WWE’s Clash of Champions 2017 features Daniel Bryan’s return, along with many SmackDown championship matches. Experts pick the winners.
The WWE Clash of Champions card features the return of Daniel Bryan to a match for the first time since his retirement. No, he’s not wrestling. But it is a gigantic step forward for the former champion, whose concussion history forced a premature retirement, to be in the ring as a referee.
Bryan has been adamant that he will wrestle again one day. Will it be in WWE? That is up to the company doctor to decide. For now, we’re being teased with that possibility, as the seeds have been planted for a feud with SmackDown Live commissioner Shane McMahon. The commish was already set to referee the tag match featuring Randy Orton and Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn when Bryan inserted himself as the second referee in the interest of fairness.
The card also features an interesting women’s championship lumberjack match between Charlotte Flair and Natalya, with all eyes on the destructive trio of Ruby Riott, Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan outside the ring.
For the men, AJ Styles will defend the WWE Championship against Jinder Mahal with the Singh Brothers sure to play a role.
Clash of Champions marks WWE’s final pay-per-view of 2017, and every one of the blue brand’s championships will be on the line. After this, we have to wait until January 28 for the Royal Rumble. Hopefully WWE will end the year on a high note.
It’s time to make the WWE Clash of Champions predictions. As always, Rolling Stone’s Aaron Oster and TV Insider’s Scott Fishman are joining me. Oster’s domination continued at Survivor Series, where he went a perfect 8-0 to pretty much lock up the pick title for the year. Meanwhile, Scott and I already have a New Year’s resolution to redeem ourselves.
Randy Orton & Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn
Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan as guest referees
Chuck: This match has two huge plots to follow. First, if Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn lose, they’re fired from not just SmackDown, but all of WWE. Second, Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan’s simmering feud will get a little hotter as they both guest referee this match. WWE is teasing that Bryan is backing Owens and Zayn while McMahon is firmly in Orton and Nakamura’s corner. The best way to accomplish everything is to have McMahon try to screw Owens and Zayn out of a win. Bryan then, in the impartial interest of fairness, will make sure that doesn’t happen. Pick: Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn
Aaron: There is no way that Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn are getting fired, particularly now that the Yep shirts are instantly going to become the biggest merch movers in the company. Yet, it’s too obvious that Daniel Bryan ends up helping them, right? Granted, sometimes the obvious thing is what’s best for storylines. I can’t shake the feeling though that this isn’t going to go down exactly how people expect. Pick: Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn
Scott: With Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon both serving as referees, one is bound to make a difference in this match. I’m going with Bryan because it would be natural for him to align with Owens and Zayn. Perhaps, Bryan can accidentally cost Orton and Nakamura the match if they don’t want to go full heel. But they seem to be going in the direction of Bryan versus McMahon in some setting. Whether it means in the ring or not remains to be seen. Pick: Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn
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>>MORE: 14 Things You Didn’t Know About WWE’s Kevin Owens
Chuck: Jinder Mahal left AJ Styles laying on Tuesday’s go-home show, which tells you everything you need to know about this match. Styles will retain with some shenanigans from The Singh Brothers. I’ve slowly warmed to having Jinder as a credible contender on SmackDown and am hopeful that he won’t fade into oblivion following this match. It would be a shame to lose all of the momentum built this year. Pick: AJ Styles
Aaron: I know some people think that AJ only held the title so he can face Brock and could drop it back here. What happened with the shows in India, with them having to combine the shows and then having Jinder lose in his home country, illustrates a lack of faith in him. So, I have AJ retaining here. That being said, it’s not a huge lock that he goes into Mania as champ like many believe. Pick: AJ Styles
Scott: There really isn’t anything to be gained at this point having Styles lose the championship to Jinder Mahal. Although they could be squeezing the rivalry for all its worth into the Royal Rumble if they do a non-finish. With WWE’s tour of India concluded and Triple H defeating Mahal at the live event, that is very telling heading into this match. Pick: AJ Styles
>>MORE: 13 Things You Didn’t Know About WWE Superstar Jinder Mahal
Chuck: Every time these two wrestle it is must-see TV. Their chemistry in the ring is something that cannot be taught. But this isn’t the pure match we’re accustomed to seeing them in. Every woman on the roster will gather outside the ring and serve as a lumberjack. So, I am making a bold prediction on this one. Both Charlotte and Nattie are laid out by Ruby Riott, Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan. I can see a scenario where Carmella capitalizes and cashes in her Money In The Bank. But for this match… Pick: Charlotte (then Carmella)
Aaron: I can’t figure out what’s happening with the Riot Squad. They show up unheralded as mirror images of Absolution, get taken out by Naomi singlehandedly, and just don’t look strong right now. This match is more about them than the match itself. The question is just how it plays out with them as lumberjacks. I’ll say Charlotte retains, but it could end up being a no-contest. Pick: Charlotte
Scott: With Ruby Riott essentially having Charlotte’s number, there seems to be a program in the making involving her and the current champion. For that reason, I’m going with Charlotte retaining the gold against Natalya. There is also Carmella lurking, which means you can never rule out a cash-in. Pick: Charlotte
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SmackDown Tag Team Championship Fatal 4-Way Match
The Usos (c) vs. The New Day vs. Shelton Benjamin & Chad Gable vs. Rusev & Aiden English
Chuck: SmackDown’s tag division is still dominated by The Usos and The New Day. Rusev and Aiden English are gaining ground, but do you want them carrying the titles into the new year? Probably not. The same goes for Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable. So that narrows the choice down to two teams, and I do believe we’ll see the titles change hands. Plus, you have to figure New Day will have some fun ringing in the new year with gold around their waist. Pick: The New Day
Aaron: Who are the winners here? All of us, because we get to celebrate Rusev Day! But, as much as he should win, he won’t. The Usos continue their reign here, with a chance of Benjamin and Gable getting a short run, especially if The Bludgeon Brothers are entering the scene. Pick: The Usos
Scott: As much as I would like to see Rusev and Aiden English celebrate Rusev Day with a championship, I’m choosing Usos to retain. Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable would make for a fun upset. I’d love to see it, but it’s doubtful. At the same time, New Day doesn’t need the gold to be over, and neither do the Usos. But there is a potential feud against the Bludgeon Brothers that I can see happening, with the Usos turning back into fan favorites.
