Smark Out Moment

Welcome to another edition of Triple Threat from Smark Out Moment, where three of us get together to discuss three questions based on one big topic going down in the week of professional wrestling.

This week, Dallas Allsopp, Ben Williams and Callum Wiggins review WWE Clash of Champions 2020.

Clash of Champions was arguably one of the best pay-per-views WWE has put on since the COVID-19 pandemic started. Almost every match was an unmitigated success, with the match quality being notably improved over recent efforts. Are The Street Profits the pinnacle of WWE's tag team division following their victory at Clash of Champions? Was Drew McIntyre vs Randy Orton suitably violent? And was Roman Reigns' victory in the main event enough to cement his heel turn?


ALLSOPP: I feel they are, however that is a low bar to clear. WWE currently focuses on other divisions, therefore the tag team ranks feel very poor outside of a few select teams. They defeated Cesaro and Shinsuke Nakamura on Raw a few weeks ago to reinforce how strong they are, but without an increase in focus for the division, it is a hollow accomplishment. To improve the division, I'd promote a few teams from NXT and focus on their development on the main roster, possibly by WWE hosting a large tag team tournament. It's unrealistic, but that would be the shot in the arm the division requires.

WILLIAMS: The tag team division is absolutely dead, arguably so on all 3 brands at this point. The only way I can see this being rectified is if the tag team titles become cross branded like the women’s tag titles, then you’ll have more teams to choose from, providing fans with the opportunity for fresh matchups instead of the repeats we see month in and month out.

WIGGINS: It's kind of a default that The Street Profits are the best tag team in WWE right now. Not to take away from their credentials – they would be a top team in any promotion's tag division. Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins have fantastic chemistry and always go out of their way to put on great performances, even though they must be lacking motivation by feuding with the same team month in and month out. I think it's about time that the tag team divisions became cross branded. Whilst I don't think this should be applied wholesale to all Raw and SmackDown's belts, with such a lack of defined tag teams as there are right now, extending the division across both shows is the only way to try and secure fresh matchups and feuds.


WILLIAMS: I don’t particularly want to see these two square off again, as neither of their matches have blown me away, and the feud itself has kind of ran its course. I do want to see Randy Orton take the title and add some prestige back to it, something that’s arguably been missing in recent years. The Ambulance match itself was a decent bout, but it definitely left me wanting more from both men.

WIGGINS: The match itself was very good, which is something that's become the norm for Drew McIntyre's WWE Championship defenses. However, I found the booking to be somewhat counterproductive – whilst it is right that the WWE legends should get their revenge on Randy Orton for his recent attacks, the way it was structured made it seem like Orton was valiantly fighting against a 5 on 1 mugging. I have no doubt that their upcoming match at Hell in a Cell will maintain the same quality, but I'm kind of over the feud in general. I mean, how much further can you go after both superstars hospitalised each other on the road to Clash of Champions? After two straight wins over Orton, it feels like McIntyre should be moving onto a new challenger.

ALLSOPP: I loved the match, especially due to the fact that Randy Orton received his comeuppance. The match was violent in the right kind of way, although it is clear there is a higher level of violence that can be achieved. I expect them to lock up inside Hell in a Cell, and hopefully Drew McIntyre would comfortably win in order to fully legitimise his WWE Championship reign. His performance at Clash of Champions was evidence of how successful his reign has been so far, but a dominant Hell in a Cell victory could be the perfect way to underline just how good he is.


WIGGINS: This is the Roman Reigns that was destined for greatness from the moment he debuted with The Shield in 2012. He's intense, aggressive, violent, whilst at the same time calculated and logical. Imagine if they had taken this direction with his character years ago – by now he'd probably be the top babyface they've wanted him to be all this time. But the past is the past, and the future looks bright for Reigns and SmackDown as a whole with him as WWE Universal Champion. As for what's immediately next, three names spring to mind: Jeff Hardy, AJ Styles and Jimmy Uso. All have the potential to be his Hell in a Cell opponent, and we obviously can't rule out Otis and his lunchbox waiting in the wing.

ALLSOPP: This was the first time I have ever been genuinely excited by Roman Reigns. Everything he touches at the moment is pure gold, and his match against Jey Uso was absolutely perfect. It highlighted how much of an asshole he is, whilst reinforcing just how motivated he has become as a heel. His next opponent should be someone he can ragdoll and destroy with ease, which is why I would love to see him face off against Jeff Hardy. The Charismatic Enigma could easily bump around the ring to make The Tribal Chief look impressive, whilst it would be a guarantee that Reigns would be booed against Hardy. Reigns needs to continue being this spectacular asshole, and Hardy is the best opponent to allow this to happen.

WILLIAMS: Roman Reigns is a fucking superstar! He is the biggest deal in the company, and he has absolutely proven why WWE backs him the way they do. I want to see him burn through both Uso’s, Samoa Joe, Sheamus, Baron Corbin, and The New Day, with Reigns going on an absolute tear all the way through to WrestleMania 37, where hopefully we might just see a colossal match against a certain electrifying legend on the Grandest Stage of Them All!