Clash of Champions 2017 Review

   Last night was the Smackdown PPV Clash of Champions and the next stop is the Royal Rumble, which starts the road to WrestleMania.  A few matches went as expected but there was definitely a surprise or two.  Overall, I thought it was a good outing.

Kick-Off Match - Zack Ryder vs. Mojo Rawley

   Mojo is fresh off a heel turn and I dubbed this match as the "Hype Bros Explode!"  Ryder's been around for ten years and Mojo is still fairly new so the match went as expected.  Mojo dominated the match and won decisively.  What lies ahead for these men?  I can't imagine a rematch between the two, unless Ryder insists.  Mojo won clean and really has no reason to continue with his former partner.  Mojo is probably going to put Ryder in the rear view and move on.  With the Royal Rumble approaching, he's probably going to be gunning to win it all.  After all, he did win the Andre the Giant Battle Royal at this past WrestleMania.  

US Title Triple Threat Match - Baron Corbin vs Bobby Roode vs. Dolph Ziggler

   Well, I didn't see that coming!  I can't speak for everyone, but I'm sure there were a lot of people
expecting Ziggler to eat the pin in this match, protecting both Corbin and Roode at the same time.  Also, we assumed that based on how Ziggler has been booked and the fact that he never hides his complaints.  Is he just a transitional Champion?  Most likely!  It's quite possible that this Title reign was given to get him to resign with the company.  It was a very entertaining match and there were times where it looked like Corbin or Roode could win.  I have to say, as shocking as the result was, I'm happy about it.  Corbin made things clear that he intends to get his Title back.  What I'd like to see happen is Roode getting involved in the rematch, causing Ziggler to retain.  It extends the Corbin/Roode feud, which really just started and needs to play out a little more.  I can see a match between the two happening at the last Smackdown PPV before WrestleMania to determine a #1 contender for the US Championship.  I predict Roode will triumph over Corbin in the end and best Ziggler for the Title.  It will be...Glorious!

Smackdown Tag Team Titles Fatal Fourway Match - Usos vs. Chad Gable and Shelton Benjamin vs. The New Day vs. Rusev & Aiden English

   This match was very exciting and all eight of these men put on a show.  It absolutely could have been anyone's game, even though I picked the Usos to retain.  I questioned having four men in the ring at the same time but it actually worked out.  I think the standout was Chad Gable.   The sheer power for a man of his stature was very impressive.  Shelton Benjamin hasn't lost a step at all!  Anytime you put the Usos and The New Day together, it's going to be special.  I also enjoyed that short moment of mutual respect between those two teams as well.  Even though I assumed Rusev and English would be an afterthought, they brought it last night as well.  I loved the 12 Days of Rusev introduction and I'm so glad every day is Rusev Day!  The Usos proved why they are the best team on Smackdown, and dare I say, the entire WWE.  On Talking Smack, there might have been some foreshadowing, talking about an impending match with the Bludgeon Brothers.  In my opinion, the team that will finally break out of the Uso Penitentiary will be Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn.  Until then, it's all about that Day One Ish!

Smackdown Women's Title Lumberjack Match - Chalotte Flair vs. Natalya

   The result of this match was expected in my opinion but not how everything went down.  These are two fantastic in-ring performers and have certainly lived up to their family's legacies.  The element of the lumberjacks was interesting, especially with the addition of the Riot Squad.  Naomi was the only friend Charlotte had out there.  She went after Natalya when the third generation Hart found herself outside the ring.  When Charlotte was outside, everyone else attacked her.  What I also found interesting was while the women were trying to beat up on Charlotte, you could tell there was a game of one-ups-man-ship going on, where both the Riot Squad and the Carmella/Lana/Tamina trio wanted the Queen to themselves.  The Riot Squad have certainly brought some chaos to the Smackdown Women's Division.  I also loved the tease of Carmella cashing in her "Money In the Bank" contract, which I'm sure was looming on fans' minds.  In the end, Charlotte reigned supreme.  Reminiscent of her uncle Owen, Natalya pulled out a classic temper tantrum after her loss.  What's next for the Women's Division and who is Charlotte's next challenger?  We'll find out tomorrow night live on Smackdown.

Fashion Police vs. Bludgeon Brothers

   On the latest Fashion Files, it was revealed that the Bludgeon Brothers were behind the attacks and destruction of their office.  Both Fandango and Tyler Breeze, with a nudge from their "pals" The Ascension, reluctantly agreed to face Luke Harper and Erick Rowan.  The former Wyatt Family members made quick work of their opponents, as many thought they would.  No one screamed like that poor jobber on Smackdown, though!  They are clearly bent on destruction but I still don't think they'll be the ones to take the belts from the Usos.  The match served its purpose.  After the match, both men made their intentions clear and it could be bad news for the entire Smackdown tag team division.

Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn vs. Randy Orton & Shinsuke Nakamura

   The storytelling in this match was outstanding.  Oddly enough, the story didn't really involve Orton and Nakamura all that much.  With both Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan as referees, in there at the same time, mind you, we knew all hell was about to break loose.  Shane did not hide his disdain for Owens and Zayn whatsoever.  Bryan, on the other hand, seemed to look out for them.  In what appeared to be an accident, Bryan fell onto Shane as he was on the mat making a call, disrupting the pin.  Shane was angry about it!  In classic Shane McMahon form, as his foes made the cover, he tried to deliberately screw over Owens and Zayn, much like he did to Stone Cold Steve Austin years ago.  A shoving match between Shane and Bryan commenced.  I should point out the stipulation that if Owens and Zayn lost, they would be fired.  At the end, Bryan made a fast count in order to preserve the jobs of the best friends.  The Yep Movement lives on to fight another day.  With the dissension between the two leaders, Smackdown is going to be very interesting.  Was the result what I expected?  Yep!

WWE Title - AJ Styles vs. Jinder Mahal

   I had a feeling AJ would retain but at the same time, I wasn't 100% sure.  There was always that possibility of Jinder getting it back.  After all, I never expected to see Jinder Mahal of all people receive a 6-month WWE Title reign.  The odds were clearly in his favor with the Singh Brothers by his side.  AJ nearly lost several times due to focusing on them instead of his opponent.  However, AJ Styles stated before the show that he didn't want to make pre-determined excuses for himself and he knew what he was dealing with.  AJ overcame it all and emerged victorious.  WWE legend Mick Foley later tweeted the following...I think I need to express my opinion that @AJStylesOrg is ridiculously good. Has this guy EVER had a bad match? #WWEChampionship.  I couldn't agree more!  AJ Styles is certainly what he claims to be...phenomenal!  Could a clash with Shinsuke Nakamure at WrestleMania be in his future?  I certainly hope so!

   Overall, I enjoyed the show.  The huge surprise of Dolph Ziggler becoming the United States Champion kept my attention for the rest of the night.  You never quite know what to expect.  As they say, anything can happen in WWE.  Match of the night for me would probably go to the Tag Title match.  Those 4 teams were incredible!  I also really enjoyed Owens/Zayn vs. Orton/Nakamura.  Charlotte was great and AJ was of course, phenomenal.  What did everyone else think of 2017's Clash of Champions?

If you have any further thoughts on this topic, let me know in comments.  Heck, let us all know on The WAR Report podcast, every Tuesday at 7PM EST, brought to you by tagmeadate.com, the first and only dating site for wrestling fans.  Go to askthewarreport@gmail.com or #askthewarreport.  For TagMeADate members, our Android and Apple apps are vastly approaching so stay tuned!
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