WWE Clash Of Champions 2016: Match Card, Predictions For 'Monday Night Raw' PPV

WWE is finally set for its first pay-per-view with only wrestlers from “Monday Night Raw.” Two months after the draft and subsequent brand split, WWE Clash of Champions 2016 will take place on Sunday night in Indianapolis.

Every “Monday Night Raw” title will be on the line, including the WWE Universal Championship. It’s the first time that the belt will be defended since it was introduced at SummerSlam, as Kevin Owens faces Seth Rollins in a match between arguably the two best performers on WWE’s flagship program. Rollins lost the first-ever WWE Universal Championship match against Finn Balor, and he was unable to win the belt when Balor dropped the title and it was up for grabs in a fatal 4-way match.

Rusev and The New Day will defend their respective championships. The Cruiserweight Championship belt will also be on the line after the division was introduced on Monday.

Brock Lesnar was drafted to “Monday Night Raw” in July, but he’s not scheduled to appear at the PPV. Lesnar, however, is scheduled to face Randy Orton on Saturday at an untelevised live event in Chicago. The former UFC champion defeated Orton by TKO at SummerSlam.

Eight matches are on the card for Clash of Champions, including the pre-show.

WWE Universal Champion Kevin Owens vs. Seth Rollins

Owens isn’t going to drop the belt in his first title defense. He’s now the top heel on “Monday Night Raw,” replacing Rollins as The Authority's champion. Owens could win with help from Triple H or Stephanie McMahon, who’ll eventually reveal that she was plotting against Rollins all along. The loss will allow Rollins to step away from the championship picture and become the biggest babyface in WWE.

Prediction: Kevin Owens

United States Champion Rusev vs. Roman Reigns

Reigns hasn’t won a PPV match since Extreme Rules on May 22, and it’s hard to imagine his losing streak will last much longer. Even though he’s not fighting for the top title on “Monday Night Raw,” Reigns continues to close out the show on most weeks, indicating that WWE still has big plans for him. Look for him to beat Rusev, winning his third different title with the company.

Prediction: Roman Reigns

Raw Women’s Champion Charlotte vs. Sasha Banks vs. Bayley

Charlotte’s win over Sasha Banks at SummerSlam was completely unexpected, so both women have a legitimate shot to leave Clash of Champions with the belt. Bayley isn’t likely to become champion just yet, and she could be the one that gets pinned to end the match. Sasha might have only lost the last title match because of an injury, but now that it appears she’s healthier than WWE originally thought, she might defeat Charlotte for the second time in two months.

Prediction: Sasha Banks

Raw Tag Team Champions The New Day vs. Gallows & Anderson

After 13 months with the belts, The New Day might be getting a little stale as champions. It’s time for them to drop the titles and for WWE to see what Gallows and Anderson can do. If Big E, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods don’t lose on Sunday, there might be no end in sight for their current title reign.

Prediction: Gallows & Anderson

Cesaro vs. Sheamus (Match Seven in Best of Seven Series)

Having once trailed 3-0 in their best-of-seven series, it only makes sense that Cesaro will complete the comeback. Doing so will give Cesaro a title shot, and don’t be surprised if he challenges Owens for the WWE Universal Championship in the near future.

Prediction: Cesaro

WWE Cruiserweight Champion T.J. Perkins vs. Brian Kendrick

Perkins hasn’t even appeared on “Monday Night Raw” since winning the WWE Cruiserweight Classic, so he won’t drop the belt at Clash of Champions. There’s been no build for the match, but it could very well steal the show on Sunday.

Prediction: T.J. Perkins

Sami Zayn vs. Chris Jericho

Jericho isn’t simply in WWE to put over younger talent like many fans think, as he explained to International Business Times in July, and he’s got a chance to win on Sunday. But it makes little sense for the six-time world champion to defeat Zayn, who has the potential to be a top babyface and is still trying to establish himself on the main roster.

Prediction: Sami Zayn

Alicia Fox vs. Nia Jax (Kickoff Match)

Jax hasn’t lost since being called up to WWE’s main roster, and her winning streak won’t end on Sunday. She’ll make quick work of Fox, who’s barely appeared on TV in the last few months.

Prediction: Nia Jax