6 Ups And 7 Downs From WWE Clash Of Champions 2016

Downs...

7. The Chirping Of Crickets

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WWE.com

A hot crowd can be the difference between a good show and a great show. Look at ECW One Night Stand 2005: the matches were serviceable, but there wasn't much that'd blow you out of the water. It was the hot-blooded crowd and the raucous atmosphere they created that made ONS such a special show, and one of the most exciting WWE-produced PPVs in recent memory.

When the audience is excited, so are the viewers at home, but when the crowd is dead? Eugh...

You could hear a pin drop on carpet for most of last night's show. For whatever reason, Indianapolis just wasn't into Clash of Champions from the very first match. Big moves brought the occasional energy spike, but that was it: the night's early matches were met mostly with silence, and it was to everyone's detriment.

It's hard not to feel for the performers in these situations, but what can you do? The fans paid their money, and they have the right to respond to the action however they see fit. They slowly came alive later on, but it's a shame they couldn't have created more of a buzz earlier, because there was a lot of great action on display at Clash.

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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.