We are just days away from the biggest WWE UK event for thirty years as Cardiff hosts Clash at the Castle.
Emanating from the Principality Stadium, the card features six matches and is headlined by Drew McIntyre’s challenge for Roman Reigns’ Undisputed WWE Universal Championship.
GiveMeSport predicts what might go down on a historic night in Wales…
Edge and Rey Mysterio w/Dominic Mysterio vs. Finn Balor and Damian Priest w/Rhea Ripley
This intertwining feud has bubbled under nicely and finally given The Judgement Day more of a direction as a faction after Edge’s departure muddied the waters a little. The wildcard in this match is Dominic Mysterio, who gave the air of someone who feels shunned by the arrival of the Rated R Superstar into the mix. And having already ‘accidentally’ tasted a spear from the Hall of Famer, he’s now been replaced by him as his Dad’s tag team partner. With that underlining tension and the fact that Dom has grown out his hair – a surefire sign of a character change – I think he turns on his father here and sides with Balor, Priest, and Ripley. Making sense to why Dominic was reluctant to engage with Ripley on Raw and birthing an awkward rivalry between Rey, his son and Edge.
Winners: Finn Balor and Damian Priest
Seth ‘Freakin’ Rollins vs. Matt Riddle
It was a massive call for Triple H to take this off the SummerSlam card, but it was the right one as it’s given the feud some serious heat going into Clash at the Castle. They pair’s face-off during this Monday’s Raw was brutal and a sure sign of what we’ll see more of under the new WWE regime. It simply gave these two more reasons to fight and that’s what any good match needs, a meaty story going into it and they now have real beef with each other. As for a victor, given that the rivalry has been allowed to breathe, there’s more in the tank for sure. I can see Rollins – who needs a big win – getting the pinfall in this one by way of some nefarious means that sees another round needed between the warring pair.
Winner: Seth ‘Freakin’ Rollins
Gunther vs. Sheamus
WWE Intercontinental Championship
Hard one to call this. Gunther is on a roll right now and WWE are looking to establish him as a major force on SmackDown – especially as the new man in charge is a massive fan of the Austrian. However, you can’t help but feel that Sheamus may get a little reward for his consistently brilliant work here, by winning the one championship that has eluded him his whole WWE career – and it would get a great reaction from the Cardiff crowd. It’s very much a heart vs head decision and although I think it could very well go the other way and Gunther destroys the veteran to continue his story, I’m going for the Celtic Warrior to finally fill-up his WWE bingo card.
Winner: Sheamus
Bianca Belair, Alexa Bliss and Asuka vs. Bayley, Dakota Kai and Iyo Skye
These six have put on a really enjoyable programme since Bayley made her welcome return at SummerSlam and was aided by her new stablemates. I really like that we haven’t gone straight into a Bayley vs Belair title feud and that we the focus has been more on the three of the women against WWE’s babyfaces. It’s another one that’s difficult to call, as you don’t want to take the heat off the heels – especially after failing to capture the Women’s Tag Team Titles – but you want a big win for the face team in the stadium setting. However, given that Bliss and Asuka could take a pinfall without doing them too much damage, I see a win for Bayley and her gals, setting up more avenues for these six to explore going forward.
Winners: Bayley, Dakota Kai and Iyo Skye
Liv Morgan vs. Shayna Baszler
SmackDown Women’s Championship
Absolutely pumped to see Shayna back in the title mix and with that vicious streak that made her such a force in NXT. Unfortunately, this is not her time to be champion. All the focus is on Liv Morgan’s reign, and she needs a big win to cement it, or WWE will find they’ve gone too far down the underdog route with her and she loses credibility as a champion. That will come in Cardiff, however, I wouldn’t rule out an appearance from Ronda Rousey and a post-match beatdown on Morgan from Ronda and pal Shayna. With maybe Wales' own Tegan Nox making a return for the save? Too much to ask for?
Winner: Liv Morgan
Roman Reigns vs. Drew McIntyre
Undisputed WWE Universal Championship
The main event and the only main event WWE could book for such an historic show, question is do they pull the trigger? They’ve certainly given McIntyre the big build as the hero returning home to slay WWE’s biggest dragon, but beating Roman Reigns is now such a thing it must be delivered perfectly. There’s no doubt that if McIntyre beats Reigns to end his two-year run as champion it will be a monumental moment and the Cardiff crowd will go nuts. However, are WWE and are fans ready to see the end of Roman’s reign on the company? I want to think that WWE want to send the fans home giddy and create a statement moment for this historic show, so without huge confidence I’m going to go for the fairy tale ending. C’mon Drew.
Winner: Drew McIntyre