Pre-Show
The pre-show panel was in studio with Jackie Redmond, Matt Camp, and Pete Rosenberg. They ran down the lineup and announced Madcap Moss & The Street Profits vs. Austin Theory & Alpha Academy for the Kick-off show.
They aired a Riddle vs. Seth Rollins video package. The panel used Matt Riddle's full name during the segment.
They discussed SmackDown Women's Champion Liv Morgan vs. Shayna Baszler next. They showed Morgan in the locker room talking to UFC Welterweight Champion Leon Edwards.
The panel brought in Wade Barrett to discuss Gunther vs. Sheamus. Barrett was excellent in explaining why all U.K. fans would support Sheamus and McIntyre. Barrett was great in the short segment. He should be hosting the panel.
Madcap Moss & Street Profits defeated Austin Theory & Alpha Academy (6:30)
***
Thumbs In The Middle Pointing Up
This started off as just a basic pre-show match until the last few minutes. The finish was awesome and got a huge pop from the crowd.
Moss got a good reaction for his entrance. The fans popped big for the Street Profits. Austin Theory has his first name back.
Angelo Dawkins and Chad Gable started off with a hot sequence. Ford caught Gable with a standing dropkick to take over. Austin Theory made the blind tag and took out Ford's knee with a chop block. The fans broke into a loud "You suck" chant directed at Theory.
The heels isolated Ford on their side of the ring. Ford fought back, and Moss got the hot tag. The fans popped for Moss's comeback.
Dawkins tagged in and hit a twisting splash on Theory. Gable hit a rolling German suplex on Moss for a close near fall. Otis avoided Moss and caught him with a shoulder tackle.
In an awesome spot, Otis went for a flying cross body, but Moss caught him and hit a fallaway slam. The fans popped big for that spot.
The finish was awesome. Everyone was on the floor except for Ford and Gable. Gable tried to give Ford a German suplex off the apron to the floor, but Ford held onto the ropes.
Dawkins then pulled Gable off the apron and placed him on his shoulders. In a crazy spot, Ford hit a dive over the top rope into a blockbuster on Gable off of Dawkins's shoulders onto Moss, Otis, and Theory at ringside.
Ford then hit the frog splash for the win. The fans went crazy for the last few minutes.
They showed Roman Reigns arriving at the arena to end the pre-show.
Main Show
The entrance ramp is basic, but there's a giant castle above the ring.
Damage Control (Bayley, IYO SKY & Dakota Kai) defeated Raw Women's Champion Bianca Belair, Alexa Bliss, & Asuka ( 18:49)
***1/2
Thumbs Up
This was a good opener and a fun match. The story was Damage Control worked together better as a team than the faces. The crowd was on fire the entire match.
Belair finally tagged in, and the fans popped. She hit a spinebuster and standing moonsault on Bayley for a two-count. Belair and Bayley fought on the top rope. Belair avoided Kai and threw her out of the ring.
Somehow, Belair hit the middle turnbuckle. Bayley tried to tie her up, but Asuka and Bliss gave Bayley a double suplex off Belair's back.
Sky hit a Asai moonsault onto the faces at ringside. In the ring, Belair was firmly in control. She went for the KOD on Kai, but Kai escaped.
The finish came when Bayley tied up Belair in the corner by her hair. Kai hit the running boot in the corner. Bayley followed up with the Rose plant, and Sky hit a moonsault. Bayley then pinned Belair for the win.
Michael Cole, Corey Graves, and Byron Saxton made a big deal out of Bayley pinning Belair.
They showed Drew McIntyre backstage earlier today. Tyson Fury showed up to greet McIntrye.
They showed Fury at ringside to a massive pop.
They showed highlights from SummerSlam 92 of The British Bulldog defeating Bret Hart for the Intercontinental title. Cole called it the greatest match in SummerSlam history.
In the arena, they announced The British Bulldog's family at ringside to a good pop. Then they showed Bret Hart at ringside to a gigantic pop.
Intercontinental Champion Gunther (w/Ludwig Kaiser & Giovanni Vinci) defeated Sheamus (w/Butch & Ridge Holland) (19:33)
****1/4
Thumbs Up
Walter and Sheamus had a great match. It was brutal and hard-hitting. Walter destroyed Sheamus' chest with violent chops. They both worked hard and just beat the hell out of each other.
