| Clash at the Castle | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| Promotion | WWE | ||
| Brand(s) | Raw SmackDown | ||
| Date | September 3, 2022 | ||
| City | Cardiff,Wales | ||
| Venue | Principality Stadium | ||
| Attendance | 62,215[1] | ||
| WWE event chronology | |||
| |||
| Clash at the Castle chronology | |||
| |||
| WWE in Europe chronology | |||
| |||
The 2022Clash at the Castle was aprofessional wrestlingpay-per-view (PPV) andlivestreamingevent produced by the American companyWWE It was the inauguralClash at the Castle event and took place on Saturday, September 3, 2022, at thePrincipality Stadium inCardiff,Wales. The event aired viapay-per-view (PPV) andlivestreaming and featured wrestlers from the promotion'sRaw andSmackDownbrand divisions. This marked WWE's first major stadium event to take place in theUnited Kingdom since the1992 SummerSlam and the company's first UK PPV overall sinceInsurrextion in 2003. The event's title was a reference toCardiff Castle, situated near the Principality Stadium. The event later returned in2024 in Scotland.
Seven matches were contested at the event, including one on the Kickoff pre-show. In the main event,Roman Reigns defeatedDrew McIntyre to retain theUndisputed WWE Universal Championship. In other prominent matches,Seth "Freakin" Rollins defeatedMatt Riddle,Gunther defeatedSheamus to retain SmackDown'sIntercontinental Championship, and in the opening bout,Damage CTRL (Bayley,Dakota Kai, andIyo Sky) defeatedBianca Belair,Alexa Bliss, andAsuka in asix-woman tag team match. The event was also notable for the main roster debuts ofNXT'sGiovanni Vinci, who rejoined Gunther andLudwig Kaiser to reformImperium, andSolo Sikoa, one of Reigns' cousins and the younger brother ofThe Usos (Jey Uso andJimmy Uso), thus officially joiningThe Bloodline stable.
On October 25, 2021, the Americanprofessional wrestling promotionWWE revealed its 2022 major event schedule for theRaw andSmackDownbrands, with an event slotted forLabor Day weekend at ato be determined location.[2] On April 12, 2022, while the event's title was not revealed, WWE confirmed that the event would be held on Saturday, September 3 atPrincipality Stadium inCardiff,Wales, marking the company's first major stadium event to be held in theUnited Kingdom (UK) in 30 years. Although WWE's last major event to take place in the UK was the2003 Insurrextion, the promotion's last major event to be held in a stadium in the UK was the1992 SummerSlam at theoriginal Wembley Stadium.[3] WWE had originally planned to host the event at present dayWembley Stadium; however, they were offered more money to host the event at the Principality Stadium.[4] On April 29, 2022, during aWWE Live event atLondon'sO2 Arena, WWE wrestler and UK nativeDrew McIntyre revealed the event's title as Clash at the Castle, a reference toCardiff Castle, which is situated near the stadium.[5]
The event aired onpay-per-view (PPV) worldwide and was available tolivestream throughPeacock in the United States and theWWE Network in international markets.[6][7] Unlike other WWE pay-per-view events broadcast in the UK, which air onBT Sport Box Office, Clash at the Castle aired onBT Sport 2, making it available for all subscribers.[8]
In the first 24 hours after the event's initial announcement, it was reported that 59,000 people had pre-registered for tickets. This broke a company record at the time, with more fans registering for pre-sale tickets than any other WWE event, includingWrestleMania.[9] Tickets went on sale on May 20, with hospitality packages also available.[10][11] By August 19, 2022, 63,803 tickets had been sold.[12]
The event comprised seven matches, including one on the Kickoff pre-show, that resulted from scripted storylines, where wrestlers portrayedheroes,villains, orless distinguishable characters in scripted events that built tension and culminated in a wrestling match or series of matches. Results were predetermined by WWE's writers on the Raw and SmackDown brands,[13][14] while storylines were produced on WWE's weekly television shows,Monday Night Raw andFriday Night SmackDown.[15]
