WWE Clash of Champions Report – 9/25/16
– The 2016 WWE Clash of Champions Kickoff pre-show opens live from Indianapolis with Renee Young, Lita, Booker T and Jerry Lawler. They hype the first RAW-exclusive pay-per-view. They hype the show and send us back to the Social Media Lounge with Tom Phillips. Sami Zayn will be joining him later. Fans can submit their questions with #AskSami. The panel leads us to a video on tonight’s WWE United States Title match.
– We go back to the panel for more discussion. Renee hypes tonight’s matches for the women’s division. Sasha Banks is backstage with Andrea D’Marco. She says payback is going to punch Charlotte in the face tonight. Tonight is not about Bayley either, it’s about The Boss as she becomes a two-time champion. Dana Brooke walks up and Andrea leaves. Dana says Sasha should be very afraid tonight. Sasha reminds Dana how Charlotte treats her and threatens Dana if she gets involved. We get a video package for tonight’s Women’s Title match. Sheamus eventually joins the panel. He gives props as his toughest opponent next to Daniel Bryan. Sheamus is confident he will win the Best of 7 Series tonight. We get a video package to hype tonight’s Cruiserweight Title match.
– We get hype for Chris Jericho vs. Sami Zayn and go back to Sami in the Social Media Lounge for fan questions. Sami has had all sorts of highlights in his career but the highlight will be when he wins the WWE Universal Title. Sami says the best gift Jericho could give him tonight is a piece of the old Jericho, the one he looked up to and modeled his career after. Sami says he might have to just settle for beating Jericho up tonight. We go back to the panel for more discussion on that match and the WWE Tag Team Title match. Renee hypes tonight’s pre-show match and sends us to a break.
Nia Jax vs. Alicia Fox
We go to Michael Cole, Corey Graves and Byron Saxton. They hype the next match as Alicia Fox makes her way out. Nia Jax is out next.
The bell rings and Alicia nails a dropkick. She unloads but gets scooped and rammed in the corner. Nia drops Fox and works her over now. Nia with a splash in the corner. Jax tosses Alicia and stomps on her. Nia ragdolls Alicia with a submission now. Alicia tries to make a comeback but gets cut off. Alicia sidesteps out of the corner and finally gets some offense in. Nia won’t go down. Fox gets sent to the apron but drops Nia over the top rope. Fox goes up top and hits a crossbody for a 2 count.
Alicia with the scissors kick for a 2 count. Nia comes back and floors Fox. She scoops her but Alicia slides out. Nia with a running shot in the corner. Nia scoops Alicia for the big Samoan Drop for the win.
Winner: Nia Jax
– After the match, Nia stands tall as we go to replays. Nia makes her exit while Alicia is still down in the ring.
– We go back to the panel for discussion on the match and a WWE Network promo. They hype tonight’s main event and that’s it for the pre-show.
– The 2016 WWE Clash of Champions pay-per-view kicks off with pyro from the Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Michael Cole, Corey Graves and Byron Saxton welcome us.
WWE Tag Team Title Match: Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson vs. The New Day
We go to the ring and out come WWE Tag Team Champions The New Day. Sporting new t-shirts, Big E, Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston hit the ring and cut promos on their opponents. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson are out next.
We see the Spanish and German announce teams at ringside. The bell rings and The Club looks to make quick work of the champions. Anderson with a 2 count on Kofi as Gallows has taken Big E and Xavier Woods down on the floor. Anderson works over Kofi as Gallows comes back to the apron. Gallows comes in and keeps control of Kofi. Big E finally gets a tag as he unloads on Anderson with suplexes. Big E runs the ropes and hits the big splash. More back and forth. Anderson ends up sending Big E into a Gallows boot, leading to a close 2 count on Big E as Kofi breaks it up. Big E launches Anderson to the floor.
Kofi tags again but Anderson nails a spinebuster for a close 2 count. Gallows comes back in but Kofi ducks a boot. Gallows blocks the SOS. Gallows nails a chokeslam on Kofi and superkicks Big E. Anderson comes in and they go for Magic Killer on Kofi but he blocks it. Gallows gets sent tot he floor. Anderson ends up taking a Big Ending but Gallows pulls him out of a 2 count. Big E sends Gallows into the steps. Kofi leaps out onto Gallows. Woods uses Francesca on Anderson while the referee isn’t looking. Big E and Kofi hit the Midnight Hour for the win.