The Brawling Brutus got a huge pop. During Gunther's intro, Kaiser brought out Giovanni Vinci (Fabian Aichner) to reform Imperium. The fans booed Gunther but popped for Imperium.
Imperium and The Brawling Brutes squared off in the ring. Butch and Holland brawled with Vinci and Kaiser around ringside. Sheamus and Gunther stayed facing off in the ring. Butch hit a moonsault on Imperium. They fought to the back.
The fans popped when Sheamus and Gunther traded shots at the bell. Sheamus had the early advantage. The fans broke into a "Let's go, Sheamus" chant.
Sheamus and Gunther traded hard shots in the corner. Sheamus knocked Gunther down and pulled himself up to the top rope. Gunther jumped to his feet and chopped Sheamus to the floor. Gunther then gave Sheamus a slam onto the ring steps. The fans broke into a "Walter" chant.
Walter climbed to the top rope, but Sheamus cut him off. They trade traded hard chops and slaps.
Sheamus regained control and hit the Celtic cross for a very close near fall. The fans thought that was the finish. Sheamus went for the Brogue kick again, but his back gave out. Gunther hit a powerbomb and destroyed Sheamus with a lariat for the win.
After the match, Imperium celebrated with Walter and left. The fans gave Sheamus an amazing reaction and a standing ovation after the match. This felt like a special moment after an amazing match.
They showed UFC Welterweight Champion Leon Edwards at ringside to a big pop.
SmackDown Women's Champion Liv Morgan defeated Shayna Baszler to retain the title (11:00)
***1/4
Thumbs Up
Morgan and Baszler had a good match. The story of the match was Baszler targeting Morgan's injured arm. Instead, Morgan worked on her submission and injured Baszler's arm, which worked into the finish.
They did the special ring introductions. The crowd was still hot. They erupted in boos for Baszler and popped big for Morgan.
Cole noted Morgan trained with Riddle for the match.
They traded submission moves for the first few minutes. Morgan took over and tried to stand on the top rope. Baszler pushed Morgan off and caught her arm on the rope as she fell.
Baszler slowed the pace down and destroyed Morgan's arm. Morgan tried to fight back, but Baszler caught her with a back suplex. Baszler slowed the pace down.
Morgan broke free and hit a middle rope dropkick. Morgan jumped to her feet and fired up. She caught Baszler with a knee off the middle rope for a two-count.
Baszler regained control and teased stomping on Morgan's injured arm. Morgan locked on the triangle and an arm bar. Baszler escaped and rocked Morgan with a knee for a two-count.
Morgan recovered and hit a running powerbomb for a two-count. Baszler kicked out into the kirifuda clutch. Baszler couldn't keep the hold because of her injured arm.
The finish came when Morgan hit the code breaker and oblivion for the win.
After the match, Morgan got a great reaction from the fans as she celebrated
They showed Adrian Street & Miss Linda at ringside. They also showed photos of Street and Linda.
They showed a Judgment Day vs. Edge & Rey Mysterio video package.
Edge & Rey Mysterio (w/Dominik Mysterio) defeated Judgment Day (Finn Balor & Damien Priest w/Rhea Ripley) (12:25)
***1/4
Thumbs Up
This was a really good tag team match. The fans went crazy for everything and popped big for the finish.
The big story was the angle after the match. Dominik finally turned on Edge and his father. The turn got a massive reaction from the fans. The heat was intense, and they erupted in boos.
Dominik didn't leave with Judgement Day, so it's unclear if he's with them. If he's with Judgement Day, the finish doesn't make sense since he helped Edge and Mysterio win.
On commentary, Cole noted Dominik showed some jealous tendency lately and was upset that Rey picked Edge as his partner.
Rey and Dominik got a good reaction. Edge got a huge pop and came out wearing a luchador mask. The fans sang Edge's theme music. The fans loved Edge and are still a hot crowd.
Balor and Mysterio started off with fast-paced back-and-forth action. Balor tagged in Priest. He demanded Edge get in the ring, and the fans popped.
