Sami Zayn is WWE’s new undisputed Intercontinental Champion.
In the opening match of tonight’s Clash of Champions main card, Sami Zayn defeated Jeff Hardy and AJ Styles in a triple threat ladder match to win the Intercontinental title. Zayn got the win after spots where he handcuffed both of his opponents.
Zayn handcuffed Hardy to a small ladder by using the piercing in Hardy’s earlobe. Soon after that, Zayn stopped Styles from climbing a ladder by handcuffing himself to Styles. Styles tried to climb the ladder despite being handcuffed to Zayn. Hardy got back into the ring while struggling to deal with the ladder that he was handcuffed to. Zayn then revealed that he had the key to the handcuffs in his mouth. He freed himself, handcuffed Styles to the ladder, and retrieved both Intercontinental title belts that were hanging above the ring.
Zayn was interviewed after the match and said he didn’t recapture anything — the title has been his all along and he’s still Intercontinental Champion.
Zayn returned to WWE television last month still claiming to be the rightful Intercontinental Champion. With Zayn having not appeared since retaining the title against Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania 36, the Intercontinental Championship was declared vacant in May. Styles became Intercontinental Champion by winning a tournament in June but lost the title to Hardy on the August 21 episode of SmackDown.
The winner of tonight’s ladder match had to retrieve both Hardy’s Intercontinental title belt and Zayn’s old title belt.
On the Clash of Champions pre-show, WWE announced how they’re handling the situation with two scheduled matches being off tonight’s card.
WWE announced on the pre-show that Nikki Cross, Shayna Baszler, and Nia Jax aren’t medically cleared to compete at Clash of Champions. Bayley was scheduled to defend her SmackDown Women’s Championship against Nikki Cross at tonight’s pay-per-view. Baszler & Jax were supposed to defend their Women’s Tag Team titles against Ruby Riott & Liv Morgan.
It was said that Bayley is in the building and will still appear at Clash of Champions. WWE.com wrote that Bayley will “address the SmackDown Women’s Championship situation tonight on WWE Clash of Champions with her opponent unable to compete.”
WWE also noted that the situation surrounding the Women’s Tag Team titles will be addressed on tomorrow night’s episode of Raw.
Asuka’s Raw Women’s Championship defense against Zelina Vega was originally supposed to be tonight’s pre-show match, but that’s been moved to the main card. Cesaro & Shinsuke Nakamura vs. The Lucha House Party for the SmackDown Tag Team titles is now taking place on the pre-show.
Nearly every main roster title in WWE will be on the line at Clash of Champions tonight.
The WWE Championship will be up for grabs as Drew McIntyre defends against Randy Orton in an ambulance match. In the Universal Championship match, Roman Reigns will defend his title against his cousin Jey Uso.
Bayley was scheduled to defend her SmackDown Women’s Championship against Nikki Cross, but that won’t be happening with Cross off tonight’s show. Whether or not Bayley will get a new opponent remains to be seen. Women’s Tag Team Champions Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax are off the show tonight as well. They were scheduled to defend their titles against Ruby Riott & Liv Morgan.
The Intercontinental title will be on the line in a triple threat ladder match between Jeff Hardy, AJ Styles, and Sami Zayn, Asuka will defend her Raw Women’s Championship against Zelina Vega, and Apollo Crews will challenge Bobby Lashley for the United States Championship.
The Street Profits vs. Andrade & Angel Garza for the Raw Tag Team titles and Cesaro & Shinsuke Nakamura vs. The Lucha House Party for the SmackDown Tag Team titles are tonight’s tag team title matches.
Tonight’s pre-show will begin at 6 p.m. Eastern time, with the main card then kicking off at 7 p.m. Eastern.
**********
Pre-Show
The pre-show started with Charly Caruso and the panel featuring Booker T, JBL, and Pete Rosenberg. Booker T briefly mentioned Retribution and T-Bar. He noted he has immunity tonight. Booker hopes that Retribution shows up.
Caruso announced that Nikki Cross, Nia Jax, and Shayna Baszler are not medically cleared.
Their matches are not taking place. They’ll address the tag-team title situation tomorrow night on Raw.
SmackDown Woman’s Champion Bayley is in the arena and will address her title match later. The panel ran down the line-up for tonight and noted the pre-show match is Cesaro & Shinsuke Nakamura against Lucha House Party.
They showed a great video package recapping Roman Reigns and Jey Uso’s feud. Paul Heyman narrated the video, which featured Afa, Sika, and Rikishi.
Kayla Braxton interviewed Cesaro & Shinsuke Nakamura in the champion’s lounge. They were all drinking champagne. Braxton wondered if they’re celebration is premature. Cesaro noted victory is guaranteed. He mentioned that Lince Dorado and Kalisto haven’t been getting along.
