'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Seth Rollins and Braun Strowman kicked off Clash of Champions as they got ready to defend the RAW Tag Team Championships. The kickoff show saw Drew Gulak defeat Humberto Carrillo and Lince Dorado to retain the WWE Cruiserweight Championship and AJ Styles defeat Cedric Alexander to retain the United States title.
Seth Rollins & Braun Strowman (c) vs. Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode - RAW Tag Team Championship match
Braun Strowman started the match against Robert Roode and the Monster was in control early on and Roode tagged in Ziggler. Strowman took down Ziggler with a Big Boot and Roode as well who was now ringside.
Rollins tagged in threw Ziggler outside but after Roode was tagged in. Rollins was outside and took a DDT on the floor from Ziggler. Roode hit a Suplex on Rollins in the ring but failed to capitalize. Rollins hit a blockbuster on Roode who tagged Ziggler back in.
Rollins hit a Falcon Arrow and tagged in Braun who wiped out Roode who was now legal. Rollins was back in and took a spine buster from Roode.
Roode was getting ready for a Glorious DDT on Strowman but Braun pushed him into Rollins who fell over. Braun went outside and in the confusion, Rollins took a DDT from Roode and was pinned for the titles.
Result: Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode def. Seth Rollins & Braun Strowman and became the new RAW Tag Team Champions
Match rating: A
In a backstage interview, Strowman said he didn't lose the titles, Seth Rollins did, just like he was going to lose the Universal Championship later in the night.
Still backstage, Becky Lynch was confident that both she and Rollins would remain champs at the end of the night.
Next up was the SmackDown Women's Championship match between Bayley and Charlotte Flair.
Bayley (c) vs. Charlotte - SmackDown Women's Championship match
Charlotte rushed Bayley as the match began and went for an early pin but Bayley was too fresh to stay down. Charlotte took Bayley outside and began tossing her into the barricades, trying to break her down.
Charlotte targeted Bayley's knees and put pressure on it. She tried a Figure Four, but Bayley rolled her up. Charlotte got up and hit the Big Boot for a near fall. Bayley took off the padding on the bottom turnbuckle while the official was looking away and drove Charlotte into it face first.
Charlotte was hurt badly and Bayley took advantage and got the victory with a cheap move!
Result: Bayley def. Charlotte and retained the SmackDown Women's Championship
Match rating: B
The Revival were out next to challenge Big E and Xavier Woods of the The New Day for the SmackDown Tag Team Championships.
The New Day (c) vs. The Revival - SmackDown Tag Team Championship match
Xavier Woods and Scott Dawson kicked off the match and Wilder was tagged in early while Big E took out Dawson on the outside. Tags were made and Big E was caught in a chokehold by Dawson but managed to power through. Wilder came back in and took a Belly to Belly Suplex before Woods was tagged in.
Dawson took a Hurricanrana from Woods and then a huge DDT for a near fall. Wilder and Dawson took on Big E on the outside and hit the Shatter Machine on the concrete. The Revival double-teamed Woods in the ring and took out his damaged knee. They hit the Shatter Machine on Woods before Dawson locked in a hold to further damage Wood's knee.
Woods managed to hold on for a bit but finally tapped out, crowning the new Champions!
Result: The Revival def. The New Day and became the new SmackDown Tag Team Champions
Match rating: A
The Women's Tag Champs had a little run-in with R-Truth and Carmella backstage before Alexa set the entire roster after Truth and his title.
Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross (c) vs. Mandy Rose & Sonya DeVille - Women's Tag Team Championship match
Cross and Rose started off the match and Nikki taunted Rose by doing her dance move after takinmg her down. Bliss tagged in and slapped Mandy in the face before taunting her more. The Champs were dominating when R-Truth and his 'followers' rushed the ring. Alexa almost got a pin on Truth but the 24/7 Champ ran into the stands after kicking out and the match resumed.
The challengers took control afte the distraction and Cross broke up a crucial pin on Alexa. Nikki got the tag and hit a neckbreaker off the ropes on Mandy to secure the pin and and retain their titles.
Result: Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross def. Mandy Rose & Sonya DeVille to retain the Women's Tag Team Championship
Match rating: A
Sami Zayn came out in a neckbrace and cribbed about the Undertaker hitting him with a chokeslam which left him with a neck injury before introducing Nakamura.
Shinsuke Nakamura (c) vs. The Miz - Intercontinental Championship match
The Miz was in control early on while Zayn commentated loudly on the mic before his audio was cut off. Nakamura hit a huge knee to the back of The Miz's neck off of a distraction from Zayn. Miz hit knees in the corner and a DDT before hitting the 'It' kicks.
Miz locked in the Figure Four and Shinsuke got to the ropes. Zayn got involved and the champ failed to capitalize. Miz countered the Kinshasa and hit the Skull Crushing Finale and Zayn kept the official from counting.
Miz chased after Zayn allowing Nakamura to hit two finishers and get the three-count.
Result: Shinsuke Nakamura def. The Miz to retain the Intercontinental Championship
Match rating: A
Becky Lynch (c) vs. Sasha Banks - RAW Women's Championship match
Becky went on the offensive first and took control of the match. Sasha managed to fight back with kicks in the corner and then a submission hold. Sasha hit a Meteora but failed to get the three-count.