Priest was briefly in control. He whipped Edge into the corner, but Mysterio protected him. The heels tried the same ,spot but Edge kicked Balor. Edge then gave Mysterio a reverse powerbomb onto the heels at ringside. The fans broke into a "Rey Mysterio" chant. The heels took over and isolated Mysterio in their corner.
Balor slowed the pace down with a chin lock. Mysterio fought back and sent Balor over the barricade. Mysterio jumped on the barricade, but Priest cut him off. Mysterio then crotched Priest on the barricade, which Priest sold big.
Edge got the hot tag and ran wild. He set up for the spear, but Priest caused a distraction. Mysterio took out Preist with a senton off the apron. In the ring, Edge hit the 619 on Balor. It wasn't pretty, but he hit it.
Mysterio hit a splash on Balor for a near fall. Edge then speared Preist off the apron to the floor. Balor set up for the coup de grace on Edge, but Dominik caused a distraction. Mysterio then gave Balor a hurricanrana off the top rope.
Ripley took out Dominik at ringside. She picked him up for a slam, but Mysterio took them out with a dive. Mysterio set up for the 619, but Balor hit a clothsline instead.
The finish came when Dominkik grabbed Balor's leg, which allowed Mysterio to hit the 619. Edge then speared Balor for the win. On commentary, they pushed that Dominik played an important role in the win.
After the match, the faces celebrated the win when Dominik suddenly gave Edge a low blow. The crowd erupted in boos. Dominik then laid out his father with a clothesline to louder boos.
The heat was pretty intense. The fans booed Dominik as he walked out. Judgement Day laughed at Edge and Rey but Dominik didn't leave with them.
They announced tonight's attendance of 62,296.
Seth Rollins defeated Matt Riddle (17:20)
***1/2
Rollins and Riddle had a great match. The story of the match was Rollins got Riddle so angry and emotional that he made a mistake.
Matt Riddle has his first time back again. Riddle got a big pop during his entrance. Rollins came out in a spectacular ring outfit. The fans sang Rollins's entrance music throughout the match.
Riddle and Rollins charged at each other at the bell. They traded shots in the corner. Riddle got in the referee's face. Riddle then got the triangle on Rollins, but they both fell over the top rope. Rollins took over and hit a suicide dive.
Rollins was in control but got in the referee's face. Riddle fought back and climbed to the top rope. Rollins cut him off and went for a reverse suplex. Somehow, Rollins lost his grip. He recovered and caught Riddle in the tree of woe. He followed up with a double foot stomp.
They continued to fight on the top rope. Rollins hit a superplex and rolled through for the falcon arrow. Riddle countered and hit the fisherman buster for a near fall instead.
Riddle hit the floating bro off the second rope to the floor. Rollins went for the pedigree, but Riddle escaped. Riddle countered into the bro to sleep into a powerbomb into a jumping knee for a two count.
Riddle went for the floating bro, but Rollins got his knees up. Riddle avoided the stomp and locked on the triangle. Rollins broke free and hit Riddle's Bro Derek for a close near fall.
Riddle avoided the phoenix splash and hit the Pele kick. Riddle jumped to his feet, but Rollins rocked him with a forearm. Rollins then hit the pedigree for a very, very close near fall. The fans couldn't believe Riddle kicked out.
Rollins screamed at Riddle that he's a loser and mentioned his wife leaving him. He said Riddle's kids would soon know he's a loser too. Riddle snapped, but Rollins took advantage. He hit Orton's draping DDT to a chorus of boos that turned into Rollins theme music.
Rollins set up for the RKO, but Riddle locked on the sleeper. The fans broke into a "This is awesome" chant. Riddle grabbed a chair, but Rollins avoided the chair shot.
Rollins hit the stomp for a near fall as Riddle got into the ring. Rollins then hit the stomp off the second turnbuckle for the win.
They showed a Becky Lynch video package.
Earlier today, Roman Reigns hung out with Tyson Fury. They showed Fury at ringside again.
They also showed Karrion Kross and Scarlett at ringside.
