SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
So it’s possible, even likely, that I’m going to get all of these wrong.
Follow @Colohue for updates.
1. Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross vs. “Fire & Desire” (Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville) – Women’s Tag Team Championships Pre-Show
I’ve put this one on to the pre-show due to the lack of build and the lack of prominence for these particular titles. That said, Alexa Bliss is using her accrued starpower to help develop those around her and that can only be a good thing.
Having these championships defended at all is a massive step in the right direction. That can only show that the change of champions has had a positive impact. It’s hard to say how that might change should the championships move over to Rose and Deville. With so much up in the air right now this match could go anywhere for any reason.
So I’m putting Rose & Deville. Why not, right?
WINNER: Fire & Desire
2. Drew Gulak vs. Lince Dorado vs Humberto Carillo – Cruiserweight Championship Pre-Show
Neither Dorado nor Carillo are particularly established outside of 205 Live, which gives this match less of a championship triple threat feel and more of a potential surprise package feel. Unfortunately there is also an immense downside to this in that Drew Gulak, as well built and dominant as he is, should not be losing to either of these competitors?
The purpose of matches like these is to not only make you want the pay per view, but also make you watch 205 Live. It remains Gulak’s time to sit on the throne.
Winner: Drew Gulak
3. A.J. Styles vs. Cedric Alexander – United States Championship
Well talk about last minute. Whatever the plan was for AJ Styles heading into Clash Of Champions, this doesn’t seem like it was it. He and The Club have been such a huge part of the Rollins vs Strowman storyline that the championship has been almost entirely forgotten about.
Cedric Alexander, the benefactor of a late but strong push, lines up this time. His chances of success are extremely slim though. Not only has there been some hot potato with the title recently, but Styles is backed up by The Club and Alexander has nobody to even things out on his side.
This feels like a showcase match and a potential coming out party for Alexander. What better opponent to show off Alexander’s talents than someone who can not only keep up but even surpass the range and ariel prowess?
Winner: A.J. Styles
What If?: Cedric gets the shock win, leaving Styles and The Club on a path of vengeance?
4. The New Day vs. The Revival – SmackDown Tag Team Championships
Tied in heavily to the WWE championship feud between Kofi Kingston and Randy Orton, we get a tag team match that could and should far exceed it for quality. Both of these teams have tremendous teamwork, innovative offence and can sell extremely well. This will be a good one and potentially match of the night.
The big tell on this one is the nature of the wild card rule. The Revival are still Raw superstars – at least for now – and while I could see a title win being used as an excuse to move them over, or in fact have a whole new brand split, this might not be the time.
That said, if The Revival do take the titles, you’re going to be very suspicious of Orton winning later in the night. There’s a lot going on in this one.
Winner: The New Day
What If?: The Revival’s championship win, coupled with a Miz win later, heralds the beginning of another superstar shakeup?
5. Bayley vs. Charlotte Flair – Smackdown Women’s Championship
When’s the last time two women’s matches felt this important? The women’s division hasn’t felt this important since Wrestlemania. Focussing on the horsewomen might not be a good idea long term but it is certainly a good idea for this event.
Bayley and Charlotte have a lot of history and historically put on good matches. Charlotte might be the best women’s wrestler of her generation. Meanwhile, Bayley may be the most clinical with a wide range of classical offence, great ring awareness and often perfect selling.
But it’s not just about Bayley and Charlotte. This is about Sasha Banks too. Bayley might be about to have an incidental rocket strapped to her.
Winner: Bayley
What If?: Bayley and Sasha Banks both leave Clash of Champions with the titles?
6. Seth Rollins & Braun Strowman vs. Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode – Raw Tag Team Championships
This will not be a great match. I’d expect to see Ziggler and Roode beat down Rollins for a while, then get attacked on the back of a Strowman hot tag, some inter team arguments between the “good guys” and then the finish.
I’m honestly not entirely sure as to the winner but I can’t see Rollins and Strowman still being the champions after their championship match.
Winner: Ziggler and Roode
What If?: Rollins and Strowman keep the titles and have to defend them for the next few weeks regardless?
7. Shinsuke Nakamura vs. The Miz – Intercontinental Championship
The Intercontinental championship is never far from The Miz. It calls out to him stronger than anything in the WWE. There are bigger titles. Not for The Miz.
This is also Nakamura’s first major showing with the IC title. It’s an exciting prospect, though I’m not sure the styles of these two men are going to gel as strongly as some.
Sami Zayn needs to show how important his partnership with Nakamura is going to be. Nakamura also needs wins to make this title mean something again. I can only see the Japanese superstar holding on for a little while longer.
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura
What If?: The title does return to The Miz, only supporting his route to the top IC champion of all time?
8. Roman Reigns vs. Rowan – No Disqualification
This is a huge moment for Rowan; a man who has done extremely well since being repackaged into the Bludgeon Brothers and taken seriously again. Unfortunately, it still feels like a stepping stone towards Roman against Bryan. This is despite Bryan being attacked by Rowan too.
I know that every WWE show is the Roman Reigns show. I’ve been wrong before. I have a habit of betting against Roman and being proven wrong so, you know what, why not again?
Winner: Rowan
What If?: Daniel Bryan is waiting in the wings to surprise Roman and this is why the no disqualification stipulation is in place?
9. Kofi Kingston vs. Randy Orton – WWE Championship
Randy Orton is extremely difficult to bet against. On the other hand, very few champions in the WWE are booked even close to as strongly as Kofi Kingston has been. Who is going to win here? No, really, who is going to win?
Tell me because I’m really not sure.
For me this comes down to competition. Who is left for Kofi to compete against? Before Orton Samoa Joe was brought over from Raw so who is left for Kofi to face?
There sure are plenty of people for Randy to face though. Kofi’s reign could continue but for me this might just be the right time for Randy to return to the top of the mountain.
Winner: Randy Orton
What If?: The Revival and The New Day can’t keep themselves out of involvement from this one?
10. Becky Lynch vs. Sasha Banks – Raw Women’s Championship
Probably the biggest match on the card; Sasha Banks has returned with the weight of several months of absence behind her and Becky Lynch still has enough momentum left over from Wrestlemania to roll into this on a high.
Bayley will almost undoubtedly have some involvement here, for sure, but we’re still going to get something new and different. It’s been a very long time since these women have stepped into the ring together and neither of them are anything close to who they were at that time. This could surprise us and be the main event.
But I don’t think the heel wins the main event. The heel wins this one.
Winner: Sasha Banks
What If?: Ronda Rousey isn’t quite a WWE alumni yet?
11. Seth Rollins vs. Braun Strowman – WWE Universal Championship
Bray Wyatt.
Yeah, this whole story is now about Bray Wyatt since an unfortunate leak of a planned Hell In A Call match. As such, the whole storyline between Rollins and Strowman has been put on a backburner.
For every loss that Strowman has when a title is on the line, I do think this will be another one. The wave of support behind Bray Wyatt will see the loss soon forgotten. Rollins, having just won the title back at Summerslam, will have other challengers.
Winner: No contest
What If?: Bray Wyatt actually doesn’t appear at all?
I’ll see you for a live tweeting session of Clash of Champions 2019 @colohue.
“What if: Bayley and Sasha both leave Clash of Champions with the titles?”
Easy answer: it’ll show Dolph that instead of stealing the show, he should maybe wet himself WHILE throwing a tantrum to get a World Title win. Unfortunately it sure did help Sasha Botches and Boreley rocket up the card.