Liam Hoofe provides his predictions for WWE Clash of Champions…
The WWE returns to PPV this Sunday night with Clash of Champions. All of the company’s main roster belts will be defended on what looks to be a fairly entertaining match card. The company has delivered some fairly decent PPVs in recent months in spite of some poor television and questionable booking. Let’s take a look at what could be in store for us Sunday night.
Asuka vs Zelina Vega – Raw Women’s Championship
The decision to have Zelina Vega compete for the Raw Women’s Championship is a curious one. Vega has never been presented as anything more than a manager on the main roster and it will be interesting to see how strong they allow her to look on Sunday night. Asuka is definitely winning this one but it would be nice to see Vega get in some offense and establish herself as a credible wrestler going forward.
Prediction: Asuka retains
Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax vs The Riott Squad – Women’s Tag Team Championship
The women’s tag-team division has returned to being just an afterthought after Sasha and Bayley’s reign. Jax and Baszler are amusing enough and frankly, the Riott Squad’s reunion has been an absolute dud so there is no need for a title change here on Sunday night. Jax and Baszler have provided us with some innovative and fun finishes over the last month so let’s hope they can come up with something to help this match out on Sunday night.
Prediction: Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler retain
Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro vs Lucha House Party
The SmackDown tag-team division couldn’t be any less interesting right now. The Lucha House Party storyline has failed to gain any momentum and there is no chance of them winning on Sunday night. Hopefully, Daniel Bryan is back soon and we can see Bryan, Gulak, Nakamura and Cesaro lighting up the ring together and spicing this division up.
Prediction: Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro Win
Andrade and Angel Garza vs The Street Profits – RAW Tag Team Championship
Talk about deja vu. It feels like we’ve seen this match at least 50 times this year and the outcome is always the same. The WWE has teased Garza and Andrade’s split a lot over the last month and they will finally pull the trigger on Sunday. Hopefully, we can then see some fresh challengers for The Street Profits.
Prediction: The Street Profits Retain
Bobby Lashley vs Apollo Crews – US Championship
This match has a Retribution interruption written all over it. Snap, Crackle, and Pop, or whatever they’re called, have unfinished business with The Hurt Business and they will lay waste to Lashley and company on Sunday night. This match has non-finish written all over it.
Prediction: Lashley via DQ
Bayley vs Nikki Cross – SmackDown Women’s Championship
Both Bayley and Nikki Cross are involved in two of the most interesting storylines on SmackDown right now. Bayley’s feud with Sasha has been excellent Nikki Cross’s involvement in the Alexa Bliss storyline also has a lot of potential. Does this mean there will be any shenanigans on Sunday night? The WWE would be silly to rush Sasha back, so if anything, it will be Alexa costing Nikki. Regardless of how it goes down, Bayley is walking away with her title on Sunday night.
Prediction: Bayley retains
AJ Styles vs Sami Zayn vs Jeff Hardy – Intercontinental Championship
For my money, this is the hardest match to predict on Sunday night. There is an argument to be made for all three men winning. AJ Styles seems the least likely to walk away with the belt and the WWE may not want to put the title back on Sami after his absence. Zayn is easily the best option here though, and the ladder match stipulation also allows him to sneak a victory. Zayn should take the belt and be given a decent run before dropping it to someone like Matt Riddle a little later down the line.
Prediction: Sami Zayn retains/wins the IC title
Roman Reigns vs Jey Uso – Universal Championship
Roman Reigns has been absolutely brilliant since returning to TV in August and the storytelling for this feud has been excellent. Jey Uso has played his part well and the conclusion to this week’s SmackDown was another brilliant moment. Reigns should roll through his cousin on Sunday night, crushing his dreams in the process. Having Reigns show zero remorse will really help establish him as the top heel in the company right now.
Prediction: Roman Reigns retains
Randy Orton vs Drew McIntyre – WWE Championship
The longer the year rolls on, the more likely it feels that Drew McIntyre will not get the chance to defend his title in front of a live audience. As a result, the next best option is to have him regain his title in front of one a little later down the line. Orton has been on fire recently and giving him the belt on Sunday night presents more interesting options going forward. The ambulance situation also protects McIntyre from having to take the pinfall.
Prediction: Randy Orton wins
Liam Hoofe