The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Big E) vs. Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson – Raw Tag Team Championship match

Background: Gallows and Anderson put Big E on the shelf but Big E would return at Summerslam and attack The Club during their match against Kofi and Woods, causing a disqualification. Since then Gallows and Anderson would given another shot for Night Of Champions and have even defeated Kofi and Woods in a non-title rematch from Summerslam.

Previous PPV matches: The New Day have fought (and lost, by disqualification) to Gallows and Anderson before on PPV but that was the Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods combination rather than Big E and Kofi Kingston.

Match: The New Day cut one of their classic promos before the match. They have quite the array of catchphrases these days. The match starts quickly with Gallows and Anderson taking out Xavier Woods and Big E before trying to put away Kofi early. The challengers make quick tags, wearing down Kofi and stopping him from tagging in Big E. Kofi makes the tag to Big E and he throws Karl Anderson around like he’s nothing. Big E looks for his trademark spear off the apron but Anderson gets his knee up to block it. Gallows and Anderson then double team Big E, hitting him with the boot of doom for a near fall. Kofi makes the tag and looks to springboard in but Anderson hits him with a big spinebuster. Gallows has a hell of a boot on him. Kofi fights out of the magic killer, hits trouble in paradise on Karl Anderson and Big E follows it up with the big ending but Luke Gallows breaks up the cover. With the referee distracted Xavier Woods hits Anderson with Francesca the trombone and the champions hit the midnight hour for the win!

Result: The New Day win by pinfall.

Review: This was a good match to kick off the show. Decent enough tag team match by two of the best tag teams in the business. New Day win in heel fashion though and the crowd didn’t like that. New Day are having a huge tag team title run and I can see them over-taking Demolition as the longest reigning champions of all time.

Rating: 6/10

T.J. Perkins (c) vs. Brian Kendrick – WWE Cruiserweight Championship

Background: TJ Perkins won the Cruiserweight Classic to win the new Cruiserweight Championship. On Raw last week a fatal four way match between Gran Metalik, Brian Kendrick, Rich Swann and Cedric Alexander would determine a number one contender to the championship and Brian Kendrick won the match, causing Cedric Alexander to tap out.

Previous PPV matches: This is a first time PPV match between these two men, it’s actually a PPV debut for TJ Perkins.

Match: Brian Kendrick is in great shape. But T.J. Perkins may have the best entrance in the company. The ropes have been changed to purple ropes for this match and there’s purple lighting everywhere. There’s some nice chain wrestling in the early going. Kendrick uses some craft tactics to take the advantage, tying TJP up in the ring apron. TJ locks on a nice pendulum Boston crab and then a Muta lock. Kendrick tries to throw Perkins out of the ring but TJ hang between the top and middle rope. It’s a pretty back and forth match and there are a couple of miscommunications. Perkins hits a hurricanrana on Kendrick, bouncing off the top rope and sending Kendrick over the top to the outside. Perkins counters sliced bread and hits a wrecking ball dropkick but then misses with a 450 splash. TJ counters the captain hook submission and then locks on a knee bar but Kendrick rolls out of it. Kendrick hits sliced bread for a near fall. Perkins hits a firemans carry into a Pele kick and then locks on the knee bar and Kendrick taps out! After the match the two men embrace but Kendrick then drops Perkins with a heabdutt.

Result: T.J. Perkins wins by submission.

Review: This was a decent enough match. It wasn’t perfect due to the miscommunications but it was a decent enough showing for the first outing of the Cruiserweight Championship. Brian Kendrick was solid in his role. Perkins has a lot of good moves and his style is good for this division. Kendrick attacking Perkins after the match suggests that this rivalry is not over yet.

Rating: 5.75/10

Cesaro vs. Sheamus – Match 7 in the best of 7 series

Background: A best of 7 was announced between two of the hungriest stars on Raw with the winner of the series getting a title shot. Sheamus won the first match on the Summerslam kick-off show and then went on to win the next 2 matches. Cesaro has since won 3 on the bounce to even up the series.

Previous PPV matches: This is the third PPV match between these two men. Sheamus has won the previous 2 matches.

Match: This is expected to be a physical match and it’s certainly the way in the early going with the two men going back and forth. Sheamus takes the advantage and targets Cesaro’s shoulder and lays in backbreakers. Sheamus hits a clothesline off the top rope for a two count. Cesaro hits multiple uppercuts and a tornado DDT for a near fall. Cesaro even hits a 619 which I’ve only ever seen Rey Mysterio do. Sheamus counters a neutraliser but Cesaro hits a springboard corkscrew uppercut for a near fall. Sheamus counters the swing with a kick to the jaw. I wish there was a counter on the number of backbreakers Sheamus has hit during this match, it’s been a lot. Cesaro ducks a brogue kick and then swings Sheamus around before locking on the sharpshooter but Sheamus reaches the bottom rope to force the break.

