WWE Clash of Champions: Our Predictions
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Two weeks ago, Smackdown delivered its first brand-exclusive PPV: Backlash. It was one of the best PPVs to date this year, and you can check out some of the best moments here.
Now, Raw has its first PPV, Clash of Champions, premiering live on Sunday, September 25. Can it live up to what Smackdown delivered two weeks prior? Here's the match card for the event and what we think is going to happen.
Alicia Fox vs Nia Jax (Kickoff Show)
Nia Jax came to Raw after a stint at NXT, and week by week, she delivered a beating to jobber after jobber. Alicia Fox has been around the WWE for quite some time. On the September 12 episode of Raw, Jax punished Fox and put her through the ringside barricade.
The kickoff show pits these two women against each other, and we can't see it going any other way than Jax utterly demolishing Fox. Having Fox win completely undoes everything that's been built up around the Jax character from Raw and NXT. Also, we just like Jax more.
Our Prediction: Nia Jax destroys Alicia Fox.
Sami Zayn vs Chris Jericho
Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens have a legendary rivalry that started in NXT and ended on Raw. However, it's not over as Owens's best friend, Chris Jericho, jumps in to continue Owen's rivalry.
While the rivalry feels a tad forced, it works, mostly because Jericho's character is really driving the story. He walks the fine line between insanity and genius. However, Zayn feels like the underdog we need to root for. We're giving this one to Zayn, and the rivalry will continue because Jericho is a sore loser.
Our Prediction: Sami Zayn wins clean.
TJ Perkins (c) vs THE Brian Kendrick
(For the WWE Cruiserweight Championship)
The Cruiserweight Classic on the WWE Network was amazing. It's one of the best events the company has put on in years. Now, after TJ Perkins was crowned the champion, Raw has their own Cruiserweight Championship, which Perkins will defend against THE Brian Kendrick.
Kendrick won a Fatal Four Way match on Raw, which is one of the best matches of the year, so he got the right to challenge Perkins for the belt. As much as we're pulling for Kendrick to take this, we have a good feeling Perkins will retain the title.
Our Prediction: TJ Perkins wins clean.
Cesaro vs Sheamus
(Match seven in the best-of-seven series)
Cesaro and Sheamus have been involved in an epic battle. Sheamus was at 3-0 against Cesaro, but the Swiss Superman came back and won the last three matches. At Clash of Champions, these two men will finish their best-of-seven series, with both stars each having three wins.
Everyone knew it was going to come down to the end at a PPV. So here we are, Sheamus vs Cesaro. While the overall storyline is a bit lackluster, these two will put on a great show. However, we think that Cesaro is going to take this since he's had a tall hill to climb.
Our Prediction: Cesaro wins clean.
The New Day (c) vs Anderson & Gallows
(For the Raw Tag Team Championship)
We totally thought Anderson & Gallows were going to win the titles at SummerSlam, and we were wrong. Once again, the rivalry between the two teams grows and the former Bullet Club members are getting yet another shot at the titles.
Anderson & Gallows have really come into their own the past couple of months, becoming more of a comedy heel team than anything else. Once again, we're going to say that Anderson & Gallows will win the titles, and once again, that pains us to say it, but it should lead to a longer rivalry between these two teams.
Our Prediction: Anderson & Gallows win clean.
Sasha Banks vs Charlotte (c) vs Bayley
(For the Raw Women's Championship)
The rivalry between Sasha Banks and Charlotte has been heating up and Banks will get her rematch against the current Raw Women's Champion; However, it's not exactly what she hoped for. Now, Bayley has entered the mix, and to make things more interesting, Charlotte's friend, Dana Brooke, seems like she's taken enough abuse from the champ.
Brooke isn't in the match, but there is a really good chance that she's going to interfere in some form. However, we're thinking she's had enough of Charlotte's abuse and will help out one of the other stars in the match. While we want Banks to get the belt back, we're thinking it may go to Bayley.
Our Prediction: Bayley wins after Dana Brooke interferes with Charlotte.
Rusev (c) vs Roman Reigns
(For the United States Championship)
Roman Reigns needs something to do since he's out of the Universal Title picture, and he's been feuding with Rusev, who's been the US Champ for quite a while. He also threw Rusev's wife, Lana, into cake and ruined her expensive wedding dress. While it seemed like all of that was settled, these two stars are going to go back at it for the title.
This isn't the most interesting rivalry, but the match should be entertaining. They're both powerhouses, so we can expect these guys to push it to the limit. The match could go either way, but we're leaning towards a clean win for Rusev.
Our Prediction: Rusev wins clean.
Kevin Owens (c) vs Seth Rollins
(For the WWE Universal Championship)
When Kevin Owens won the Universal Championship, it was a bit of a shock. Obviously, he had a bit of help from Triple H, but it was surprising nonetheless. There has been a lot of speculation that Owens will lose because he didn't win the belt clean. We think people may be forgetting that Owens is a heel, and that's what they do.
While many people are giving this match to Rollins, we're saying Owens is going to retain the title here, most likely after Triple H runs back down to help him out. It would be a repeat of what happened on Raw, but a second dirty win would put a lot of eyes on Raw again, which they need with the return of Monday Night Football. Plus, Owens is a pretty fun champion so far.
Our Prediction: Kevin Owens wins after Triple H interferes.
That's what we think is going to happen at Clash of Champions. Let us know who you think is going to win this weekend.