News about WWE Clash at the Castle: This weekend marks WWE’s first major pay-per-view in the United Kingdom in almost three decades. Clash at the Castle will be held this Saturday at the 70,000-seat Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.
As the biggest WWE event in the United Kingdom since SummerSlam 1992, which took place at London’s Wembley Stadium, this is a significant event for the company.
Even though WWE’s return to the United Kingdom is meaningful, one of the longest global championship reigns in company history may end at Clash at the Castle.
Roman Reigns will defend his WWE Universal Championship against Drew McIntyre in the PPV’s main event. It seems like now would be a good moment for Reigns to give up the title he’s held for the past two years.
McIntyre, born in Scotland, will feel like he’s returning home when participating in Clash at the Castle. An ideal conclusion to Clash at the Castle would be McIntyre’s triumphal celebration with the U.K. fans, much like the British Bulldog’s with the British crowd when he won the intercontinental title from Bret Hart at SummerSlam 1992. McIntyre and the fans have earned this.
McIntyre has won the WWE championship twice, but it was during the pandemic, and there were virtually no spectators present. He was a guiding light for WWE during a period of transition, going above and beyond to ensure excellent matches were still staged under unfavorable circumstances.
A proper coronation for McIntyre in front of a sold-out stadium would be a fantastic sight to behold. The United Kingdom has consistently been a top market for WWE since it is home to some of the most devoted wrestling fans everywhere.
Fans in that country have waited a long time for WWE to finally have a pay-per-view event there. The time appears right for a rebranding effort.
The outcome of Reigns vs. McIntyre, whichever way it goes, will be highly indicative of WWE’s future plans. Even though this year’s SummerSlam was the inaugural PPV under the Paul “Triple H” Levesque era, the card for the event was booked before Vince McMahon‘s retirement.
Levesque’s first chance to make his mark on a world-title movie is with Clash at the Castle. While it’s clear that McMahon is pleased that Reigns retains his title despite his limited schedule, it’s less clear how Levesque feels about the situation.
A change in the title would suggest that Levesque’s administration is less likely to include occasional champions. If Reigns is successful against McIntyre, his reign as champion might end at any time. WWE has greatly improved since Levesque assumed creative control.
Both Raw and SmackDown have gotten better, the roster has been strengthened, and after the success of SummerSlam, WWE fans are optimistic that every PPV from here on out will be worth their time.
Having the Clash at the Castle goes down without a hitch would send a strong message to the audience that the new WWE management is worth sticking with. The Peacock/WWE Network will air the Clash at the Castle live on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. ET. A complete rundown of the card follows, along with our picks for each match.
WWE Universal Title Match: Roman Reigns vs. Drew McIntyre
For as long as Reigns has had the WWE championship, it’s difficult to see anyone else holding the position. However, McIntyre appears to be in a must-win situation here.
McIntyre may have been permanently damaged by his humiliating performance on such a grand stage during his homecoming.
This is a chance to take McIntyre to the same level as Reigns, and he will always be one of the most challenged WWE wrestlers. McIntyre’s greatest victory would be ending Reigns’ record-setting title reign.
McIntyre’s feud with Karrion Kross, who was dismissed from WWE in November but returned to the company last month, has already begun. If Reigns is going to take some time off after losing the title, Kross could be a strong first challenger for McIntyre.
Prediction: Drew McIntyre wins
SmackDown Women’s Title Match: Liv Morgan vs. Shayna Baszler
Liv Morgan needs a credible victory to solidify her reign as SmackDown women’s title after cashing in on Ronda Rousey at Money in the Bank and then retaining in a controversial finish at SummerSlam. For a first-time champions, it’s crucial that their supporters believe in them and don’t write them off as lucky.
After Morgan beat Rousey at SummerSlam, she received some criticism from the crowd since she relied on a mistake by the referee to win. WWE has to prove at Clash in the Castle that Morgan can wrestle with Baszler and outsmart her, but she shouldn’t crush an accomplished MMA fighter like Rousey or Shayna Baszler.
Prediction: Liv Morgan retains
Matt Riddle vs. Seth Rollins
WWE had planned for Matt Riddle to face Seth Rollins at SummerSlam but eventually moved the match to Clash at the Castle. In light of the recent escalation of tensions between them, this move was clearly the best option available.
One of the most anticipated bouts on Saturday’s show, because of the verbal exchange between Riddle and Rollins on Raw this past Monday. During the discussion, WWE made an effort to confuse the audience by mixing fact and fiction.
After Riddle made a comment about Rollins’s wife Becky Lynch, Rollins responded by saying that Riddle doesn’t have any kids since his ex-wife divorced him and took the kids away, and now they refuse to have anything to do with him. This is the kind of shot that escalates their enmity to the level of a blood feud.
This is probably not the final showdown between Rollins and Riddle. After losing several consecutive pay-per-views, Rollins could use a major victory. In this way, even if Rollins wins in Cardiff, Riddle will still have a chance to exact retribution in the future.
Prediction: Seth Rollins wins
Bayley, Dakota Kai, and Iyo Sky take on Bianca Belair, Alexa Bliss, and Asuka
Bayley, Dakota Kai, and Iyo Sky will be working together for the first time as a trio on Saturday. Their faction debuted at SummerSlam.
The instant boost to WWE’s women’s division that resulted from Bayley’s return from injury, Kai’s re-signing, and Sky’s promotion to the main roster are undeniable. They’re incredibly gifted individually and work wonderfully together as a unit.
If Bayley wins, she will become the next challenger for Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair. There is also a good chance that WWE will keep bringing in new ladies to compete in the company.
Tegan Nox, a Welsh native, would make sense to return to WWE in her home country if her visa concerns were resolved, where she could team up with Bayley, Kai, and Sky or compete against them.
Prediction: Bayley, Dakota Kai, and Iyo Sky win
The Intercontinental Championship between Gunther and Sheamus
Gunther versus Sheamus is the one bout at Clash at the Castle that will undoubtedly be a highlight. Two of the hardest-hitting wrestlers in the business. A championship battle between the two of them at a pay-per-view would undoubtedly be a highlight of the evening.
WWE’s mid-card titles were neglected by the previous administration and rarely featured on PPV events. Since taking office, Levesque has made an active effort to raise the profile of both the international and domestic championships. The decision to book Gunther vs. Sheamus sends a message that the mid-card championships are being treated seriously.
In his whole time in WWE, Sheamus has never been able to win the Intercontinental Championship. That’s a story WWE has to wrap up eventually, but The Former Walter shouldn’t lose his title defense at the first Pay-Per-View.
I think Gunther will be safe in his position.
Edge and Rey Mysterio vs. The Judgment Day (Damian Priest & Finn Bálor)
Rey Mysterio and Edge will join up again, twenty years after they won the tag team titles together, to face off against Edge’s former Judgment Day stablemates, Damien Priest and Finn Bálor.
When The Judgment Day turned on Edge, they went from being a top attraction to a fixture in the middle of the card. Judgment Day needs to start winning big again if they want to reclaim some of its former credibility. Dominik Mysterio, Rey’s son, has been targeted for recruitment by Judgment Day, and this Saturday may be the day it happens.
On the last Raw before Clash at the Castle, Dominik refused to wield the kendo stick on Rhea Ripley. Dominik should end up costing his father the victory now, whether it’s because he joins The Judgment Day or because he hesitates even more.
Prediction: The Judgment Day win
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