We open with Nexus, already assembled in the ring and bragging about 1) laying out Undertaker and 2) winning the 5-on-5 elimination tag last week. Wade Barrett predicts victory at Night of Champions. Randy Orton comes out, and barely gets a promo started before the GM checks in and makes 2 matches:

Orton vs. Barrett
Justin Gabriel vs. John Cena.

Michael Tarver, Heath Slater, & David Otunga are barred from ringside for both matches. Nexus is upset, and Orton drops his facade long enough to crack a smile.

1. Chris Jericho vs. John Morrison.

Before Morrison even comes out, the GM sends a message to Jericho and indirectly to Edge, disappointed with their behavior last week. If Jericho and Edge don't win their matches tonight, they're out of Night of Champions. That means it's gut-check time for Jericho, who demands of Michael Cole the ID of the anonymous GM, but isn't getting it.

Jericho was in control for much of the match, but was also, repeatedly, yelling at Cole, insisting that the beleagured announcer knew who the GM was. Hmmmmm. That distraction gave Morrison an opening to make a comeback, and he did. Jericho applied the Walls, but Morrison forced a rope break. The two were on the top turnbuckle at the end. Jericho tried a superplex, but Morrison blocked and knocked Jericho off with a right hook. Morrison hit Starship Pain, and Jericho is now out of the 6-pack at Night of Champions. Winner: John Morrison.

2. Divas title: Melina vs. Alicia Fox.

Alicia has invoked her rematch clause, and cuts a promo claiming she and not Melina will represent at Night of Champions, but thinks the unified champ will be "undefined". And she's a pro for season 3 of NXT? Yikes. Unfortunately, Alicia is squashed like a bug this time, getting minimal offense. She managed to avoid the Last Call, but not the Sunset Split. Winner: Melina.

3. The Miz has something hidden behind a black curtain. Well, he's on the cover of the new issue of WWE magazine, but that's already out in some parts of New York. Miz chases away Josh Mathews, trying to get a scoop, and, of course, Cole is loving it.

Edge is backstage with his former protege, Zack Ryder. Edge questions the logic of putting his title shot on the line, and claims that ref Charles Robinson had muttered something under his breath about Edge's mom last week. Of course you know that is BS to give Edge an excuse for his actions. Ryder, we learn, will face Edge later, 2 weeks after getting squashed by Sheamus. Is there something brewing? Edge threatens to destroy the GM's computer if Zack's cool theme song doesn't play. Oh, there's nothing to worry about there, is there?

Ted DiBiase is on the phone, supposedly with his mom, or at least, that's what he wants Maryse to think. Trouble in paradise already for this couple. Maryse finds a note in her purse, and she thinks it's from Ted, who denies it. Hmmmmmmmmm.

3. Justin Gabriel vs. John Cena.

1st ever singles meeting. Gabriel, of course, eliminated Cena last week with the 450 in the tag team main event. Gabriel, showing some veteran poise, maintains control early on, and scored a near fall with a springboard senton splash. He hit an STO, followed by a victim kick, but this time, he didn't go for the cover. Instead, he drags Cena toward the corner, poised for the 450, but Cena counters and hits the Attitude Adjustment off the middle turnbuckle. Winner: John Cena.

Up now is a preview of "Legendary", opening Friday in select theatres. I'll be surprised if there's a theatre in my area that gets it, because there's been no advertising in my market for it yet.

The Miz is in the ring. The laziest champion in the company (really, when was the last time he defended the US title on TV?) gives viewers a history lesson on his 6 year voyage from "Tough Enough" to his current standing as US champ. And, yes, behind that curtain is indeed the cover of the current WWE magazine. Daniel Bryan, predictably, is out, and tries to smooth-talk his way to a title shot. Miz surprisingly agrees, then decides to attack. Bryan anticipates and applies the LeBell Lock (named for Gene LeBell). Alex Riley comes through the crowd to break that up, only for Bryan to avoid the TKO. Miz is dumped over the top, and the briefcase pops open, revealing that it's really empty. Bryan traps Riley in the LeBell Lock, then kicks down the poster.

WWE Classics on Demand celebrates the 15th anniversary of WCW Nitro's debut.

4. Edge vs. Great Khali (w/Runjin Singh).

The GM figured that Ryder would be too much of a patsy, so Khali was chosen to take his place. Edge didn't like that, but it took ref Mike Chioda to convince him not to destroy the computer. Edge refused to lock up with Khali and lured him to the outside. He kicked Khali in the knee and beat the Punjabi Playboy back to the ring, but the GM disallowed the countout. Instead, it's now an over-the-top rope challenge. Edge again found a sneaky way to win. This time, after Khali had stepped over the top on his own volition, which had Cole upset, Khali blocked the spear, and sent Edge through the middle rope. Khali stepped over again, and Edge wrenched the knee, sending Khali to the floor. Edge then re-entered the ring to end it. Winner: Edge.

Cole & Lawler review the Night of Champions card.

Chris Jericho is staring into space backstage, and doesn't even acknowledge Josh's attempt to interview him. Josh leaves, replaced by John Morrison, who tries to be sympathetic. Still nothing from the shell-shocked Jericho.

Sheamus comes down and will join Cole & Lawler on commentary for tonight's main event.

5. Randy Orton vs. Wade Barrett.

Earlier, we found out that the winner will face John Cena next week in the main event as part of Raw Roulette from Cincinnati.

Cena & Edge are also at the desk as this match begins. Unfortunately, there really isn't enough time left to make this match mean something. Barrett goes for Wasteland, but Orton counters with a backbreaker. Orton winds up on the outside, and, abruptly, Darren Young, who was booted from Nexus just 3 weeks ago, returns and cuts a promo on Barrett, calling himself the missing link instead of the weakest. That distraction is enough for Orton to hit the RKO. Cheerio! Winner: Randy Orton.

Post-match, Young is invited into the ring, and is promptly RKO'd. Sheamus & Edge suffer the same fate, and the show ends with Cena & Orton staring each other down.