Braxton pointed out that Lucha House Party defeated them a few weeks ago. They kicked her out of the lounge.
The panel discussed Bobby Lashley against Apollo Crews. They recapped Crews’ appearance on Raw Talk. JBL mocked Crews for wanting to win the title for his family. Booker thinks Crews should join up with The Hurt Business.
They then interviewed MVP. Booker buried Cedric Alexander and mocked him for his size and being from the suburbs. MVP defended Alexander and sees something in him. JBL asked MVP where he sees The Hurt Business in six months to one year. That seems like an impossible question to answer. MVP said they want to win more gold.
Caruso angered MVP when she said Crews might win tonight. MVP said that was impossible. It’s like sending Mark Henry out to fight a hurricane. Rosenberg brought up Retribution and asked if they’re a distraction. MVP disagreed. Caruso’s questions annoyed him, so he walked off.
24/7 Champion R-Truth showed up in disguise. They asked if he’s concerned about someone coming after his title tonight. He noted they’d have to find him more first.
Alyse Ashton interviewed Angel Garza & Andrade backstage. She asked how they can get on the same page without Zelina Vega. Garza noted they don’t need baggage holding them down. They realize that Vega was the one causing all the problems between them.
They’re on the same page now and vowed the win the Raw Tag Team titles tonight.
They recapped the feud between Intercontinental Champion Jeff Hardy, A.J. Styles, and Sami Zayn.
Zayn showed up and was furious that they referred to Jeff Hardy as the champion and not him. He noted he went to the production meeting earlier today to make sure Caruso referred to him as the champion.
Zayn was upset that Booker disagreed with him that he should be champion. He’s going to blame Booker if he doesn’t win the title tonight and walked off.
The panel threw it to SmackDown commentators Michael Cole and Corey Graves at ringside for the pre-show match.
SmackDown Tag Team Champions Cesaro & Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Lucha House Party (w/Gran Metalik) to retain the titles
This was a fine match that picked up toward the end. The heels dominated the match for the most part.
Cesaro was firmly in control early in the match. Dorado and Kalisto worked together to take over. Kalisto hit a splash off of Dorado’s shoulders for a near fall. Cesaro briefly regained control, but Dorado hit a missile dropkick.
Nakamura rocked Dorado with a kick to the head, which knocked him to the floor. The heels isolated Dorado on their side of the ring and cut him off from his corner. Cesaro slowed the pace down with a chin lock. Dorado briefly fought back and hit a sunset bomb for a near fall. Cesaro regained control right away with a kick to the head for a two count.
Nakamura missed a running knee in the corner. Dorado fought back and hit a flying crossbody. Cesaro got the tag and knocked Kalisto off the apron. The heels took back over and continued to beat down Dorado.
Dorado fought back, and Kalisto got the hot tag. He hit a springboard flying crossbody and a tilt-a-whirl DDT on Cesaro. Dorado attempted the handspring stunner, but Nakamura blocked the move. Dorado slipped out the back and hit a backstabber instead.
In a cool spot, Kalisto attempted a tornado DDT onto Cesaro on the floor. Cesaro stopped the momentum of the move, but Dorado hit a dive, which enabled Kalisto to hit the DDT. Kalisto hit three moonsaults off of each turnbuckle on Cesaro for a near fall.
Nakamura yanked Dorado off the apron and took him out with a suplex on the floor. The finish came when Cesaro gave Kalisto the giant swing into a knee from Nakamura for the win.
The panel recapped the Drew McIntrye and Randy Orton feud and previewed the Ambulance match later.
Main Show
John Cena narrated the opening video, which was well done.
Triple Threat Ladder Match: Sami Zayn defeated Jeff Hardy and A.J. Styles to win the Intercontinental Championship
This was a great ladder match, although there were a few dangerous and painful-looking spots. All three worked hard in a hard-hitting match.
There were many ladders all around the ringside area, the ramp, and the stage. They showed clips of each competitor in previous ladder matches.
Hardy had the early advantage after hitting a bulldog/clothesline combo on Styles and Zayn. He tried bringing in a ladder, but Styles dropkicked the ladder into Hardy. Zayn then hit a moonsault off the ropes onto Styles.
Zayn beat down both Hardy and Styles with a ladder. He attempted to set up the ladder, but Hardy cut him off. Hardy then backdropped Zayn onto a ladder leaning against the ropes. The ladder ended up standing upside down. Hardy jumped off the second turnbuckle, but Styles moved, and Hardy crashed through the ladder. That looked like a painful spot.
Styles tossed Zayn into a ladder in the corner, and Zayn bounced off. Styles brought in a second ladder and set it up. He started to climb, but Zayn pulled him down. Styles fought back and rocked Zayn with a Pele kick.
Styles and Hardy fought on the top of the ladder. Styles knocked Hardy off the top.
