With Raw’s first brand-exclusive pay-per-view WWE Clash of Champions just around the corner, the matches for the show have shaped rather nicely. With over 8 matches being announced (excluding Enzo and Cass vs the Shining Stars which is yet to be confirmed, but will most likely be added), there are a number of bouts that could potentially steal the show.
Following Smackdown Live’s successful pay-per-view WWE Backlash, Raw will be looking to bounce back with an entertaining brand-exclusive pay-per-view of its own. For that to be possible, the WWE Universe must be satisfied with the decisions made for the show. Here are 7 Things We Must See at WWE Clash of Champions.
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#7 New Raw Tag Team Champions
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Match: The New Day (C) vs Gallows and Anderson (The Club) (Raw Tag Team Championships)
To say the feud between The New Day and Gallows and Anderson has been underwhelming would be an understatement. Nothing against either team, but WWE’s booking of the rivalry has been terrible, as they continually book Gallows and Anderson to try their hand at comedy and to lose in quick fashion to members of the New Day.
Although their credibility as ass-kickers has been demeaned, Gallows and Anderson can still revitalise their WWE tenure with a Tag Team Championship run. Although the New Day are still entertaining, their reign as Tag Team Champions for over a year now has run its course, and the only way to cement Gallows and Anderson as a credible duo after poor booking would be to crown them the new Raw Tag Team Champions this Sunday.
#6 A Chris Jericho victory
Match: Chris Jericho vs Sami Zayn
Chris Jericho has been one of the most entertaining parts of WWE television in recent times, whether it is one of his matches or even just a backstage segment. His current run with the company has been one of his best, and he has unselfishly put over younger talent throughout his current tenure. Heading into WWE Clash of Champions with a match against Sami Zayn, Jericho should pick up the win as the feud hasn’t really developed since it began a couple of weeks ago on Raw.
If given more time to develop their animosity heading into the next pay-per-view, the rematch between Jericho and Zayn could top their bout at WWE Clash of Champions this Sunday, and seeming neither man has anything better to do, a Jericho victory at Clash of Champions could allow this rivalry to continue for the next few weeks.
#5 Cesaro wins the Best of Seven Series
Match: Cesaro vs Sheamus (Final Match of Best of Seven Series)
After tying the series at 3-3 on the most recent episode of Raw, Cesaro is set to face Sheamus in the final match of their Best of Seven Series. Producing some splendid matches so far, Cesaro and Sheamus will be looking to top all their previous bouts this Sunday at Clash of Champions. Whether they do or not is anyone’s guess, but the rightful winner is Cesaro.
After coming back from a 0-3 deficit, Cesaro should complete his comeback by besting Sheamus in their final encounter. If Sheamus were to come out on top now, Cesaro’s momentum would be shattered.
Despite being one of the best in-ring workers on the entire roster, Cesaro has constantly been undermined by WWE management, and a victory here and subsequent championship opportunity should do wonders for the Swiss Superman. This is something we must see at Clash of Champions, and the Cesaro section of the WWE Universe (including me) will be extremely happy if Cesaro clinches victory this Sunday.
#4 More tension between Sasha Banks and Bayley
Match: Charlotte (C) vs Sasha Banks vs Bayley (Raw Women’s Championship)
On the most recent episode of Raw, tension was teased between Banks and Bayley after Bayley was added to the Women’s Championship match at Clash of Champions. This tension was further developed when Bayley lost a tag team match for her partner Banks against Charlotte and Dana Brooke.
Rather than ignoring this developed tension, it should be the main focus of the triple threat on Sunday, with Bayley either losing the match by being pinned by Charlotte or costing Banks the championship, leading to Banks becoming extremely frustrated with her. Whether this leads to a heel turn for Sasha on Sunday is a different story, but Banks should be visibly angry with Bayley after the match.
Rather than pulling the trigger on a Banks heel turn already, this tension should be drawn out as long as possible with Sasha eventually snapping and attacking Bayley, leading to a Bayley vs Sasha Banks feud (preferably for the Raw Women’s title). Let’s hope WWE take advantage of this built tension on Sunday in the triple threat and capitalise on a possible long-term story for the two women.
#3 Rusev retains the United States Championship
Match: Rusev (C) vs Roman Reigns (United States Championship)
In what is sure to be an incredible bout, Rusev and Roman Reigns will face off this Sunday for the United States Championship. After picking up a big victory over Kevin Owens on Raw in a Steel Cage Match, Roman Reigns is riding a wave of momentum heading into Clash of Champions. But when looking back at this feud so far, this is the first time Reigns will challenge for the title.
If he were to win at his first attempt, the portion of fans that have been booing him so frequently would likely revolt. Dragging this feud out longer would allow Reigns to continue to chase the championship, rather than winning it straight away and defending it.
If WWE are serious about finally getting Reigns over as a babyface, a win here for Rusev could do wonders for that cause, and it would potentially erase the Cena 2.0 mindset from fans’ minds about Reigns. Whether it is through cheating or even a clean win, Rusev must retain as it benefits both men much more than a Reigns win would here.
#2 The Cruiserweights steal the show
Match: T.J. Perkins (C) vs Brian Kendrick (WWE Cruiserweight Championship)
After a show-stealing Fatal 4-Way on Raw, the new Cruiserweight Division looks set to have another splendid encounter at Clash of Champions between T.J. Perkins and the winner of the Fatal 4-Way, Brian Kendrick. With the WWE Cruiserweight Championship on the line this time, it is expected to be another awesome showcase of what the Cruiserweights can provide for the Raw brand.
Despite the 37-year-old Kendrick not being exactly new to WWE, he should have no problem working with Perkins to steal the show this Sunday. Despite not being two Cruiserweights known for high flying, Perkins and Kendrick have the ability to steal the show from other blockbuster bouts such as Owens vs Rollins and Reigns vs Rusev, and it will be interesting to see this Sunday if they can do exactly that.
After the success of the Fatal 4-Way on Monday’s Raw, don’t be surprised if the Cruiserweights have the match of the night at Clash of Champions.
#1 Triple H makes an appearance during the Main Event
Match: Kevin Owens (C) vs Seth Rollins (Universal Championship)
Despite the predictability of Triple H making an appearance, it is almost a must-see in order to continue the Owens-Rollins-HHH storyline. Triple H’s absence from Raw since interfering in the Fatal 4-Way for the Universal Title a few weeks ago has been troubling, as his lack of explanation has left the Owens-Rollins storyline with a missing piece.
Although more interference from The Game in the Universal Title scene is questionable, it is almost necessary to further the storyline set in place when he initially interfered on Raw to hand the title to KO. As well as providing continuation to the story, Triple H making an appearance and possibly costing Rollins the title again protects both men, as neither Owens nor Rollins need a clean loss, and it leaves Triple H and Rollins to settle their bad blood at Survivor Series while Owens can remain Universal Champion and move on to possibly face Cesaro, Zayn or Jericho.
In addition to emphasising Owens and Triple H’s partnership, an appearance from The Game further establishes Rollins’ babyface turn which has been slowly developed over the past couple of weeks. Although the Clash of Champions main event ending in Triple H making another appearance isn’t ideal, it is the best option moving forward for Owens and Rollins as well as providing fans with a shocking moment in the main event.
