Clash of Champions 2017

[WingedEagle]

This one's a cluster. If my math is correct, we have 3 official matches remaining. Even if likely that a match or segment is added to fill in time, I'm crossing my fingers they can close up shop by 11.

[Zoo Enthusiast]

This women’s match was pretty poor, as expected. I just can’t fathom caring about a Natalya match.

[hammerva]

Haven't not watched Smackdown since they debuted, that ring gear and entrance music is just terrible.

 

But they are really awesome at beating the crap out of people

[topropepodcast]

The Bludgeon Brothers ring gear felt like someone decided to rip off War Machine, but poorly.

[Zoo Enthusiast]

Wait, so the special ref match is now?

[hammerva]

I guess I can see Styles vs Jinder as the main event although now I am even more worried about a title change. Although it seems like this tag match is more main event than the title match

[Zoo Enthusiast]

I guess I can see Styles vs Jinder as the main event although now I am even more worried about a title change. Although it seems like this tag match is more main event than the title match

Would also think it makes a turn less likely in this match.

[hammerva]

This 2 refs in the ring at the same time is a horrible idea

[WingedEagle]

Who would've guessed this show would nose dive after a Baron Corbin triple threat?

[Edwin]

When will there be a PPV where the commentators table isn't broken in the co-main event and/or in the main event?

 

It's getting pretty predictable it will happen once per PPV at least.

[hammerva]

I was sure that Shane accidentally poked Bryan in the eye there but it wouldn't surprise me if that is part of the finish

[Zoo Enthusiast]

Hey, Bryan sort of took a bump. Thats the story of this show.

[Edwin]

So Shane vs. Bryan at WM 34?

[Edwin]

I thought the match was underwhelming, but that finish was pretty neat.

[hammerva]

Seriously there is no way to tell who was the heel in that one. Shane screwed Zayn with a screw job 2 count and then Bryan screwed Orton with a past count.

 

And like I said, I would hate for Bryan first match back be against someone who has no idea where his punches and kicks are going. Did you see AJ Styles face after WM last year

[EricR]

Did you see his face just from waving his arms after Orton hit a DDT?

[sek69]

Man, if Jinders gyno gets any worse WWE wont be PG anymore.

[goodhelmet]

His what?

[Childs]

Styles-Mahal was excellent. In AJ we trust.

[sek69]

His man boobs caused by ster....er his vigorous new training regimen.

[WingedEagle]

So the crowd in Boston was dead much of the way and I can't blame them given everything that's happened since the opener. But AJ Styles killed himself, working a smart match along the way and bumping his ribs in every imaginable way, including many that didn't require a whole lot of help from Jinder. Throw in the early work on the leg to set up the Calf Crusher finish and this was a pretty damn good match. Easily Jinder's best.

 

***1/4

[hammerva]

Definitely Jinder's best match in the WWE and not because Styles carried him either.

[Strummer]

Any idea who AJ faces at the Rumble? They still probably will go with Nak down the line but I don't think they go in that direction now They could do a 3 way with KO and Zayn but I don't see them doing two three way title matches on the same show. Orton is probably who they go with

[Johnny Sorrow]

AJ is the best in the world, and can carry anyone. That being said, he can also lead a match with someone who has something to prove. And thats what Jinder did. Jinder was fantastic.

And I loved the tag four way. My nephew was going crazy for it, Rusev and English are awesome and Gable became a star.

[C.S.]

I forgot there was a PPV and ended up cherry-picking what I watched.

 

- Mojo vs. Ryder was nothing special, but man, Mojo is a much better heel than I expected. He reminds me of the crazed psychopath jock type.

 

- I was kind of expecting Ziggler to win the U.S. Title in the match between him, Bobby Roode, and Baron Corbin, but make no mistake, it's still a surprising result. Otherwise, I can't bring myself to care about any of the three.

 

- Rusev Day is fun, and I'm glad English is getting something, but I can't help but think he'd be nowhere without Rusev (even though he's more than carrying his fair share) and Rusev deserves to be much higher on the totem pole than this.

 

- I mostly skipped the women's match. What was with Nattie's meltdown and mouth at the end? Did she get busted open during the match?

 

- The KO-Sami vs. Orton-Nakamura match was nothing special from an in-ring standpoint, but it was great sports-entertainment. What's with Orton's hair though? And Nakamura seems to be moving at half-speed. While watching Nakamura against Sami Zayn tonight, it really dawned on me - not for the first time - that Nak's entire main roster run has been such a disappointment compared to his hot NXT debut against Zayn.

 

- I skipped most of AJ vs. "That Indian Guy." Did I miss out? Maybe. But I don't care about the match or feud. I supported Jinder's reign but it got exhausting. I love AJ's matches, but I'm ready for him to move on to something else.

 

- Imagine if Dolph Ziggler had been the one to end Mahal's reign. I know I sound crazy advocating for that over the reign we currently have with the MVP of WWE, AJ Styles, but hear me out! Yes, Ziggler is tired, stale, and no longer means anything - but a surprise win over the then-dominant Jinder would have been a genuine feel good moment and heated Ziggler right back up. His U.S. Title win feels like a meaningless consolation prize because the U.S. Title in general is pretty meaningless. It was cool during the Cena Open Challenge and KO Face of America reigns, but I haven't cared about the title otherwise since the WCW days.