Clash of Champions edition: 5 things that could happen on SmackDown live next week
This is the first edition of five things that could happen on an episode of SmackDown Live following a PPV event, so it includes some theories for what could happen at Clash of Champions this Sunday. Before I get into that, however, let’s start with what I predicted last week.
- The lumberjacks square off in a 6-woman tag
This didn’t occur, although the Ruby Riott vs Charlotte Flair non-title match did devolve into a big melee between all of the women involved in the Women’s Title match this Sunday. The segment worked better than a tag match would have, as it was actually a really great, chaotic segment that sold the gimmick for the PPV.
- Four-Way match between one member of each team in the Tag Title match
WWE opted to do just a standard tag match between current Champions The Usos and one of their four challengers, Aiden English and Rusev. The other two teams were watching from ringside, all staking their claim for the gold this Sunday night. Rusev and English won on this fine Rusev day. I'm convinced they are going to win on Sunday.
- Mojo vs. Ryder and Bludgeon Brothers vs. Ascension announced for Clash PPV
I was very close with this one, as Mojo Rawley and Zack Ryder will indeed face off on the kickoff show. Ascension’s pals Breezango will instead be challenging the Bludgeon Brothers at the Clash of Champions event, finally closing the chapter on the “2B” saga. I’m very interested in seeing how the Breezango/BB match goes. Will they just destroy them or will the match be competitive?
- Another rematch between Ziggler and Roode
Instead of Ziggler vs Roode, they did Ziggler vs Corbin, which I didn’t expect because it’s a heel vs. heel match, but they did it anyway. It didn’t last very long, as Bobby Roode interfered pretty quickly and took out both men. I did predict that Roode would stand tall, however, so I am going to give myself half a point.
- Daniel Bryan tries to convince Shane McMahon to let him be the referee
Instead of pleading with the Commissioner of SmackDown Live, Bryan just decided to insert himself into the match as the second guest referee. He did so without the knowledge of McMahon, which didn’t seem to cause any tension based on their short interaction on Twitter this week, but it did make Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn very happy. It’s tough to say exactly is going to happen with the two guest refs, but Zayn and Owens aren’t losing their jobs.
- Overall, I ended up going 2.5 out of 5. I’m giving myself half a point for Bobby Roode standing tall, half a point for Daniel Bryan just making himself the referee and a point and a half for the Mojo/Ryder match being announced (1 point) and the Bludgeon Brothers getting a match, even though I had the wrong opponents (half a point).
#5 Zayn and Owens are still employed
I have no idea what’s going to go down this Sunday night at Clash of Champions, but there’s no way I can see Zayn and Owens losing their jobs. I know that getting “fired” never sticks, but they won’t get fired on Sunday.
It will be very interesting to see exactly how it is going to play out, but I am excited to find out what they do. Will Shane try to screw Zayn and Owens? Will Bryan side with them? Will it turn out that Shane is actually on Sami and Kevin’s side the whole time? I have no idea, but somehow they’re going to find a way to keep Owens and Zayn on the payroll.