Clash of Champions 2019 Preview: Huge Tag Team Break-Up, Surprise return after main event?

We're about halfway through the month and we're set for yet another solid PPV - WWE Clash of Champions 2019. WWE has been on quite a good streak. If you discount WWE Super ShowDown this year (and we'll choose to, for obvious reasons), then WWE hasn't put on a single bad PPV since February!

That's right. They've been on a really good streak as a whole and post-WrestleMania, they have delivered in back-to-back PPVs. It helped that the expectations were low to begin with. Before every PPV, we keep saying it - the lower the expectations, the bigger WWE somehow manages to deliver.

This time around, the card is quite stacked, so we hope that this doesn't jinx it and lead to a bad PPV. But in our estimation, it won't happen because we'll be seeing fresh directions going forward after the PPV, particularly with SmackDown's FOX move.

(Note: Drew Gulak also defends the Cruiserweight title against Lince Dorado and the up and coming Humberto Carrillo)

#10. Becky Lynch (c) vs Sasha Banks - RAW Women's Championship

On a personal level, we must admit that this is the most exciting match of the night. Sasha Banks returned to Monday Night RAW after over four months away. To no-one's surprise, she targetted the RAW Women's Champion Becky Lynch (but Natalya first) and the two have a date set up for Clash of Champions.

While they have had throwaway matches on RAW in 2015 and 2016, this is their most important match against each other since NXT Takeover: Unstoppable. The Man is the champion now but she faces her toughest challenge since WrestleMania 35.

The real question is whether The Man will be able to stabilise The Boss. It's going to be a really interesting match-up and expect the two women to put on fireworks, potentially even stealing the show.

#9. The New Day (c) vs The Revival - SmackDown Tag Team Championship

It feels as though we're long overdue for a big New Day vs The Revival title match. We mustn't forget that two years ago, it was The Revival who made a huge debut on the RAW after WrestleMania 33 - at New Day's expense.

They injured The New Day for a while and since then, the two teams haven't really crossed paths all that much. At long last, we will see the match, and the SmackDown Tag Team Champions will do everything in their power to make sure that the title doesn't go to RAW.

#8. Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross (c) vs Sonya Deville & Mandy Rose - WWE Women's Tag Team Championship

The SmackDown duo of Fire & Desire managed to weasel their way into contention thanks to a win over the champions in a non-title match. Given the overall lack of contenders, this is probably the best possible match-up to make at this point in time.

We anticipate that Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross will find a way to keep the titles intact and will continue to prove themselves as strong, fighting champions. However, don't count the challengers out.

#7. Bayley (c) vs Charlotte Flair - SmackDown Women's Championship

This is Bayley's first title defence since her big attitude change a few weeks ago. She turned on Becky Lynch to re-align with Sasha Banks, and showed her ruthlessness to The Queen Charlotte Flair as well.

Things are going to get really interesting because it's yet another Horsewoman vs Horsewoman match on the same card. We do expect Bayley to retain, primarily if there's going to be interference from Sasha Banks.

Either way, this is the highest-level match-up that there is in the SmackDown Women's division at the moment and we couldn't be more excited.

#6. Roman Reigns vs Erick Rowan

Roman Reigns will finally have his chance to get his hands on Erick Rowan - the man who has been tormenting him since late July. It was revealed a few weeks ago that Rowan was, in fact Reigns' attacker.

Rowan has been getting the upper hand on both Reigns and Daniel Bryan and this time, there won't be any attacks from behind. It's going to be a straight-up one-on-one bout and expect Reigns to walk away with the victory. However, if Rowan does win, it will only be with the help of Luke Harper.

#5. AJ Styles (c) vs Cedric Alexander - United States Championship

Cedric Alexander is, without doubt, one of the fastest-rising superstars on Monday Night RAW. Even in defeat, his stock has grown big time and though he wasn't able to defeat AJ Styles in the singles match (only winning by DQ), he did pin him later that night in a multi-person tag team match-up.

Since he pinned the champion, he was granted a title shot at WWE Clash of Champions 2019. Alexander has yet another big challenge on his plate as he steps up and faces one of the most elite Superstars in the entire industry.

It's going to be interesting to see whether AJ Styles manages to use the numbers game in his favour again.

#4. Kofi Kingston (c) vs Randy Orton - WWE Championship

Kofi Kingston looks to end this rivalry for good

Kofi Kingston and Randy Orton's personal rivalry has boiled over on SmackDown Live. Week after week, The Viper has been playing mind games with Kofi Kingston by using The Revival's help.

Expect a big faction war to begin as The New Day get involved against the trio of Orton and The Revival. This could be the start of a huge storyline.

#3. Shinsuke Nakamura (c) vs The Miz - Intercontinental Championship

Shinsuke Nakamura faces one of the greatest Intercontinental Champions

The Miz has been having a bit of a problem on SmackDown Live. Every time he's tried to confront Shinsuke Nakamura, Sami Zayn has been in a thorn in his side, helping cause an ambush of sorts.

The Miz hasn't looked good at all but has challenged Nakamura to an Intercontinental Championship match in which he will try to equal Chris Jericho's record-setting 9 title reigns.

But with Sami Zayn clearly in Nakamura's corner, will The Miz be able to do so?

#2. Seth Rollins & Braun Strowman (c) vs Robert Roode & Dolph Ziggler - RAW Tag Team Championship

Seth Rollins & Braun Strowman surprisingly ended up winning the tag team titles together despite the fact that Strowman clearly had one eye on the Universal Championship. Rollins acknowledged this and granted him a Universal title match as well.

However, since all titles must be defended, both Rollins & Strowman must pull double duty. Expect the new tag team of Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode to pick up the tag team titles after the champions have a break-up mid-match.

There will be a huge clash of egos that will only fuel the main event.

#1. Seth Rollins (c) vs Braun Strowman - WWE Universal Championship

Once the bell rings for the main event, any sense of familiarity will be put aside. The two may be walking in as Tag Team Champions, but one man could end up walking out with absolutely nothing.

This is going to be a huge match and by the time they're in it, there may be quite a bit of bad blood. Regardless, it's the type of environment that Seth Rollins thrives in. Despite the fact that the main event comprises of two big egos, it has been a pleasant surprise that there hasn't really been much of a conflict.

Sure, Braun Strowman has shown moments of insecurity, but he hasn't exactly hidden the fact that he wants to compete for the Universal title again.

We do expect Rollins to come out with the shocking upset, especially since he did just beat Brock Lesnar clean a month ago. However, expect Bray Wyatt to interject himself post-match and assault the winner purely to make a statement. Will either man survive the great battle?

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