W2Mnet WWE Clash of Champions 2016 Preview

Two weeks ago WWE had their first Smackdown branded pay-per-view of the new brand split. Now, it’s time for RAW to do the same thing with Clash of Champions. Although it is under a slightly different name than in years past, the concept of this show is the same. This is a night that is meant to showcase all of RAW’s champions on one event. Kevin Owens defends the WWE Universal Championship against Seth Rollins. Charlotte defends the RAW Women’s Championship in a Triple Threat match against Bayley and Sasha Banks. Rusev defends the WWE United States Championship against Roman Reigns. Those are just a few of the matches on this card happening on Sunday night. The W2Mnet staff has their thoughts and predictions on the full show on this WWE Clash of Champions 2016 Preview.

An Introduction to the Article

As someone that has quite a bit of experience doing these roundtable type articles, I wanted to do this a bit differently than some others. Instead of having six people all give thoughts on each match, I felt it better to assign one match to each person. So, one of our staff members will answer a question pertaining to a match, then give their thoughts on the match itself, and finally predict a winner. This continues until the end of the article, when everyone gathers to give their overall thoughts on the event.

W2Mnet Staff

Sean Garmer, Editor-in-Chief, Co-Host of Wrestling 2 the MAX

Paul Leazar, Wrestling Dept. Head, Co-Host of Wrestling 2 the MAX

Patrick Ketza, Host of Wrestling Unwrapped, W2Mnet Wrestling Contributor

Tom Reese, W2Mnet Wrestling Article Writer, Wrestling 2 the MAX New Japan Correspondent

Rick Beslin, W2Mnet Wrestling Article Writer

Brandon Biskobing, W2Mnet Wrestling & Football Contributor

Noah Mooney, W2Mnet Wrestling Contributor

Pre-Show Kickoff Match

Nia Jax vs. Alicia Fox

Nia Jax becomes RAW Women’s Champion by the end of 2016?

The four women that are around the Women’s Title right now seem rather set for a bit. Considering that Survivor Series is always an anomaly every year, because WWE may decide to do more elimination matches, instead of title matches at that event. Other than doing a few on RAW, there may be at most five or six title defenses left. I don’t see Nia Jax getting there just yet. She may not even be doing squashing jobbers yet either. Once she gets through Alicia Fox, she could have a feud with Paige that viably could last until the end of the year if they wanted. Even if she faces Bayley or Sasha quickly, I see her at most being a challenger that doesn’t win the title. At worst she doesn’t get a title shot until closer to Wrestlemania or after it.

The match may be competitive for a bit, but this feud is set up to give Nia Jax against a veteran. I wouldn’t be surprised if it goes over five minutes. – Sean Garmer

Winner: Nia Jax

Someone’s Getting “It”

Sami Zayn vs. Chris Jericho

Sami Zayn needs to win the match more than Chris Jericho?

Zayn v Jericho is a match I’m looking forward to. Sami Zayn in my opinion is the best pure babyface wrestler in the business. Chris Jericho is one of those guys who just knows how to keep himself relevant. While he’s aged a bit, he can still go. We know the work should be good. As for how good the match is, really depends on two things. Where the match is placed on the card, and how well the crowd reacts to it.

I think it’s imperative that Zayn goes over. The brand needs established strong upper midcard guys that get into main events here and there. Zayn is perfect for this role. The crowd loves him and he puts on fantastic performances every time out. Quite frankly, Jericho can lose and stay relevant as a heel. Zayn needs strong booking. I see Zayn winning in a really good to great match. – Tom Reese

Winner: Sami Zayn

Best of 7 Series Final

Cesaro vs. Sheamus

After winning, Cesaro finally gets a sustainable push in WWE?

Like many Cesaro fans, I want him to get a sustainable push. I just have a hard time believing that after Clash of Champions he is going to be on another level. History, tells me that the powers that be are not sure about pushing him in a serious way. Is he capable of being at that level? Yes, does he deserve it? Yes! Will WWE give him that chance? I have no idea, but I think where he is at now is most likely where he will stay.

We have seen these guys battle it out in some quality matches. With Cesaro having to overcome an 0-3 start, it makes you question his ability to win a fourth match in a row. The only reason I believe Cesaro will win is for the fact that he has not come this far to lose. Though, Sheamus‘ size and ability does put doubt in your mind. We should get a solid match out this series final. Sheamus will get close, but Cesaro will be victorious. – Gary Vaughan

Winner: Cesaro

WWE Cruiserweight Championship Match

(Champion) T. J. Perkins vs. Brian Kendrick

The Brian Kendrick was the best opponent for TJ Perkins first title defense?