Hardy recovered and yanked Styles down. Zayn jumped back in the ring and tossed out Hardy. He tried climbing up the ladder, but Styles prevented him.
Zayn fought back and gave Styles the exploder suplex onto the ladder in the corner. Zayn climbed the ladder, but Hardy stopped him. All three competitors ended up brawling around ringside.
Hardy jumped off the steps and hit Styles against the barricade. Zayn recovered and hit the helluva kick on Hardy. He jumped back in the ring and started climbing up. Suddenly, Styles threw a small ladder at Zayn. Zayn fell hard on the mat and grabbed his hand.
Hardy and Styles both climbed up the ladder. They traded hard shots on the top of the ladder. The ladder tipped over, and Hardy and Styles crashed down hard. The ladder landed right in front of Zayn.
In an awesome spot, Zayn climbed up the ladder, but Hardy grabbed his legs. Styles attempted the Phenomenal forearm, but Hardy hit Styles with the ladder mid-move.
Zayn tried climbing again, but Hardy pulled him down and hit the twist of fate.
In a scary-looking spot, Hardy ended upside down on the ladder as Zayn tipped it over. It’s unclear what they were trying to do, but Hardy fell to the floor, still trapped in the ladder. This looked dangerous, brutal, and painful.
Zayn and Styles fought around ringside. Zayn set up the ladder as a bridge between the apron and announce table. Styles hit a moonsault into the reverse DDT on the floor off the announce table.
Styles placed Zayn on the ladder bridge. Hardy recovered and nailed Styles with a ladder. In another crazy spot, Hardy hit a huge Swanton Bomb off the top of the ladder onto Zayn.
Styles recovered and took over. He climbed up a ladder in the ring, but Hardy pushed the ladder over. They piped in a fake “this is awesome” chant, although this match is pretty awesome.
Zayn regained control and beat down Styles and Hardy. Zayn then went back to his jacket and pulled out two handcuffs.
Zayn handcuffed Hardy through the piercing of his ear to a ladder. He then tried to handcuff Styles to the ropes, but he fought back. Styles sent Zayn headfirst into the ladder.
The finish was clever. Styles gave Zayn a suplex, but Zayn handcuffed himself to Styles. Styles tried to climb by dragging up Zayn. Hardy jumped back in the ring with the ladder still handcuffed to his ear. Zayn had the key in his mouth. He slipped out and handcuffed Styles to the ladder. Zayn then climbed up the ladder and pulled both titles down to win the match.
After the match, Kalya Braxton asked Zayn how it felt to win the IC title back. Zayn noted he never lost the title in the first place.
Drew Gulak defeated R-Truth to win the 24/7 Championship
R-Truth wandered into the referee’s lounge. He tried running away from the referees. In the background, Drew Gulak was doing some lunges. He rolled up Truth to win the title.
Tom Philips, Byron Saxton, and Samoa Joe are the Raw commentators tonight.
Raw Woman’s Champion Asuka defeated Zelina Vega to retain the title
This was a fine match. The worked a slow pace, but it picked up towards the end.
Asuka was firmly in control early in the match. She mocked Vega and took her down. Vega fought back and worked over the arm. Asuka quickly regained control with a side headlock.
Vega fought out and attempted an arm drag. Asuka blocked and attempted an armbar, but Vega made it to the ropes. Vega tried to attack Asuka’s arm, but she sent her to the apron. Asuka followed up with a hip attack sending Vega to the floor.
Vega sent Asuka shoulder-first into the steps to take over. Vega slowed the pace down and went back to the arm. Asuka went for the Asuka Lock, but Vega rolled through and went for an armbar.
Asuka escaped and went for the Asuka Lock, but Vega rolled through. Vega hit a hurricanrana and double knees in the corner for a near fall. She followed up with a backstabber and a kick to the face for another near fall.
In a great series of moves, Asuka attempted the Asuka lock, but Vega rolled through for a close near fall. Asuka kicked out and reapplied the Asuka Lock for the win.
After the match, Charly Caruso interviewed Asuka in the ring. She said Vega’s like a firecracker. Vega teased shaking Asuka’s hand but bowed instead. Asuka bowed back, but Vega attacked her. Asuka snapped and yelled at Vega.
United States Champion Bobby Lashley (w/MVP & Shelton Benjamin) defeated Apollo Crews (w/Ricochet) to retain the title
This was a fine match.
Lashley had the early advantage until Crews sent him to the floor. Crews followed up with a moonsault off the apron. He then hit a high crossbody on Lashley for a near fall.
Lashley recovered and hit a flatliner for a near fall. Crews tried fighting back, but Lashly backed him in the corner. MVP mocked Crews as Lashley continued to beat him down.
Crews fought back and sent Lashley into the ring post. Crews fired up and made a comeback. He hit Lashley with an elbow and crossbody off the apron to the floor.
