WWE Clash of Champions 2017 Preview

WWE Clash of Champions 2017 Preview

WWE Clash Of Champions comes our way this evening, but forgive me for not getting too excited but the
event looks more like a SmackDown house show than it does the last WWE PPV of 2017. Obviously that could work the other way too and it could quite well end up being a rather entertaining evening of action, but nothing noteworthy will probably happen.

As of writing, the event consists of six matches, none of which would get on a dual-branded show which is all you really need to know about how seriously WWE are taking this one. Okay, maybe I’m being a little harsh there because the tag team match pitting Randy Orton and Shinsuke Nakamura against Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn with both Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan acting as special guest referees promises a lot of intrigue.

The undercard sees WWE Champion AJ Styles defend the gold against former title holder Jinder Mahal. Styles managed to do the unthinkable last month on SmackDown by actually getting a decent match out of Mahal, but I can’t see lightening striking twice, unfortunately.

So, is it worth staying up until the early hours of the morning to watch Clash Of Champions?
Probably not, but let’s crack on with the predictions nonetheless.

AJ Styles VS Jinder Mahal: WWE Championship

 

Some fans believe that WWE have moved on from the Jinder Mahal project, but those fans are very
naive. WWE have a long-term plan that will see Mahal defend (and lose) the WWE Championship
to John Cena at WrestleMania, so that means AJ Styles may have to do the job at Clash Of Champions. Obviously, The Singh Brothers will get involved and it will feature some very screwy finishing, but when it is all said and done, Mahal will be standing tall once again.

Prediction: Jinder Mahal to defeat AJ Styles to win the WWE Championship.

Baron Corbin VS Bobby Roode VS Dolph Ziggler: WWE United States Championship

The triple threat United States Championship match will either be the best or worst match on the
card. There will be no in-between.

Dolph Ziggler seemingly picks and chooses when to perform to a high standard these days, while Baron Corbin is mediocre at best, and Bobby Roode is still finding his feet on the main roster.

With that being said, their styles may mesh and we may get a classic on our hands. I doubt it, but we may do. As for who wins, I can’t see either man dethroning The Lone Wolf just yet.

 

The Usos VS The New Day VS Shelton Benjamin & Chad Gable VS Rusev & Aiden English: WWE Smackdown Live Tag Team Championships

Speaking of the Tag Team titles, I truly believe the fatal four way match will be something very special indeed. I can’t see anything being better than it on this card, that’s for sure. I don’t see any reason to take the gold off of The Usos, so I’ll stick with them to retain here.

Prediction: The Usos to retain the WWE Smackdown Live! Tag Team Champions.

Charlotte VS Natayla: WWE Smackdown Live! Women’s Championship Lumberjack Match

Regardless of who wins the SmackDown Women’s Championship match, the person who will leave
Boston with the title around her waist will be Carmella, courtesy of a timely Money in the Bank cash-in. Charlotte has been rumoured to be taking on Ronda Rousey at WrestleMania, so she’ll be rather busy for the time being. The timing is right for Carmella to be crowned the queen of SmackDown.

Prediction: Charlotte to defeat Natalya to retain WWE Smackdown Live! Women’s Championship; Carmella to cash-in MITB and win the WWE Smackdown Live! Women’s Championship.

 

Randy Orton & Shinsuke Nakamura VS Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens

There will almost certainly be a heel turn in the main event tag team match, but who will it be?

Many believe it will be Randy Orton or even Daniel Bryan, but I’m gonna go with Shane McMahon. That’s the one that would be most shocking. No one is going to boo Bryan regardless of what he is doing, so it makes more sense for Shane to turn heel and side with Owens and Zayn moving forward.

Okay, maybe not a whole lot of sense considering Owens and Zayn damn near killed Shane at Hell in a Cell, but this is WWE in 2017 and shock-value usually makes up for any lack of logic story-telling.

Prediction: Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens to defeat Randy Orton & Shinsuke Nakamura. 

 

Breezango VS The Bludgeon Brothers

The Bludgeon Brothers will absolutely destroy The Fashion Police in nothing more than a squash match. I do like Harper and Rowan’s new gimmick, but I just hope WWE don’t let it drag on too long and just give them the shot at the titles now before they run out of steam.

Prediction: The Bludgeon Brothers to defeat Breezango.