Game keeps hold of the gold

Triple H sees off Cena to retain title at NOC

Last updated: 2nd July 2008

WWE Night of Champions Triple H John Cena

Triple H delivers the knock-out Pedigree

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Triple H defeated John Cena for the first ever time to successfully defend his WWE championship in a thrilling match-up at Night of Champions.

The 12-time world champ delivered a knock-out Pedigree to topple Cena and ensure he left Dallas with the gold still wrapped firmly around his waist.

"You'll never be as good as me," the King of Kings bragged to Cena in the weeks leading up to Night of Champions - and he proved his class when it mattered most.

To his credit the Chain Gang Commander threatened to continue his stunning record against The Game, however after a brutal exchange of blows and manoeuvres, it was Triple H who powered to victory.

The capacity crowd inside the American Airlines Center looked on as The Game planted his trademark finisher in the middle of the ring, and the rest, as they say is history.

By retaining the WWE Championship, Triple H, drafted from Raw to SmackDown a week earlier, deprived his former brand a title to call their own.

Earlier in the evening, Edge also thwarted Raw as he saw off Batista, a recent Raw recruit, and ECW's Mark Henry captured that brand's title by prevailing against both Big Show and former ECW Champion Kane in a Triple Threat Match.