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5 Takeaways From WWE Clash Of Champions 2017

daniel bryan shane clash of champions

Written by

Robert Lentini

in

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WWE Clash of Champions 2017 aired live from the TD Garden in Boston. Mojo Rawley destroyed his former tag partner, Zack Ryder, during the Kickoff Show. The Bludgeon Brothers easily defeated Breezango on the show as well. Every title on the SmackDown brand was on the line during the PPV. Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens’ WWE careers were also on the line as they battled Randy Orton and Shinsuke Nakamura. Both SmackDown Commissioner Shane McMahon and SmackDown GM Daniel Bryan served as referees for the match.

Here are 5 takeaways from WWE Clash of Champions 2017:

Dolph Ziggler Is The New United States Champion

Clash of Champions kicked off with Baron Corbin defending his United States Championship against Dolph Ziggler and Bobby Roode in a Triple Threat match. Ziggler and Roode backed Corbin into the corner and teamed up to beat him down in the beginning of the match. Ziggler and Roode knocked Corbin out of the ring and then Clotheslined him over the barricade.

Back in the ring, Roode hit an Atomic Drop and followed it up with a Russian Leg Sweep for a two count. Dolph knocked Roode out of the ring and Corbin exploded out of nowhere and connected with a Clothesline that knocked Roode to the floor. Corbin took out Ziggler on the ring apron and then slammed Roode into the barricade surrounding the ring.

The action returned to the ring and Corbin was still beating the hell out of Roode. Corbin taunted the crowd and posed over Roode in the middle of the ring. Corbin exited the ring and slammed Ziggler into the barricade. Roode connected with a kick but Corbin responded with a Side Slam and went for the cover but Dolph leaped back into the ring to break it up.

Baron remained in control though and stomped on Ziggler in the corner. Corbin followed it up with a Clothesline but turned around into a right hand from Roode. Bobby leveled Corbin with a massive Clothesline and then hit a Blockbuster off the second rope for a two count. Ziggler went for the Zig Zag but Roode blocked it and booted Dolph in the face. Ziggler hit the Fameasser out of nowhere and went for the cover but Corbin leaped across the ring break it up at a two count.

Dolph hit a Dropkick to Corbin but Roode planted him with a slam. Corbin then grabbed Roode and hit a Deep Six for a two count. Ziggler Suplexed Roode off the top rope as Corbin Powerbombed Ziggler at the same time. Corbin unsuccessfully tried to pin both Superstars as the crowd chanted “this is awesome!”.

Dolph went for a Superkick to Roode but Bobby ducked out of the way and planted Ziggler with a Spinebuster. Ziggler blocked Roode’s Glorious DDT and connected with a DDT of his own for a two count. Corbin launched Ziggler to the ring apron and charged at Roode but Roode got out of the way and Baron flew out of the ring. Roode Slingshotted Ziggler into the ring post and then hit the Glorious DDT on Dolph. Roode went for the cover but Corbin pulled him out of the ring at the last second. Corbin then grabbed Roode by the throat and planted him with a Backbreaker outside the ring..

Corbin brought Roode back into the ring and went for the End of Days but Dolph Ziggler hit the Zig Zag on Corbin from behind for the victory. Dolph Ziggler is now the new United States Champion. Corbin was interviewed after the match backstage and was asked if he was squandering his opportunity in WWE. Corbin said that Ziggler didn’t belong in that match and he was cheated. Corbin vowed to get his title back and then threw a trash can and stormed away.

Well, I couldn’t have been more wrong about this one. First of all, it was a very entertaining match and I didn’t expect that at all. I was also completely confident that Ziggler would eat the pinfall, instead he walked out of the TD Garden as the new United States Champion. If Corbin wins the title back in the near future, I don’t really understand what the point of this was. I think Ziggler is an incredible talent in the ring, so hopefully he gets a decent run with the title.

The Usos Have The SmackDown Tag Team Division On Lock

Photo Credit: WWE.com

The Usos defended their SmackDown Tag Team Championships against Gable & Benjamin, Aiden English & Rusev and New Day in a Fatal 4-Way match tonight at Clash of Champions. Aiden English performed a song in the ring with Rusev by his side. The Boston crowd loved it and cheered for an encore. Gable and Benjamin ruined the fun and made their way to the ring. New Day and The Usos then joined them and the match started.

