WWE returns to the pay-per-view arena this weekend, as they present their WWE Clash Of Champions event on Sunday, September 15th from the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Sunday’s show will feature champions from the RAW, SmackDown LIVE and 205 Live brands competing in an 11-match card with ten titles on-the-line, and will mark the third event under WWE’s “Clash of Champions” chronology. The PPV is an extension of their former “Night of Champions” chronology that included the same theme.
WWE Clash Of Champions will also stream live via the WWE Network this Sunday night, with a one-hour “Kickoff Show” pre-show starting at 6pm Eastern Time.
A Closer Look At WWE Clash Of Champions Lineup
In the headline spot this Sunday night will be the WWE Universal Championship showdown between the reigning RAW Tag-Team Champions, as Seth Rollins defends against Braun Strowman the same night the two will also unite to defend their tag-team titles against the team of Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode.
In other tag-team championship action, the current SmackDown Tag-Team Champions The New Day (Big E. & Xavier Woods) will look to hold onto their belts as they put them on-the-line against highly-regarded opposition, The Revival (Scott Dawson & Dash Wilder).
The co-main event will see Kofi Kingston attempt to hold onto his WWE Championship, as he defends against longtime career rival, “The Viper” Randy Orton.
In women’s action, the reigning RAW Women’s Champion Becky Lynch will put her title on the line against potentially her most dangerous challenger since becoming champion — Sasha Banks, while Bayley defends the SmackDown Women’s Championship against Charlotte Flair and the team of Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross defend the WWE Women’s Tag-Team Championships against Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville.
Also on tap for WWE Clash Of Champions this Sunday night is Shinsuke Nakamura vs. The Miz for the WWE Intercontinental Championship, AJ Styles vs. Cedric Alexander for the WWE United States Championship, Drew Gulak vs. Humberto Carrillo vs. Lince Dorado for the WWE Cruiserweight Championship and Roman Reigns vs. Erick Rowan in a “No Disqualification Match.”
SEScoops.com Panel For WWE Clash Of Champions Predictions
As is the case before every major pay-per-view event, SEScoops.com compiles a handful of pro wrestling journalists to provide their in-depth insight and analysis into each match scheduled on the card in our SEScoops.com Predictions Roundtable feature.
Joining us for this WWE Clash Of Champions installment will be veteran staff writers Ian Carey, Andrew Ravens and Jeff Moss.
Without further adieu, let’s take a look at the SEScoops.com predictions for WWE Clash Of Champions.
Drew Gulak (C) vs. Humberto Carrillo vs. Lince Dorado (WWE Cruiserweight Title)
Ian Carey: I figure Gulak will likely retain the title here. if you haven’t been following 205 live, first of all, you’re not alone, but Gulak has really been an interesting champion for the cruiserweight division. He’s been there since the beginning and we’ve really seen him come to define the brand a little bit. This cruiserweight division isn’t like wcw’s cruiserweight division. It’s not about moves you’ve never seen before, it’s about wrestlers under 205 lbs telling stories. Gulak tells good stories. (Prediction: Drew Gulak)
Andrew Ravens: I like the addition of Dorado late in the build of this match as a three-way match with these guys should make for a great match. The only bad thing is the fact that no one will care about these guys, which is a shame. That’s a big problem with 205 Live these days and has been for quite some time. Gulak should win although I wouldn’t be shocked to see the title be put on Carrillo. (Prediction: Drew Gulak)
Jeff Moss: Occasionally there comes a champion or wrestler that I’m just always going to pick to win because I like them so much. Drew Gulak is one of those wrestlers. Dorado and Carrillo are fantastic, and this match is going to be great (if anyone sees it) but Drew should carry that purple belt as long a humanly possible, perhaps into a new Golden age of 205 Live on a network without NXT on Wednesdays. (Prediction: Drew Gulak)
CONSENSUS 3-0, Drew Gulak
AJ Styles (C) vs. Cedric Alexander (WWE United States Title)
Ian: The goal of this match is to help turn Cedric Alexander into as big of a star as possible without him actually beating AJ Styles. The United States title is staying on Styles. Alexander got the pin on AJ on raw in the build-up to this match so this is an opportunity for AJ to avenge that loss. He might require the help of the OC which will help establish Alexander without actually giving him the win. (Prediction: AJ Styles)
Andrew: As much as I think Alexander would be a good champion and a deserved role for him as he’s extremely talented, I don’t see it. AJ still has a big push going on and it doesn’t make sense for WWE to take the title off of him at this time. (Prediction: AJ Styles)