Winners: Big E and Kofi Kingston
– After the match, Gallows checks on Anderson as The New Day makes their exit. We go to replays.
– The announcers lead us to a video package on the cruiserweights.
WWE RAW Cruiserweight Title Match: Brian Kendrick vs. TJ Perkins
Tom Phillips is backstage with RAW Cruiserweight Champion TJ Perkins. He’s been training for this moment since 1998. He admits he’s a bit nervous. Brian Kendrick has been here before and has been a champion before but confidence got TJ to where he is and he’s confident he will leave as champion. He tells Tom to wish him luck and walks off. We go to the ring and out comes Brian Kendrick first. TJ Perkins is out next with the gold, also with a new entrance like Kendrick.
Perkins offers a handshake before the match but Kendrick refuses. Back and forth to start. Kendrick comes out of the corner and takes Perkins down with a headlock. Perkins comes back with some offense and goes for a submission but Kendrick escapes to the floor. Kendrick gets Perkins wrapped up in the apron and beats on him. Kendrick brings it back in and keeps control as we get dueling chants from the crowd. Perkins comes back with some submission holds, including a dab into a Muta Lock. Kendrick gets the ropes. Kendrick ends up sending Perkins to the floor. Kendrick sells a leg injury and limps out. Kendrick brings it back in for a 2 count.
More back and forth. Kendrick comes back in but runs into a kick to the head. Kendrick launches Perkins onto his neck for a 2 count. Kendrick with another submission. Perkins breaks it and hits a mule kick. Perkins looks to make a comeback now. Perkins with a neckbreaker and modified atomic drop for a 2 count. Perkins goes on and ends up on the top. Perkins cuts him off and climbs up. Perkins sends Kendrick to the mat. Perkins jumps and brings both of them to the floor with a hurricanrana over the top. They make it back in before the 10 count. Perkins blocks Sliced Bread and hits a big springboard dropkick to the head. Perkins goes up top but misses as Kendrick moves. Perkins fights off the submission and gets the knee bar applied. Kendrick reverses it and they trade shots. Kendrick nails Sliced Bread for a close 2 count.
More back and forth. Perkins drops Kendrick into a kick and gets the knee bar applied. Kendrick taps for the win.
Winner: TJ Perkins
– After the bell, Perkins hits the turnbuckle to celebrate as JoJo makes the announcement. Andrea comes in to interview Perkins but Kendrick walks in and they shake hands. Kendrick drops Perkins with a headbutt and makes his exit while Perkins looks on.
– Cesaro is backstage with Tom Phillips. He says he will prove who’s mentally tougher tonight, earn his championship opportunity, prove he’s physically dominant and reward the Cesaro Section with the biggest comeback in history. We go back to the announcers for a look at the previous 6 matches.
Best of 7 Series, Match #7: Sheamus vs. Cesaro
We go to the ring and out first comes Sheamus. Cesaro is out next.
Cole shows us the other international announce teams in the arena tonight. The bell rings and they go at it. Cesaro takes Sheamus out on the floor early on. Cesaro with a running uppercut against the barrier before bringing it back in. Sheamus turns it around and covers for a 2 count. Sheamus works on the lower back now. Sheamus comes off the top with a knee drop. Sheamus keeps control and hits a backbreaker.
More back and forth. Cesaro blocks the Celtic Cross with a roll up for 2. Sheamus takes control before running into the corner. Cesaro with an uppercut to the back of the head. Cesaro keeps control and goes for a few pin attempts, also hits the 619. Sheamus blocks the Neutralizer but Cesaro hits the springboard corkscrew uppercut for a 2 count. Cesaro goes for the Cesaro Swing but gets kicked and rolled up for 2. Sheamus with the Irish Curse backbreaker for another 2 count.
