WWE Clash of Champions 2019 Results, Highlights, and Grades

Shinsuke Nakamura (c) vs. The Miz – Intercontinental Championship

Sami Zayn is ridiculous. Everything he says wants me to cry tears of laughter, including his outrageously over-the-top introduction of Shinsuke Nakamura. And Nakamura was paying homage to Frank Costanza’s lawyer by wearing a cape. Wonderful.

The Miz and the Intercontinental Championship are basically synonymous, yet he’s the clear underdog in this match against Nakamura, who gets to benefit from whatever evil tactics Zayn has concocted at ringside.

To start the match, Nakamura and Miz started to feel each other out with some grappling while Zayn annoyed the hell out of everyone with his commentary. “Decent arm drag at best…you look like Carolina did on Thursday…”Let’s just say, that, no, Nakamura isn’t replacing Byron Saxton on commentary any time soon. “Oh you’re gonna pay for that one pal…oh yes you are…yes you are…” and then they finally cut Zayn’s mic to spare our ears the hell.

Going for his ninth career IC Title, Miz aggressively went after Nakamura with chops, yelling at Zayn. He then taunted Nakamura with a little “Come on!“, pulling Nakamura off the apron. Miz then got a big pop from the crowd by yanking away Zayn’s mic and launching it into the crowd.Zayn briefly distracted Miz, talked some trash, and got Nakamura to turn the tides of the match. Elite managerial work right there, Mr. Zayn.

Miz lit Nakamura with some “It” kicks, hit a couple of running knees in the corner, and ascended the top rope to pick up a big nearfall on Nakamura. This match was really starting to heat up, as Miz kept getting more and more aggressive.He wanted to soften Nakamura up for a Figure Four, but Nakamura brilliantly transitioned into his devastating armbar.

But Miz countered into a pinfall attempt and hit a DDT to make Nakamura (and Zayn) sweat a little bit.Nakamura ducked Miz’s final It kick for a nearfall, and his own kicks were causing a host of problems for The A-Lister. He just couldn’t deal with Nakamura’s speed and intensity, as the IC Champion blasted the challenger with a NASTY snap German suplex. This man was on fire!

The champion continued his assault on Miz, who seemed to have little hope when Nakamura signalled for the Kinsasha. Miz saw it all the way, countering Nakamura before finally strapping in the Figure Four to potentially turn the tide of the match in Charlotte.

Miz went for a SECOND Figure Four but nearly paid dearly, as Nakamura countered into a small package for a nearfall. Then Zayn got involved and caused Miz to get hit in the back of the head…but Miz somehow kicked out!!!Once again, Shinsuke set up for the Kinsasha on a prone Miz. But Miz countered and hit the Skull Crushing Finale. But could he capitalize in time?

YES…but Zayn interfered! Nakamura would have been pined for 3, but Zayn bailed out Nakamura by cheating again. Pissed off, Miz chased Zayn (instead of focusing on Nakamura).As expected, he paid for it. Nakamura rolled Miz into the ring, hit the Kinsasha, and retained his title in a match that he should have lost.

https://twitter.com/WWENetwork/status/1173394880975929345

Final Thoughts: Zayn is so odiously good as Nakamura’s manager, and WWE have breathed new life into Nakamura by taking him seriously with big wins. This was a tremendous match.

Grade: A-, Miz and Nakamura are masters of psychology, and this match was made all the better by Zayn’s involvement. Fantastic stuff from both men inside the ring, and I’d be cool with a rematch.