Kickoff Show:
Nia Jax defeated Alicia Fox in a short match. Fox was able to get in some offense but Nia Jax kept coming back and ultimately won the match easily.
Main Card:
Tag Team Championship Match: The New Day (C) vs The Club
The New Day started off the show by stating that Gallows and Anderson are the types of guys that fart in crowded elevators. Thankfully, Gallows and Anderson interrupted the New Day’s promo and the match started. Gallows and Anderson started off dominant. Gallows took out both Xavier Woods and Big E outside the ring. Kingston was getting beatdown by Karl Anderson but was eventually able to tag in Big E. It didn’t take much time for The Club to land the Boot of Doom on Big E but Kofi broke up the pinfall at two. Big E eventually hit the Big Ending on Anderson but Gallows broke up the count at two. Xavier Woods hit Anderson with Francesca II (the trombone) while the referee was distracted. Big E and Kofi then connected with the Midnight Hour for the victory.
Winners & Still Tag Team Champions: The New Day
Reaction: I thought it would have made sense for The Club to win the titles here. The Club actually started out aggressive and looked like the dominant team they were supposed to be when they arrived in the WWE. I’m sure The Club will be looking for a rematch, given the fact that Xavier Woods interfered in the match. I guess everyone has more painful New Day/The Club promos to look forward to on Monday Night Raw.
Cruiserweight Championship Match: T.J. Perkins (c) vs Brian Kendrick
Kendrick refused to shake the hand of Perkins before the match. Perkins went to jump on Kendrick outside the ring but Kendrick tied him up in the ring apron and beat him down. The match went back and forth for the next several minutes. Perkins went for a Neckbreaker on Kendrick but he missed and had to grab Kenrick’s hair to bring him down. Perkins then hit a Hurricanrana that sent both men flying outside the ring. Both Kendrick and Perkins were able to make it back into the ring before the referee counted to ten.
Perkins went for a move off the top rope but Kendrick rolled out of the way. Kendrick then went for the Captain’s Hook but Perkins fought his way out of it. Kendrick then hit Sliced Bread but Perkins kicked out at two. Perkins locked in the Knee Bar for the submission victory. After the match, Kendrick and Perkins shook hands and hugged. Kendrick then hit Perkins with a headbutt and left T.J. lying in the ring.
Winner & Still Cruiserweight Champion: T.J. Perkins
Reaction: This match was clumsy at times but was still entertaining. The WWE seems to be making an effort to make these matches more than a bunch of high-risk maneuvers. Kendrick will be in the Cruiserweight title picture for awhile but it will be interesting to see who Perkins will battle next.
Best of 7 Series Match: Cesaro vs Sheamus
Sheamus was up 3-0 but predictably Cesaro battled all the way back to tie the series at 3. Cesaro started off the match by hitting Sheamus with a couple of Uppercuts. The action then spilled outside the ring where Cesaro once again hit Sheamus with an Uppercut against the barricade. Sheamus then gained momentum and hit Cesaro with an Irish Curse Backbreaker in the ring.
Sheamus hit Cesaro with a Clothesline off the top rope. Sheamus continued to dominate but Cesaro was kicking out of everything. Cesaro ducked out of the way and Sheamus went flying into the ring post. Cesaro then followed it up with an Uppercut to the back of Sheamus’ head. Cesaro hit a Tornado DDT but Sheamus kicked out at two.
Cesaro hit Sheamus with a 619 and then hit a Crossb0dy on Sheamus off the top rope. Sheamus battled back and once again hit the Irish Curse Backbreaker. Sheamus then hit two more Backbreakers but Cesaro powered out at two. Sheamus locked in the Cloverleaf but Cesaro reversed it into a roll-up. Sheamus kicked out and continued the assault on Cesaro’s back.
Sheamus went for a Brogue Kick but it was reversed into the Cesaro Swing. Cesaro then locked in the Sharpshooter in the middle of the ring but Sheamus reached the bottom rope to break the hold. Sheamus was standing on the ring apron and Cesaro went to Suplex him back in the ring but Cesaro’s injured back wouldn’t allow it. Cesaro then launched himself head-first into Sheamus outside the ring. Cesaro landed badly on his head but the match continued.
Both men eventually got back into the ring and Sheamus hit a Brogue Kick but Cesaro kicked out. Sheamus then focused his attack on Cesaro’s neck. Sheamus took his eye off the ball for a split-second and Cesaro took advantage and hit the Gotch Neutralizer. Sheamus kicked out at two and the crowd started a “this is awesome!” chant. Cesaro then hit a bunch of Uppercuts on Sheamus in the corner. Sheamus battled back but Cesaro hit another Uppercut and a Dropkick that knocked Sheamus to the ring apron.
Cesaro once again went for a Suplex off the turnbuckle but Sheamus headbutted him away. Sheamus then went for a move off the top rope but Cesaro hit a massive Uppercut on Sheamus in mid-air. Sheamus then hit the White Noise on Cesaro outside the ring. Cesaro sent Sheamus into the ring post and then Clotheslined him over the barricade. Both men wound up falling over the barricade. The referee then stopped the match due to both men being unable to continue.