On the July 8 episode ofSmackDown, Drew McIntyre was scheduled to face fellow European nativeSheamus to determine the number one contender for theUndisputed WWE Universal Championship at Clash at the Castle. As Sheamus feigned illness, the match did not occur.[16] The match was later rescheduled for the July 29 episode as aGood Old Fashioned Donnybrook match,[17] which McIntyre won.[18] AtSummerSlam the following night,Roman Reigns retained the undisputed titles, thus confirming that Reigns would be the defending champion against McIntyre at Clash at the Castle.[19]
On the August 5 episode ofSmackDown,Shayna Baszler won agauntlet match to earn a match againstLiv Morgan for theSmackDown Women's Championship at Clash at the Castle.[20]
AfterBianca Belair retained theRaw Women's Championship at SummerSlam, she was confronted by the newly formed stable ofBayley,Dakota Kai, andIyo Sky.[19] On the following episode ofRaw, Bayley, Kai, and Sky interfered in a match betweenAlexa Bliss andAsuka. Belair would join the fray, siding with Bliss and Asuka.[21] The following week, Bayley, Kai, and Sky challenged Belair, Bliss, and Asuka to asix-woman tag team match at Clash at the Castle, which was accepted by Belair.[22]
At SummerSlam,Matt Riddle was originally scheduled to faceSeth "Freakin" Rollins,[23] however, the match was called off due to Riddle suffering an injury (kayfabe) incurred by Rollins on theRaw prior to the event.[24][25] At the event, however, Riddle appeared and called out Rollins and the two brawled, which ended with Rollins performing theStomp on Riddle.[19] On the August 15 episode ofRaw, Riddle revealed that he was medically cleared. Later that same night, Riddle engaged into another brawl with Rollins before challenging him to a match at Clash at the Castle, which was made official.[26]
On the August 19 episode ofSmackDown, Sheamus won afatal five-way match to become the number one contender forGunther'sIntercontinental Championship at Clash at the Castle.[27]
At SummerSlam,The Mysterios (Rey Mysterio andDominik Mysterio) defeatedThe Judgment Day (Damian Priest andFinn Bálor) (withRhea Ripley) after interference fromEdge,[19] who was kicked out of Judgment Day in June.[28] Over the coming weeks, Edge and The Mysterios continued feuding with The Judgment Day,[21][22][26] and on the August 22 episode, following Edge's win over Priest in the former's hometown ofToronto, Edge attempted acon-chair-to on Priest, only to be hit by a low blow by Ripley. Bálor joined the fight, only for Edge's wife,Beth Phoenix, to come to Edge's aid.[29] The following week, after Priest and Bálor's match, Priest, Bálor, and Ripley vowed to end Edge's career at Clash at the Castle. Edge then appeared, leading to The Mysterios attacking Judgment Day, who were able to escape. Later that night, a match pitting Edge and Rey against Priest and Bálor was made official for Clash at the Castle.[30]
| Role: | Name: |
|---|---|
| English commentators | Michael Cole |
| Corey Graves | |
| Byron Saxton | |
| Spanish commentators | Marcelo Rodriguez |
| Jerry Soto | |
| Ring announcer | Samantha Irvin |
| Referees | Shawn Bennett |
| Dan Engler | |
| Jessika Carr | |
| Eddie Orengo | |
| Charles Robinson | |
| Rod Zapata | |
| Pre-show panel | Jackie Redmond |
| Matt Camp | |
| Peter Rosenberg |
During the Clash at the Castle Kickoff pre-show,Madcap Moss teamed withThe Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins andMontez Ford) to face the team ofAustin Theory andAlpha Academy (Chad Gable andOtis) in asix-man tag team match. In the end, Ford performed aFrom the Heavens on Gable to win the match.[1]
The actual pay-per-view opened with Alexa Bliss, Asuka, and Raw Women's Champion Bianca Belair facingDamage CTRL (Bayley, Dakota Kai, and Iyo Sky) in a six-woman tag team match. In the end, Sky performed amoonsault on Belair and Bayley pinned Belair to win the match.[1]
Next, Gunther (accompanied by the reformedImperium (Giovanni Vinci andLudwig Kaiser)) defended the Intercontinental Championship against Sheamus (accompanied byThe Brawling Brutes (Butch andRidge Holland)). Before the match, a brawl ensued between The Brawling Brutes and Imperium, while Sheamus and Gunther stared each other down in the ring. During the match, Sheamus performed theWhite Noise andCeltic Cross on Gunther for anearfall. In the closing moments, Gunther countered a Brogue Kick attempt from Sheamus and performed apowerbomb andlariat on Sheamus to retain the title. Following the match, Sheamus received a standing ovation from the crowd.[1]