Becky hit a double dropkick and got back some momentum before Sasha almost locked in the Banks Statement. Backy hit a Bexploder and Sasha managed to kick out. Banks hit another Meteora but Becky kicked out this time.
Becky locked the Disarmher but Banks found the ropes. Banks hit two backstabbers and got the Banks Statement before going for a steel chair. The official went to remove it from the ring when Banks used a second chair to hit Bayley, again failing to get the three-count.
Another chair came into play and this time Backy accidentally hit the official with it. Becky hit Banks with the chair next and the match went into the stands and up the stairs.
Becky Lynch (c) vs. Sasha Banks - RAW Women's Championship match (contd...)
The match went to the concession area and Banks was in trouble as they brawled back into the arena. Sasha speared Lynch into the barricade and got back control of the match. We learnt that Becky was disqualified for hitting the official as she used a steel chair to decimate Banks. She used a chair to hit a Disarmher as multiple officials came out to break up the fight.
Result: Sasha Banks def. Becky Lynch via DQ
Match rating: A+
Kofi Kingston (c) vs. Randy Orton - WWE Championship match
Orton got the upper hand early on and just as Kofi managed to get a few shots in, it looked like Randy was about to reatreat up the ramp but came back to the ring. The match went on and Orton was using the barricades to break down Kofi.
Kofi Kingston (c) vs. Randy Orton - WWE Championship match (contd...)
Orton sent Kofi into the ring post and kept breaking the count so keep his assault up. He bounced Kofi's face off the steel steps before they returned to the ring. Kofi hit a top rope move and got some momentum back. The champ hit a dropkick and the Boom Drop, turning the tides in his favour.
Orton countered the Trouble in Paradise and hit a backbreaker, taking down the champ yet again. Kofi sent Orton outside and hit a big dive over the ropes. Kofi hit a crossbody in the ring and Orton replied with a move of his own. Kofi hit the SOS but still, Orton kicked out.
Kofi was caught on the top rope but Orton failed to capitalize and instead hit a power slam. Orton hit a Snake Eyes DDT and Kofi was almost done for. Kofi dodged the first RKO but ate the second but Kofi got his leg up on the ropes.
Orton missed a Punt and Kofi hit the Trouble in Paradise for the win.
Result: Kofi Kingston def. Randy Orton and retained the WWE Championship
Match rating: B
The Street Profits were hyping the King of the Ring Finals when King Booker surprised them backstage and Angelo Dawkins asked him to Knight him. Booker ignored him and told them to set their minds straight.
Roman Reigns vs. Erick Rowan - No DQ Match
Reigns attacked Rowan during his entrance and the match began right away. Rowan took Roman down early on and tossed him around outside. Rowan charged at Reigns who moved away and Rowan went into the steel steps.
A kendo stick came out and the match went into the stands. The two returned to the ring and Rowan hit a top rope move, demolishing the Big Dog. Rowan ripped off the padding on the apron and sent Reigns face first into it.
Rowan brought the steel steps in the ring but Roman hit a Samoan Drop for a two-count. Reigns smashed Rowan with ther steel steps and hit the Superman Punch but Rowan beat the count again.
Roman Reigns vs. Erick Rowan - No DQ Match (contd...)
Reigns was powerbombed through the announce table but still managed to kick out. Reigns took the match into the stands again but took an Iron Claw into an ewipment table, going through it.
Rowan used the camera jig again but Reigns managed to counter and smash him in the face with it. Reigns hit a Superman Punch on the ramp but took a big boot when he charged in for a spear.
Luke Harper came out from nowhere and they sent Roman in the ring and Rowan hit the Iron Claw for the win. The Bludgeon brothers are back after many months!
Result: Erick Rowan def. Roman Reigns
Match rating: A
Seth Rollins (c) vs. Braun Strowman - Universal Championship match
Strowman began the match fast with a shoulder tackle. Rollins went to the back of the knee and tried to take him off his feet. Three Superkick brought Braun down to the ground. He hit the Frog Splash but Strowman threw him off.
Rollins went for the Stomp but Braun just grabbed him and then threw him away. Rollins sidestepped a charge and Braun went straight into the barricades.
Seth Rollins (c) vs. Braun Strowman - Universal Championship match (contd...)
The match went outside and Strowman leveled him with a tackle. Rollins sidestepped again, sending Braun into the German announce table, destroying it. Seth hit two suicide dives and Braun went down again.
Rollins went up the ropes but Strowman ran to the ring and threw him off. Strowman was on the top rope and hit a frogsplash on Rollins, crashing into Rollins with devastating force. Rollins managed to kick out and the match went on.
Braun's knee was injured and Rollins hit a sleeper hold, bringing Braun to his knees. Strowman managed to fight out but then took a stomp, still managing to kick out. Rollins hit another stomp and Braun kicked out yet again. Rollins then hit a third but Braun got his shoulders up.
Rollins was in awe and managed to hit a Pedigree on the injured Strowman, followed by another stomp, this time getting the three-count.
Result: Seth Rollins def. Braun Strowman and retained the Universal Championship
The lights went out as Rollins was celebrating and the Fiend appeared and hit a Sister Abigail on the stage, followed by the mandible claw.
Match rating: A+
PPV rating: A+
A night of shocking returns, unexpected title changes and closing off with a terrifying sight!
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