Sheamus with two more backbreakers for a 2 count. Sheamus with the Cloverleaf submission now. Cesaro breaks out but Sheamus kicks out. Sheamus with the Celtic Cross into a backbreaker for a 2 count. Lots more back and forth as they go to the floor. I’m having WWE Network issues tonight but the match ends in a No Contest after they both crash through the barrier and the referee refuses to let them continue.
No Contest
– After the match, Sheamus is taken to the back by referees. Fans chant to let them fight as Cesaro stands tall and his music plays.
Sami Zayn vs. Chris Jericho
I missed just about the entire match due to the Network issues but caught Sami hitting the DDT through the turnbuckles. Jericho ends up getting the win with a Codebreaker in what my buddy called a very good match.
Winner: Chris Jericho
– Kevin Owens is backstage when Mick Foley and Stephanie McMahon walk up. Owens is going to show them why they should have drafted him first, why he’s the best and why Seth Rollins is their mistake. Owens walks off. Foley says he loves the chip on Owens’ shoulder.
– We get a video package for the next match.
Triple Threat for the WWE Women’s Title: Bayley vs. Sasha Banks vs. Charlotte
We go to the ring and out first comes Bayley. Sasha Banks is out next, followed by WWE Women’s Champion Charlotte and Dana Brooke. JoJo does formal ring introductions for this one.
The bell rings and they go at it. Sasha and Charlotte brawl to the floor. Bayley takes advantage and brings Charlotte in for a 2 count. Sasha knocks Bayley to get back to Charlotte. Sasha and Bayley have words in the middle of the ring now. Bayley with a 2 count. They go at now. Charlotte ends up taking Sasha out and sending her to the floor. Charlotte and Bayley go at it now.
Sasha and Bayley trade pin attempts now. Charlotte ends up knocking Bayley to the floor and booting Sasha. Charlotte uses the ropes for leverage but Sasha kicks out at 2. Sasha catches Charlotte and gets the Banks Statement applied. Sasha kicks Dana off the apron but Bayley breaks the submission. Sasha gets the hold on Bayley but Charlotte breaks it. They go to the floor and Charlotte launches Sasha into the barrier. The end comes when Charlotte boots Bayley into Sasha, knocking Sasha off the apron. She floors Bayley with another boot and covers for the win.
Winner: Charlotte
– After the match, Charlotte clutches the title as Dana comes in. We go to replays. Charlotte and Dana leave and laugh as Sasha is down on the floor.
– We go back to the panel for discussion on tonight’s show.
– We get a video package for the next match.
WWE United States Title Match: Roman Reigns vs. Rusev
We go to the ring and Lana introduces her husband. WWE United States Champion Rusev makes his way out. Roman Reigns is out next to a mixed reaction.
They go at it to start. Reigns tries for an early Samoan Drop. Rusev goes to the floor for a breather. They come back in and Rusev takes control. Rusev with a kick. Rusev mounts Reigns with strikes. Rusev keeps control and beats Reigns around as fans do dueling chants for Reigns. Rusev with knees as Lana looks on. Reigns looks to make a comeback but Rusev sends him into the corner and to the floor. They trade shots on the floor and seem to lose the crowd even more. Reigns gets launched in to both sets of steps. Rusev brings it back in for a 2 count, and another.
Rusev keeps control and drops a headbutt. Rusev runs into a boot but drops Reigns. Reigns dodges another flying headbutt attempt. Reigns with a Samoan Drop for a 2 count. Reigns unloads with big shots in the corner before clotheslining Rusev over the top. Reigns follows and sends Rusev into the barrier. Reigns sends Rusev face first into the steps. Reigns brings it back in and readies for the Superman punch but Rusev blocks it. Rusev with right hands.
More back and forth and another 2 count by Rusev after a superkick. Rusev stomps and charges but Reigns nails a Superman punch for a close 2 count. Lana distracts Reigns from the apron, allowing Rusev to nail a superkick for a 2 count. Rusev throws a fit and yells at the referee. Rusev stomps on Reigns a few times and goes for The Accolade. Reigns fights it off and hits the spear for the close 2 count as Lana pulls the referee out. The referee yells at her and sends her to the back.
