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Clash of Champions this year was truly worthy of being the last Pay-Per-View of 2017. The WWE Universe was buzzing with anticipation, with many important matches on the card, including all championships on the blue brand being on the line. The fans were rewarded with many stand-out moments such as, a glorious performance in the US Championship triple-threat match, a Rusev Day encore, a chaotic but fantastic lumberjill match, and the main event contest which saw AJ Styles cement his spot at the top of the 'House that AJ Styles Built'.
Many positives can be taken from this year's Clash of Champions. And because of this, and partly due to the fact that just like Chris Jericho, I have an obsession with making lists, I have compiled a list of the top five positives that the WWE Universe can take from the last Pay-Per-View of 2017, as we swiftly take a turn towards the Road to Wrestlemania.
#5 Mojo bulldozes through the Clash of Champions Kick-off show
Tag teams in the WWE seem to resemble Jerry Lawler's relationships; they don't last long and they usually don't end amicably. After being on a poor run of form, Mojo Rawley and Zack Ryder's Hype Bros experience came to a shattering end on 28 November, after Mojo attacked Ryder and drowned any hype that was left for the two. Fans could see this happening, as the bond between the duo was gradually eroding away with each loss.
Although Zack Ryder (who had the biggest moment of his career at Wrestlemania 32, winning the Intercontinental Championship in a ladder match) is clearly a talented superstar, it was definitely time for Mojo to make a bigger name for himself. Mojo won the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at Wrestlemania 33, but ever since just hasn't gained enough momentum to capitalise on such an accolade. In fact, it was his rival at the time and runner-up in the same battle royal, Jinder Mahal who got the big push, with Mojo slipping back into low card tag team action.
But finally, Mojo bulldozed his way past Zack Ryder at Clash of Champions, pretty much demolishing his former partner in the process. Mojo finishes 2017 on a giant high, and I can see bigger things for the former NFL defensive linesman in 2018. Perhaps, Mojo will be challenging for the US Championship as Wrestlemania 34 approaches.
#4 A 'Gloriously Awesome' US Championship triple-threat match
Without a heavy build-up to this US Championship triple-threat match, the fans thought it was a bit awry, to say the least, having Dolph Ziggler and Bobby Roode both feud with 'The Lone Wolf'. However, after putting on possibly the match of the evening, with chants of 'This is Awesome' raining down on this US Championship affair, I think it's clear that the WWE has done something right this time.
And what a shock it was, seeing Dolph Ziggler, the underdog for this contest, walking out with the gold in his grasp. Although Corbin's reign was described similarly to his Money in the Bank attempt, as a 'squandering' on the part of 'The Lone Wolf', I think this three-man feud could get exciting in the weeks to come. Dolph Ziggler is back on top (of the mid-card only, sorry Ziggler), Baron Corbin is always at his most intense when he's avenging a prior embarrassment, and the Roode-Ziggler feud stays fresh.
But the most positive part I took out of this match, was that Bobby Roode truly looked 'Glorious'. And it's only a matter of time before he establishes himself as a top contender on the main show, just like he was in NXT, and TNA across the past decade. Personally, I want to see Roode turn heel eventually, but before this happens, I expect this feud will hot up further, culminating at Wrestlemania 34.
#3 Thousands of backing singers for Rusev Day?
On the thirteenth day of Rusev my partner gave to me...thousands of cheering fans?! Was it just me, or was I hearing things? (Other than an angelic rendition of the Twelve Days of Rusev) But it seems like Rusev Day and Aiden English might have a few tryouts for their potential backing singers. The fans at Clash of Champions raised a ruckus for the unlikely duo of Aiden English and Rusev.
For me, their sudden popularity overshadowed the entire match, as near fall after near fall, as Rusev and English nearly picked up the victory, the fans were completely on their side. Now, maybe it's the voice of English that has mesmerised the WWE Universe, or it's the fact that the WWE Universe can see the potential in these two men, with both their charisma and in-ring abilities being strong. But I think it's time for Rusev Day to celebrate not only in song but also with the tag team championships in hand.
However, quite rightly, the Usos look likely to close this year with the belts intact. The Usos have risen to a different level across 2017, alongside teams such as the New Day and a couple of others that rival them on Raw. The tag team division is looking more exciting and it's largely down to the performances of the Usos. However, it's clear from last night's reception, that if the Usos were to drop the championships, then Rusev Day would make quite a vocal case as for why they should be Smackdown Tag Team Champions.
#2 Yep, the Sami and Kevin show returns for a new series
The Yep Movement provided us with such an intriguing and intricate storyline as we approached Clash of Champions. With so many directions that WWE creative could go with this, fans were speculating wildly about what could pan out during the battle between Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens against Randy Orton & Shinsuke Nakamura. But it wasn't just the competitors the fans were speculating about, more of the focus was on the two Special Guest Referee's for the match, Smackdown General Manager Daniel Bryan, and Smackdown Commissioner Shane McMahon.
The match kicked off and a buzz was in the air, as finally, we had a storyline that wasn't too predictable. We knew tension was going to be caused by both Bryan and McMahon wearing the black and white stripes, but we didn't know for sure how this would result. Could we be seeing the last of the Sami and Kevin show? Could Daniel Bryan be behind the Yep Movement? Will Shane McMahon screw Kevin and Sami out of their jobs? Will Bryan and McMahon come to blows? Will Randy Orton turn on his partner yet again? Will Daniel's beard somehow escape his face and therefore all of his powers be rendered useless? So many possibilities to consider.
However, WWE played this perfectly, as we saw the tension between Daniel and Shane grow stronger, with the question remaining on the fans minds, is Daniel Bryan working with the Yep Movement? He certainly quick counted 'The Viper' down for the three count, but only after Shane O'Mac purposely stopped counting Orton down for the count. And the best part of all, we still get to tune into the Sami and Kevin show every Tuesday night.
#1 AJ Styles defeats the Modern Day Maharaja and retains the WWE Championship
Yes, I'm sure I'm not the only fan ecstatic about the ending of Clash of Champions, as AJ Styles defends his WWE Championship against Jinder Mahal. Styles will now likely celebrate the New Year as WWE Champion, for the second consecutive time. The Phenomenal One completed 2016 with the top prize in the industry, after one of the most successful debut years in WWE history and now he does that same as we close 2017.
I have to give Jinder Mahal credit though. As good a year as AJ Styles has had, Jinder has had even better. Going from jobber to world champion in the space of a month, he held the title for 170 days and defeated the likes of Randy Orton and Shinsuke Nakamura. He's also improved massively, on the mic, in the ring and as a believable main event challenger. But where does Jinder go from here? Many people believe he would be more suited to the US Championship, possibly a feud with John Cena will keep him in the spotlight?
But quite rightly, AJ Styles carries the WWE Championship into the new year and towards what should be, a phenomenal Road to Wrestlemania.
Click this link here to see my previous article on who could potentially challenge Styles at the Royal Rumble.
And click here to see who could potentially challenge Styles at Wrestlemania 34.
