WWE Clash at the Castle is officially in the books!
WWE’s latest Premium Live Event went down at Glasgow’s Ovo Hydro arena in Scotland on June 15 (Saturday). The five-match card all had titles on the line.
Here’s what went down at Clash at the Castle in Scotland.
Undisputed WWE Championship
Participants: Cody Rhodes (champion), AJ Styles (challenger)
Stipulation: I Quit match
Winner: Cody Rhodes
Analysis: Having Cody Rhodes and AJ Styles kick off the PLE was the right call. They finally brought back blood for the I Quit stipulation. The color added to the animosity. Styles dished some heavy punishment on Rhodes. The brainbuster to the table was brutal.
They used kendo sticks and chairs as well. Styles took a nasty bump while trying to hit his signature Phenomenal Forearm. Even Mama Rhodes got involved in the action to a huge pop from the crowd. She slapped Styles across the face.
I’ll give the match eight out of 10. It would’ve been higher if not for the ending. Styles yelling “I Quit” in desperation reminded me once again why Cody Rhodes’ current WWE run looks like a rehash of a previous storyline involving a major star.
The post-match angle saw The Bloodline jump Rhodes before Kevin Owens and Randy Orton came out to make the save. They once again teased Rhodes versus Orton for the Undisputed WWE Championship.
New champions were crowned at WWE Clash at the Castle
Participants: Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill (champions), Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn (challengers), Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark (challengers)
Stipulation: Triple threat tag team match for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship
Winners: Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn
Analysis: A really good tag team match. Bianca and Jade fed off the crowd’s energy with some devastating power moves. The challengers forming a temporary alliance to tame the champions led to some great action.
Jade, despite her limitations, looked great in this match. She may have suffered the springboard botch but recovered quickly. The commentary team did a great job of debating Jade’s apparent tap-out to Baszler.
This small detail may lead to a singles feud between Jade and Shayna. Isla Dawn’s comeback towards the end of the match looked fantastic. I’m happy the Unholy Union won their first WWE Tag Team Championship in their home country.
My score would be six out of 10.
WWE Intercontinental Championship
Participants: Sami Zayn (champion), Chad Gable (challenger)
Winner: Sami Zayn
Analysis: The trilogy didn’t disappoint. Sami Zayn and Chad Gable had a compelling exchange at WWE Clash at the Castle. I wouldn’t rate this match higher than their first outing in Montreal. Still, it was better than their RAW match from several weeks ago, which Gable won.
The near falls and the Ankle Lock to the outside were some good spots. I was really hoping WWE would pull the trigger on Otis turning, but they didn’t. Michael Cole noted the feud between Zayn and Gable is over, as did Zayn, who motioned to Gable he was done in the aisle.
What’s next for both men? I guess we will find out on RAW. As far as the match score goes, this match gets an eight out of 10 from me.
WWE Women’s Championship
Participants: Bayley (champion), Piper Niven (challenger)
Winner: Bayley
Analysis: Scotland’s very own Piper Niven took on WWE Women’s Champion Bayley. Their different styles made for a compelling title defense. Niven delivered some great power moves on the champion. She really had the crowd on the edge of their feet.
Piper planted Bayley with a Michinoku Driver for a near fall. The Chelsea Green luchadore mask spot popped the crowd big time. Bayley barely got the win after taking a lot of beating. Seven out of 10 for this one.
Drew McIntyre headlined WWE Clash at the Castle for the second time
Participants: Damian Priest (champion), Drew McIntyre (challenger)
Stipulation: Singles match for the World Heavyweight Championship
Winner: Damian Priest
Analysis: I thought Cody Rhodes versus AJ Styles was the Match of the Night until the main event came around. Damian and Drew gets my vote for the Match of the Night. The pair have incredible chemistry for a first-time one-on-one match at a WWE PLE.
Many might argue, but the botched rope spot made the match better in my opinion. Priest did one great job of selling his leg. I really hope he’s okay. Both he and Drew beat the hell out of each other with some hard-hitting moves.
CM Punk interfering was going to happen, but the way he tricked everyone into thinking he was the referee was the highlight of the match. And he really did the Grant Gustin pose, which was the cherry on top of everything.
This match gets a nine out of 10. Everything from the entrance to the crowd reaction to in-ring action was top-notch. The last few minutes did a great job of adding to the animosity between CM Punk and Drew McIntyre.
Did you enjoy WWE Clash at the Castle? How would you rate the PLE out of 10? Let us know in the comments section below!