Cesaro got back into the ring and called for Sheamus to continue the fight. The referees would not allow it and forced Sheamus to go backstage.
Reaction: The crowd wasn’t happy with the finish but this match was excellent. Hopefully this marked the end of the series. Cesaro and Sheamus both beat the hell out of each other and neither man backed down. The series itself was for a title shot. I’d rather see Cesaro and Sheamus both get a shot at a title rather than an eighth match in the series. Either way, this was a great match with a finish that left a lot to be desired.
https://twitter.com/Goldust/status/780212810357805056
Sami Zayn vs Chris Jericho
Zayn hit a Moonsault on Jericho off of the barricade outside the ring to get the match going. Jericho used the referee as a shield and hit a Springboard Dropkick on Zayn on the ring apron. Jericho then controlled the next several minutes of the match.
Zayn finally battled back and gained momentum. Zayn hit a Crossbody on Jericho off the top rope but Jericho kicked out at two. Jericho battled back and went for a Superplex off the top rope. Zayn blocked it and sent Jericho flying face-fist onto the mat. The crowd started an “ole!” chant and Jericho promptly told them to shut up.
Jericho and Zayn traded slaps in the ring. Jericho got the upper-hand and hit a Lionsault on Zayn. Sami Zayn battled back and hit a Tornado DDT on Jericho. Zayn went for the Helluva Kick but Jericho rolled out of the ring. Zayn then launched himself through the second rope and hit an ugly looking DDT on Jericho outside the ring. Zayn once again went for the Helluva Kick but Jericho got out of the way. Once again, Zayn went for the Helluva Kick but Jericho rolled through and locked in the Walls of Jericho. Zayn countered into a roll-up but Jericho kicked out at two.
Jericho went for a move off the top rope but Zayn countered it into a Blue Thunder Bomb but Jericho once again kicked out. Jericho then hit a Codebreaker out of nowhere for the victory.
Winner: Chris Jericho
Reaction: I didn’t see Jericho winning this match either so my streak of being incorrect about everything continues. This was another very solid match. I’m sure people will be annoyed that Zayn didn’t get the win but nonetheless this was an entertaining match. It has been said before but Jericho is currently having one of his best runs in the WWE.
Triple Threat Womens Championship Match: Charlotte (c) vs Bayley vs Sasha Banks
The match started off back and forth. Sasha and Bayley were arguing in the ring and it led to Charlotte getting the upper-hand. All three Superstars went for a Dropkick at the same time and nobody connected on anyone.
Charlotte was going for a Moonsault on Sasha Banks but Sasha countered and hit Charlotte with a knee. Dana Brooke attacked Bayley outside the ring and sent her flying into the barricade. Bayley tried to get back into the ring but Charlotte punched her in the face and sent her falling to the floor.
Banks hit Charlotte with a bunch of forearms in the ring. Bayley hit a Crossbody off the top rope onto both Charlotte and Banks. Sasha then hit Bayley with a knee off of the apron. Charlotte and Banks battled outside the ring. Banks punched Dana Brooke in the face but it once again allowed Charlotte to gain momentum.
All three Superstars finally made their way back into the ring. Sasha hit Charlotte with a storm of slaps that sent Charlotte into the corner. Sasha went for a Superplex but Charlotte tossed her to the mat. Charlotte then slammed Bayley to the mat. Charlotte then hit a Moonsault on both Bayley and Sasha Banks. Charlotte then tried to pin them both but htey both kicked out.
Charlotte hit the Natural Selection on Bayley but Banks broke up the pinfall. Sasha then locked in the Bank Statement but Dana Brooke interfered and broke it up. Sasha once again locked in the Bank Statement but Bayley broke up the hold. Sasha then got Bayley in the Bank Statement but Charlotte broke it up. Charlotte then knocked Banks outside the ring. Charlotte launched Banks into the barricade outside the ring.
Charlotte got back into the ring but Bayley rolled her up right away but Charlotte kicked out at two. Charlotte then kicked Bayley that sent her backpedalling into Banks and it knocked her to the floor. Bayley was then kicked in the face again and Charlotte pinned her for the victory.
Winner & Still Women’s Champion: Charlotte
Reaction: The wrestling so far on tonight’s show has been fantastic. The finishes to the matches have been clunky to say the least. Charlotte retaining the Women’s Championship makes sense. This match was very good but the ending just left me scratching my head. There was just way too much going and the timing seemed off. When Charlotte kicked Bayley it looked like Bayley was hesitating to allow Banks to stand up on the apron. It wound up looking like Bayley slowly backpedalled into Banks and it somehow sent her flying to the floor. Having said that, this was still a very good match.
