Tonight, we all get a piece of WWE’s COC. That is Clash of Champions, not whatever your disgraceful mind is thinking.
This show just seems to be rematch central but after the success of a really fun Payback – only built in one week – expectations are high for the month’s build to Clash of Champions: Gold Rush.
There are a few matches I can’t wait for, there are others I’d rather see disappear… forever. But overall, the show is looking to be quite a neat one nevertheless.
Which means I should give out my predictions. Here are the Champions I think will win in the Thunderdome:
Kickoff
RAW Women’s Championship: Asuka (c) vs Zelina Vega
This is a disappointing shocker. Asuka – the RAW Women’s Champion, Empress of Tomorrow, face of the RAW Women’s Division, is defending her Championship on the kickoff.
Furthermore, after the reports of Vince McMahon being a big fan of Zelina Vega, this does come as a surprise but oh well, it’s better than being on Main Event. *cough* Mustafa Ali *cough*.
I think Asuka will win here but I’d probably expect it to continue to Hell in a Cell because it hasn’t had much heightening just yet. Either that or a triple threat with Mickie James. There isn’t many competitors for Asuka, sadly.
Prediction: Asuka
Main Show
Intercontinental Championship – Ladder Match: Jeff Hardy (c) vs Sami Zayn (c) vs AJ Styles
This may be one of the most exciting matches on the card so let’s start our main show predictions off with a bang.
Jeff Hardy beat AJ Styles for the IC belt before SummerSlam and Styles accuses Hardy of cheating because he used his knee brace for leverage.
Zayn returned after Payback and claimed he is still the Intercontinental Champion. If you remember, he technically didn’t lose it as he relinquished it due to denial of wrestling during the Coronavirus pandemic.
So we are now in a situation where we will crown the undisputed Intercontinental Champion in a ladder match no less!
Who should I pick to win? “The cheater”? “The Former Champion”? “The Real Champion”?
I am thinking Hardy will retain here and hopefully – for his enjoyment and not ours (he will hurt himself) – hit a Swanton Bomb from the top of a ladder!
Prediction: Jeff Hardy
Women’s Tag Team Championship: Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler (c) vs Riott Squad
It is surreal how unbuilt WWE’s tag divisions are – men and women.
Riott Squad could’ve been credible stars if they didn’t have a month long storyline with the IIconics.
But oh well, I guess we will just have to watch them be crushed by Jax & Baszler.
Prediction: Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler
United States Championship: Bobby Lashley (c) vs Apollo Crews
I never even knew this U.S. Title rematch was happening tonight. Hurt Business have had other priorities defending WWE from RETRIBUTION. But all of that hard work seems null & void, right? Because the rioters are just given WWE contracts…
I think Lashley will retain here and I’d expect a run in from T-Bar, Slapjack & Mace (awful names!).
Prediction: Bobby Lashley
SmackDown Tag Team Championship: Cesaro & Nakamura (c) vs Lucha House Party
WWE are going through a phase were they enjoy breaking up their tag teams. It is 2020 after all. Spending all that time with your hosuehold is bound to cause disagreements and tension.
They have been teasing the split of Lucha House Party with arguments between Lince Dorado and the returning Kalisto. So, obviously, Cesaro & Nakamura will turn on each other here, right?
I think this match will actually see the heel turn of Kalisto, Lucha House Party will continue as a 2-member party and Cesaro & Nakamura will retain.
Prediction: Cesaro & Nakamura
SmackDown Women’s Championship: Bayley (c) vs Nikki Cross
Finally, Bayley turned on her “best friend” Sasha Banks a few weeks ago but instead of beginning her heated rivalry with the boss, she is defending her Women’s championship against Nikki Cross.
This is an overdone rematch but they do have chemistry so I don’t mind it. It will also be quite different with no one in Bayley’s corner. Alongside this, they both are invovled in parallel storylines.
While Bayley is backstabbing Banks, Cross is dealing with the problems of Alexa Bliss being twisted and hypnotized by “The Fiend”. Either story could play a factor in this match but either way I believe Bayley will retain.
Her feud with Banks deserves a title to be on the line and it would make it even more glorious when Banks finally overcomes Bayley’s reign of terror.
Prediction: Bayley
RAW Tag Team Championship: Street Profits (c) vs Andrade & Angel Garza
I hate the WWE COC rule: every title must be defended on the show (have they forgotten the 24/7 title is an official championship?) because I would have rather seen the Street Profits miss the show than facing Andrade & Garza again.
It is Autumn and we are witnessing a feud that started after WrestleMania. And with the constant teases of a split-up between Andrade & Garza. It is literally like watching your Grandparents argue. There has to be an end to this.
So please win Street Profits and move on to rivalries with other teams! Further, I’d love to see a match between Andrade & Angel Garza so just feud already!
Prediction: Street Profits
WWE Championship – Ambulance Match: Drew McIntyre vs Randy Orton
At SummerSlam, McIntyre & Orton put on a vigorous old school match with no finisher in sight. Post-that, all they have hit each other with has been finishers. Both have been sent packing to a “local medical facility” and Keith Lee is still interfering in their business.
He even had the potential of replacing either man in this match and could possibly still get involved tonight.
Due to the repeated trips to visit the Doctors, this match is an Ambulance match. It should be fun like their other encounters and I’m taking my most ambitous pick in favouring Randy Orton winning his 14th World Championship.
Orton has been on the receiving end of losses at the last few PPVs; being defeated by a backslide at SummerSlam and then by Keith Lee at Payback. Therefore, in WWE logic, Orton shall win this one.
Either way, I believe a colossal triple threat Hell in a Cell match between McIntyre, Orton & Lee should happen next month.
Prediction: Randy Orton
Universal Championship: Roman Reigns (c) vs Jey Uso
Finally, let’s discuss my most intrigued match, which pits Roman Reigns against his cousin, Jey Uso.
After Reigns was victorious against Wyatt & Strowman at Payback, he has been a conquering machine with Heyman at his side. He does what the t-shirt says and “Shows up and wins”.
This match is not here to be unpredictable and quite frankly it doesn’t need to be. They just need to have a fun match and unleash Reigns as the biggest heel in the company; if siding with Heyman was not enough.
He has to slowly decimate Uso here. Take his time, allow Jey to believe he is gaining the upper hand and then dismantle him until the Thunderdome is erupting in boos (even if they are piped in by WWE). Roman is the best thing in WWE right now and I adore this heel persona.
Prediction: Roman Reigns
And there you have it, the Gold Rush edition of predictions is over. Do you agree or disagree with my picks? Let me know over on Twitter.
Lost in Travel 