Crews rocked Lashley with an enziguri, a press slam, and standing moonsault for a near fall. Lashley recovered and hit a superplex for a close two count. Lashley attempted the dominator, but Crews slipped out and hit a standing shooting star press. He followed up with a frog splash for a near fall.
Lashley recovered and slammed Crews down to the mat. He then applied the Hurt Lock for the win.
Raw Tag Team Champions The Street Profits defeated Angel Garza & Andrade
This was a good match, but there was some confusion at the finish. Garza might have got injured, so the referee went to the finish.
The Street Profits had the early advantage. The heels took over after Ford missed a standing dropkick. They isolated Ford on their side of the ring and cut him off from Dawkins. Andrade placed Ford on the apron, and Garza rocked him with a running knee for a near fall.
Garza slowed the pace down with a side headlock. Ford fought out with a back suplex. Dawkins got the hot tag and ran wild on the heels. He hit a spinning splash in the corner, but Andrade hit a dropkick to regain control. He missed the double knees in the corner.
Garza hit a massive Spanish Fly on Ford for a very close near fall. Ford attempted the tag, but Andrade pulled Dawkins off the apron. Andrade regained control and hit the double knees on Ford for a close near fall.
Dawkins got the hot tag again. They seemed to screw up the finish. Dawkins hit a powerbomb on Andrade and scored the win, but Andrade kicked out. The referee counted three anyway and called for the bell. There seemed to be some confusion.
Garza might have suffered an injury, which is why the match ended the way it did. After the match, Andrade and the medical staff were checking on Garza at ringside.
They announced the two-night WWE Draft beings October 9th on SmackDown and continues on Raw.
R-Truth defeated Drew Gulak to win the 24/7 Championship
Kayla Braxton interviewed Drew Gualk in the back. He dedicated his win the Akira Tozawa, who was eaten by a shark last Monday. Suddenly, R-Truth showed up and pinned Gualk to win the title back.
Bayley Promo
SmackDown Woman’s Champion Bayley made her way to the ring. She mocked Nikki Cross for not being able to compete tonight. Bayley offered to give anyone a title shot but quickly declared herself the winner when nobody came out.
The Raw Woman’s Champion Asuka’s music and she made her way to the ring to accept the challenge.
SmackDown Woman’s Champion Bayley vs. Asuka
This was short and not much of a match with a lame finish.
Asuka hit the hip attack for a near fall. She attempted the Asuka Lock, but Bayley made it to the ropes. Bayley recovered and hit the back suplex for a near fall. Asuka fought back and hit the codebreaker on Bayley.
Bayley missed a sliding dropkick, and Asuka rocked her with a kick. She followed up with a German suplex on the floor. Bayley grabbed a chair and hit Asuka for the DQ.
After the match, Sasha Banks showed up and hit Bayley with a chair. Banks was still wearing the neck brace. Bayley and Banks brawled around ringside.
Bayley brought in a chair and a kendo stick. Banks fought back and beat Bayley down with the kendo stick.
Bayley escaped and ran off.
Ambulance Match: WWE Champion Drew Mcintrye defeated Randy Orton to retain the title
This was a good ambulance match. Mcintyre and Orton worked had and told a good story. Plus, it featured a few cameos that tied in the last few weeks of the story.
They started off trading hard shots at the bell. McIntrye had the early advantage as he gave Orton hard chops. Orton attempted the RKO, but McIntyre avoided. He ended up on the apron. Orton kicked the middle rope as McIntyre tried to enter the ring.
Orton set up for the punt when a hand suddenly grabbed his leg. The camera pulled back to reveal The Big Show. He pulled Orton out of the ring and gave him a chokeslam through the announce table. Show left as the match continued.
McIntyre was firmly in control as he dropped Orton on the barricade. McIntyre continued to beat down Orton as he carried him towards the ambulance. He sent Orton face-first into the ambulance door. McIntryre pulled out crutches and a chair from the ambulance.
McIntyre attacked Orton with the chair. Orton fought back with a crutch and rammed the chair into McIntyre’s broken jaw. Both Mcintyre and Orton ended up in the back of the ambulance.
They fought out of the ambulance. Orton took over and slammed McIntyre into the side of the ambulance.
Orton opened the front door of the ambulance and tried to do something. McIntrye fought back with a brutal head butt. In a cool spot, Mcintyre attempted the Claymore kick, but Orton moved, and he kicked the door off the hinges. He ended up hurting his knee in the process.
Orton was briefly in control until McIntyre slammed him on the front of the ambulance. They fought into the backstage area.
Orton threw McIntrye into the wall to take over.
Suddenly, Christian showed up and attacked Orton in the back. He beat down Orton and left. McIntrye regained control and rocked Orton with hard chops. They fought back towards the ambulance.
