WWE Clash of Champions 2019 Results, Highlights, and Grades

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Kofi Kingston (c) vs. Randy Orton – WWE Championship

Kofi Kingston and Randy Orton started their heated rematch from SummerSlam with some intense grappling, as the two could not get their hands off of each other in the corner. This match is as emotional as it gets, and Orton started to mess with the crowd who were, of course, cheering on the WWE Champion.

Orton did his best to use his strength and power to ground Kingston, as the two continued to banter back and forth. Neither man wanted to go for a big move too early, instead preferring to feel each other out in the match’s early stages. Despite Orton’s strength advantage, Kingston’s technical ability allowed him to get the better of Orton in a couple of exchanges, though it didn’t take Orton long to turn the tables again.

Clearly, Orton wanted to go to his trademark slow pace to wear down Kingston, and it was working. The Viper taunted the crowd, but Kingston used his superior quickness and agility to gain the advantage. You could tell the crowd was just starting its build towards cheering Kingston more forcefully, especially as Orton retreated outside the ring to nurse his injured eye.

Enraged, Kingston started going for some rapid strikes on Orton in the corner, but Orton baited him to go for Kingston’s eyes. That proved to be highly successful, as The Apex Predator started to go at Kingston’s chest. He even used Kofi’s hair against him before launching the champion off the apron into the barricade. Orton started firing up, psyching himself up as he pursued Kingston outside the ring.

Orton then bounced Kingston off both announce tables before moving Kofi into the barricade, throwing him on top of it. He then hit a vertical suplex on Kingston from outside the barricade to the ground at ringside. And, of course, he threw Kingston onto the German announce table with a belly-to-back suplex.

Ruthless stuff from The Viper, who was moving in for the kill. And noticing the count was only at three, he hit Kofi with ANOTHER suplex onto the announce tables before getting a nearfall. Orton went for a second for good measure, perhaps to force Kingston into using more of his seemingly boundless energy reserves to kick out.The Viper drove Kingston into the ring post and went all the way to the OTHER side of the ring to pose for the crowd, while Kingston suffered on the outside. Orton broke the count to punish Kingston further on the outside, using his favored steel steps.

But Kingston fought back! He valiantly kept hitting Orton with strikes, though Orton outmatched him again by bouncing Kingston off the steel steps.

After hitting an aerial move, Kingston started to fire up as he picked himself up on the ropes. Using all his strength, Kingston slashed Orton to the ground before grounding The Viper with a dropkick. He was hitting his comeback and getting the WWE Universe on his side! Kingston hit the BOOM drop on Orton, causing the challenger to question whether his end would be near in a matter of minutes.

The crowd 100-percent behind Kingston at this point, the WWE Champion went or Trouble in Paradise, but Orton countered him flawlessly into a backbreaker for a key nearfall that served to deflate the crowd from delight to nervous anticipation.

Orton wanted an Elevated DDT, but Kingston countered by launching The Viper into the announce table. He then dove to the outside beautifully, hyping himself up by pounding the announce tables before rolling Randy back into the ring. Kingston ascended the top rope, but Orton rolled through on the crossbody and NEARLY won the title!

Although Kingston came close to hitting SOS, Orton countered with a powerful dropkick for another two-count. The back-and-forth was undoubtedly nerve-wracking!The Viper picked up Kingston with contempt as the two started to trade blows. It looked like Kingston was getting the better of Orton, but The Viper raked the champion’s eyes to negate any advantage Kofi had. But Kofi hit the SOS and came agonizingly close to a surprise win!

As the Charlotte crowd continued to cheer for Kofi, Orton caught him on the top rope to slow the pace of the match even more. He then went for a superplex attempt. Kofi fought him off at first, but Orton softened him up again. However, Kofi slipped away, only to be powerslammed by Orton from out of nowhere. And yet another nearfall.

In his second attempt, Orton hit the Elevated DDT and started to tease the RKO. Kofi got up, countered the RKO into a roll-up, and nearly stole the win. The tide was turning for Kofi, who sent Orton reeling not long after with a trademark kick.

Kingston collected himself from the preceding punishment, but just as he was ready for his own move, he was hit by an RKO!

BUT KINGSTON’S FOOT WAS ON THE ROPE! HIS TITLE REIGN WAS SAVED!

Orton muttered something about “stupid” to the crowd, insulting Kofi to spite him after the foot-on-the-rope save. He berated Kingston again, aiming for the fabled Punt Kick. In that moment, the crowd was nervous that it could actually happen, but Kofi ducked at the last second and hit Trouble in Paradise! What a fitting way to end the match!

Final Thoughts: As slow as you’d expect from a Randy Orton match, but as exciting as you’d expect from a Kofi Kingston match. Another heartfelt performance from an all-time great WWE Champion.

Grade: B+, The finish alone made this match worth it. I know Orton’s style isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, and it isn’t mine. Which is why this doesn’t get in the “A” range. However, this was another strong effort from Kingston in his excellent title reign.