Ranking the buildup to every match at WWE Clash of Champions

#3 Jeff Hardy vs. AJ Styles Vs. Sami Zayn - WWE Intercontinental Championship

Tensions have been high since the return of Sami Zayn

Since the return of Sami Zayn, there has been much dispute over who is the true WWE Intercontinental Champion. Zayn was unable to defend the championship as he was away from WWE, which led to a tournament to determine a new champion, which was won by AJ Styles.

By the time Zayn made his return to WWE, Jeff Hardy had defeated AJ Styles to become the new Intercontinental Champion. Due to the intense rivalry between all three Superstars, a ladder match for Clash of Champions was booked to determine the undisputed champion.

Are we looking at the new, 𝑷𝒉𝒆𝒏𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒂𝒍 #ICChampion?A picture is worth 1,000 words as @AJStylesOrg stands on top of a ladder with the #ICTitle! #SmackDown #WWEClash @SamiZayn @JEFFHARDYBRAND pic.twitter.com/uV029BUCzx

— WWE (@WWE) September 26, 2020

On the go-home episode of SmackDown, the show opened with a championship ascension ceremony for Hardy and Zayn to hang their title belts above the ring in preparation for their match at Clash of Champions.

However, the segment ended in chaos when Sami Zayn pushed a ladder onto Styles and Hardy, and Adam Pearce appeared to call an immediate triple threat match between the trio.

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

Having the three stars face off in this manner mere days before their championship match could have been a strange call, but it only added more fuel to the rivalry. I

t gave a great preview of what is to come at Clash of Champions, and hinted towards even more conflict between the three, as Sami Zayn won, but AJ Styles climbed the ladder to reach the belts hanging above the ring, not giving a clear indicator of who could be the potential winner.