5 smart booking decisions WWE made at Clash of Champions 2019

A truly eventful show.
A truly eventful show.

Clash of Champions 2019 came to a thrilling end and that means it's full steam ahead to the next big pay-per-view on WWE's calendar, Hell in a Cell 2019. However, let's not jump right onto the road to WWE's next show just yet, as the fallout from Clash of Champion 2019 did have quite a few noteworthy moments.

This is the only night of the year where all main roster Championships in the company are defended and hence, it's no surprise that we saw multiple title changes during the show. Yet, many fans in the WWE Universe feel these title changes are not that significant in the grander scheme of things.

However, while some decisions WWE took may have seemed a bit out of place, there is some praise to be given to the creative team. From shocking returns to cliffhanger endings, let's analyse some of the smart decisions WWE made at Clash of Champions 2019.


#5 Kofi keeps going strong

Kofi is on a roll.
Kofi is on a roll.

Kofi Kingston walked into Clash of Champions 2019 ready to contest the biggest match of his career. A match with Randy Orton may not seem like a huge deal at first. However, when you delve deep into the history these two men have with each other, you can see why it is such a massive moment for the New Day member.

It's well documented that Orton's problems with Kingston back in 2010 ended the high flying superstar's chances in the limelight. And WWE did an excellent job of using those real-life incidents to build heat around this programme during the build-up. Therefore, when it came down to it, Kingston beating Orton clean was a smart decision.

Whether Orton won or lost, it wouldn't affect the bonafide legend's credibility, but it did matter when it came down to Kingston. Kingston is a rookie when it comes to the main event scene, and WWE has been doing a great job in making his title run feel progressive. From Daniel Bryan to Randy Orton, Kingston is going places, and WWE is smartly taking him there in the best way possible.

#4 Luke Harper To The Rescue

Harper could finally get a good push.
Harper could finally get a good push.

When Luke Harper announced on Twitter that he wanted to leave WWE, fans felt a hint of disappointment, as this man was something special. Harper's rise to superstardom in 2017 warranted a proper push for the man, but WWE didn't capitalise on his red hit momentum.

Instead, Harper wandered for months with no real purpose until he reunited with Erick Rowan to form The Bludgeon Brothers. The Bludgeon Brothers enjoyed tremendous success during their run as the tag team division's top dog, but an injury for Harper saw the group disband.

However, at the Clash of Champions pay-per-view, WWE pulled the biggest shock of the night when Harper returned to the ring and cost Roman Reigns a win over Rowan. This is possibly the smartest decision of the night, as the Bludgeon Brothers reuniting gives an added layer of depth to Smackdown Live with two menacing heels on the loose.

It's interesting to see where WWE takes this narrative, as Daniel Bryan's involvement and Reigns reaction to the situation will make it all the more intriguing.


#3 A Reason For The Cell

Becky and Sasha would elevate the next WWE event.
Becky and Sasha would elevate the next WWE event.

How many times have you questioned the matches WWE book inside the Hell in a Cell? Well, if you started to grow tired of the countless matches WWE has put inside the Hell in a Cell over the years, then welcome to the club. Fans believe this match has been watered down, as we have seen so many lukewarm battles contested inside the Hell in a Cell.

The purpose of the structure is to contain to Superstars that are at the boiling point of their feud, and it seems like we have our first true rivalry that will take the pay-per-view by storm this year. Sasha Banks vs Becky Lynch may have ended by DQ, but the post-match beatdown was far more critical than the technicality of the finish.

Banks and Lynch battled all over the arena until referees separated them, and this is a clear indication that the two Horsewomen need to sort out their differences inside Hell in a Cell.

#4 Rowan Conquers Roman

Who saw this coming?
Who saw this coming?

When Erick Rowan turned on Daniel Bryan and revealed that he was the man who secretly targeted Roman Reigns, fans were shocked. No one saw this twist coming, as Rowan proclaimed that he was tired of being a pawn in other wrestler's games, and is a self-reliant monster with a motivation.

Therefore, WWE set the stage for an epic battle between a seething Reigns and Rowan at the Clash of Champions pay-per-view. While the match could have been higher in quality, the return of Luke Harper was a high point that made up for it. However, the biggest thing to happen in this match was Rowan beating Reigns in the centre of the ring.

Rowan was an underdog in this match even though he dominated Reigns in the build-up, so, no one thought WWE would give Rowan a huge victory over Reigns. This was an intelligent decision on WWE's part to provide rowan with this added boost of momentum, as he will need it going forward.


#5 Tune In Next Time

A reason to watch RAW
A reason to watch RAW

Braun Strowman failed in a big World Title match for the sixth time in his career, and that is a statistic that WWE fans would like to forget. Seth Rollins beating Strowman at Clash of Champions was almost a given, as WWE made it clear that Rollins is their top star going forward.

Rollins' victory came after hitting three curb stomps and a pedigree on the former Wyatt Family member. Speaking of Wyatt Family members, WWE booked a seriously good cliffhanger after the match. Bray Wyatt made an appearance at the pay-per-view to attack Rollins during the closing moments of the show, and this was a brilliant move by WWE.

Clash of Champions 2019 was a hit and miss show, as some of WWE's creative decisions did not land, but by setting up Rollins vs Wyatt, they ended the show with a bang. This is a brilliant decision that will make fans tune into RAW, as Rollins' next challenger will freshen up the Universal Title scene.

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