11 Match Star Ratings For WWE Clash Of Champions 2019
2. Roman Reigns Vs. Rowan - No Disqualification Match
The Randy Orton Special killed a crowd that wasn't particularly receptive to this sudden and poorly-handled Rowan push.
It feels almost cruel critiquing this in a quasi-negative light. Roman Reigns entered a full-on, selfless performance in his role as company man, enduring a real beating at the hands of Rowan, who approached this as a career-making match.
It went too long for no discernible reason, which didn't flatter him. More plodding than explosive, the layout exposed him. Effectively brand new to the singles scene, which he entered with very little momentum on the back of a heavily botched storyline, it asked too much of him. He had to command the attention of the crowd for a long time, which he was ill-equipped to do, but the most impactful big spots looked punishing, which helped the atmosphere - but only to a degree.
Crowds are desensitised to this sort of match, which explains the muted reaction to it. Reigns sold very well - he never seems to receive enough credit for his detailed work in this regard, the pained winces, the graduating comebacks - but it felt like a produced and derivative version of a weapons match, and not a true war.
Harper's unexpected plans-change return made a painstaking match memorable, but WWE's love of excess undermined Rowan's inability to go long.
Star Rating: **3/4