They aired an Extreme Rules commercial featuring Paul Heyman. Cole noted they shot that a long time ago because Heyman's still not back after Brock Lesnar gave him the F5 onto the table.
However, Heyman was in the graphic for Reigns vs. McIntyre.
They showed a Reigns vs. McIntyre video package.
WWE Undisputed Universal Champion Roman Reigns defeated Drew McIntyre to retain the title (30:39)
***
Thumbs In Middle Pointing Down
The fans loved McIntyre and wanted to see him win more than anything. They chose not to do the title change, but it felt like the right place because of the atmosphere. They had Tyson Fury and McIntyre cut a promo and sing after the match to send the fans home happy.
The story of the match was Reigns didn't have the help of Paul Heyman, The Usos, or Sami Zayn. However, his cousin and Uso's younger brother Solo Sikoa debuted to help Reigns win.
They aired a cool little video about McIntyre before his entrance. They did the special ring introductions, and McIntyre got a massive pop.
The fans broke into a loud "Drew" chant. They erupted into loud boos for Reigns. The fans love McIntyre and hate Reigns. They broke into several "Drew" chants and "Drew McIntyre" football chants throughout the match.
McIntyre had the early advantage after pushing Reigns into the corner. Reigns tried a shoulder tackle, but it didn't move McIntyre. Reigns was shocked and rolled out of the ring.
Reigns was briefly in control, but McIntyre fought back. He sent Reigns outside with a hard clothesline. McIntyre then tossed Reigns into the steps.
Karrion Kross distracted McIntyre from the crowd. Reigns took advantage and blindsided McIntyre. Reigns grabbed the mic and demanded the fans acknowledge him. They erupted in boos. As Reigns turned around, McIntyre rocked him with a sick-looking Glasgow kiss.
McIntyre and Reigns traded shots in the middle of the ring. The fans did the "Yay" and "boo" chants. McIntyre ran wild and hit a belly-to-belly suplex and a neck breaker. He did a kip up to a huge pop,
McIntyre hit a spine buster for a close near fall. Reigns fought back and hit the rock bottom for a two-count. Reigns went for the Superman punch, but McIntyre reversed into the future shock DDT. McIntyre went for the claymore, but Reigns hit the Superman punch for a close near fall.
Reigns went for the spear, but McIntyre kicked him in the face. Reigns recovered and hit the spear for a very close two-count. Reigns locked on the guillotine submission, but McIntyre broke free.
Reigns rolled to the floor. McIntyre went after him and speared Reigns through the barricade. In the ring, McIntyre went for the claymore, but Reigns hit the spear for another very close near fall. The fans were relieved that wasn't the finish.
Reigns was furious and yelled at referee Charlies Robinson. McIntyre hit the claymore, and Reigns bumped into the referee knocking him out of the ring.
Suddenly, Austin Theory's music hit, and he ran down to cash in the briefcase with a second referee. The fans were furious until Tyson Fury knocked out Theory to a huge pop.
In the ring, Reigns went to hit McIntyre with a chair. McIntyre avoided and hit the claymore for another close near fall. The fans thought that was the finish.
McIntyre and Reigns traded hard shots in the middle of the ring. McIntyre took out Reigns with a spear and hit the claymore. McIntyre had the match won when someone pulled the second referee out of the ring. He took off his hood to reveal the Usos' younger brother Solo Sikoa.
McIntyre got in Sikoa's face. Sikoa hung McIntyre on the top rope as Robinson got back in the ring. Reigns then hit the spear for the win. The fans were furious and massively disappointed.
After the match, Tyson Fury got in the ring and shook Reigns' hand to a chorus of boos.
Reigns and Sikoa walked off to loud boos. In the ring, Fury helped up McIntyre to loud cheers from the fans. They gave him a good reaction.
Fury grabbed the mic and praised McIntyre. He told him to be proud because he fought hard. Fury sang "American Pie" to McIntyre, and the fans joined him. McIntyre admitted he was disappointed but will win the Universal title someday.
McIntyre sang and then posed with Fury to end a very good Clash at the Castle. The fans seemed to enjoy Fury and McIntyre's interaction.
Overall: Thumbs Up
By: #GeraldRoberts
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