Clash at the Castle stored WWE’s momentum underneath Triple H shifting in the proper course and introduced some readability to the course of a variety of key storylines.
Drew McIntyre seems to have been crossed off the listing of people that will finish Roman Reigns’ now two-plus yr run as a world champion. The Scotsman, regardless of dropping due to the debuting Solo Sikoa, nonetheless left this occasion trying like 1,000,000 bucks and Reigns’ equal. He simply gained’t be the man to get the better of him. The 60-plus thousand followers that packed Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales for WWE’s first U.Okay. stadium present since SummerSlam 1992, noticed a brand new ladies’s world title challenger emerge, a son activate his father and two of the hardest dudes in the firm almost steal the present.
Here are 5 takeaways from an outstanding Clash at the Castle that made it really feel prefer it UK/European occasion must at least be a semi-regular factor on the WWE calendar.
Family Runs Deep
Roman Reigns and Drew McIntyre delivered a fundamental occasion for the Undisputed Universal championship befitting of the stage and the second. While going into the match, the thought was Karrion Kross – who was ringside – could value McIntyre the championship and his second in entrance of a U.Okay. crowd itching to have a good time him. Instead, it was a called-up Solo Sikoa – the Uso’s youthful brother – from NXT who pulled the referee out of the ring simply after McIntyre hit the Claymore that appeared would finish it. He then attacked McIntyre by the ropes.
It opened the door for Reigns – who went to the ring alone on Saturday, to hit the third spear to lastly put the Scotsman away and left The Bloodline stronger at the moment than yesterday. Austin Theory was going to attempt to money in at one level with each Reigns and McIntyre down, however he obtained knocked out by heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, who was ring aspect.
I can’t say sufficient about the match Reigns and McIntyre placed on over about half-hour, beginning with a really gradual 80’s-style tempo to progressively shifting issues into the present period with a flurry of counters, ending strikes and false finishes that simply obtained you absolutely invested in the story being informed. This goes close to the high of Reigns’ matches as champion and might be the most he’s been pushed by one man in a standard contest. Cody Rhodes nonetheless feels in line to be the man to unseat Reigns.
McIntyre could not have gained, however he did get to sing in the ring with Fury after the match and obtained an awesome response from the followers after lobbying for this present for years. One factor I may have finished with out was Fury shaking Reigns’ hand at the finish. I get having the champions getting a second for WWE, however Reigns clearly wanted interference to win and that doesn’t deserve a handshake.
Daddy Issues
Dominik Mysterio offered the most stunning second of the present. After doing the whole lot he may to make sure his father Rey and Edge defeated The Judgement Day’s Finn Balor and Damian Priest, he then for some cause selected this second to activate his dad and Edge. He kicking Edge in the nuts after which clotheslined Rey after saying “you ruined it.” It left all three members of Judgment Day laughing their asses off.
Before we get to the why, this was a wonderful match with Rey and Edge pulling off some cool tag crew offense and actually trying like they loved attending to work collectively once more. There could lay the downside.
Dominik’s flip coming after he helped his dad and Edge to win made it much more of a shock however added to the awkwardness that now must be absolutely defined. So to me, there is just one strategy to adequately clarify why Dominik’s flip was finished on this method. Dominik ought to really feel sick of Edge seemingly taking his place subsequent to Rey, his dad not trusting him to be his associate for this match and ruining the good factor that had occurring.
Even nearly as good as Edge is, they nonetheless wanted Dom’s assist to get the win. Edge even got here out sporting a masks to indicate some solidary with Rey, however a masks is sacred in Mexico and one thing Dom is attempt to earn. You can both have Dominik be a part of the Judgement Day and have Rey battle to get his son’s soul again or make him be a part of Legado Del Fantasma when the make their fundamental roster debut advert actually give him a recent begin. Either approach, an enormous highlight is now on Dominik, and he can be given the likelihood to take his profession to the subsequent degree.
Won’t Back Down
No extra speak of Liv Morgan being an underdog. Her character grew up Saturday and has now crushed Ronda Rousey twice – although not precisely in the cleanest of fashions – and now her good friend Shayna Baszler clear by pinfall. Morgan did all of that in Cardiff whereas working a storyline arm damage and refusing to surrender even when Baszler demanded it. It was nice to see Morgan use a few of MMA submissions supposedly taught to her in coaching by Matt Riddle. She ended up irritating Baszler sufficient to catch her with a Codebreaker – which Rousey has confirmed Baszler tips on how to counter – after which the ObLIVion for the win.
This story feels removed from over. The un-suspended Rousey seemingly will inform Baszler on SmackDown your play-by-the guidelines approach didn’t work so be a part of me and let’s strive it my approach as the two crew up and possibly beat down Morgan. The champ will want an ally and that individual will not be energetic proper now should you look at the rosters. Still, we have to get to Morgan vs. Rousey yet one more time – in all probability at Extreme Rules except the Survivor Series format adjustments as a result of Bianca Belair vs. Rousey is cash.
Title Toughness
Gunther and Sheamus offered followers precisely what hoped for when their Intercontinental championship match was made. Oh, and Triple H put Imperium again collectively (and gave himself one other tag crew) by selling Giovanni Vinci from NXT.
Gunthar and Sheamus was stiff, they battled on the outdoors, chests have been left pink and the Cardiff crowd being absolutely behind the difficult Irishman attempting to lastly turn into a grand slam champion, solely leveled up the drama of the quite a few finishes. Gunthar was unable to totally ship his powerbomb to Sheamus, nevertheless it damage the challenger sufficient that he couldn’t ship a Brogue Kick late. It opened the door for Gunthar to hit a vicious lariat to get win. The match obtained a standing ovation throughout it and Sheamus obtained one afterward in what was one among the present’s greatest contests. A date with Ricochet appears subsequent for Gunthar.
Back in the Win Column
Seth Rollins’ streak and not using a clear pay-per-view victory is over as the final one was all the approach again in June 2021. This was as a lot a battle was it was a wrestling match after the second Rollins made about Riddle’s real-life divorce throughout a storyline promo this week on Raw. Rollin ultimately used Riddle’s rage towards him after calling him a loser and that’s why his spouse left him. It offered the opening Rollins wanted for an eventual Stomp off the high to get the 1-2-3. The digital camera confirmed Riddle nonetheless steaming after. This story looks as if an ideal match for Extreme Rules, so this seemingly isn’t the finish.
Other Matches
Bayley, Iyo Sky, Dakota Kai (Damage Control) over Bianca Belair, Asuka and Alexa Bliss
It took Iyo Sky and Dakota Kai each to assist Bayley to pin Raw ladies’s champion Bianca Belair for the win. It’s Belair’s first time being pinning on WWE TV since Becky Lynch did so the Nov. 1 “Monday Night Raw.” It was a good way to guard Belair, however nonetheless organising a possible championship match with Bayley, whose group is now known as Damage Control.
Other Matches
Street Profits, Madcap Moss over Alpha Academy and Austin Theory
It seems preshow matches are again and this one was enjoyable. The spotlight was tremendous blockbuster over the high rope to the outdoors by Monte Ford that led to a frog splash for the win.
Notes
- Triple H mentioned throughout the post-event press convention that he’s set to have a chat to Bad Bunny a few return to WWE.
- WWE introduced United States championship cage match between the Miz and Bobby Lashely for Raw on Monday.
Biggest Winners: Liv Morgan and Dominik Mysterio
Biggest Loser: Riddle
Best Match: Roman Reigns vs. Drew McIntyre (Undisputed Universal championship)
Predictions: 5-1
Grade: A-
