WWE Clash of Champions 2019 Results, Highlights, and Grades

Rowan vs. Roman Reigns – No DQ

Before the bell rang, Roman Reigns charged at Erick Rowan, who barely had time to take off his jacket when the bell finally rang. After Rowan tried to kill Reigns twice, The Big Dog had every reason to attack his opponent with the vengeance of a thousand suns.

Reigns is the obvious favorite here, but in the match before the main event, perhaps that lack of expectation could make Rowan even more dangerous. The man is determined to murder in an effort to make the WWE Universe notice that he’s more than just a brute; he fancies himself as the mastermind behind Daniel Bryan’s rise as the main heel on SmackDown Live.

It didn’t take long for the powerful Rowan to dominate Reigns, as he crushed The Big Dog all over ringside. Rowan used the barricade, steel steps, and announce table in this No Disqualification match, but it eventually backfired when the wonderfully agile Reigns dove out of the way to send Rowan flying into the steel steps.Reigns tried to bring out a kendo stick on Rowan, but Rowan quickly anticipated the attack to launch the steps into Reigns.

With The Big Dog recovering near the fans beyond the barricade, Rowan used the kendo stick and started unleashing. As he beat Roman up, he started yelling for recognition at the fans, who were incensed at what he was doing to the beloved Reigns.

But that time allowed Reigns to recover, and he used his superior striking ability to turn the tide on Rowan, who was dumped back inside the barricade. Rowan tried his best to stay on his feet after absorbing a SHOT from Reigns, who hit Rowan with a picture-perfect drive-by.

The Big Dog clear the announce table, but just as he was about to move to set up Rowan, he was completely destroyed by an onrushing Rowan. The impact on this hit was INSANE; even Bernard Pollard would have cringed at that hit from Rowan.

Bryan’s former enforcer moved Reigns back into the ring, relishing the beatdown he was delivering to the former Universal Champion. It was startling to see how much Rowan was controlling the match, though Reigns is often known for playing from behind, so to speak, against powerful heels. And Rowan has suddenly become one of the most powerful men on SmackDown Live, with this match being arguably the most important of his career in terms of relaunching his status.

Rowan yelled for Reigns to “stay down” as the crowd chanted for tables in this No DQ match.

As the heel, it was unlikely Rowan would oblige to the  crowd’s wishes, but he did take some time to stomp Reigns, who got to his feet only to be promptly hit with a power move for a nearfall. Shocked, Rowan started to wonder what he’d need to do to pin the resilient Reigns for a full three seconds.

The agile Reigns dodged a clothesline from Rowan and dumped his opponent outside the ring, but Rowan somehow stayed on his feet to drag Reigns out the ring. Rowan smashed Reigns into the post, tore off the LED board, and then smashed Reigns headfirst onto the exposed apron with the LED board removed! Rowan is truly a “Sick Individual!”

Rowan threw the steel steps back into the ring, slapping the steps to tease a big move. But Reigns showed his incredible comeback ability yet again, using every ounce of strength for a brilliant Samoan Drop.

That move took a lot out of Reigns, but it was necessary in staving off a potentially devastating attack from the motivated Rowan.Then, Rowan missed when charging into the corner, and Reigns hit him with the steps. Reigns hit a Superman Punch, but only go two out of it. Rowan may be an up-and-comer, but it will almost certainly take a Spear from Reigns to grab the win.

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As if enough carnage hadn’t occurred, Rowan powerbombed Reigns into the oblivion through the announce table, but Reigns kicked out at two in the most insane way! What a nearfall! Go out of your way to watch Rowan’s ridiculous strength on the powerbomb, followed by Reigns’s trademark selling of a game-changing nearfall!

The two then fought into the timekeeper’s area, moving back towards the crowd, as Rowan used the clock to induce a little bit more damage. Though both men were worn down by their battle to this point, they continued to fight into the tech area, the brutality unceasing.

Rowan hit the Iron Claw on Reigns on the outside! He sent Reigns sprawling through the table, taunting The Big Dog as he hoisted his opponent on his shoulders. Instead of perhaps moving him closer to the ring, Rowan had other plans. He tossed Reigns onto the stage to cause even more pain to the man he attempted to murder multiple times. The tried to use the cameras, but Reigns found a different tool, then used the hanging camera on Rowan’s chest!

This match is nuts!

Reigns used the camera again, and he had a determined look on his face as he moved in for a Superman Punch! It sent Rowan sliding down the stage ramp. As Rowan got to his feet, Reigns had a determined look on his face again, and he set up for a Spear. But guess who appeared….HARPER! Rowan’s former partner in the Wyatt Family and Bludgeon Brothers entered to save the day! The evil genius had a trick up his sleeve against Reigns!

A discus clothesline from Harper on Reigns followed, and Rowan hit the Iron Claw for the win.

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Final Thoughts: Who on earth would have thought that Reigns would lose this match? And who would have seen Harper coming back to save Rowan? INSANE.

Grade: A, Fantastic match. Vintage stuff from Reigns, who continues to show why he’s WWE’s most important male superstar. As for Rowan, this was a star-making performance from him as a singles competitor. But also, Harper is back, and it’ll be exciting to see how he interacts with Daniel Bryan on this week’s programming.