Let’s be honest. The buildup to most of the matches on the 2017 Clash of Champions is a bit lackluster. Smackdown Live made a huge jump back on track before Survivor Series with AJ Styles and Charlotte Flair jumping back to the top of their respective divisions, but since then the blue band has been in a rut.

At this Sunday’s Clash of Champions we’ll get to see many feuds finally come to a close in order to ramp up for the Royal Rumble in January. That is what this PPV is all about for both the WWE and Smackdown Women’s championships: tying up loose ends. However, since this is Clash Of Champions, I think the PPV cannot go without at least one shakeup: one title change. So which will it be?

WWE Championship: AJ Styles (c) vs. Jinder Mahal

Well, I mean I really hope not. In this case, WWE is shoddily wrapping up this lowly feud like a present that wasn’t on anyone’s Christmas list. AJ Styles vs. Jinder Mahal to me does not have the aura of a world title feud, nor does it really excite anyone. I don’t believe it’s necessarily either of their faults, but the writing certainly has not been there as of late.

Jinder Mahal’s promos get more similar every week. It is clear that AJ should be the one holding the WWE title going into WrestleMania this time around, and Jinder can go on to engage in another meaningful feud that will hopefully actually provide some coherent storytelling. There is no story in AJ vs. Jinder. AJ beat Jinder for the title and now Jinder is mad. That’s legitimately the extent of this feud. The story is simply not good enough to warrant a title change, and the change would likely do nothing for both parties involved. I do not foresee a title change here as WWE thankfully chose their prize pony in AJ Styles.

Smackdown Women’s Championship: Charlotte Flair (c) vs. Natalya

There is no way that Natalya is walking out of Clash of Champions with that title. Charlotte, like AJ Styles, won the title before Survivor Series to set up a more star-studded match with her RAW counterpart at the November PPV. Natalya is pretty good at what she does, and I do believe that it was a good call to put her over the stale Naomi to win the title back at SummerSlam earlier this year.

Natalya was an accomplished heel in her title run, but Charlotte is what Smackdown needs right now. Charlotte is the total package and has the charisma to carry the entire division to new heights with a lengthy title run. The only way I see her reign ending anytime soon is with a MITB cash in by way of Carmella. That would certainly make for a fun feud and some much needed attention on the women of Smackdown. As of now though, Charlotte retaining the title is a no brainer.

United States Championship: Baron Corbin (c) vs. Bobby Roode vs. Dolph Ziggler

Unfortunately for us, this feud sucks. I genuinely want every star involved in this match to do well, but the build to this match is utter garbage. Nobody in this match communicates that the want to be there, and I’ve seen no redeeming qualities from any of their promos. Bobby Roode, like Shinsuke Nakamura and so many other NXT call-ups, is in the middle of a rocky start. He currently seems to have no real dimensions to his character besides the fact that he’s “glorious.”

Dolph Ziggler is not presently relevant enough to be US champion. If this was a high profile feud with bigger stakes and implications, much like his rivalry with Miz last year, then I could see him winning. Given the way he got into this match (by inserting himself), that’s enough to see that WWE doesn’t view this match as a big moment for anyone.

Since Baron Corbin is just getting started in his title reign, it would be a shame to take the title away from him this early in such a throw away contest. Once again, if Baron were to have a good lengthy feud with an intriguing story, maybe I’d say otherwise. The US title will stay with Baron Corbin simply because the feud is not good enough to take it off him.

Smackdown Tag Team Championship: The Usos (c) vs. Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin vs. The New Day vs. Rusev & Aiden English

HERE is the match we’ve been waiting for. Now this is the match where we could see a title change occur. First, because of the sheer amount of teams it can make for a win in any direction. Second, there are a few teams who could benefit from the rub here.

Rusev & Aiden English have been massively fun and impressive as of late, and they’re my favorite option to take the title off the Usos right now. Rusev Day is a hit and I think it can only snowball and gain more traction over time. Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin gave some pretty cringe-worthy promos on the last few episodes of SmackDown, but their in ring work is solid. WWE could also put the titles on them so that an “upcoming” team can get some of the spotlight and and become legitimate. .

WWE could also give the titles back to the New Day, as we all know that WWE is trying to stick New Day with the most tag title reigns of all time. Though it is equally as possible that WWE lets the belts stay on the Usos for a little while given that they’re the most consistently spectacular tag team in the company right now.

The Verdict

It may be wishful thinking, but I think there will only be one title change at Clash of Champions. The most likely is the Smackdown Tag Championships, but not only because of the odds that are stacked against the Usos, but because there are many routes WWE could go with the tag titles moving forward. Every other title has no place changing hands this Sunday because the feuds and competitors surrounding most of them are nowhere near their A game. Let’s just hope that most of these mediocre rivalries come to an end in time for the road to WrestleMania.