They ended up fighting on the hood of the ambulance. Orton poked McIntyre in the eye and slammed him on the windshield.
McIntyre’s back was all cut up from crashing on the windshield.
They ended up on top of the roof. McIntrye was dangling over the edge of the ambulance.
Orton stomped on his hands, and McIntyre crashed to the floor.
Orton was standing on the top of the ambulance, staring down at Mcintyre. Suddenly, Shawn Michaels appeared on the top of the ambulance. He rocked Orton with a superkick and pushed him off to the floor.
McIntyre tried to put Orton in the back of the ambulance. Orton fought out and hit the RKO on the floor.
Orton shoved McIntyre into the back of the ambulance. He tried closing the second door, but McIntyre reached out his hand to stop the door. McIntyre then hit the Claymore kick on Orton. He put Orton in the back of the ambulance and had the match won.
Instead of closing the doors, McIntyre pulled out Orton and gave him the punk kick. He then slammed the doors for the win.
After the match, Ric Flair showed up as the driver of the ambulance and drove off with Orton in the back.
Universal Champion Roman Reigns (w/Paul Heyman) defeated Jey Uso to retain the title
This was a good match with a slow build that picked up towards the end. Reigns dominated the first half of the match but couldn’t put Uso away.
They locked up in the middle of the ring, and Reigns backed Uso into the corner. They locked up again, and Reigns threw him across the ring. Uso had a brief advantage until Reigns rocked him with a hard clothesline for a near fall.
Referee Charles Robinson admonished Reigns when he wouldn’t break on the count of five. Heyman yelled at Robinson. Reigns told Heyman he better take care of the referee, or he’ll have to deal with him.
Reigns was firmly in control as he beat down Uso around ringside. He slammed Uso head-first on the announce table. Reigns slowed the pace down with a chin lock.
Uso fought back with a Samoan Drop for a close near fall. He set up for the Rikishi splash in the corner but Reigns countered with the Superman Punch. They fought around ringside.
Reigns continued to dominate the match. Reigns told Uso he should have just taken the payday. Reigns kept trash talking Uso. Uso nailed Reigns with a chop, but it did not affect Reigns.
Uso fought back and sent Reigns shoulder-first into the ring post. He sent Reigns to the floor and hit a suicide dive. Uso followed up with a high crossbody for a near fall.
Uso then rocked Reigns with a superkick for a very close near fall. Reigns avoided the splash and hit the rough Ryder for a near fall.
Reigns attempted the spear, but Uso rolled him up for a near fall. Uso then hit the superkick and splash for a very close two count. As Reigns kicked out, he gave Uso a low blow.
Reigns then hit the spear but didn’t go for the pin. Reigns demanded that Uso call him his Tribal Chief. Uso refused, so Reigns hit a second spear but still didn’t go for the pin. Reigns demanded Uso acknowledge him as the Tribal Chief. Uso refused again.
Heyman yelled to Reigns that he’s his Tribal Chief. Reigns wants Uso to acknowledge it. Reigns snapped and viciously beat down Uso. Robinson pulled Reigns off. Reigns got in Robinson’s face and told him not to mess with him. He warned Robinson that this is family business.
Reigns continued to beat down Uso with hard shots viciously. Uso refused to give up. Reigns resumed rocking Uso with hards shots.
Jimmy Uso ran out and told his brother he’s going to throw in the towel. Jey begged his brother, not the throw in the towel. Reigns dragged Jey back to the middle of the ring and continued the beat down.
Jimmy couldn’t handle it anymore and threw in the towel. Jimmy acknowledged that Reigns is the Tribal Chief. Heyman placed Jey’s lei around Reigns’ neck, and he posed with the title over the fallen Usos.
The card for Sunday’s Clash of Champions pay-per-view is now up to nine title matches.
Bobby Lashley will defend his United States Championship against former champion Apollo Crews at Clash of Champions. Lashley defeated Crews at Payback last month to win the United States title.
Lashley vs. Crews was announced for Clash of Champions during tonight’s Raw. Crews defeated Lashley’s Hurt Business stablemate Cedric Alexander in a singles match on tonight’s show. After Alexander got in Ricochet’s face on the outside, Alexander got back in the ring and was rolled up by Crews. The Hurt Business then attacked Crews and Ricochet after the match. Lashley put Crews in a full nelson and MVP warned Crews that he’s got more of this coming on Sunday.