Jeff: This could be a star-making match for Cedric Alexander, and headed into the fall and a new TV landscape, new stars is what the WWE needs. If the good version of AJ shows up these guys will put on a clinic, but I think it’s Cedric who’s going to leave the crowd talking and walk away with the title. (Prediction: Cedric Alexander)
CONSENSUS: 2-1, AJ Styles
Shinsuke Nakamura (C) vs. The Miz (WWE Intercontinental Title)
Ian: Nakamura isn’t going to lose the Intercontinental title just a few weeks after being paired with Sami Zayn as his mouthpiece. That the title and Sami Zayn we’re both put on Nakamura relatively recently means there’s been some discussion in the back about how to get the most out of him. It’s very unlikely that discussion involved deciding to have him lose to the Miz. One little note here, if the Miz wins the title here it will likely mean he surpasses Pedro Morales’ combined days with the Intercontinental title record. He’s only 20 days shy of the record. (Prediction: Shinsuke Nakamura)
Andrew: WWE can be a petty company and I see them being that here with The Miz. Currently, Chris Jericho holds the record of most reigns as Intercontinental Champion with only The Miz being behind him at eight. Thus, with The Miz winning the title here then he would be tied with Jericho. He could also surpass this record down the road. WWE has done the same with guys who hold records no longer being on good terms with the company. That happens here. (Prediction: The Miz)
Jeff: An Intercontinental Title Match? On PPV? Jebus, I’d forgotten that title was still a thing. And this young upstart who has the belt, Shinsuke Nakamura? He seems like pure money, and there’s no way he could languish in the bottom of the WWE barrel for three years is there? Anyways, this match has had very little to build on, so part of me hopes they go out there and tear it up as a middle finger to WWE forgetting about what should be one of it’s most prestigious titles. But I think we’re looking more at 6 minutes, Kinshasa, 1,2,3, moving on. (Prediction: Shinsuke Nakamura)
CONSENSUS: 2-1, Shinsuke Nakamura
New Day (C) vs. The Revival (SmackDown Tag-Team Titles)
Ian: What happens here will really depend on what WWE decides to have happen in the Kofi vs Orton match. One possibility is that the Revival and Randy Orton take all of the titles from New Day on Sunday but I don’t think that is going to be the result. First of all, the Revival are from RAW and New Day are on SmackDown so it feels like this match wasn’t put together with much forethought anyway. I can’t see it leading to a title change. (Prediction: New Day)
Andrew: The Revival has had another renewed push with their alliance with Randy Orton, which is nice to see. Whether that means that they win some more gold remains to be seen but I don’t see that happening here. Other than just having a title change for the sake of it, they don’t need the titles if they are paired up with a top act like Orton. Thus, The New Day retains. (Prediction: New Day)
Jeff: I expect these guys to put on a great match because, well, how could they not? New Day has been having killer matches, Revival really are Top Guys (when they are allowed to be) and unless the Revival are headed to USA and an NXT return, I say put the belts on them and let them be themselves. (Prediction: The Revival)
CONSENSUS: 2-1, New Day
Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross (C) vs. Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville (WWE Women’s Tag-Team Titles)
Ian: Unfortunately for fans of Fire and Desire, I don’t think they are taking the titles here. it would be nice if an established tag team would win these titles and defend them against other established tag teams, but that isn’t what has been happening in this division. It’s also not clear what is going to happen with this division in the fall. The women’s tag titles exist independent of any brand in WWE. Is that still the case when smackdown goes to Fox? Or do these titles find a permanent home on RAW or NXT? The titles are being used as a prop for this backstage sitcom between Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross they’re filming and I expect the titles will stay with them on Sunday. (Prediction: Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross)
Andrew: WWE hasn’t done a great job of getting fans invested in seeing this match and I could care less about it. Bliss and Cross recently won the titles so it doesn’t make much sense for them to drop the titles. With that being said, it appears to just be a match on the card. (Prediction: Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross)
Jeff: Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose have improved as a tag team, but they are still the 6th most interesting team in a 5-team division. Where are the IIConics? The Kabuki Warriors? ANYONE ELSE?! WWE has nerfed the Women’s Tag Titles so hard, you’d think it was a King of The Ring Tournament. Bliss and Cross should retain here, and a real challenger should rise from the fiery (and desiery) ashes. PS – Can we get something going for Sonya Deville? That girl is nothing but up sides. (Prediction: Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross)