Yes. Mostly, because it’s a match you haven’t seen yet if you watched the WWE Cruiserweight Classic. It’s also a match between two extremely experienced guys who delivered across the entire tournament, so you know they are gonna give you something good at the PPV. This could also spin out into a story if the WWE does it right. This could also be the rumblings of the first storyline we get out of the division too.

We know Brian Kendrick had no problems taking shortcuts during the tournament, will that continue here? Does the excessive cheating cost him the match? Can TJP stay one step ahead of him? There are so many ways for this to play out that I think out of everybody you signed, Kendrick was an easy first choice for TJP.

I talked about on the W2M Raw Review for the week how the Crusierweight Division is in showcase mode right now. TJ Perkins is a phenomenal wrestler, and can win over any crowd with his smooth as silk wrestling. The Brian Kendrick brings the other side of the equation. Kendrick’s veteran status, and putting a match together are second to none.

That’s not to say that TJP can’t do that either, but Kendrick has been in the game forever, and showed the most character out of anybody in the CWC. Both guys are going to go out there, and steal the show. Hopefully, it puts the division on the map for the larger WWE audience. TJ Perkins retains, but just barely. – Paul Leazar

Winner and STILL WWE Cruiserweight Champion: T. J. Perkins

RAW Tag Team Championship Match

(Champions) New Day vs. Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson

It’s time for New Day to lose the Tag Belts

I think this will be a very good match, and I do think it’s time for someone else to have the tag belts, although I wouldn’t mind seeing The New Day hold them longer either. I do think that The Club will win the tag belts on Sunday. The only thing I’m worried about and I don’t want to see is them breaking up The New Day because of losing the belts, I want The New Day to stay together – Brandon Biskobing

Winners AND STILL RAW Tag Champions: New Day

WWE United States Championship Match

(Champion) Rusev w/ Lana vs. Roman Reigns

Roman Reigns needs to stay away from the main event scene for a little while?

Yes Roman Reigns should stay away from the main event scene for the time being. The whole distaste of Reigns happened because the WWE tried to force him on an audience that wasn’t yet ready to accept him as their top guy yet. Roman is a good wrestler, and a stint with the US title could be just what is needed for the fans to ease into Roman and actually let his eventual rise to the top organically happen instead of trying to force it. I do expect Roman Reigns to win here for that reason. He needs time with a secondary midcard title. A good run feuding with some heels like Rusev who know how to produce the right kind of heat could be what finally warms the crowd to the Roman Reigns experiment – Rick Beslin

WWE Women’s Championship Triple Threat Match

(Champion) Charlotte vs. Sasha Banks vs. Bayley

WWE made the right call with the Triple Threat match?

Won’t lie… while I love the chance that this match could steal the show at Clash, I’m not a huge fan of how it came to be. Personally, I feel like Sasha and Charlotte should be on their own for their third match (Raw, then Summerslam, and this would be the rubber match), and Bayley gets introduced after this ends. To me, this reeks of Bayley taking the fall to continue Sasha and Charlotte continuing on. I love Bayley, I really do, but I feel like she shouldn’t be here. However, I’m looking forward to what, most likely, could be a match that rivals Wrestlemania for women’s match of the year. – Patrick Ketza

MAIN EVENT: WWE Universal Championship Match

(Champion) Kevin Owens vs. Seth Rollins

Seth Rollins cements his face turn in this match

Kevin Owens vs. Seth Rollins is going to be a good match. Both men are capable of great things, as we’ve seen before. However, this time, Seth will be able to show off move of a flashy and aerial display, as he’ll be able to employ babyface offense for the first time since his days in The Shield, and that’s where Seth Rollins is at his best.

Kevin Owens will do his typical great job of slowing the match down and leaving people anxiously waiting the babyface comeback. Therefore, this match, even after the suicide dive off of the top of a cage on Monday will solidify Seth Rollins as a face.