Here’s the updated card for Clash of Champions:
WWE Champion Drew McIntyre defends against Randy Orton in an ambulance match
Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against Jey Uso
SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley defends against Nikki Cross
Intercontinental Champion Jeff Hardy defends against AJ Styles and Sami Zayn in a triple threat ladder match
United States Champion Bobby Lashley defends against Apollo Crews
Women’s Tag Team Champions Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax defend against Ruby Riott & Liv Morgan
SmackDown Tag Team Champions Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro defend against The Lucha House Party
Raw Tag Team Champions The Street Profits defend against Andrade & Angel Garza
Raw Women’s Champion Asuka defends against Zelina Vega (pre-show)
The Raw Women’s Championship will be on the line on the Clash of Champions pre-show.
Zelina Vega defeated Mickie James in a number one contender’s match on Raw tonight and will challenge for Asuka’s Raw Women’s Championship on Sunday’s Clash of Champions pre-show. Vega got the win in tonight’s match after hitting a backstabber on James.
On Raw last week, Asuka retained her title against James. The match had an awkward finish where the referee stopped the match after Asuka put James in the Asuka Lock. Vega came out to the ring after that match and confronted Asuka. Vega said she’s ready for a shot at the Raw Women’s Championship, slapped Asuka, and then left the ring before Asuka could retaliate.
After Andrade & Angel Garza argued last week, Vega told them she can’t do this anymore and walked out on them. She wasn’t with Andrade & Garza during their number one contender’s triple threat match against Seth Rollins & Murphy and Dominik Mysterio & Humberto Carrillo on Raw tonight. Andrade & Garza got the win and will challenge for The Street Profits’ Raw Tag Team titles at Clash of Champions.
Here’s the updated card for the show:
WWE Champion Drew McIntyre defends against Randy Orton in an ambulance match
Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against Jey Uso
SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley defends against Nikki Cross
Intercontinental Champion Jeff Hardy defends against AJ Styles and Sami Zayn in a triple threat ladder match
United States Champion Bobby Lashley defends against Apollo Crews
Women’s Tag Team Champions Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax defend against Ruby Riott & Liv Morgan
SmackDown Tag Team Champions Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro defend against The Lucha House Party
Raw Tag Team Champions The Street Profits defend against Andrade & Angel Garza
Raw Women’s Champion Asuka defends against Zelina Vega (pre-show)
A Tag Team title match is the latest addition to the card for Clash of Champions.
Andrade & Angel Garza will challenge for The Street Profits’ Raw Tag Team titles at Sunday’s Clash of Champions pay-per-view. That was confirmed when Andrade & Garza defeated Seth Rollins & Murphy and Dominik Mysterio & Humberto Carrillo in a triple threat number one contender’s match on Raw tonight.
Andrade & Garza won tonight’s match after Rollins walked out on Murphy. Andrade hit a back elbow on Murphy and then Garza gave Murphy the Wing Clipper to get the win.
Zelina Vega wasn’t with Andrade & Garza on tonight’s Raw after seemingly splitting up with them last week. After weeks of dissension between Andrade & Garza, there was a backstage segment last Monday where Vega yelled at Garza for flirting with Lana. Garza blamed Andrade for losing their non-title match against The Street Profits the previous week. When Garza and Andrade argued, Vega told them she can’t do this anymore and walked out on them. Andrade & Garza then brawled but were back teaming together tonight.
Vega is facing Mickie James on Raw tonight. The winner will challenge for Asuka’s Raw Women’s Championship at Clash of Champions.
Here’s the updated card for Sunday’s PPV:
WWE Champion Drew McIntyre defends against Randy Orton in an ambulance match
Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against Jey Uso
SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley defends against Nikki Cross
Intercontinental Champion Jeff Hardy defends against AJ Styles and Sami Zayn in a triple threat ladder match
Women’s Tag Team Champions Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax defend against Ruby Riott & Liv Morgan
SmackDown Tag Team Champions Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro defend against The Lucha House Party
Raw Tag Team Champions The Street Profits defend against Andrade & Angel Garza
After being set up on SmackDown last night, a triple threat ladder match for the Intercontinental Championship is now official for Clash of Champions.
It was confirmed on this week’s episode of Talking Smack that Jeff Hardy will defend his Intercontinental title against AJ Styles and Sami Zayn in a triple threat ladder match at Clash of Champions. All three have been feuding over the title in recent weeks, with Styles and Zayn both claiming that they should be the rightful Intercontinental Champion instead of Hardy.
Hardy won the Intercontinental title from Styles last month after kicking Styles in the face with a knee brace on, hitting the Twist of Fate, and giving Styles a Swanton Bomb. Hardy had the knee brace on after an angle where he was attacked by Styles earlier in the night.
After being off WWE television since WrestleMania 36 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Zayn returned to SmackDown three weeks ago claiming to still be the real Intercontinental Champion. He was champion when the title was declared vacant this May.
Zayn interrupted a title match between Hardy and Styles on SmackDown last week. On last night’s show, Styles defeated Zayn in a singles match with a roll-up. Zayn had tried to roll-up Styles before that, but the referee wouldn’t count the pin due to Zayn holding Styles’ tights. Zayn claimed that Styles was also holding his tights when he was pinned, but the referee didn’t see it.
