WWE United States Title Change At Clash Of Champions
Dolph Ziggler surprised many by winning the opening triple threat match.
Dolph Ziggler emerged from Clash of Champions the new WWE United States Champion, the only title-change on the show.
The Show-Off defeated Baron Corbin and Bobby Roode in the opening match of the main show, a triple threat that went just over 12 minutes. He triumphed after hitting Corbin with a Zig Zag, ambushing the Lone Wolf while he was attempting to drill Roode with his End of Days finisher.
Every other championship stayed with its owner over the course of the night. AJ Styles retained against Jinder Mahal, Charlotte defeated Natalya, and The Usos survived a fatal 4-way tag match to keep their belts too.
Ziggler's win surprised many, as shown by the immediate reaction online. He was thought to have little momentum heading into the bout, certainly compared to champion Corbin and fan-favourite Roode.
Despite this, Dolph emerged on top, securing his second reign as US Champion. His previous run with the belt began in the summer of 2011, when he defeated Kofi Kingston at Capitol Punishment. The reign lasted a period of 182 days, until Ziggler lost the title to Zack Ryder at December's TLC pay per view.
Despite enjoying a well-received feud with The Miz in 2016 - culminating in a great career vs. Intercontinental title match at No Mercy - Dolph has struggled for momentum since. His heel turn at the beginning of this year hasn't proven very popular at all, but hopefully this victory leads to a new beginning for the Show-Off.
Ziggler's second United States Championship reign is the latest in a succession of accolades. He is a two-time World Heavyweight Champion, a five-time Intercontinental Champion, and a one-time World Tag Team Champion (alongside the other four members of the Spirit Squad, in the early days of his career).
He also won the Money in the Bank ladder match in 2012, and is recognised as the 22nd man to be a Triple Crown Champion in WWE.
The Show-Off defeated Baron Corbin and Bobby Roode in the opening match of the main show, a triple threat that went just over 12 minutes. He triumphed after hitting Corbin with a Zig Zag, ambushing the Lone Wolf while he was attempting to drill Roode with his End of Days finisher.
Every other championship stayed with its owner over the course of the night. AJ Styles retained against Jinder Mahal, Charlotte defeated Natalya, and The Usos survived a fatal 4-way tag match to keep their belts too.
Ziggler's win surprised many, as shown by the immediate reaction online. He was thought to have little momentum heading into the bout, certainly compared to champion Corbin and fan-favourite Roode.
Despite this, Dolph emerged on top, securing his second reign as US Champion. His previous run with the belt began in the summer of 2011, when he defeated Kofi Kingston at Capitol Punishment. The reign lasted a period of 182 days, until Ziggler lost the title to Zack Ryder at December's TLC pay per view.
Despite enjoying a well-received feud with The Miz in 2016 - culminating in a great career vs. Intercontinental title match at No Mercy - Dolph has struggled for momentum since. His heel turn at the beginning of this year hasn't proven very popular at all, but hopefully this victory leads to a new beginning for the Show-Off.
Ziggler's second United States Championship reign is the latest in a succession of accolades. He is a two-time World Heavyweight Champion, a five-time Intercontinental Champion, and a one-time World Tag Team Champion (alongside the other four members of the Spirit Squad, in the early days of his career).
He also won the Money in the Bank ladder match in 2012, and is recognised as the 22nd man to be a Triple Crown Champion in WWE.
Written by Jack King
jack.king@cultaholic.com Twitter: @JackTheJobber