The match began in pure chaos as every Superstar in the match battled in the ring. It was down to Big E and Kofi in the ring. Big E launched his tag partner onto a few Superstars outside the ring. Shelton slammed Jimmy Uso off the top rope to the canvas and went for the cover but Big E broke it up.

Big E then launched Kofi into Jimmy and Benjamin in the corner. Rusev powered out of the corner and booted Kofi in the face. Rusev then launched Big E out of the ring as the TD Garden chanted “Rusev Day!”. Gable and English then applied submission holds to Kofi and Jimmy Uso. Shelton Benjamin was tagged in and then English tagged in Rusev.

The matched slowed down for the next few minutes. Kofi attempted to tag out of the match but Benjamin dragged Big E off the ring apron. English and Gable started shoving each other in the ring. Gable got booted in the face by Jimmy Uso and then English leveled Uso with a Clothesline. Jey Uso and Big E were then tagged into the match.

Big E hit a big time Belly to Belly to Gable and then Jey connected with a Samoan Drop to Jey Uso. Jey and Big E then both attempted a cover at the same time but Gable and English kicked out. Big E and Jey then had a stare down and started trash talking each other. The Usos then took out Big E, Kofi and Aiden English with Superkicks. Gable and Benjamin blocked The Usos Superkick attempts and Gable locked Jey Uso in the Texas Cloverleaf in the center of the ring.

Kofi leaped onto Benjamin off the top rope but Shelton caught him and connected with a Powerbomb. English and Rusev broke up the Cloverleaf and English slammed Gable to the mat for a two count. Rusev was then tagged in and Gable was the only Superstar in the ring. Rusev locked in the Accolade in the middle of the ring. Big E leaped into the ring and broke it up. Rusev connected with a big kick for a two count. Rusev then locked in the Accolade onto Big E in the middle of the ring.

Big E used his ridiculous strength to try and lift Rusev up but he couldn’t do it and fell back into the Accolade. Gable then came up behind Rusev and planted him with a German Suplex. Gable then connected with an absurd German Suplex on Aiden English and then hit another one on Big E.

Jimmy Uso tagged himself in and Superkicked Gable in the face. The Usos then hit the Splash off the top rope and pinned Chad Gable to retain their titles.

The first two matches of Clash of Champions have been great. This match started out clunky due to the Fatal 4-Way rules. However, it turned out to be a great match and every team got their moment to shine. Aiden English and Rusev were the fan favorites on this night but they came up short. Gable is an excellent performer and he showed up his skills when he hit the series of German Suplexes during the match. Hopefully English & Rusev and Gable & Benjamin can maintain this momentum going into SmackDown on Tuesday night.

I’m a huge fan of tag team wrestling and I’d like to see it featured more prominently on both shows because there are some very talented teams in WWE. The Usos escaped tonight with the victory, but there are now a few teams that should be in line to get a shot at their titles in the near future.

Charlotte Escaped A Chaotic Lumberjack Match

Charlotte defended her SmackDown Women’s Championship against Natalya in a Lumberjack match tonight at Clash of Champions. The Riott Squad (Ruby Riott, Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan), Naomi, Carmella, Tamina and Lana surrounded the ring throughout the contest.

The lumberjacks beatdown Charlotte in the beginning of the match as Natalya threw her out of the ring. The action returned to the ring and Charlotte connected with a kick for a two count. Natalya took control of the match and slammed Charlotte’s face into the second turnbuckle. Natalya then beatdown Charlotte in the corner after failing to Clothesline her out of the ring. Natalya then booted Charlotte out of the ring and she got beatdown Charlotte again. It then happened a third time and Natalya Dropkicked Charlotte out of the ring. Naomi stood on the opposite of the ring and cheered on Charlotte.

Natalya shouted “you like Charlotte?!” to the Boston crowd and then applied a Chin Lock in the middle of the ring. Natalya went for a Dropkick but Charlotte got out of the way and Natalya fell out of the ring. The lumberjacks did not attack Natalya and simply threw her back in the ring. Charlotte connected with a series of chops and then strutted across the ring.

Charlotte started climbing up the turnbuckle but Natalya dragged her back to the canvas. Natalya went for the Sharpshooter but Charlotte reversed it into a roll-up for a two count. Charlotte hit a big boot and went for the Figure Four but Natalya booted her out of the ring. The lumberjacks started beating down Charlotte again and Naomi leaped off the ring apron onto all of them.

