WWE Clash of Champions 2016: Stars Who Have Built Most Momentum on Road to Event
Momentum is key to any Superstar's success, be it between the ropes or creatively.
On Sunday, the Superstars of Raw will descend upon Banker's Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis for Clash of Champions. The first exclusive pay-per-view extravaganza from the red brand, it will present the men and women of Monday's wrestling staple the opportunity to showcase their abilities and tell their stories for the WWE Network audience.
Some will arrive to the broadcast on a wave of momentum, with their characters enhanced by their exploits in the ring and their use by the brand's writing staff. They have left their mark on the road to Sunday's event and may even come to define the event in its wake.
These are the Superstars who most bear watching as Monday Night Raw attempts to equal SmackDown's superb first PPV effort, Backlash.
Seth Rollins
1 of 6
Seth Rollins has been one of the faces of Monday night wrestling from the moment he betrayed his Shield brethren two years ago but recently he appears en route to becoming the lead babyface in Vince McMahon's morality play.
The betrayal he suffered at the hands of Triple H not only allowed Kevin Owens to capture the WWE Universal Championship, but it necessitated the babyface turn for Rollins that many expected upon his return from injury.
On the final episode of Raw prior to the event, Rollins looked like a true babyface capable of carrying a show as its top hero.
Now he competes against Owens in the main event of Clash of Champions as the top contender to the WWE Universal Championship. Rollins does so while being hotter than ever and with the opportunity to have that one defining match that has eluded him thus far in his singles WWE career.
Sasha Banks
2 of 6
Sasha Banks may have lost the WWE Women's Championship to Charlotte at SummerSlam, but in the weeks since the summertime spectacular, The Boss has left her mark in a number of ways.
First was the teased retirement speech that ended with her trapping Dana Brooke in The Bank Statement. Then there was the victory in the Triple Threat No. 1 contender's match against Brooke and Bayley that earned Banks another shot at the second-generation competitor she has spent so much of her career chasing.
While Bayley has joined the title match at Clash of Champions, there is no denying that Banks has been presented the most effectively and is the fan favorite to leave Indy as the new champion.
Whether she does is a whole other question.
Brian Kendrick
3 of 6
Brian Kendrick's last significant run in WWE came in 2009.
Now 37 years of age, he is back and looking to help launch a cruiserweight division on Raw. Sunday night, he will become the first Superstar to challenge champion T.J. Perkins. A credible contender whom longtime fans are familiar with, he is the perfect first opponent for the Cruiserweight Classic winner.
Not only did Kendrick impress during the WWE Network-exclusive Classic, but he embraced longtime friend Daniel Bryan in one of the most emotional moments in recent memory. Now enjoying a second lease on his wrestling life, Kendrick can advance the acceptance of cruiserweight wrestling in WWE for the first time.
Never before, not even in 2002 with the arrival of Rey Mysterio, has that style of wrestling prospered under Vince McMahon.
Kendrick can change all of that by building on his momentum Sunday and delivering the performance of his career.
Nia Jax
4 of 6
As a dominant force squashing unnamed talent every week, Nia Jax was an impressive performer to watch.
When she woman-handled Alicia Fox two weeks ago on Raw, tossing her around the ringside area before spearing her through the timekeeper's position, she established herself as the most dangerous woman on the roster.
As physically imposing as any performer who has ever competed and with a heart of ice, Jax feels no remorse for the pain and suffering she dishes out to those unlucky enough to oppose her.
Fox, a former champion, has the unenviable task of squaring off with the former NXT standout once again Sunday night in a match that will take place on the Kickoff Show.
It will be a quick and decisive win for Jax, who will have her eye on the Women's Championship sooner than later.
Roman Reigns
5 of 6
Anyone who thought a United States Championship feud with Rusev was some sort of demotion for Roman Reigns was mistaken.
The Big Dog has remained one of the centerpieces of Monday Night Raw, competing in main events and even netting a Steel Cage match win over WWE universal champion Kevin Owens on the September 19 episode.
As he arrives to Indianapolis for his first legitimate opportunity to capture the historic United States title, Reigns figures to remain a vital part of Raw's plans for the future.
Whether he can actually wrest away Rusev's title—a title perceived to be secondary despite its legacy—remains to be seen. What is not in doubt is Reigns' ability to deliver in big situations, so do not be surprised if he is one-half of the show-stealing match Sunday night.
Kevin Owens
6 of 6
The universal champion, Kevin Owens has spent the road to Clash of Champions building momentum as the lead villain on Raw through strong promos, even stronger matches and a relationship with Triple H that is not quite defined just yet.
Why did The Game suddenly handpick him to be the savior of the brand?
That question still needs answering, but over the last few weeks, Owens has delivered an emphatic "no" to anyone questioning whether his status as champion would somehow change his in-ring performance. Still as fierce as ever, he has defeated Roman Reigns once and delivered two straight outstanding matches with the polarizing babyface.
On Sunday night, he headlines his first WWE pay-per-view against Seth Rollins, a newly turned babyface who is finding his feet in the role. It will be up to Owens to be the dastardly heel he was born to be and, by proxy, elicit more of a babyface reaction for someone who previously filled his role.
.jpg?w=600 "WWE Raw Results & Grades 🔠")