United States Championship Match: Rusev (c) vs Roman Reigns
Reigns started off the match strong and launched Rusev outside the ring. Rusev battled back and beatdown Reigns in the ring. There were dueling “lets go Roman!” and “Roman sucks!” chants from the crowd. Rusev controlled the match for several minutes but Reigns powered back with a series of Clotheslines.
Rusev recaptured the momentum in the match by throwing Reigns shoulder first into the ring post. Rusev followed this up by sending Reigns flying into the steel steps twice outside the ring. The crowd decided to chant “CM Punk!” but odds are he was unable to hear them due to cauliflower ear.
The match continued to be back and forth. It was very physical with both Superstars exchanging haymakers. Reigns hit a Superman Punch but Rusev kicked out. Reigns went for a Spear but Lana distracted him and Rusev kicked Roman in the face. Rusev went for the pin but Reigns kicked out and it caused Rusev to throw a tantrum.
Reigns then hit a Spear and went for the pin but Lana pulled the referee out of the ring. The referee then kicked Lana out and she went backstage. Reigns went for another Spear but Rusev kicked him the face. Rusev then locked in the Accolade in the middle of the ring. Reigns powered out of the Accolade but Rusev poked Roman in the eye. Reigns recovered and hit Rusev with a Spear for the win.
Winner & New United States Champion: Roman Reigns
Reaction: This was a very physical match that the crowd didn’t seem to enjoy. I thought it was a good match and I don’t see an issue with Reigns winning the United States Championship. On the other hand, it will be interesting to see where Rusev goes from here. I’ve got to believe either Cesaro or Sheamus will be involved in the United States title picture in the near future. Rusev will most likely get a rematch with Reigns for the title but I’d be shocked if Roman lost the belt in his first defense.
Universal Championship Match: Kevin Owens (c) vs Seth Rollins
Owens kicked Rollins in the knee early in the match and the announcers made sure to mention that it was to the surgically repaired knee. Owens then stomped on Rollins and shouted that he was the man. Owens posed for the crowd and they gave him a great reaction. Rollins tried to battle back but Owens hit him with an elbow to the head.
Owens targeted the knee for the next several minutes and sarcastically asked Rollins if his knee was in pain. Owens hit a Senton on Rollins and then put him in a Chinlock. Rollins was able to break the hold but Owens sent him flying into the turnbuckle. Owens continued to trash talk and beatdown Rollins. Finally, Rollins was able to connect with a Clothesline on Owens to get back into the match.
Rollins hit Owens with a Slingblade and then drove Owens’ head into the second turnbuckle. The action spilled outside the ring and Rollins cleared off the Spanish announce table. Owens got back into the ring but Rollins maintained momentum by kicking Owens in the face. Rollins went for the Pedigree but Owens avoided it. Owens once again kicked Rollins in the knee. He then followed it up with a Cannonball on Rollins.
Rollins and Owens traded punches in the middle of the ring. Rollins got the upper-hand by kicking Owens in the head. Owens hit Rollins with a Clothesline in the corner and went for another Cannonball but Rollins rolled out of the way. Kevin Owens went to the top rope but Rollins recovered and punched Owens in the face. Owens hit Rollins with a rough looking Gutbuster off the top rope and followed it up with a Frog Splash. Rollins kicked out at two and then rolled out of the ring.
Owens went for a Senton on Rollins on the Spanish announce table but Rollins rolled out of the way and Owens went through the table. Owens told the referee to “suck it” right before he went for the Senton. Rollins rolled Owens back into the ring and hit him with a knee off of the top rope. Rollins then went to the top rope again and hit a Frog Splash but Kevin Owens kicked out at two.
Chris Jericho then ran down to the ring and distracted Rollins. Owens hit a Powerbomb but Rollins kicked out. Rollins then shoved Owens into Jericho. Rollins then hit Owens with a Pedigree but Jericho placed Owens’ leg on the bottom rope. Rollins then chased Jericho around the ring and when he got back into the ring Owens went for the Pop-Up Powerbomb but Rollins went flying into the referee. Rollins then hit another Pedigree but the referee was knocked out.
Jericho attacked Rollins but Seth battled back and took him out. Stephanie McMahon came out with another referee and Owens hit a Pop-Up Powerbomb to retain the title.
Winner & Still Universal Champion: Kevin Owens
Reaction: Clash of Champions was a very good show that had some great wrestling matches that all contained annoying finishes. The finish to the Rollins and Owens match was expected. I was disappointed that Triple H didn’t get involved but I guess that is for further down the line. Byron Saxton stated that it sure took Stephanie McMahon a long time to get another official out there. I guess we are supposed to ignore the fact that Mick Foley didn’t send a referee to the ring either.
Overall, Clash of Champions was one of the better shows of the year in my opinion. Having said that, there were still several moments that were clumsy as hell. It would have been silly for Rollins to defeat Owens tonight and everybody knew something screwy would happen in this match. However, it still felt clunky and overcomplicated.
What did you think of Clash of Champions? Let us know in the comments below.
