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It's the go-home episode for the final PPV of the year and the fans expect nothing but a solid show. WWE has been notorious for putting on half-baked offerings before PPVs this year and would be looking to break the streak and end the year on a high.
The Zayn-Owens saga with the authority figures is the main storyline heading into Clash of Champions and this week would see a great matchup in Kevin Owens and Shinsuke Nakamura.
Follow Sportskeeda's coverage of SmackDown Live here and get minute-by-minute updates
In the other headlining feud heading into Clash of Champions, The Phenomenal One will look to make a statement before his title defence against the Modern Day Maharaja this Sunday. That, and you have the blossoming tag and women's divisions benefitting from the influx of new faces.
This week's show has all the ingredients of an entertaining watch but will WWE SmackDown Live deliver the goods? Here are the five points that could make or break the show:
#1 A Riott before the Clash of Champions?
The lumberjacks for the upcoming SmackDown Women's title match between Charlotte and Natalya will go up against each other in a 6-woman tag team match.
The Riott Squad will look to make quick work of the team of Tamina, Carmella, and Lana and complete pandemonium is the only thing expected after the match. The tensions are running high after being left out of the women's title scene and it could all translate into an all-out brawl between the women of the division.
With the Women's Royal Rumble match all but confirmed, WWE has a great opportunity to show off their insanely strong women's roster, just like they did on Raw this week.
#2 It's Rusev Day in the Uso Penitentiary
It's relieving to see Rusev in a prominent storyline on TV and not just as the bonafide star of Total Divas and Twitter, of course. The rabid popularity of the greatest day in the history of mankind has forced WWE to include the Bulgarian Brute and his sidekick in the tag team titles match at Clash of Champions.
But before the exciting fatal-4 way tag team bout comes our way, Rusev and Aiden English will look to pull off a big upset against the Usos this week. The other contenders in the match Gable & Benjamin and New Day will surely be making their presence felt by ringside in what maintains the volatility of the night.
#3 Will the Indian hangover prove too costly for Jinder Mahal?
Despite losing to Triple H in his historic match in India this past week, Jinder Mahal looks to bounce back in style and gain bragging rights ahead of what could be his final WWE title shot in a very long time.
The Modern Day Maharaja's loss to the King of Kings in his home country signified the end of an unexpected push and it guarantees a successful title defence for Styles. The final face between the contender and champion tonight is bound to get physical and with Singh, Brothers lurking in the blatant shadows, Mahal should get the better of the face that runs the place.
Mahal has one final opportunity to prove his mettle in the ring at Clash of Champions and none better than the man who is can spawn a 5-star classic with The Great Khali, AJ Styles.
#4 The Lone Wolf becomes the prey
Baron Corbin has finally found his feet as the United States Champion after an embarrassing run with the Money in the Bank briefcase. Am impressive showing at Survivor Series and a promising and expectedly long-term programme with Bobby Roode is exactly what doctor asked for.
As for Dolph Ziggler who was added into the equation, laying down on his back and eating the inevitable pinfall is what the creative team has surely asked him to do. The Triple Threat match could be one of the bouts of the night if booked well and given enough time.
The three men would, however, be looking to upstage each other in the final pit stop before the PPV but which man would have the last laugh?
#5 Last SmackDown appearance?
As sad as it sounds, this could be the last time we see the iconic duo of Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn on SmackDown Live. As per Shane McMahon's dictate who is incidentally also the special guest referee for the Clash of Champions match, Owens and Zayn will have to leave WWE if they lose to Randy Orton and Shinsuke Nakamura.
Owens' defiance from last week and the rebellious exploits led to the King of Strong Style coming to the aid of The Viper. Owens will look to gain some retribution when he takes on Nakamura tonight. Whatever happens on Sunday, the finish of the go-home episode of SmackDown promises to be a turbulent affair.
Is it the end of KO and Zayn's WWE careers or do the Canadian best friend have a trick up their sleeve? Will the Shane McMahon-Daniel Bryan friction influence the outcome of the high-stakes Clash Of Champions match?
We'll get all the hints to these questions in a few hours.