After that, Liv Morgan defended the SmackDown Women's Championship against Shayna Baszler. In the end, Morgan performed theOblivion on Baszler to retain the title.[1]
In the fourth match, Edge and Rey Mysterio (accompanied by Dominik Mysterio) faced The Judgment Day (Damian Priest and Finn Bálor; accompanied by Rhea Ripley). In the closing moments, Rey and Edge performed the619 andSpear, respectively, on Bálor to win the match. Following the match, Dominik attacked Edge with a low blow and his father Rey with a clothesline, turning heel for the first time in his career, and joining The Judgment Day.[1]
In the penultimate match, Matt Riddle faced Seth "Freakin" Rollins. As Rollins attempted arolling elbow, Riddle countered and applied thetriangle choke on Rollins. Rollins countered the submission and performed theBro Derek on Riddle for a nearfall. Rollins countered a powerbomb from Riddle and performed aPedigree for a nearfall. Rollins mocked Riddle's tag team partner,Randy Orton, by performing aHangman's DDT on Riddle. In the climax, Riddle threw Rollins on the announce table and attempted to attack Rollins with asteel chair, only for Rollins to avoid Riddle. As Riddle re-entered the ring, Rollins performed the Stomp. Rollins then performed a second Stomp on Riddle, this time from the middle rope, to win the match.[1]
In the main event, Roman Reigns defended the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against Drew McIntyre.Karrion Kross was at ringside and taunted McIntyre at one point, as they were feuding at that time. During the match, as Reigns attempted aSuperman Punch, McIntyre countered and performed theFuture Shock DDT. Reigns then performed a Spear on McIntyre for a nearfall. Reigns applied theGuillotine on McIntyre, who escaped. As McIntyre performed theClaymore Kick on Reigns, Reigns inadvertently bumped into the referee, incapacitating him. Austin Theory ran out and attempted to cash in hisMoney in the Bank contract, however,professional boxer and UK nativeTyson Fury, who was in the front row, knocked him out. Reigns then obtained a chair and entered the ring, however, McIntyre performed a Claymore on Reigns for a nearfall. In the climax, after Reigns performed another Superman Punch, he attempted a Spear, however, McIntyre countered and performed his own Spear on Reigns. McIntyre then performed a Claymore on Reigns, only forNXT'sSolo Sikoa, a youngercousin of Reigns, to pull the referee outside the ring. Reigns then performed a Spear on McIntyre to retain the titles. Following the match, Fury entered the ring and shook Reigns' hand. Fury then tended to a disappointed McIntyre, who was seated in the corner of the ring, and stated that regardless of the result, McIntyre still made his country proud. Fury then lead McIntyre and the crowd into singing "American Pie", while McIntyre initiated the singing of "Don't Look Back in Anger".[1]
The event received universal acclaim from fans and critics, particularly for the Intercontinental Championship match which receivedfive stars fromDave Meltzer. The main event, however, was criticized by some for its ending. The match received a 4-and-a-half star rating, while Rollins vs. Riddle received a 4-and-a-quarter star rating.Triple H said that Clash at the Castle was a massive success, stating that Clash at the Castle was the number one international PPV in WWE history, the highest rated UK PPV in WWE history, and the best-selling non-WrestleMania event in WWE history.[31]
Wesley Roesch ofWrestling Inc. called Clash at the Castle the "best 2022 Premium Live Event", stating that "from start to finish, the event was a classic". He stated that the six-woman tag team match "set up a feud between Bayley and Belair", and the SmackDown Women's Championship match was "a good women's title match". Roesch stated that Edge and Rey vs. Judgment Day was "an entertaining match", and Dominik "earned massive heat" with his attack on Edge and Rey. Roesch called the three "standout matches" on the card the Riddle vs. Rollins match, which "blew off an outstanding, personal jab-filled matchup", the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship match, which was a "30-minute clinic" between Reigns and McIntyre, and the Intercontinental title match, which Roesch stated as "the best match of the night" and a "five-star match of the year candidate", stating that Sheamus vs. Gunther was "an absolutely brutal, hard-hitting match that the crowd clearly loved", and that Gunther retaining the title was "a great way to put him over as a major threat in WWE".[32]
