WWE saw 62,296 attend Clash at the Castle at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on Saturday 3rd September as fans from across the world travelled to see WWE make history in what would be their first stadium show in the UK since Summerslam 1992.
The long awaited weekend began on Thursday 1st September as WWE and the Boys & Girls Clubs partnered to support bullying prevention efforts in local clubs around the world. The Be a STAR (Show Tolerance And Respect) bullying prevention program encourages people to treat others as equals and with respect. It was a great success as really kicked off what would be an amazing historical weekend.
We arrived at Cardiff’s Parkgate Hotel nice and early the following day as we managed to interview some WWE superstars ahead on the main event on Saturday.
0:01 Finn Bálor (The Judgement Day)
2:03 Damian Priest (The Judgement Day)
4:25 Rhea Ripley (The Judgement Day)
7:22 Gunther and Ludwig Kaiser
9:33 Bianca Belair
11:56 Liv Morgan
13:57 Drew McIntyre
We also caught up with The Street Profits prior to WWE Clash at the Castle which you can check out below!
So after all of the excitement a very well organised media junket, it was time to attend the Sport Wales National Centre as a Special Olympics GB Unified Basketball Event took place that featured WWE Superstars Drew McIntyre, Liv Morgan, Rhea Ripley, Butch and WWE presenter Megan Morant.
The superstars served as honorary coaches for the game with Special Olympics Wales athletes to promote inclusion and empowerment.
Unified Sports joins people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team. It was inspired by a simple principle: training together and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding.
We managed to get a couple of photos and videos of the event which can be found below:
So after a successful event at Sports Wales National Centre there was no rest for the wicked as Revolucion de Cuba Bar hosted BT Sport The Run-in LIVE which was hosted by Ariel Helwani and his co-pas WWE Superstar Bayley and Drew McIntyre both gave some last minute interviews ahead of the main event on Saturday.
Saturday soon came around the corner and it was time for WWE Clash at the Castle. Finally the wait was over, it has been 30 long years since a WWE stadium show had arrived in UK prior to this historical event. To be absolutely honest with you, the whole experience was fantastic and just showed much WWE improved in entertainment in recent month with Triple H in charge.
The kickoff show saw The Street Profits and Madcap Moss defeated Alpha Academy and Austin Theory (who got his first name back). But it certainly wasn’t Austin’s only involvement during the night as he later attempted to cash in his Money in the Bank contract only for world famous British boxer Tyson Fury to knock him out for his effort at ringside.
WWE Clash at the Castle officially started at 6pm sharp as Bianca Belair, Asuka and Alexa Bliss took on Bayley, Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky (Damage CTRL). The crowd were certainly in full swing and despite Bayley being a heel, she certainly got the majority of the British style football chants handed her way. It was Bayley that picked up the win for Damage CTRL as she pinned the Raw Women’s Champion Belair which will sure to have some backlash in the future.
Next up with Intercontinental Championship match between Sheamus and Gunther. Sheamus was accompanied by his usual teammates Butch and Ridge Holland however the shock of the match was when Gunther was not only joined by Ludwig Kaiser but he evened up the numbers with Giovanni Vinci joining them and reforming NXT’s Imperium. It was Gunther who retained his championship in what was a very physical match to say the least.
SmackDown Women’s Champion then defended her title against Shayna Baszler as despite this being the first matchup between them both, they put in a solid display and could easily be the beginning of a rivalry in the future. Liv retained her title as the crowd favourite certainly enjoyed her moment in front of 60,000 plus fans.
Edge and Rey Mysterio then took on Finn Bálor and Damian Priest of The Judgement Day who were accompanied by Rhea Ripley. Former tag team champions Edge and Mysterio were also accompanied by Dominik Mysterio despite Dominik turning on both his father and Edge following the match. This was what you could only describe as jealousy as Edge and Mysterio certainly put on one hell of a display with even Edge using Rey’s finishing move 619 before spearing Finn Bálor to get the 1,2,3.
Matt Riddle, who also recently received his first name again, took on Seth Rollins in what was a personal battle to say the least. Despite Riddle putting in all of his heart and guts into this battle, it was Rollins who came out as victor as he Super Stomped Riddle off the top rope. This match certainly plenty of grit and storyline to it and saw Rollins provide the Pedigree, Vintage Orton and event attempted and RKO.
Finally the main event was upon us as Drew McIntyre brought back his ‘Broken Dreams’ entrance before he came out to his most latest entrance music which certainly had fans cheering a long for the Scottish wrestler who looked to take down the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns. Reigns, who was not alongside his advocate Paul Hayman, came out as confident as ever as looked to have a trick up his sleeves. WWE referee and legend Charles Robinson was a fitting official for this match as men battled throughout with each finisher on display, whether it was McIntyre’s Claymore or Reigns’ spear, there was just nothing keeping these two down for the three count.
In who looks like to be the newest member of The Bloodline, Solo Sikoa who is Jimmy and Jey Uso’s brother certainly helped matters as he managed to take out the new official before he could count to three following a fierce Claymore kick. Sikoa then distracted McIntyre as Roman Reigns defended his championship with a deadly spear. Despite Roman Reigns retaining his title, Tyson Fury, who before stopped Austin Theory’s Money in the Bank attempt with a knockout punch from the front row, then shook Reigns’ hand and sang ‘American Pie’ and Sweet Caroline’ with Drew McIntyre to round off a fantastic night of entertainment.
We managed to catch a bit of the Press Conference following the historical WWE Clash at the Castle which you take a look at images including Triple H, Seth Rollins, Tyson Fury, Roman Reigns, Liv Morgan, Gunther and Drew McIntyre.
Results
Kickoff Match: Madcap Moss and Street Profits (W) vs. Austin Theory and Alpha Academy
Bianca Belair, Asuka and Alexa Bliss vs. Bayley, Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky (Damage Control) (W)
Intercontinental Championship match: Sheamus vs. Gunther (W)
SmackDown Women’s Championship match: Liv Morgan (W) vs. Shayna Baszler
Edge and Rey Mysterio (W) vs. The Judgment Day
Matt Riddle vs. Seth Rollins (W)
Undisputed WWE Universal Championship match: Drew McIntyre vs. Roman Reigns (W)