CONSENSUS: 3-0, Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross
Seth Rollins & Braun Strowman (C) vs. Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode (RAW Tag-Team Titles)
Ian: Seth and Braun will win here because neither one is getting pinned before their title match later in the show. A schmohz ending is possible with no real winner but more likely is the two don’t get along during the match but still win, keeping both strong for their Universal title match later. (Prediction: Seth Rollins & Braun Strowman)
Andrew: This is where Rollins and Strowman should and will likely drop the titles. I expect this match to be the opener or early on the card to allow Strowman and Rollins to give them time to recover. Also, WWE is behind the pairing of Ziggler and Roode. Thus, with Rollins and Strowman only holding the titles to further their program, let Ziggler and Roode have a run. (Prediction: Dolph Ziggler & Bobby Roode)
Jeff: (Sigh) “And New RAW Tag Team Champions… Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode!” Two randomly paired wrestlers who’s only thing in common is neither one has anything better to do will take the titles instead of any one of the excellent new or established tag teams on the roster. They probably don’t want Seth & Braun to hang onto those straps going forward. So one will probably do something to make the other eat a pin, shove, shove, punch, punch, and oh yeah, this was about the tag team titles right? Bah, who cares about tag team wrestling anyway? (Prediction: Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode)
CONSENSUS: 2-1, Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode
Bayley (C) vs. Charlotte Flair (SmackDown Women’s Title)
Ian: Several different things could happen here. The most likely, however, is that Bayely retains the title by nefarious means. Considering Bayley just turned heel, it’s possible this is an opportunity for Flair to turn babyface. I hope that isn’t the case, however, as I’m hoping the real-life conflict between Ric Flair and Becky Lynch over “the Man” moniker will lead to storyline angle between the two with Ric in his daughter’s corner. I’m not expecting that to happen, however. (Prediction: Bayley)
Andrew: If WWE didn’t turn Bayley heel then I would’ve said that Flair wins the title. However, that has changed with the heel turn. WWE is going to give Bayley a big push with this new role. Unless WWE just wants a title change and have her only be aligned with Banks again as a tag team, Bayley will likely retain. The only problem is the fact of where does Flair and Bayley go from here. (Prediction: Bayley)
Jeff: I know we were supposed to be shocked by Bayley’s big “heel” turn, but really, aside from having a bit of an attitude, what’s changed? She’s still doing the same entrance. She’s still doing the same things in and out of the ring. She’s still trusting Sasha when she shouldn’t. If we’re going to buy Evil Bayley, she has to be just that, EVIL. So I’d like to see her win this match through blatant cheating, lost the wacky inflatable arm men, and fully become Dark Bayley. (Prediction: Bayley)
CONSENSUS: 3-0, Bayley
Roman Reigns vs. Erick Rowan (No Disqualification Match)
Ian: The goal of this match for WWE is to have Erick Rowan get over while still losing to Roman Reigns. With Reigns playing the role that he is now, championing WWE’s charitable efforts and sharing his own story, he’s not going to lose to a bully. The job for both of the wrestlers in this match is to turn Rowan into a guy fans want to see again while still keeping Roman looking unbeatable. (Prediction: Roman Reigns)
Andrew: One would have to think that Reigns goes over in this match to get his revenge but not so fast. With Daniel Bryan looming all be it after being attacked by Rowan, I see him costing Reigns the match and being revealed as the mastermind behind these attacks. Perhaps HIAC is a more fitting place for Reigns to get his revenge. (Prediction: Erick Rowan)
Jeff: Woof. The way this feud has been going, I half expect the winner of this match to be a parking garage attendant from the condos across the street from the arena. That said, if they let these guys go all out (Copyright and Trademark AEW) and have a silly match where they hit each other with the prerequisite slangy poles in the backstage area, it could be a lot of fun. As far as a winner goes, Roman wins and we can put a bullet in this story. (Prediction: Roman Reigns)
CONSENSUS: 2-1, Roman Reigns
Kofi Kingston (C) vs. Randy Orton (WWE Title)
Ian: I’m not overly confident in this pick but I think Orton’s taking the title. Then I think Kofi’s character has additional motivation. He’ll want to prove that he is at Orton’s level and can be a better champion than he was. Kofi then chases the title for a few months and wins it back maybe at Survivor Series or the Rumble. The story only comes full circle when Kofi beats Orton for the title after Orton takes it from him. The Revival will get involved. (Prediction: Randy Orton)
