5 things WWE SmackDown got right before Clash of Champions

#3 Sami Zayn gains some momentum on SmackDown

A sign of things to come this Sunday at #WWEClash of Champions?? #ICTitle@SamiZayn picks up the win on #SmackDown! pic.twitter.com/rWKXRkRynY

— WWE (@WWE) September 26, 2020

This week’s WWE SmackDown before Clash of Champions opened up with AJ Styles coming out to the ring for The Intercontinental Championship Ascension Ceremony.

Jeff Hardy, Sami Zayn, and Styles all had something to say to each other before their match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship at Clash of Champions. Styles and Hardy agreed that Zayn was lucky to even be a part of the match on Sunday.

Zayn then hit both his opponents with a ladder before trying to leave. However, Adam Pearce came out and added Zayn to the match between Hardy and Styles to make it a Triple Threat affair.

Will the #ICTitle once again become #Phenomenal THIS SUNDAY at #WWEClash of Champions?!@JEFFHARDYBRAND @SamiZayn pic.twitter.com/YkcDCiZl4j

— WWE (@WWE) September 26, 2020

While all three men performed really well, The Great Liberator took advantage of a Phenomenal Forearm from Styles to Hardy and stole the pin for the victory.

Not only did this allow Zayn to pin the actual Intercontinental Champion, but it also helped him build momentum before the big match. While historically the person who scores the victory before a pay-per-view usually goes on to lose the big match that follows, WWE has pulled back on such bookings in recent times.

Hopefully, The Great Liberator will finally become the one and only Intercontinental Champion on WWE SmackDown following Clash of Champions.