6 Ups And 7 Downs From WWE Clash Of Champions 2016

6. Kicking Off With A Clunker

Alicia Fox Nia Jax
WWE.com

There might be a strange parallel universe in which Nia Jax is the second coming of Bull Nakano, but this isn't it.

Clash of Champions' first official match was as clunky as expected. A few weeks removed from being speared through the barricade, Alicia Fox was out for revenge against the all-conquering Jax, but fell predictably short. Fox had her moments, but nobody in the building believed she stood a chance against Nia, whose offense consisted of a few throws, a sloppy chokehold, and her new fireman's carry powerslam finisher.

The match does Jax no favours. Still growing into her skin as a performer, she remains a largely unconvincing monster, and being made to sell for a lowly wrestler like Fox only harms her mystique. Moreover, the lengthy resthold portion murdered the match's already-slim chances of capturing the fans' attention when Jax could've been tossing Fox around like the dominant savage she's supposed to be.

WWE are in a tricky situation with Jax. The endless squash matches are starting to wear thin, but tonight proves she's still too green and unseasoned to wrestle for any longer than a couple of minutes. Jax may eventually grow into the convincing monster heel WWE hope she becomes, but it's going to take a considerable amount of time to get there: time that would undoubtedly be better served in NXT.

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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.