Welcome to the Clash of Champions Review for December 17, 2017. For all WWE pay-per-views, I will go over every match, share the highlights and quotes, and look ahead to the next show.
Zack Ryder vs. Mojo Rawley (Rawley wins by pinfall)
Breakups of tag teams and friends happens a lot in wrestling, but Zack Ryder and Mojo Rawley put a very intense face on their breakup. Rawley kept his almost endless energy, but was yelling at Ryder to show him something. Ryder looked angry too, his facial expressions showing a man who was furious about being betrayed. Their match was short, but both men looked invested in the story they were telling
Highlights: Ryder slaps Rawley
Rawley pushes Ryder of the top rope and Ryder fell hard on the floor
Rawley does a knock out punch and Ryder sells it like a UFC fighter
Grade: 9 out of 10
United States Champion Baron Corbin vs. Bobby Roode vs. Dolph Ziggler (Triple Threat Match) (Ziggler wins by pinfall to become new Untied States Champion)
I was a little scared prior to the beginning of this match, and it became one of the best outings for all three men. Bobby Roode looked like the technical master he is. Baron Corbin was hard hitting and looking for every opportunity. Dolph Ziggler was high flying and had a most of the highlights. Ziggler winning was surprising, but not if he continues to have matches like this ever night.
Highlights: Ziggler counters a Glorious DDT into his own DDT
Corbin hits both men in to ring barrier.
Roode hits a glorious DDT, and counters Corbin trying to steal the pin
Corbin has Roode in the End of Days when Ziggler hits Corbin with the Zig Zag
Grade 9 out of 10
SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos vs. The New Day vs. Shelton Benjamin & Chad Gable vs. Rusev & Aiden English (Fatal 4-Way Match) (Usos win by pinfall)
This match started out slow, but picked up fast during the closing minutes. The crowd was solidly behind Rusev and Aiden English, showing that this pairing is a winner. All four teams looked good, but it was hard to get going with four men in the ring. Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable are heels, as they were working with Rusev and English during the match. The next challengers for the Usos should be English and Rusev in a traditional match. It will be something new and exciting.
Highlights: Kingston runs right into a Rusev Superkick
English and Gable with dueling headlocks
Gable rolls through to slam Big E, Rusev, and English
Kingston jumps into a Benjamin powerbomb
Quotes: “”Rusev Day!” WWE Universe
Grade 9 out of 10
SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair vs. Natalya (Lumberjills Match) (Charlotte win by submission)
The only problem with this match was that the lumberjills had no rhyme or reason in who they attacked. The Riott Squad did not factor in as much as I thought they would. Besides that, this was another great match from two of the most talented ladies in women’s wrestling. What will get most people talking is Natalya’s speech at the end of the match. It sounded like she might be talking some time off or retiring.
Highlights: Charlotte styles and profiles
Namoi takes out all three members of the Riott Squad
Charlotte moonsaults from the top rope onto all the ladies
Charlottee kick Natalya right in the face before the Figure 8 leg lock is applied.
Grade 8 out of 10
Breezango vs. The Bludgeon Brothers
As any one who reads these articles knows, I am a fan of Fashion Files. I also am a realest and knew they would get destroyed by the Bludgeon Brothers. This was over in a matter of minutes and that’s the way it should be. I do think, however, that this case is not solved. Something tells me that the Brothers would not be doing the elaborate set ups we have been seeing.
Highlights: Eric Rowan front slams Tyler Breeze on the ring apron
Grade 7 out of 10
Randy Orton & Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn (Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan as special guest referees) (Owens and Zayn win by pin fall)
The biggest moment of this match was how it ended. Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan never looked to be on the same page. Finally splitting the ring, the two referees watched as Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens fought for their professional lives. One of the biggest takeaways was how on point Shinsuke Nakamura looked. He looked like a new guy with some sharp attacks. How this match ended will play out on Tuesday.
Highlights: Zayn with some loud chest chops to Randy Orton
Nakamura makes everything look like it hurts
Owens frog splashes Nakamura through the announcer table
Shane stops counting a Zayn pinfall at two
Bryan does a fast count to give Owens and Zayn the win
Grade 9 out of 10
WWE Champion AJ Styles vs. Jinder Mahal (Styles wins by submission)
This was the Jinder Mahl we should have seen when he was holding the belt. He was more comfortable and willing to do different things in the ring. A lot of praise will go to AJ Styles, rightfully so, but Mahl looked like he belonged in this match. With only a single interference by the Sing Brothers, this match was a fantastic one that relied on solidly storytelling and two great athletes. Where Mahl goes from here is anyone’s guess, but he should not be pushed out of the top level. He deserves to stay there
Highlights: Mahl throws Styles into a metal rail
Mahl goes after the injured ribs the entire match
Styles hits a Styles clash on one of the Sing Brothers
Mahl throws Styles up in the air
Mahl tries a Styles clash on Styles
Grade 10 out of 10
Final Thoughts: The last pay per view of the year had some starts and stops, but overall a very good showing with a lot of new stories. The road to Wrestlemania begins tomorrow and those champions have a three month road ahead of them if they want to be on the grandest stage of them all. The big question is who wil be in charge of the blue brand when we get there?
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