Cesaro kicks Sheamus to the outside and then hits a head-first suicide dive which looked absolutely brutal. Cesaro hit Sheamus and then landed head first. Back in the ring and Sheamus hits a brogue kick but Cesaro kicks out of the pinfall! Cesaro hits the neutraliser but Sheamus kicks out of the pinfall! Sheamus headbutts Cesaro to the outside and then comes off the top but Cesaro catches him with an uppercut! Cesaro smashes Sheamus into the ringpost and then clotheslines him over the barricade, going over with him. Doctors come over to see to both men and the commentators sell how these two have beaten the hell out of each other tonight. The referee then calls for the bell and the crowd do not like it. They chant for Mick Foley.

Result: No contest.

Review: This was a really hard-hitting match. It was a really good match to be honest and looked like it could go either way. The best of 7 series ending in a draw is interesting. Will there be another match between the two to decide it? The result might not be what anyone wanted but it was a great match.

Rating: 7.75/10

Sami Zayn vs. Chris Jericho

Background: This started when Chris Jericho invited Sami Zayn to the Highlight Reel. Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens have been calling themselves best friends as of late but Zayn referred to Jericho as Kevin Owens bitch. This match is being dubbed as Kevin Owens best friend vs. former best friend.

Previous PPV matches: This is a first time PPV match between these two men.

Match: The match starts in back and forth styles with neither man taking the advantage for an extended amount of time. The fight soon goes to the outside where Zayn knocks down Jericho with a clothesline. Sami hits a moonsault off the barricade, barely making contact with Jericho though. Jericho uses the referee to get in the way of Zayn and then hits a springboard dropkick. Jericho drops Zayn on the barricade and then heads to the top, hitting an elbow drop for a two count. Jericho crotches Zayn on the top rope and then shoves him out of the ring. Jericho hits a suplex on the outside. A lot of this match has taken place on the outside. I love it when Jericho shouts “ask him” when applying a chinlock. Sami low-bridges Jericho and then hits a big dive to the outside. Sami hits a Michinoku driver for a near fall. Zayn blocks a superplex and instead drops Jericho into the ring. Jericho moves out of the way of a splash ands then looks for the Walls Of Jericho but Zayn blocks.

Jericho hits an enzeguri and then some brutal looking kicks to the head. He slaps Zayn around but that fires Zayn up who slaps him back repeatedly! Zayn hits a tornado DDT and then motions for the helluva kick but Jericho dives out of the ring. Zayn hits a tornado DDT on the outside and then attempts the helluva kick but Jericho moves. Zayn counters a codebreaker and suplexes Jericho into the corner before attempting the helluva kick again but Jericho moves and manages to lock on the Walls Of Jericho! Zayn gets out of it and hits a blue thunder bomb for a near fall. Jericho then hits a codebreaker out of nowhere which is enough for the three!

Result: Chris Jericho wins by pinfall.

Review: This was another really good match. Sami Zayn is a great opponent for Jericho at this point in his career and I think they bought the best out in each other. Chris Jericho wins cleanly which probably means they won’t be facing off again.

Rating: 7.5/10

Charlotte (c) vs. Bayley vs. Sasha Banks – Triple Threat match for the Raw Women’s Championship

Background: Originally Sasha Banks was announced as the woman getting a title shot against Charlotte tonight. For some reason that was scrapped and a triple threat match was made between Sasha banks, Dana Brooke and the recently debuted Bayley to determine a number one contender to Charlotte’s title. Sasha Banks and Bayley would end up pinning each other and a triple threat match was made for Clash Of Champions.

Previous PPV matches: This is a first time triple threat match between these three girls.

Match: Sasha Banks and Bayley go after Charlotte in the early going but eventually Bayley and Sasha Banks go at it. All three girls don’t have a problem going after each other and it’s not long until Dana Brooke gets involved, attacking Bayley. This allows Charlotte to lay into Sasha Banks while keeping Bayley at bay. Charlotte has never lost a title match on pay per view, she’s 11-0. Dana is constantly shouting support for Charlotte from the outside. Charlotte and Sasha go at it for a while before Bayley gets back into the match, taking both down with a cross body. The fight goes to the outside where Charlotte and Sasha take out Bayley. Charlotte looks for the figure four on Sasha but Sasha kicks her away and into Bayley who hits a Bayley to Belly. Sasha and Bayley go back to double teaming Charlotte but Charlotte manages to fight them off. There’s a bit of a botch with Charlotte falling on the top rope but being fine.

Charlotte hits a moonsault on both opponents and then pins them both for near falls. She hits natural selection on Bayley but Sasha breaks up the pinfall. Sasha then locks the Banks Statement of Charlotte but Dana pulls Charlotte out of the ring. Sasha banks and Bayley exchange pinfalls and Bayley goes to the top but Charlotte shoves her to the outside. Charlotte then pins Sasha and puts her feet on the ropes but Banks kicks out. Sasha locks the Banks Statement on Charlotte but Bayley breaks it up. Sasha then locks the Banks Statement on Bayley but Charlotte breaks it up. Charlotte kicks Bayley into Sasha and hits Bayley with a big boot which is enough for the three!