Natalya got back into the ring and Charlotte tried to follow but Ruby Riott grabbed her. Natalya took advantage and beatdown Charlotte in the ring. Natalya then locked in the Sharpshooter in the center of the ring. Charlotte battled through the pain and made her way to the bottom rope to break the hold. Tamina then hauled Charlotte out of the ring and started beating her down. A brawl then broke out between the lumberjacks and Charlotte was rolled back into the ring.

Carmella grabbed the MITB contract and rolled into the ring but Ruby Riott attacked her. The lumberjacks then continued to brawl outside the ring. Charlotte threw Natalya out of the ring and then she climbed up to the top rope and Moonsaulted onto everyone. Natayla somehow was able to avoid most of the Moonsault and got up and launched Charlotte into the ring post.

The action returned to the ring with Natalya in control. Natalya went for the Sharpshooter again but Charlotte quickly countered it into the Figure Eight for the submission victory.

After the match, Natalya was interviewed and stated that she has given the women’s division some of the best matches they have ever seen. Natalya shed a tear and shouted that if the women in WWE and the WWE Universe want to turn their back on her then she is turning her back on all of them. Natalya then rolled out of the ring and started crying as she slowly made her way up the entrance ramp.

This match was a mess and predictable. Carmella hinted at cashing in her MITB contract but tonight wasn’t the time. The lumberjacks predictably brawled with each other and I thought it took away from the match. Natalya’s promo was bizarre and it will be interesting to see if this leads to Natalya taking a break or just altering her character moving forward. She has been a heel on SmackDown for some time now, so I’m not sure how she would now be turning her back on the WWE Universe.

Daniel Bryan Saved The Yep Movement

Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon had a conversation backstage earlier in the night. Shane McMahon still didn’t understand why Daniel Bryan made himself the second referee. Bryan claimed the he only did it to protect Shane McMahon from himself.

Owens and Zayn were interviewed later on in the evening and claimed that Daniel Bryan knows that he and Zayn are A+ talent and that all Bryan is doing is making sure tonight is a fair fight. They were then asked about the possibility of getting fired tonight and Owens and Zayn shook their heads in disgust before walking away.

Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon were the first down to the ring and the two shook hands before the Superstars made their entrances. The Boston crowd sang along to Shinsuke’s theme as he posed in the ring. The crowd then erupted when Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn made their way to the ring.

Sami Zayn and Owens immediately started arguing with Shane McMahon in the ring. Zayn and Owens poked fun at Shane’s referee shirt which had his name written on it. Orton and Zayn started off the match and locked up in the middle of the ring. Zayn drove Orton to the corner and Shane started counting and told Zayn to break it up.

Orton then applied a Chin Lock as the crowd chanted “ole!”. Zayn broke free and Orton connected with a shoulder tackle and went for the cover. Both Bryan and McMahon went for the cover at the same time and their counts were at different speeds as Zayn kicked out.

Sami drove Orton back into the corner and Shane once again started barking at him. Shane and Sami stared at each other and Orton took back control of the match. Nakamura was tagged in and Sami drove Nakamura to the ropes. Shane shouted “watch the hair” as Sami apparently had a grip of Shinsuke’s hair. Sami backed off and Nakamura applied a Wrist Lock. Sami grabbed the ropes and Shane didn’t break the hold but Daniel Bryan did.

Kevin Owens was then tagged in and he beatdown Nakamura in the corner. Shane physically grabbed Owens and told him to break it up. Daniel Bryan didn’t react as Owens shouted in protest. Nakamura beatdown Owens in the corner and this time Daniel Bryan broke it up.

Nakamura went for the cover and once again both Shane and Daniel counted at different speeds and stared at each other in confusion. Orton was then tagged in and he knocked Owens to the mat. Shane and Daniel agreed to officiate a side of the ring and drew an imaginary line across the middle of the ring.

Owens connected with a Superkick on Shane’s side and went for the cover but Orton kicked out at two. Owens shouted at Shane to count faster and then tagged Sami back in. Zayn brought Orton to Shane’s side of the ring and hit a chop in the corner. Sami hit another chop and taunted Orton. Randy powered out of the corner and knocked Sami to the canvas.

Owens was tagged back in and he continued the assault on Randy Orton. Owens brought Orton to Bryan’s side of the ring and stomped on him. Owens then taunted Shane McMahon and complained to Daniel Bryan that Shane was counting slow. Sami applied a Chin Lock in the middle of the ring as Owens started a “yep!” chant.

