WWE Clash of Champions is apparently the only night where every WWE title is defended on the show. That is a big deal. This very pay per view, every year, could shake up the division in the click of a finger.
However, this show did not do that. The 24/7 title wasn’t scheduled to be defended but Drew Gulak managed to capture it during the show… Only for it to be back on Truth’s shoulders later on like it was some depressing dream.
Furthermore, the Women’s Tag Team Titles were scheduled to be defended against the Riott Squad. This bout was canceled due to Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler coming in contact with someone who had tested positive for COVID-19.
Finally, this show didn’t have to produce a ton of crazy swerves. The Draft being announced for next week’s episode of SmackDown should take care of that.
With just one title change, Clash of Champions was not a historic show but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t successful. To be real, the last three WWE shows have been a lot better than they had any right to be. Keep this streak up, WWE.
Here are the ‘Six Biggest Takeaways From WWE Clash Of Champions 2020’:
6. Sami Zayn Is The Undisputed Intercontinental Champion
In the opening match of the main show, WWE sought to crown the “official” Intercontinental Champion. Sami Zayn, AJ Styles and Jeff Hardy all had reasons why they deserve to be announced as the “Undisputed” IC Champ but the only way we’d find out this verdict was through a thrilling Ladder Match.
Aaah, Ladder Matches. Always the most mouthwatering things to throw at fans to kickoff a rampant show. It is like teasing a lion with a steak. Tell fans a ladder match will be happening and the Thunderdome will erupt (piped noises or not).
It was also – with no doubt – one of the best matches on the entire card! Hardy was the one to deliver the biggest impact (no surprise there) as he hit a Swanton Bomb off a ladder through Sami Zayn. Ladders galore!
This match also delivered a tremendously unique conclusion. Zayn showed us that he had something up his sleeve. That something being handcuffs.
Handcuffing Hardy’s ear to the ladder was enough to make me look away. I don’t do ears! Made worse that the ‘Charismatic Enigma’ still managed to climb into the ring with a ladder attached like an earring. After ‘cuffing himself to Styles, he managed to escape by revealing he had the key. Zayn quickly freed himself and latched Styles to the support of the ladder. This left Hardy and Styles to gaze at Sami Zayn finishing where he left off – as the Intercontinental Champion.
5. Bayley Challenged By Asuka Instead Of Nikki Cross
We all went into this show thinking Bayley would be defending her SmackDown Women’s Championship against the twisted Nikki Cross.
However, Nikki Cross had to be pulled from the show. Unlike the similar situation of Baszler & Jax being removed from the card, the SmackDown Women’s Title was still confirmed to be defended during the evening. This left fans speculating who could be facing Bayley. Was it going to be a returning Sasha Banks? Maybe even Carmella’s new character? Or it could just have been Tamina. Oh, the anticipation!
Beforehand, we had Asuka vs. Zelina Vega for the Raw Women’s Championship. This match was originally scheduled for the Kick-off show but when the card was thrown into disarray, it was moved to the main card. She defeated Vega easily and reemerged to take on Bayley later in the night.
A literal Clash of Champions. Before Asuka could scream “double champ” in Japanese, Bayley hit her with a chair for the disqualification. This was followed by an altercation between Bayley and Sasha Banks and I’m guessing this was going to be the result with whoever challenged Bayley on this show.
4. Angel Garza Injured In Raw Tag Team Championship Match
This seems to be karma to WWE for booking it for the hundredth time this year. Good thing a Draft is incoming as WWE obviously have no idea who to put against the Street Profits. Time and time again Garza and Andrade fail to defeat them but time and time again they still compete for the Raw Tag Team Titles.
It is a tiresome prospect and I wouldn’t even be able to get excited for them beating the Street Profits, no matter how great their bouts are. It is just – like most of WWE’s storylines – overdone.
We may not be seeing them feud anytime soon though as WWE’s plague of injuries continues with Garza taking a nasty Spanish fly from Montez Ford. This caused the match to fall apart and Andrade was pinned even though he clearly kicked out of the pin before three. It is reported that Garza injured his hip during the bout. Best wishes go out to Garza as we all hope he has a speedy recovery. Fingers crossed, we can see Garza vs. Andrade in no time!
3. Bobbly Lashley Retains United States Championship
In one of the show’s other rematches, Bobby Lashley forced Apollo Crews to tap to the Hurt Lock to retain the U.S. Title. This match was decent like any match with anyone from team Crews and the Hurt Business involved. It even showcased the former U.S. Champion’s feat of strength when he Gorilla Press Slammed Lashley with ease.
However, Crews lost by submission, which should mean he is no longer in contention for Lashley’s title. I’d rather Crews, Ricochet and Mustafa Ali (is he still involved in this storyline?) all shy away from the Hurt Business for some time.
One of the clear omissions from the show was that of Retribution. The chaos-bearers have been embroiled in a feud with the Hurt Business; who have the job of protecting WWE from their havoc. However, do they only work Mondays or something?
Potentially, we could see Lashley defend his title against T-Bar, Mace or Slapjack at the next pay per view. However, the reason they weren’t at WWE COC was to do with COVID-19. Hopefully, they are all safe before they start wrecking Raw once again.
2. Randy Orton’s Demons Haunt Him In Ambulance Match
I thought the reason for this ambulance match stipulation in the WWE Championship bout between McIntyre and Orton was because of how dangerous their finishers have proven to be. Each punt/Claymore sending them packing to a “local medical facility”. The ambulance was there to save the time and effort for the doctors to clip them up and place them in. It was much easier to make it the stipulation. However, WWE took a different approach…
Remember the vicious “Legend Killer” gimmick? Before Orton slithered into a feud with McIntyre, he was leaving legends laying as he punted Big Show, Christian, Shawn Michaels and Ric Flair. Well, they all returned to haunt and get their vengeance on ‘The Viper’.
Early on, Big Show chokeslammed Orton through the commentary table. Later in the match, Orton and McIntyre brawled into the backstage area where Christian was unleashed. Then in the final statement of the bout, Shawn Michaels hit Sweet Chin Music to halt Orton’s momentum
McIntyre was able to recover and retained the title with the help of Orton’s demons. Flair got the last laugh as he drove the ambulance away.
Whether McIntyre knew or not is unknown, but that should be the end to their feud. I’d hope to see Drew McIntyre vs. Keith Lee; in a more prominent role at the next PPV.
The vivid omission to this match was Edge, Orton’s greatest opponent this year, which should indicate he is still not cleared to compete. It would have been epic to see Edge’s facial expressions after dropping the hood to reveal he halted Orton’s Championship goals!
1. Roman Reigns Retains Universal Championship
Finally, let’s discuss the main event. It may have been the most predictable but intense match of the show. Roman Reigns retained his Universal Championship against cousin, Jey Uso.
This was heated. It was personal. This was a scrap between Scar and Simba over Pride Rock. And I loved every minute of it!
What makes this better is that Reigns knew he could beat Uso. He wanted to toy with him.
Who would’ve believed Roman Reigns would be one of the best things to come from the darkness known as 2020? With a change of attire – showing off his Samoan tattoo and his new nickname being stated as “The Tribal Chief”, Reigns has completely reinvented his character. Now we’re just waiting on the new theme!
At the end of the match, after Reigns’ decimation of Jey Uso. Jey’s brother Jimmy was covering him from further attack. He knew just how dangerous his cousin is if unleashed! This bloodline storyline is picture perfect and I don’t want to see it end too soon.
What was your biggest takeaway from Clash of Champions? Let us know on Twitter!
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