WWE Clash of Champions emanated live from the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts tonight, as the WWE closes out its calendar year of pay-per-view events. The Smackdown Live brand was front and center with several big matches, and your boy has all the action covered. Let’s jump right in.
Kickoff Match: Mojo Rawley def. Zack Ryder – #MeanMojo is an outright delight, and I’m happy to see they haven’t given up on the hype train. This was a fun match – one of the most fun kickoff matches they’ve rolled out this year so far. I could definitely see Rawley going somewhere after this (and consider him one of the breakout stars of the year) – Corey Graves noting that the rest of the Smackdown roster should be on notice. #MeanMojo gets the win after delivering a stiff forearm that is sure to put Ryder in concussion protocol (if they even have that in the WWE). I recommend titling this finisher “Certain CTE.” Rating: 6/10.
Main Show
United States Championship: Dolph Ziggler def. Baron Corbin and Bobby Roode (triple threat) – Ziggler gets the shocking win after hooking the Zig-zag on Corbin AS HE WAS HOOKING THE END OF DAYS on Roode. Nice little finish after a fast-paced match, and I’m intrigued to see where this goes for these three men. Hopefully another triple threat. Great curveball to start the show. Rating: 7.5/10.
Smackdown Tag Team Championship: The Usos def. The New Day, Aiden English & Rusev and Shelton Benjamin & Chad Gable (fatal four way) – For all the talent in this match, it just felt a little too clunky to click the way these pay-per-view Smackdown tag matches have all year. Allowing all four guys in the ring at once made it hard to keep up, and it seemed to effect the chemistry of the teams. But, man did they really amp things up in the final few moments or what? Once they cleared the ring and only two guys were going at it, it cleaned up considerably. Also, shout out to Chad Gable out there folding motherfuckers in half. The Usos get the win after Uso #1 saved Uso #2 from a suplex and nailing a splash from the top rope. Rating: 6.5/10.
Smackdown Women’s Championship Lumberjack Match: Charlotte def. Natalya – Oh, this match happened? Again? I still don’t get the Riot Squad. Like, why would a Jersey girl, Kentucky mountain woman, and Ruby Riot be hanging out together? And, I don’t get lumberjack matches. Just a huge mess. Thought this was pretty boring from the jump. Rating: 3/10.
The Bludgeon Brothers def. Breezango – Welp. Looks like just your average squash match. I thought we might get a decent showing here, but nope. All about putting over the Bludgeons. Mission accomplished. Rating: 5/10.
Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn def. Shinsuke Nakamura & Randy Orton – I’m going to be honest, guys. This match bored the hell out of me. I got up halfway during the match to make a cheese platter, but hey – look at this freakin’ thing:
Delicious. Way better than that match. Zayn gets the pin after a fast count from Daniel Bryan. My guess is he’s going to say he ended the match because he felt Shane McMahon was purposely trying to screw Owens and Zayn out of a job and that just ain’t right, folks. Still, that match sucked. Rating: 3/10.
WWE Championship: A.J. Styles def. Jinder Mahal – Thought this was a decent showing between these two guys. Perfectly capable main event, and some of Mahal’s best work on this miracle run he’s been on. Of course, it’s easy to have a good match when you’re going up against one of the best of the world. I’ve been critical of Mahal not putting on true pay-per-view quality main events, but this was a strong effort. Styles locks in the Calf Crusher and Mahal doesn’t escape. Rating: 6/10.
Overall: Clash of Champions gets a 5/10. It was a wrestling show. As I’ve said before, and I’m sure I’ll say again, “there are certainly worse ways to spend a Sunday night.” Nothing to remember, though.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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