Veteran NFL writer and Pat McAfee Show correspondent Mark Kaboly gives his predictions for The Clash in Paris, streaming live from the Paris La Defense Arena in Paris, France, on Sunday (2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT) on Peacock in the United States and on Netflix everywhere else.
World Heavyweight Championship Fatal 4-Way Match
Seth Rollins (c) vs. LA Knight vs. CM Punk vs. Jey Uso
The odds are stacked heavily against the ‘Visionary’ retaining his World Heavyweight Championship title, not only because of the Fatal 4-Way stipulation, but that all three of his opponents have had beef with Rollins recently, none more than Punk. The hatred between Rollins and Punk can be traced back to a decade ago but has been pretty much ever-present since. It ramped it significantly following Rollins’ chicanery after Punk, well, got punked by Rollins at SummerSlam. The two just don’t like each other. While Rollins and Punk will be the feature matchup in the Fatal 4-Way, and the no disqualifications that come along with it being a Fatal 4-Way, and Bron Breakker not being involved in a match, it’s a sure bet that Breakker will insert himself into the fray. But keep your eye on Jey Uso. He’s the wildcard in all of this, and not in a good way.
Prediction: Seth Rollins retains and pins CM Punk
Roman Reigns vs. Bronson Reed
The Tribal Thief has been one step ahead of the OTC1 for the past month or so, and who else can say that over the past few years? Reed has beaten Reigns down and stolen his prized sneakers and then dared to wear them around his neck and call it a “shoe-afala.” The disrespect is at an all-time high that should carry into Reigns' second singles match since dropping the WWE championship strap at WrestleMania 40 some 16 months ago. Reigns will reign over Reed, but an impending beatdown will set up a dramatic OTC1 return for Survivor Series.
Prediction: Roman Reigns def. Bronson Reed
John Cena vs. Logan Paul
Tick tock, tick tock, the clock on Cena’s Farewell Tour is clicking away. Cena has only a handful of dates left before he hangs up his boots for good.. So, there’s not much time for Cena to get to where he wants to go by the end of the year. The two were tag team partners at Money in the Bank just a few months ago. But for these two to get together in Paris, there has to be a good reason. There is always a good reason, and especially beyond having beef with The Maverick. It is more than just an opportunity to pass the torch to the youngster. That torch was passed along to Cody Rhodes at SummerSlam. It makes perfect sense for Brock Lesnar – who we haven’t heard from since SummerSlam -- to get involved in the match to set up a Cena v. Lesnar battle at Wrestlepalooza on Sept. 20. When it makes too much sense, you have to pivot. Sorry, no Lesnar appearance in Paris.
Prediction: Logan Paul def. John Cena
WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship
Becky Lynch (c) vs. Nikki Bella
Naomi was supposed to defend her women’s title against Stephanie Vaquer here, but those plans had to be scrapped at the last minute. So, what did the WWE do? How about a Hall of Famer vs. a future Hall of Famer. Not a bad fallback play. Nikki Bella wrestled in one singles match in nearly seven years, and she gets back into the ring in Paris against Becky Lynch? Good luck with that. Lynch has embraced the heel persona so much that she didn’t hesitate to give it to her home crowd in Dublin last week. The Man has really brought a shine to the Women’s Intercontinental Championship since winning it from Lyra Valkyria at the Money in the Bank PLE in early June. Lynch has been on too much of a roll to slow her down now.
Prediction: Becky Lynch def. Nikki Bella
Donnybrook Match
Sheamus vs Rusev
It’s not just a Donnybrook match. It’s a good ‘ol Donnybrook Match. The ‘good ‘ol’ makes all the difference. Seriously, if this match doesn’t end up being brutal, it won’t work. Sheamus and Rusev shouldn’t have a problem with that. They are two of the most physical workers in the business and surely will find a way to use every weapon laid out for them around the ring in this no-holds-barred, no disqualification, hardcore match. Once friends, this feud has spanned two months now, with each winning once and a double count out during the first Raw of August. Sheamus should have the advantage in the rubber match, but he lost the only other single Donnybrook match ever three years ago to Drew McIntyre. Look for history to repeat itself.
Prediction: Rusev def. Sheamus
WWE Tag Team Championship
A late edition to the card in Paris, the Street Profits get their first real shot of regaining the tag team championship after losing it nearly two months ago. Lumis and Gacy retained at SummerSlam in the Six-Pack TLC match. I am guessing that Bo Dallas was warning (in quite a vague way that is so Wyatt Sicks) that the Street Profits might turn on each other in his most recent message, or was he talking about Carmelo Hayes and The Miz? Neither happened on SmackDown so maybe at Clash in Paris? I don’t see that, but I am interested in seeing it all make sense. I’m confused, but I guess the Wyatt Sicks are doing their jobs then.
Prediction: Wyatt Sicks def. Street Profits
