Here we have the final PPV for the WWE and it’s the SmackDown-only, Clash of Champions. Of course, this is an old WCW event as I vividly remember watching those specials on TBS back in the day. They were like free PPVs airing on free TV and I remember the classic between Flair & Sting that ended in a time-limit draw. Fast forward, we have the WWE putting on the event with all champions defending their titles. A.J. Styles defended the WWE Championship against former champ, Jinder Mahal. The Usos defended the tag titles against New Day, Gable & Benjamin and Rusev & English. Natalya got the chance to win back her Women’s title against Charlotte Flair. Baron Corbin defended his United States title against Dolph Ziggler and Bobby Roode. As we all know, the big storyline is the tension between Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan. Let’s Get Started!
We kicked things off with the United States championship match. Baron Corbin put his title on the line against Dolph Ziggler and Bobby Roode. Corbin and Roode feud began during a Lumberjack match on SmackDown Live a few weeks back. While Bobby Roode and Dolph Ziggler have feuded ever since he made his main roster debut. Honestly, I thought Ziggler was added to the match to take the pinfall, but man I was totally wrong. The match itself was good with all three guys doing their thing throughout the match. Great spots throughout the match as the Boston crowd was into the match the entire time. In the end, Corbin was going for End of Days on Roode, but Ziggler came from behind to hit the Zig Zag on Corbin to pick up the win. Winner and New United States Champ: Dolph Ziggler
Match Rating: 3.75/5- This was a pleasant surprise right here with Ziggler winning in a terrific match.
This is the Fatal 4-Way match with the Usos defending their SmackDown Live tag team championships. The opponents of the Usos were New Day, Rusev & English and Gable & Benjamin. Let me say that I was very surprised at how Rusev & Aiden English were over with the crowd. The big stipulation of the match was that each team could have a partner in the match at all times. The stipulation added to this match as each team had their times to shine throughout the match. Honestly, Chad Gable has impressed the hell out of me ever since his singles match against A.J. Styles a few months ago. With the right mouthpiece, he could be a solid star in the future. The Usos hit Gable with a pair of superkicks and the Super Frog Splash on him to retain the belts. Winners and Still SmackDown Live Tag Champs: The Usos
Match Rating: 4.25/5
We have the rematch for the SmackDown Live Women’s title as Charlotte defended against Natalya. To include all the ladies on SmackDown Live, it was made into a Lumberjack match since the Riott Squad always interfering. As expected, the ladies fought on the outside several times throughout the match with the heels jumping Charlotte a few times. Naomi made the save as she dove off the top rope onto the ladies, but Natalya dragged Charlotte in the ring. When it seemed like Carmella might cash in her briefcase, the Riott attacked her. Charlotte took out the lumberjacks with a moonsault from the top rope, but Natalya capitalized on it. She rams her into the steel steps, tossed her in the ring and was about to apply the Sharpshooter, but Charlotte reversed it. Charlotte put her in the Figure 8, made her tap and retained her title. Winner and Still SmackDown Live Women’s Champ: Charlotte Flair
Match Rating: 3.25/5- In a weird turn of events, Natalya seemed like she retired after the match.
We have the PPV debut of the Bludgeon Brothers after they were challenged by Breezango. I’m not going to get in to details about this one as it was a straight up squash. Winners: Bludgeon Brothers
Match Rating: Squash
This was the most anticipated match of the evening with all the implications coming into this match. Randy Orton & Shinsuke Nakamura took on Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn with Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan as the special guest referees. Of course, the major stipulation had Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn being fired from the WWE if they were to lose the match. Honestly, this match was more about the tension between Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan that started when Shane did his Raw Under Siege. During the match, Bryan got mad how Shane wasn’t being fair with his counts. Bryan and Shane get into each other’s face over the count. Daniel Bryan tells Shane he’s a disgrace and Zayn rolls up Orton from behind and Daniel Bryan does a fast count. Winners: Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn
Match Rating: 3.75/5- I’m more intrigued after the match on what will happen between Daniel Bryan & Shane McMahon.
In the main event, we had A.J. Styles defending the WWE title against former champ, Jinder Mahal. Of course, the Singh Brothers are back with Mahal as seen on the last edition of SmackDown Live. I’ll be honest, I’m glad Mahal got the chance to become champ as it’s good to see the underdog achieve something. With that said, Styles is so far ahead of Mahal that it’s not funny and I mean that in the most respectful way. In the end, Mahal tried his own version of the Styles Clash, but Styles reversed it to the Calf Crusher. Jinder Mahal held on as long as he could, but he eventually tapped out. Winner and Still WWE Champ: A.J. Styles
Match Rating: 3.5/5
Overall Rating: 7/10- Honestly, this was much better than expected! Below are my top 3 matches from the Clash of Champions PPV.
- Usos© vs. New Day vs. English & Rusev vs. Gable & Benjamin
- Baron Corbin© vs. Bobby Roode vs. Dolph Ziggler
- Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn vs. Randy Orton & Shinsuke Nakamura
Did you check out the Clash of Champions PPV on the WWE Network last night? What was your thoughts about it? What was your match of the night? Leave a comment below.