Result: Charlotte wins by pinfall.

Review: This was a good match. All three girls put on a good performance in this match. Charlotte wins again though and continues to not lose title matches on pay per view. Charlotte has run through this division, who will be next for her?

Rating: 7/10

Rusev (c) vs. Roman Reigns – United States Championship match

Background: This rivalry goes back to Roman Reigns crashing Rusev’s wedding party. Roman Reigns was due to get a shot at Rusev’s championship at Summerslam but Rusev attacked Reigns before the bell and the match never officially got started. Since then Rusev has cost Roman Reigns the Universal Championship.

Previous PPV matches: This is the first PPV match between these two men as their match at Summerslam never got started.

Match: Lana introduces her man. Roman starts the match well, shoving Rusev out of the ring. Rusev soon takes the advantage with a spinning heel kick. Rusev keeps the advantage for a good while, keeping a fairly slow pace. Reigns starts to fire up much to the displeasure of the crowd. Rusev avoids a splash in the corner and then sends Reigns into the ringpost. The fight goes to the outside where Rusev fires Reigns into the ringsteps a couple of times. It has all been Rusev in this match so far. Roman starts another comeback, hitting 9 clotheslines in the corner and then a tenth clothesline which sends Rusev out of the ring. This match hasn’t been great so far. Reigns sends Rusev into the steps. Rusev counters a superman punch with a kick to the ribs. Rusev very nearly rolls Reigns up for a three count and then gets another near fall following a kick to the head. Reigns motions for a spear but Lana distracts him and Rusev kicks him in the head for a near fall. Roman Reigns wriggles out of an accolade attempt and then hits a spear! He hooks the leg but Lana drags out the referee.

The referee sends Lana to the back. Rusev avoids a superman punch but Reigns throws the United States Champion out of the ring. Roman hits a couple of drive-by’s and then motions for a spear but runs into Rusev’s boot. Rusev locks on the accolade but Reigns powers out of it. Reigns then hits a spear out of nowhere and that’s enough for the victory!

Result: Roman Reigns wins the United States Championship by pinfall.

Review: This match was a slow one. It did pick up towards the end but it wasn’t the best match of either mans career. 90% of the match was Rusev on the offence and Reigns attempting comebacks. I’m not sure it was a chemistry issue or whether the psychology just wasn’t there. Not a classic though. Interesting to see Roman Reigns as United States Champion as he has been a top guy for so long now.

Rating: 4.5/10

Kevin Owens (c) vs. Seth Rollins – WWE Universal Championship match

Background: The Universal Championship had to be vacated the night after Summerslam due to Finn Balor being injured at Summerslam. A fatal four way match between Kevin Owens, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns and Big Cass would decide a new champion and surprisingly Triple H would cost Seth Rollins the championship and put it in the hands of Kevin Owens. Mick Foley would give Rollins a rematch for the title at Clash Of Champions.

Previous PPV matches: This is a first time match between these two men on pay per view.

Match: The match goes straight to the outside where Rollins throws Owens into the barricade. It’s all Rollins in the early going. He attempts the pedigree early but Owens counters. KO hits a big DDT, spiking Rollins for a two count. Owens back body drops Rollins to the outside and then dives off the apron with an elbow drop. Owens shouts abuse at Rollins and random members of the crowd throughout this match. KO hits some hard Irish whips but eventually gets caught with a clothesline. Rollins starts a comeback and dropkicks KO out of the ring. Seth takes apart the Spanish announce table but the fight goes back to the ring where Seth hits a superkick for a near fall. Rollins attempts another pedigree but Owens counters. KO hits a cannonball for a two count. Rollins counters a package powerbomb and the two men exchange kicks to the face.

Owens hits a gutbuster off the top and then a frog splash for a near fall. Owens sets Rollins up on the Spanish announce table and then crotch chops the referee before missing with the senton. Rollins hits a springboard knee to the head and then a frog splash for a two count. Chris Jericho emerges from the back and distracts Seth Rollins which allows Owens to hit a package powerbomb on Seth for a near fall. Rollins hits a pedigree but Jericho puts Owens foot on the bottom rope during the pinfall to keep the champion in the match. Owens pushes Rollins into the referee but Seth then hits KO with the pedigree. He hooks the leg but the referee is out. Rollins wipes out Jericho with a suicide dive. Stephanie runs out with another referee but Rollins runs right into a pop-up powerbomb from Owens! KO hooks the leg and gets the 3!

Result: Kevin Owens retains the Universal Championship by pinfall.

Review: Well this match was pretty chaotic. Owens wins in his first PPV defence but it was far from clean which makes me think that this feud will continue.

Rating: 7.5/10