Sami Zayn vs. AJ Styles vs. Jeff Hardy – Clash of Champions
Despite several alterations to matches, Clash of Champions 2020 was, on the whole, a great PPV for WWE with multiple brilliant matches.
Having been stripped of the belt he never lost; upon his return Sami Zayn became a rejuvenated conspiracy victim, fighting for justice. Trying to win back his IC title, he challenged then-champion Jeff Hardy and previous titleholder AJ Styles to a 3-way ladder match.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67474969/20200918_ClashofChamps_ajzaynhardy_FC_sponsor__9a4723bab024dd03691e34e5c059cef9.0.jpg)
With Hardy having such a legacy with ladders, Zayn being one of the most underappreciated wrestlers in the company, and Styles being deceptively athletic, it was a spot-fest for the ages. With all men enduring a great deal of pain throughout – it gave us what may be one of the most memorable spots of the era as Hardy dove from the top of a ladder onto Zayn, who himself was prone on a ladder below. Additionally, the finish perfectly suited the characters involved.
‘The Great Liberator’ eventually won the match, deviously handcuffing his opponents to get the IC title. Heelishly ‘cuffing Hardy’s ear lobe to a ladder as well as Styles’ wrist to the ladder support. The smarmy finish matched Zayn’s coward character, allowing a brilliantly-made finish to a great stipulation match.