KO will retain his Universal Title through shenanigans, possibly another interference from The Game. This will help Owens keep his “Chosen One” persona, where he doesn’t necessarily need anyone’s help but will accept it when given, and will keep the steady progression for the eventual Rollins vs. Triple H blockbuster. – Noah Mooney

OVERALL THOUGHTS Part 1

Clash of Champions has potential to deliver much like most of the WWE PPV’s have this year. The Women’s Triple Threat should be great, Owens and Rollins as well. Rusev and Roman can both go and I hope the Cruiserweights get time. Cesaro and Sheamus have a great story to tell and Zayn vs. Jericho has potential too. There’s certainly a lot to look forward to on Sunday night. – Sean Garmer

WWE PPV’s this year have delivered for the most part with great main events and some quality matches underneath. This shod be a fun show. Kevin Owens first big show as champ against Seth Rollins should be nothing short of great. Jericho v Zayn can be great if the crowd let’s it. I’m not a fan of three way matches but the Womens title match could be really good. Those three have been great with each other in the past.

Sheamus and Cesaro is the sleeper match. Crowd will make or break that one. TJ Perkins v Bryan Kendrick is unpredictable to me as far as how it will turn out. The less than stellar introduction on Monday has me worried. Will they get enough time and how will the crowd react? Looking for a fun and intriguing show. – Tom Reese

Clash of Champions offers an array of matches that could make up a great show. I expect TJ Perkins to retain his newly acquired Cruiserweight championship in an exciting match with Brian Kendrick. Nia Jax will run ragged over Alicia Fox, Cesaro gets his hand raised, and Sami Zayn should beat Chris Jericho.

Charlotte will keep her title, but Rusev will drop his to Reigns and New Day will lose theirs to The Club. To cap off the night Seth Rollins will get screwed, as Owens walks away still WWE Universal champion. Overall, that makes the most sense to me. – Gary Vaughan

OVERALL THOUGHTS Part 2

I’m looking forward to watching Clash of Champions. The wrestling on this show has the potential to be out of this world. Owens/Rollins, Sasha/Charlotte/Bayley, TJP/Kendrick, Zayn/Jericho, Cesaro/Sheamus. We’re looking at a who’s who of awesome wrestling. The rest of the show could surprise too. I’m bored to tears of Reigns/Rusev, but they can deliver.

The Tag Title feud needs to end, and they missed an opportunity last go around to put the straps on The Club, so hopefully, they can change our minds with they are given to make us care about them. The build has been subpar, but I think the main event continues to be interesting, even if the WWE could have done so much better with handling the HHH fiasco. – Paul Leazar

I think it should be pretty good, and the two main matches I’m looking at and hoping we get a new champion are the Women’s Title and the US Title- Brandon Biskobing

The first raw only ppv looks to be stacked. I’m actually looking forward to every championship match. I can’t wait to see TJP and Kendrick showcase the exciting new division. I’m expecting the women to put in an exciting match and really don’t know what to expect in the main event but I’m sure it’ll be fun to watch. I’m really looking toward to this ppv and think that so far this brand spilt had been a huge success – Rick Beslin

OVERALL THOUGHTS Part 3

Aside from the goofiness of the ending to Raw, WWE really has set themselves up to make good on what happened at Summerslam in both single brand debut PPVs. Seven matches that actually all seem like they could be awesome, every title being defended, keeping with tradition (thank you for that), and the first title defense for TJ Perkins make this a show that could be a show-stealer for the year. – Patrick Ketza

Clash of Champions is stacking up to be a very good card. The main event, Owens vs. Rollins, should be very good, as both men are excellent performers. From there, the US Title match between Rusev and Reigns should be a good smash mouth match between two juggernauts. However, it won’t be the best hard hitting match of the evening, as Sheamus and Cesaro go into match 7 of their series, which has been very physical already. Gallows and Anderson finally seem to be being taken seriously finally, which could lead to a great match between them and the New Day.

Charlotte defending against Bayley and Sasha Banks has the potential to be a classic if given enough time. Also if given enough time, TJ Perkins and Brian Kendrick can absolutely steal the show the the technical capabilities they have. Don’t forget the contest between two great individuals in Chris Jericho and Sami Zayn. If this show is paced well, it can be one of the best Events of the year, as the card is one of the best I’ve seen in awhile – Noah Mooney

Farewell For Now

Well, that’s it for our W2Mnet WWE Clash of Champions 2016 Preview. Let us know your predictions for the show in the comments. In addition, join us in October for WWE’s next PPV No Mercy. There should be a Wrestling 2 the MAX EXTRA review on Monday morning.

Sean, Gary, and Paul have their customary WWE special event preview on this week’s Wrestling 2 the MAX.