8 Big Concerns Ahead Of WWE Clash Of Champions 2017

1. Authority Figure Folly

Daniel Bryan Shane McMahon
WWE.com

Randy Orton and Shinsuke Nakamura's lethargy isn't the only reason to be concerned about Clash Of Champions' likely main event. The match will be officiated by not one, but two special guest referees, with Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon donning the black and white stripes.

Both have an agenda. The Commissioner seemingly wants to screw Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens out of their jobs, but his General Manager, while aggrieved by the heels' hard-trolling antics, wants to give them a fair shake of the stick. The authority figures' strained relationship has dominated the storyline thus far, and there's a strong chance it'll dominate the match too.

WWE programming is at its most tedious when it devolves into a McMahon family drama. Truth be told, the company have done a good job of building tension between Bryan and Shane, but it shouldn't be allowed to overshadow a major pay-per-view match like this. Mr. 'O Mac has been at his most obtrusive this year, and such an act would give further credence to Owens' assertion that the SmackDown Commissioner is "worse than Stephanie."

Sadly, this one's definitely happening. Have your sickbags at the ready, because Super Shane is going to be unbearable.

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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.