Clash of Champions 2017 Predictions

   Tonight is Smackdown's Clash of Champions event on the WWE Network.  This is the last PPV of 2017 and we're just a little over a month out from the Royal Rumble, which begins the "Road To WrestleMania."  This show should set up some of the stories leading up to WrestleMania.  I'm here to give you my predictions for this event.

Zack Ryder vs. Mojo Rawley

   This match was set up for the Kick-Off Show.  I like to call it "The Hype Bros Explode!"  This match has come about due to Mojo turning on his partner on a recent episode of Smackdown.  I actually can't stand Mojo's character but that's not what this is about.  Going into most Zack Ryder matches, I already know he has no chance.  It's important for Mojo to get the win here and I believe that is going to happen, and quite decisively!  It's hard to tell what is to come for either man going forward.  Will Mojo get a big push out of this?  Or will it be all for nothing just like when he won the Andre the Giant Memoral Battle Royal at WrestleMania?  

Tyler Breeze and Fandango vs. Bludgeon Brothers

    I'm still getting used to this new gimmick for Luke Harper and Erick Rowan and I wish they were on Raw with Bray Wyatt as the Wyatt Family.  This match was established due to what took place on the Fashion Files, when we finally learned who was behind all the attacks on Breeze and Fandango.  There will be some great comedy spots for the Fashion Police here but this match is to give the Bludgeon Brothers somewhat of a first challenge of sorts to reestablish their dominance as a tag team.  I'd say it's an easy squash win for the Bludgeon Brothers.

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

   The Smackdown women's division has been heating up as of late.  Just days before the Survivor Series, Charlotte Flair defeated Natalya for the Smackdown Women's Championship. Their rematch  on Smackdown the next week was deemed a no contest due to the attack on both women from the new trio of Ruby Riot, Liv Morgan, and Sarah Logan, collectively known as the Riot Squad.  By the way, I refuse to add the second T because it's just stupid!  The Riot Squad attacked Becky Lynch and Naomi as well as having blows with the rest of the women on the roster.  At Clash of Champions, Charlotte will defend the Smackdown Women's Title against Natalya in a Lumberjack Match, where the women's roster will surround the ring.  This stipulation should make the match quite entertaining.  Both women are great wrestlers and I have faith that the match will be good.  Beyond the obvious shenanigans, I see the Queen retaining her Championship.  However, you never know when Carmella will cash in her "Money In the Bank" briefcase!  Could it happen during all the commotion?  

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

   During a Lumberjack Match between the New Day and the team of Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn, an altercation between Corbin and Roode took place, leading to a match.  For some reason, Ziggler was added, making it a Triple Threat. I'm sure most people would agree that the reason Dolph was added is so he can take the pin, without damaging the other two. Dolph is damaged goods at this point anyway.  I think Corbin will retain, leading to a singles match between himself and the Glorious One.  This match is to extend the feud and keep things fresh.  Eventually, I do see Roode winning the US Title but not yet.  But when it does, 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

   Since Jason Jordan went to Raw to be Kurt Angle's "son," American Alpha was no more, leaving Chad Gable on his own.  That didn't last long as Shelton Benjamin returned to team with him.  They have really clicked as a team and recently became #1 contenders to the Smackdown Tag Team Championship, held by the Usos.  After the New Day defeated Gable and Benjamin, they were added to the match.  Rusev and Aiden English were also added after recently defeating the New Day.  I'm not sure if they had enough faith in an Usos vs. Gable/Benjamin match so they added more teams.  I expect it to be fast paced and very entertaining.  Any time you put the Usos and New Day together, it's magic!  Add the technical prowess of Gable and Benjamin and it's even more exciting.  Plus, we get to enjoy Rusev Day!  However, I see the Titles remaining inside the confines of the Uso Penitentiary!  

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

   Best friends again after Hell In a Cell, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn continue to butt heads with the Smackdown Commissioner Shane McMahon. Smackdown General Manager Daniel Bryan has now gotten involved, becoming quite questionable in his actions of late.  He seems to be biased towards Owens and Zayn due to their past as Indy performers, while he also did not agree with Shane's decision to take Raw "Under Siege."  Shane set up two opponents for Owens and Zayn at Clash of Champions in Randy Orton and Shinsuke Nakamura.  Some stipulations have been added.  Both Shane and Bryan are special referees for this match.  Also, should Owens and Zayn lose, they will be fired.  Due to that stipulation, it tells me they are winning.  How they win will be due to Daniel Bryan, leading to his heel turn.

WWE Championship - AJ Styles vs. Jinder Mahal

   Shortly before Survivor Series, AJ Styles defeated Jinder Mahal to win his second WWE Title.  AJ then went face to face with the Beast, in Raw's Universal Champion Brock Lesnar.  The thought process of why this Title change took place depends on rumors.  One particular rumor is that they didn't have confidence in a Jinder/Brock match for one of the "Big Four" PPV's and they knew a classic would be made with AJ involved.  Some suggested Jinder would regain the WWE Title at some point. However, I don't see Jinder getting the Title back if that rumor is true.  If they didn't trust the "Modern Day Maharajah" in a main event match at Survivor Series, I don't see how they would give him the Title again to go on and possibly headline at WrestleMania, the granddaddy of them all!  Where's the logic in that?  What I'd personally like to see is AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura for the WWE Title at WrestleMania.  Even though that match may be a pipe dream, I still see AJ retaining and going into WrestleMania as Champion.  Whether his opponent is Nakamura or a returning John Cena remains to be seen but at Clash of Champions, Jinder will be hindered!

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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