Orton broke free and bounced Sami Zayn off the top rope and both Superstars fell to the mat. Owens was tagged in and he booted Orton in the face and then punched Nakamura on the ring apron. Owens hit a Senton for a two count and then applied another Chin Lock. Orton powered to his feet and connected with a punch to Owens’ head. Owens hit a knee to the midsection and then tagged in Sami.

Zayn applied yet another Chin Lock and Orton broke free and hit a Belly to Back Suplex on Zayn. Owens and Nakamura were then tagged in and Shinsuke delivered a kick to Owens’ face. Nakamura hit another kick and then connected with a series of knees. Nakamura then clocked Sami in the face on the ring apron and then stomped on Owens in the corner.

Nakamura draped Owens across the top rope and then kneed him in the ribs for a two count. Shane slid across the imaginary line in the middle of the ring to make the count and Bryan reminded him to stay on his side. Nakamura connected with another strike for a two count.

Shinsuke locked in a Triangle submission in the middle of the ring. Owens’ shoulders were down and Bryan counted and Owens kicked out. Shane was pissed off because it broke the hold. Owens connected with a Superkick for another two count and then tagged in Sami. Zayn sprinted across the ring and blasted Orton off the ring apron. Nakamura blocked the Helluva Kick but Zayn planted Shinsuke with the Blue Thunder Bomb on Bryan’s side of the ring for a two count. Shane did a little dance out of joy when Nakamura kicked out.

All four Superstars started battling in the ring as Shane and Daniel tried to get control. Sami threw Orton out of the ring and Shane told Sami to get out of the ring. Owens went for a Senton onto Nakamura but Shinsuke got his knees up. Orton was tagged back and so was Zayn. Orton planted Sami with a Powerslam that sent him to the ring apron.

Zayn bounced Orton’s neck off the top rope and then climbed to the top turnbuckle but Orton took out his legs and Sami fell crotch-first on the top rope. Daniel got in Orton’s face and reminded him that was not legal. Orton then planted Zayn with a Superplex but Owens dragged Orton out of the ring and slammed him into the steel steps. Shinsuke then attacked Owens and threw him into the barricade. Shinsuke hit a couple of kicks but Sami bashed Nakamura in the back of the head.

Shane and Daniel demanded that the Superstars return to the ring but they didn’t oblige. Sami bounced Nakamura’s face off the table. Owens and Zayn started clearing off the tables and Shane McMahon inadvertently poked Bryn in the eye. Owens hit a Frog Splash off of one announce table and landed on Nakamura threw the other and the table collapsed as the two Superstars slammed to the floor.

Back in the ring, Orton delivered another Powerslam to Zayn and then hit the DDT while Sami was hung up in between the second and third ropes. Orton posed in the ring and geared up for the RKO as Shane cheered him on. Orton planted Zayn with the RKO and Shane went for the cover but Owens shoved Daniel Bryan on top of Shane McMahon.

Shane started shouting at Daniel Bryan and Orton got in Bryan’s face. Owens grabbed Orton from behind but Randy was ready and delivered another RKO to Owens. Sami and Orton traded roll ups and Sami had the match won but Shane didn’t count to three. Daniel and Shane started shoving each other as the crowd chanted “yes!”. Orton then went for another RKO but Sami revered it into a roll up and Daniel Bryan quickly counted to three as Shane leaped across the ring to stop Bryan’s count. Orton was distraught in the ring as Shane sat in the middle of the ring with a pissed off look on his face. Owens and Zayn started another “yep!” chant and the crowd joined in.

The build up to this match was very entertaining. The match itself was a total cluster for the majority of it. Shane and Bryan’s bickering over which side of the ring was their side was annoying but it wound up paying off in the end. Daniel Bryan helped Zayn and Owens win the match, but only after Shane McMahon deliberately avoided counting to three when Sami had the match won. I’m looking forward to seeing where this storyline goes on SmackDown this Tuesday night. It appears that the power struggle between Bryan and McMahon has only just begun.

Jinder Mahal Could Not Escape The Calf Crusher 

AJ Styles defended his WWE Championship against former champion Jinder Mahal tonight at Clash of Champions. The Singh Brothers accompanied Mahal to the ring and were ringside for the match.