Reigns with a roll up for 2. They go on and Reigns hits a pair of Drive Bys outside of the ring. Reigns brings it back in the ring and waits as some fans boo. Reigns runs into a big kick for a close 2 count by Rusev. Rusev goes right into The Accolade and gets it locked. Reigns powers up with Rusev on his back. Rusev with a shot to the eyes. Rusev charges but Reigns nails a spear for the win.
Winner and New WWE United States Champion: Roman Reigns
– After the match, Reigns is handed the title while still on his knees. He clutches the title and gets to his feet as we go to replays.
– Foley and Stephanie approach Rollins backstage and wish him good luck but he’s not buying it.
– We get a video package for the main event.
WWE Universal Title Match: Seth Rollins vs. Kevin Owens
We go to the ring and out comes Seth Rollins for the main event. WWE Universal Champion Kevin Owens is out next. We get formal introductions from JoJo.
They go at it to start and end up on the floor early on. Rollins with a knee from the apron. They bring it back in and Rollins ends up covering for a 2 count. More back and forth now. Owens drops Rollins over the top but gets kicked for a Pedigree attempt. Owens sends Rollins to the apron. Rollins flies in but has to roll through. Owens ends up dropping Rollins with a DDT for a 2 count. Rollins rolls to the floor and clutches his knee. Owens launches him into the barrier.
Owens keeps control and talks trash while beating Rollins around. Rollins fights back with strikes. Owens nails a big elbow to the forehead for a 2 count. Rollins goes to the floor in pain as Owens mocks him. Owens nails a big elbow from the apron. The referee counts Rollins but he makes it back in at the 7 count. Owens keeps control and keeps Rollins down with a headlock while talking trash.
Owens launches Rollins into the corners and continues to talk trash. Rollins finally makes a comeback and hits Slingblade. Rollins with more offense and a 2 count. Rollins takes apart the Spanish announce table and comes back in. Another close 2 count after more back and forth. Owens blocks a Pedigree and kicks Rollins’ knee out in the corner. Owens with the corner cannonball for a 2 count.
Owens goes for a big powerbomb but it’s blocked. They trade shots. Rollins drops Owens with kicks. Owens ends up going for another cannonball but misses. Rollins comes off the top and misses. Owens catches him and drops him over his knee for a 2 count. Owens goes up top but Rollins kicks him in the head. Rollins climbs up for a superplex but Owens headbutts him to the mat. Rollins climbs back up but Owens nails a huge super Gutbuster. Owens goes back up top and hits a Frogsplash for a close 2 count. Rollins rolls to the floor for a breather. Owens knocks him onto the exposed Spanish announce table. Owens breaks the count and goes back out. He takes apart the German announce table and climbs up.
Owens throws a crotch chop to the referee, telling him to suck it, and to Rollins before leaping with a senton. Rollins moves and Owens crashes through the table. Rollins gets up as fans chant “this is awesome” now. They come back in and Rollins hits the flying knee to the head. Rollins goes back to the top and nails the Frogsplash for a close 2 count. Chris Jericho runs down and distracts Rollins. Owens kicks his ribs and slams him for a close 2 count. Jericho gets back on the apron. Rollins sends Owens into Jericho but he kicks out at 2. Rollins with a knee to the face and a crotch chop. Rollins with a Pedigree for a 2 count as Jericho puts Owens’ leg onto the bottom rope.
Rollins chases Jericho around the ring and back in. Rollins jumps out of a pop-up powerbomb but hits the referee and he goes down. Jericho gets involved again. Rollins blocks another powerbomb and hits the Pedigree. He covers but the referee is still down. Rollins goes to wake the referee up. Jericho attacks from behind and stomps away on Rollins as fans boo. Jericho gets dumped to the floor. Rollins runs the ropes and nails a big dive onto Jericho. He runs back in and nails another dive on Owens on the other side of the ring. Rollins brings Owens back in and gets the referee up from the floor. Stephanie sends another referee out but he stops to check on the first referee. Rollins tells the new referee to get in the ring. Owens nails the pop-up powerbomb as Rollins turns around. Owens covers for the win.
Winner: Kevin Owens
– After the bell, Owens hits the floor with his title and joins Jericho on the ramp. We get replays and come back to Jericho and Owens celebrating while Rollins tries to recover in the ring.
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