE Women's Championship]]
|time9  = 04:07
|match10 = [[John Cena]] (c) defeated [[Bobby Lashley]], [[King Booker]] (with [[Queen Sharmell]]), [[Mick Foley]], and [[Randy Orton]] by [[pinfall]]<ref name=match9/>
|stip10 = [[Five-Pack Challenge]] for the [[WWE Championship]]
|time10 = 10:08
}}

===Tournament brackets===
<onlyinclude>{{4TeamBracket
| RD1=Semifinals
| RD2=Finals
| RD1-seed1 = 
| RD1-team1 = '''[[CM Punk]]'''
| RD1-seed2 = 
| RD1-team2 = [[Marcus Cor Von]]
| RD1-score1 = Pin
| RD1-score2 =06:45
| RD1-seed3 = 
| RD1-team3 = '''[[Chris Benoit]]'''
| RD1-seed4 = 
| RD1-team4 = [[Elijah Burke]]
| RD1-score3 = Sub
| RD1-score4 = 06:38
| RD2-team1 = CM Punk
| RD2-team2 = '''[[John Morrison (wrestler)|Johnny Nitro]]'''(*)
| RD2-score1 = Pin
| RD2-score2 = 08:15
}}
(*) – Johnny Nitro was an impromptu replacement added by WWE due to the absence of Chris Benoit, explained on-air as being due to “personal issues". It was later discovered by local [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] law enforcement officials that Benoit [[Chris Benoit double-murder and suicide|had murdered his wife and son, and then killed himself]] in their home.{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}</onlyinclude>

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Portal|Texas}}

==External links==
*[https://www.wwe.com/shows/nightofchampions/history/2007/ Vengeance: Night of Champions Official website]

{{2007 WWE pay-per-view events}}
{{WWEPPV|Night of Champions}}
{{WWEPPV|Vengeance}}

{{good article}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Vengeance: Night Of Champions}}
[[Category:2007 in Houston]]
[[Category:WWE Vengeance|2007]]
[[Category:WWE Night of Champions|2007]]
[[Category:Professional wrestling shows in Houston]]
[[Category:2007 WWE pay-per-view events]]
[[Category:June 2007 in the United States]]
[[Category:Professional wrestling controversies]]
[[Category:WWE controversies]]