Andrew: Let’s hope that this match is better than the one that they had at SummerSlam, which I found to be disappointing. I like this feud and the way that WWE has built it up over the last month or so. With that said, just like heading into SummerSlam, I don’t see Orton being the guy to take the title. In fact, I don’t see Kingston going over clean. With the draft taking place after the HIAC PPV next month, I see them doing a DQ finish where Kofi loses his cool and Orton winning cheap with the payoff being in the HIAC structure. (Prediction: Randy Orton)
Jeff: Oh crap… could Randy Orton be winning the WWE title here? They’ve booked Kofi pretty strongly against him in the last little while and that’s usually one of WWE’s tells in terms of a title change. That said, I think Kofimania could keep going a little longer, at least until we get to fox, shake up the roster and see a few fresh matchups. As I mentioned elsewhere, Seth Rollins on Smackdown would be a great feud for Kofi. (Prediction: Kofi Kingston)
CONSENSUS: 2-1, Randy Orton
Becky Lynch (C) vs. Sasha Banks (RAW Women’s Title)
Ian: This will be the best match on the show because it is a match Sasha Banks has been planning in her mind for months. She’s going to win the title here too. This will mean that Sasha Banks and Bayley will both be respective champions of their brand. The win will make Sasha a focal point of the women’s singles division and also allow for an opportunity for Becky to go to SmackDown in time for the move to Fox. (Prediction: Sasha Banks)
Andrew: I find this to be the hardest match to pick because either talent could win here and rightfully so. Lynch has been one of the hottest acts that WWE has had for the entire year while Banks has only been back a few weeks and still in the middle of her heel turn that got people talking. Unless WWE does a cheap finish, I don’t see Banks losing but can’t see her winning the title here. I have Lynch winning by DQ. (Prediction: Becky Lynch)
Jeff: I’ll just say it: This should be the main event of Clash of Champions. These two are the best going, they’ve got a good story to tell and we know they could close it out with a banger. If they still want us to believe that Becky is “The Man” (Trademark and Copyright Ric Flair) then she’s gotta prove it against the best, and Sasha is one of the best. Let Becky chase the title into Hell In a Cell next month and finish it up with a killer match at Survivor Series. (Prediction: Sasha Banks)
CONSENSUS: 2-1, Sasha Banks
Seth Rollins (C) vs. Braun Strowman (WWE Universal Title)
Ian: The key here is the winner goes on to face Bray Wyatt at Hell in a Cell. It’s possible Wyatt shows up during or after this match too. In the end, I think Seth retains, possibly due to Wyatt interference (to keep Strowman strong) and this sets up Rollins vs Wyatt at Hell in a Cell. (Prediction: Seth Rollins)
Andrew: Obviously, Braun is someone that Vinnie Mac likes but it’s also clear that Rollins is a guy that WWE officials are behind and has been for quite some time outside of Roman Reigns. Thus, with the challenge already being set by Bray Wyatt for the HIAC PPV next month, I find it interesting that WWE is doing a one-off match for this program that could easily be extended through storytelling. With that said, Rollins should retain. (Prediction: Seth Rollins)
Jeff: While I think it feels too soon to take the belt off of Seth, WWE has been working hard to rehabilitate Braun’s image as a monster to be reckoned with. It’s odd, but my prediction of a winner for this match is built entirely who I want to see defend that title against The Fiend at Hell In a Cell, and that’s Braun. He may not be totally ready for the top spot, but he’d be entertaining. Plus, those two could do some real damage to each other and Seth could go back to chasing the title like he does best, or get Drafted to SDL. Either way, I expect The Fiend to make an appearance either before the pin, or after it. (Prediction: Braun Strowman)
CONSENSUS: 2-1, Seth Rollins
WWE Clash Of Champions Predictions Outro
What do you think about Ian, Andrew and Jeff’s picks for Sunday’s matches? How do their above picks compare to yours? Let us know by sharing your own WWE Clash Of Champions predictions in the SEScoops.com “Comments” section below.
If you have somehow failed to get your fill of insight, analysis and predictions for Sunday night’s show, fear not!
In addition to the above picks from our trio of veteran reporters, you can also see what the “betting experts” expect to happen in the top matches by checking out the WWE Clash Of Champions betting odds from 5Dimes (Odds updated as of Sat., Sept. 14).
Join us here at SEScoops.com throughout the weekend for the best coverage of WWE Clash Of Champions news, rumors and spoilers. Make sure to stop by on Sunday night for the absolute fastest and most-detailed live WWE Clash Of Champions results coverage on the web.
