Just two weeks after Smackdown Live’s first major show Backlash , Monday Night Raw is set to have its first brand-specific pay-per-view on Sunday. The Raw brand has been a lightning rod of controversy as low ratings and inconsistent writing has hampered the show. Fans see Smackdown Live as the superior show, with many saying NXT could be the second-best show in the WWE. Meanwhile, Raw is considered a distant third.
Clash of Champions (taken from WCW’s Clash of the Champions ) will see the first title defense for new Universal Champion Kevin Owens. “The Clash” will also see another match between Rusev and Roman Reigns for what will be the 254th match between the two behemoths. Finally, Sunday will feature the debut of CWC where Cruiserweight Champion T.J. Perkins takes on former Cruiserweight Champion The Brian Kendrick. Let’s look at the full card and give some predictions for the show.
T.J. Perkins (champion) vs. The Brian Kendrick for the Cruiserweight Championship
This will be TJP’s WWE debut and he faces a former WWE competitor that is making his return to the company. This match should be the first of the night in order to get the crowd warmed up at the start of the show. Perkins will win a match that will establish the Cruiserweight division and hopefully the WWE doesn’t mess it up.
Your winner and still Cruiserweight Champion: T.J. Perkins
The New Day (champions) vs. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson for the Raw Tag Team Titles
This whole feud has been a weird one. The New Day lost but didn’t show their anger in losing. You saw a little edge from the group here and there but with all the carnage that Gallows and Anderson left, you would think there would be more intensity from the group, but that it hasn’t happened. Now may be the time to see The New Day lose the titles.
Your winners and new Raw Tag Team Champions: Gallows And Anderson
Charlotte (champion) vs. Bayley vs. Sasha Banks For Raw Women’s Championship
This match should steal the show with these three women going for the title. If their previous matches from NXT are any indication, these three have tremendous chemistry in the ring. Hopefully Charlotte brings her “A” game after her terrible performance at Summerslam, where she almost crippled Banks on a couple of occasions. This match is a toss-up but the champion is likely to retain the title.
Your winner and still Raw Women’s Champion: Charlotte
Chris Jericho vs. Sami Zayn
The build for this match has been great. Zayn warned Jericho about being friends with Kevin Owens and this could be leading to Jericho having a match with Owens down the line. If that’s the case, this is good long-term writing from the WWE.
Your winner: Chris Jericho
Cesaro vs. Sheamus
This is the seventh match of their best-of-seven series, which is tied at three matches apiece. The series started terribly with everyone complaining about the frequency of how much these two have faced off. As it went on, the matches have become better and both men are now showing the pressure of a big series like this. This is a series that should propel Cesaro to a better spot in the company… if the company doesn't mess it up.
Your winner of best-of-seven series: Cesaro
Rusev (champion) vs. Roman Reigns for the United States Championship
This feud seems like a demotion and a punishment for Reigns after his wellness suspension. It just hasn’t picked up steam after the weird non-match the two had at Summerslam, which awkwardly stopped and then just resumed again. Rusev is in midcard purgatory and needs to get away from Reigns and this feud as soon as possible. With that said, Reigns will probably win as his punishment ends, but he will go nowhere near the Universal Championship for the time being.
Your winner and new United States Champion Roman Reigns
Kevin Owens (champion) vs. Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship
Owens will retain in this match under some dubious terms setting up a rematch, but this match will not disappoint. Both Rollins and Owens are among the best wrestlers in the world and their matches are consistently the best on the card. Owens as champion is a good deal but Triple H also needs to come out and explain why he helped Owens win the title. Without an explanation, it seems off somehow.
Your winner and still Universal Champion: Kevin Owens