Hardy then attacked both Styles and Zayn after last night’s match. He cut a promo saying he’s sick and tired of Styles calling him a cheat and Zayn calling him a fraud. He then challenged them to a triple threat ladder match for the Intercontinental title at Clash of Champions.
Clash of Champions is taking place on Sunday, September 27. Here’s the updated card for the pay-per-view:
WWE Champion Drew McIntyre defends against Randy Orton in an ambulance match
Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against Jey Uso
SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley defends against Nikki Cross
Intercontinental Champion Jeff Hardy defends against AJ Styles and Sami Zayn in a triple threat ladder match
Women’s Tag Team Champions Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax defend against Ruby Riott & Liv Morgan
SmackDown Tag Team Champions Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro defend against The Lucha House Party
A new title match has been made official for this month’s Clash of Champions pay-per-view.
On SmackDown tonight, WWE announced that SmackDown Tag Team Champions Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro will defend their titles against two members of The Lucha House Party at Clash of Champions:
Lucha House Party has been trying to crash ‘The Champions Lounge’ for some time, but Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro have continued to crush their title dreams. Now Lucha House Party will hope to finally grasp the SmackDown Tag Team Titles that have evaded them.
The return of Kalisto has caused friction within Lucha House Party as all three members have tried to carve out their new roles. Gran Metalik & Kalisto delivered the biggest win in the ongoing back-and-forth by defeating the champions with an assist from The Street Profits. After Kalisto & Lince Dorado were ejected from ringside, Cesaro capitalized with an emphatic victory over Gran Metalik in the most recent chapter of the rivalry.
Can Lucha House Party stay on the same page and dial up the volume with a title breakthrough? Or will The King of Strong Style & The Swiss Cyborg fight off yet another challenge?
Don’t miss WWE Clash of Champions at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on the award-winning WWE Network.
Intercontinental Champion Jeff Hardy defending his title against AJ Styles and Sami Zayn in a triple threat ladder match was also set up for Clash of Champions on SmackDown tonight, but that match has yet to be officially announced by WWE.
Clash of Champions is taking place on Sunday, September 27. Here’s the updated card for the show:
WWE Champion Drew McIntyre defends against Randy Orton in an ambulance match
Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against Jey Uso
SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley defends against Nikki Cross
Women’s Tag Team Champions Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax defend against Ruby Riott & Liv Morgan
SmackDown Tag Team Champions Shinsuke Nakamura & Cesaro defend against The Lucha House Party
Drew McIntyre’s next WWE Championship defense will be in an ambulance match.
It was announced on tonight’s Raw that McIntyre vs. Randy Orton for the WWE Championship at Clash of Champions will now be an ambulance match. The pay-per-view is taking place on Sunday, September 27.
The stipulation ties in with McIntyre and Orton each being taken out by ambulance as part of angles on Raw in recent weeks. On the August 24 episode of Raw, Orton laid out McIntyre with three RKOs throughout the show. McIntyre then returned the favor last week. McIntyre returned to television and gave Orton three Claymores during the episode.
Orton challenging for the WWE title at Clash of Champions was confirmed when he defeated Keith Lee and Seth Rollins in a triple threat number one contender’s match on Raw two weeks ago. Orton also challenged for McIntyre’s title at SummerSlam last month. McIntyre used a backslide to pin Orton in that match.
McIntyre proposed the ambulance match stipulation during a promo at the start of Raw tonight. McIntyre also faced Lee in a non-title match in the main event of the episode. The storyline was that if Lee won, he would have taken Orton’s place at Clash of Champions if Orton isn’t able to wrestle at the PPV after last week’s angle. The match between McIntyre and Lee ended in a no contest after being interrupted by RETRIBUTION. The Hurt Business then came out and brawled with RETRIBUTION. McIntyre and Lee both hit flip dives to the pile on the outside to close the show.
Here’s the updated card for Clash of Champions:
WWE Champion Drew McIntyre defends against Randy Orton in an ambulance match
Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against Jey Uso
SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley defends against Nikki Cross
Women’s Tag Team Champions Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax defend against The Riott Squad (Ruby Riott & Liv Morgan)
Nikki Cross is getting the next shot at Bayley’s SmackDown Women’s Championship.
It was confirmed tonight that Bayley will defend her SmackDown Women’s Championship against Cross at Clash of Champions. Cross won a fatal four-way number one contender’s match on SmackDown tonight to get the title shot.
Cross overcame a pre-match attack by Bayley to get the win. The match also included Alexa Bliss, Lacey Evans, and Tamina, but Bliss walked out of the match like she was in a trance after giving Cross a Sister Abigail on the floor. The storyline is that Bliss has been acting strange and has been changed by her encounters with The Fiend.