Brent Brookhouse ofCBS Sports stated that "from start to finish, Clash at the Castle brought it in the ring, including one of the best matches of the year". He called the six-woman tag team match "a very fun match", Dominik Mysterio's betrayal on Rey "a long time coming, but WWE needed to pull the trigger eventually", and the Rollins vs. Riddle match "a good, hard-hitting match". Brookhouse called the main event match "a very good match that could have used a bit better pacing early on and a fine way to keep the belts on Reigns while keeping McIntyre strong", and gave the Intercontinental Championship match a grade of A+, the highest rated match of the night, stating that the match "was a perfect match for what these two men do. An old-school bout featuring true physicality".[33]
Wade Keller ofPro Wrestling Torch gave the six-woman tag team match 2.25 stars, stating that the match had a few "clunky spots", but "the crowd was red-hot and still into it late despite the length". He called Dominik Mysterio's betrayal on Rey getting "a ton of old school heat", and gave the Intercontinental Championship match 4.25 stars, stating that the "95 percent of the offense as chops and forearms" "added up to a brutal and compelling and effective match". Keller gave the highest rated matches of the event the Rollins vs. Riddle match and the main event, both receiving 4.5 stars, stating that Rollins vs. Riddle was an "excellent match". He said that "not only were the moves well-executed, but so many had a psychological back story by either using the other person's moves or Orton's", and that "a lack of selling big spots in order to keep the action going" "baked into the modern "big match" style, so be it". Keller called the main event "an amazing main event in so many ways", stating that "Reigns's current reign is so special and effective, it's hard to question the decision to keep the belt on him". He called the finish "a copout", but "in Levesque's defense he inherited this match on the schedule and shouldn't be criticized for doing such a good, convincing job building up Drew as a possible winner here", and also said that "Theory's run-in was a fun moment".[34]
Due to the success of Clash at the Castle, on January 5, 2023, WWE announced a return to the United Kingdom for the annualMoney in the Bank event on July 1, 2023, at London's O2 Arena.[35] According to the Welsh government, the event channelled £21.8 million into the Welsh economy, which was ten times more than they had paid WWE to do the event there.[36] A Clash at the Castle event was not held in 2023, but it was scheduled to return to the UK in 2024 inGlasgow, Scotland titledClash at the Castle: Scotland, although with no reference to any specific castle in Glasgow and instead a general reference to the various castles found in and around the city.[37]
On the following episode ofRaw, Edge came out and stated that he had known Dominik Mysterio for a long time and recounted his history with the Mysterio family. Rey, Dominik's father, then came out and wanted an explanation for Dominik's actions. Dominik then came out, flanked by The Judgment Day (Finn Bálor, Damian Priest, and Rhea Ripley) and ignored his father. After Rey sadly walked backstage, Edge then vowed to get an answer out of Dominik, however, Judgment Day viciously attacked Edge. Later that night, Rey faced Priest in a losing effort.[38] The following week, Edge defeated Dominik by disqualification after interference from The Judgment Day. After the match, they attacked Edge with a steel chair, ending the attack by placing the chair on Edge's leg and Bálor performing a Coup de Grâce on the chair.[39] Two weeks later, Edge returned and challenged Bálor to an"I Quit" match atExtreme Rules, and Bálor accepted.[40]
