6 Ups And 7 Downs From WWE Clash Of Champions 2016

1. Before It Got Messy

On a card full of potentially great matches, Kevin Owens vs. Seth Rollins always stood-out. A legitimate dream match between Raw's two most complete performers, it felt like Clash of Champions' most obvious "sure" thing, and a potential WWE Match of the Year candidate.

Did it deliver? If you compartmentalise the action, absolutely.

Owens, the defending champion, was on top form throughout. KO built-on his always-sharp in-ring trash talk with feigned concern for Rollins' well-being, and threw-in a little easter egg for those who've followed Rollins since his ROH days ("when I'm finished with you, you're gonna fade to Black."). Listening to him verbally run his opponents down is almost as much fun as watching him beat them up at this point.

Owens gradually wore his challenger down with typically brutish offence, but Seth fought his way back. After taking significant damage to his knee and back, The Architect worked through the pain, producing the kind of gutsy display that will be vital in cementing him as a face. Even when Owens blasted Rollins with a top-rope gutbuster and the Frog Splash, Seth kept coming back, and he only fell through interference.

The finish may leave a sour taste, but let's not forget the tremendous match Owens and Rollins were having until Chris Jericho and Stephanie McMahon showed-up.