The Singh Brothers whispered words of wisdom into Mahal’s ear as the bell rang. Mahal elbowed AJ in the face to start off the match and then posed in the ring. Styles knocked Mahal out of the ring and then followed him out there and booted Jinder in the back of the leg. Styles then slammed Mahal’s leg into the barricade and then rolled him back into the ring.

Styles knocked Mahal to the canvas and once again focused his attack on Jinder’s legs. Mahal took control and lift AJ over his shoulders and threw him onto the top ropes. Styles landed ribs-first and then tumbled out of the ring. Mahal followed him and AJ connected with a kick. Mahal grabbed AJ by his head and threw Styles into the barricade. AJ removed part of the barricade padding while Jinder was dragging him.

The crowd started chanting “Jinder sucks!” as Mahal launched AJ into the exposed part of the steel barricade. The action returned to the ring and Mahal connected with a knee to Styles’ injured ribs. Mahal was still favoring his injured leg from AJ’s offense earlier in the match.

Mahal dropped AJ rib-first on top of one the announce tables and then taunted the crowd. Mahal brought AJ back into the ring and continued the assault. Jinder applied a Crossface in the middle of the ring and extended Styles’ ribs. Jinder then wrapped his legs around AJ’s midsection and applied pressure to his ribs.

AJ broke free and connected with a couple of kicks to Mahal’s injured leg. Jinder responded by launching AJ into the corner and Styles’ ribs slammed into the turnbuckle. Mahal then applied the Abdominal Stretch to Styles in the middle of the ring as the Singh Brothers cheered him on from ringside.

Styles broke free but Mahal sent him to the corner and Speared him in the ribs. Jinder hopped up to the second rope and connected with a Clothesline. Mahal went for another Clothesline off the second rope but AJ was ready and connected with a Dropkick that knocked Jinder out of the ring.

Styles went for the Phenomenal Forearm but Mahal hit the ropes and Styles fell onto the top rope ribs-first. Mahal once again attacked AJ’s ribs and stomped on him in the corner. Jinder perched AJ up on the top turnbuckle and delivered a couple of massive right hands. AJ lifted Mahal onto his shoulders and delivered an Electric Chair Drop as both Superstars fell to the canvas.

Mahal missed with a right and AJ connected with a couple of strikes and then leveled him with a Clothesline. AJ then hit a forearm and both Superstars were back on the mat again. AJ hit a Splash in the corner and Styles tried to lift him up but his ribs prevented him. Styles connected with a Fireman’s Carry Neckbreaker while using Mahal’s momentum to lift up. Mahal responded by lifting AJ over his shoulders and dropping him ribs-first for a two count.

Styles went for another forearm while Mahal was on his backside but Mahal got his legs up and Dropkicked him. Jinder then connected with a Samoan Drop for a two count. Mahal went for the Khallas but AJ blocked it and hit the Pele Kick. AJ went for a Tornado DDT but Mahal blocked it and launched Styles across the ring. Jinder then connected with a big boot for a two count.

Jinder went for another Khallas off the second rope but AJ escaped and delivered a second Pele Kick. Styles then dragged Mahal off the ropes and Jinder crashed to the canvas. Styles hit the springboard 450 Splash but AJ couldn’t make the cover right away because of his ribs. The Singh Brothers tried to drag Mahal out of the ring. AJ hit the Phenomenal Forearm onto one of the Singhs and then hit the Styles Clash on the other.

AJ slowly climbed up to the ring apron and bounced Mahal’s face off the top rope. AJ went for the Phenomenal Forearm but Mahal got out of the way and kneed AJ in the back of the head. Jinder then hit the Khallas and dragged AJ back to the middle of the ring. Mahal went for the cover but AJ was able to kick out at two. The crowd chanted “AJ Styles!” as Jinder got himself fired up in the ring.

Mahal taunted AJ and went for the Styles Clash but AJ rolled through and applied the Calf Crusher in the center of the ring. Mahal made his way towards the bottom rope but AJ was able to roll him back to the center of the ring and Mahal had no choice but to submit. AJ Styles is still your WWE Champion.

AJ Styles has a way of bring out the best in every Superstar he has a match with. This match was slow but still entertaining. Mahal put up a decent fight but AJ Styles prevailed in the end. WWE Clash of Champions 2017 wound up being a decent show. The first two matches were excellent and there is a lot to look forward to this Tuesday night on SmackDown. We will see the progression of the Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan storyline and maybe a new challenger will emerge for the WWE Championship.

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