Also onRaw, footage was shown of Seth "Freakin" Rollins rejecting Matt Riddle's rematch challenge immediately after their match at Clash at the Castle.[38] The following week, Riddle lost his match after interference from Rollins.[39] On the September 19 episode, Riddle cost Rollins hisUnited States Championship match. Later that night, Rollins caused Riddle to lose in tag team action. While the two were fighting backstage, Rollins challenged Riddle to a match, and Riddle accepted as aFight Pit match for Extreme Rules.[41] On October 1,UFC Hall of FamerDaniel Cormier was appointed as thespecial guest referee for the match.[42]
Also, Damage CTRL (Bayley, Dakota Kai, and Iyo Sky) continued to target Alexa Bliss, Asuka, and Raw Women's Champion Bianca Belair. Kai and Sky went on to win theWWE Women's Tag Team Championship on the September 12 episode ofRaw.[39] The following week, Bliss, Asuka, and Belair interrupted Damage CTRL's celebration for Kai and Sky's victory, leading to a match between Bliss and Bayley for that episode's main event, where Bayley won. After the match, Kai, Sky, and Bayley attacked Bliss. Belair made the save, but was also attacked by the three, as was Asuka. Bayley then stated that she wanted a Raw Women's Championship match at Extreme Rules, reiterating the fact that she pinned Belair at Clash at the Castle.[41] On the September 26 episode, Bayley challenged Belair to aladder match for the title at Extreme Rules, and Belair accepted. Belair then defeated Sky.[40] The following week, Sky defeated Bliss due to Bayley and Kai preventing interference from Asuka and Belair. After the match, Damage CTRL laid out Bliss, Asuka (who would both be out of action for four weeks), and Belair before heading on the top of a ladder.[43]
On the following episode ofSmackDown, Solo Sikoa officially joined The Bloodline, thus making his main roster debut. Later that night, Sikoa fought Drew McIntyre where he lost via disqualification due to Karrion Kross attacking McIntyre, who would begin a rivalry with Kross.[44] On September 23, astrap match between the two was scheduled for Extreme Rules.[45] McIntyre would then renew the rivalry against the original iteration of The Bloodline (also known as the "OG Bloodline") in which Zayn, Reigns, and The Usos became babyfaces while forming an alliance with the Sikoa-led Bloodline, which since addedTama Tonga,Tonga Loa, andJacob Fatu from December 2024.[46]
Also onSmackDown, Imperium (Gunther, Ludwig Kaiser, and Giovanni Vinci) defeated The Brawling Brutes (Sheamus, Ridge Holland, and Butch) in a six-man tag team match.[44] The following week, both teams took part in afatal four-way tag team match to determine the number one contenders for theUndisputed WWE Tag Team Championship, which The Brawling Brutes (Butch and Holland) won.[47] The following week, however, Butch and Holland failed to win the titles due to Imperium interfering.[45] On September 29, a Good Old Fashioned Donnybrook match between the two teams was scheduled for Extreme Rules.[48] Prior to Extreme Rules, Sheamus faced Gunther in a rematch for the Intercontinental Championship on the October 7 episode ofSmackDown[49] where Gunther retained after he struck Sheamus with ashillelagh while the referee was distracted.[50]
On the October 14 episode ofSmackDown, Rey Mysterio was traded to SmackDown to avoid The Judgment Day (Damian Priest, Rhea Ripley, Finn Bálor, and Dominik Mysterio) on Raw.[51] However, Rey and Dominik's paths would cross again at the2023 Royal Rumble. Rey was supposed to compete in the men'sRoyal Rumble match, but he never came out when his entrance music played. Dominik then entered, carrying Rey's mask, implying that he attacked his dad to prevent him from entering. With Ripley winning the women's Royal Rumble match[52] and choosing to challenge for the SmackDown Women's Championship,[53] the group began appearing onSmackDown, thus Dominik began tormenting his dad again. After weeks of Rey refusing to attack Dominik,[54][55][56][57] on the March 24 episode ofSmackDown, Dominik disrespected Rey's mother and sister, forcing Rey to intervene and hit Dominik. It was then confirmed that Rey and Dominik would face each other atWrestleMania 39.[58]
The O2 is one of the world's premier venues and the perfect home for Money In The Bank. We are excited to bring one of our 'Big 5' events to the UK and look forward to welcoming the WWE Universe to London on July 1.