Cross got the win in tonight’s match by reversing a Samoan drop by Tamina, blocking a superkick, and then stacking up Tamina and pinning her.
After attacking Sasha Banks last week, Bayley appeared on SmackDown tonight and explained her actions. Bayley said she loved every single second of attacking Banks. She claimed that Banks was just waiting for the right time to strike against her. Bayley said Banks was using her — and she knows that because Bayley was using Banks too. Bayley said she never cared about Banks or their friendship. She said Banks is useless to her now.
Cross made her entrance as Bayley was walking up the ramp after her promo. Bayley then attacked Cross with the same steel chair she used to beat down Banks.
Bayley retained her title against Cross at Extreme Rules this July and then defeated her again in a rematch later that month.
Clash of Champions is taking place on Sunday, September 27. Here’s the updated card for the show:
WWE Champion Drew McIntyre defends against Randy Orton
Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against Jey Uso
SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley defends against Nikki Cross
A family member will be the first challenger for Roman Reigns’ Universal Championship.
Reigns’ cousin Jey Uso defeated Matt Riddle, Baron Corbin, and Sheamus in a fatal four-way number one contender’s match on tonight’s SmackDown and will challenge Reigns for the Universal Championship at Clash of Champions later this month. Uso wasn’t originally announced as one of the participants for the number one contender’s match, but there was an angle where Big E was attacked by Sheamus and taken out of the match.
Uso pinned Riddle to win tonight’s main event. Riddle had hit the Floating Bro on Corbin, but Uso then came off the top with a splash on Riddle to get the win.
After winning the Universal title at Payback, Reigns opened tonight’s SmackDown with Paul Heyman by his side. Uso approached Reigns backstage after, welcomed him back, and said Reigns made their whole family proud. Uso said he’s been calling and texting Reigns all week, but Reigns said he’s been busy. Uso asked what the deal was with Heyman, but Reigns told him not to worry about it and said he has it all under control. Uso assured Reigns that he’s always there if he needs someone to watch his back.
Heyman later approached Adam Pearce after Big E was taken out of the number one contender’s match.
Uso spoke to Reigns backstage before the match and thanked him for getting him the spot in it. Reigns said that Heyman made it happen. Reigns said he wins everything and he knows Jimmy Uso would win, so let’s see if Jey can get one on his own this time.
When he was interviewed after his win, Jey said now he made their family proud too.
Clash of Champions is taking place on Sunday, September 27. Drew McIntyre defending his WWE Championship against Randy Orton is also set for the pay-per-view.
Randy Orton is getting another shot at Drew McIntyre’s WWE Championship.
McIntyre will defend his WWE title against Orton at Clash of Champions on Sunday, September 27. That was confirmed when Orton defeated Seth Rollins and Keith Lee in a number one contender’s triple threat match on Raw tonight.
Rollins was going for a stomp on Lee near the end of tonight’s main event, but Lee countered and hit a Spirit Bomb. Orton then came into the ring, hit an RKO on Lee, and pinned Rollins to get the win.
Three singles matches on tonight’s Raw determined who advanced to the triple threat. Orton defeated Kevin Owens after Owens was attacked by Aleister Black before the match, Rollins defeated Dominik Mysterio, and Lee defeated Dolph Ziggler. Rollins was originally supposed to face Rey Mysterio tonight, but WWE announced that Rey suffered a torn triceps at Payback.
Lee defeated Orton at Payback on Sunday night. McIntyre didn’t appear at Payback or tonight’s Raw after being given three punts by Orton last Monday. WWE issued a new storyline update on McIntyre’s condition last night, claiming that McIntyre “sustained a hairline jaw fracture” as a result of Orton’s punts.
McIntyre retained his title against Orton at SummerSlam by pinning him with a backslide.
WWE has officially confirmed when its next pay-per-view will be taking place.
It was announced during Payback tonight that Clash of Champions will stream live on the WWE Network on Sunday, September 27.
A video that aired during Payback first listed Clash of Champions as taking place on its originally scheduled date of September 20, but the PPV was then promoted for September 27 and WWE has confirmed that September 27 is the correct date. The September 27 PPV date is also included in WWE’s contract with the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida.
WWE Champion Drew McIntyre was featured in the advertisement for Clash of Champions. McIntyre wasn’t in action at Payback tonight following a storyline on last Monday’s Raw where Randy Orton gave him three punt kicks. Keith Lee instead defeated Orton at Payback. WWE issued a storyline update on McIntyre’s condition tonight, claiming that McIntyre “sustained a hairline jaw fracture” from Orton’s punts.
Clash of Champions will be the third PPV to take place at the Amway Center with the WWE ThunderDome. SummerSlam and Payback were held at the Amway Center on back-to-back Sundays.
