6 Ups And 7 Downs From WWE Clash Of Champions 2016

3. Zayn & Jericho Get Clash Back On Track

Sami Zayn Chris Jericho
WWE.com

Clash of Champions needed a pick-me-up after the Cesaro/Sheamus non-finish. Chris Jericho and Sami Zayn were tasked with recovering the show's lost momentum, and not the night's most exciting match, they largely succeeded.

Jericho has lost a few steps between the ropes, but he's one of Raw's most consistent and entertaining personalities. Half bitter veteran, half obnoxious douchebag, Jericho continues proving his status as one of the most charismatic performers in wrestling history. It's the little things like his outrage at Indianapolis' early-match "olé" chants that make him so fun to watch, and in Zayn, he had the perfect opponent.

The former NXT champion has struggled since defeating Kevin Owens at Battleground, and while the result leaves him languishing, this was a typically exuberant display from Sami. He is Raw's most affable and easy-to-support performer, and it's thanks to gritty, determined performances like this.

It's easy to call foul on the result, particularly given where each man is in their respective careers, but Zayn will have plenty of opportunities to push towards the main event. For now, he remains Raw's biggest underdog.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.