WWE CLASH AT THE CASTLE 2022 (Principality Stadium)
Roman Reigns (c) vs Drew McIntyre (WWE Undisputed Universal Champioship Match)
Following the video package for the build up to the match, the screen goes black before a video appears of McIntyre throughout his 2 spells at WWE, with the growth clear to see.
However, in the background the “Broken Dreams” song from McIntyre’s first run with WWE plays, to the delight of the home UK crowd in Cardiff, Wales. With the crowd even signing along with the words, getting the atmosphere going before his entrance for, in his own words, “the biggest match of my career” as he looks to end the historic reign of Roman Reigns.
Drew makes his way to the ring holding Angela the sword, which he holds into the air as the crowd cheers. Walking down the ramp, taking in the moment, the first WWE PLE in the UK since 1992. The sword hoisted into the air once more as he goes onto the turnbuckle, with fire coming from all other turnbuckles. Adding to the Scottish Warrior persona.
Chants of “DREW! DREW! DREW!” and “OH, DREW MCINTYRE!” fills the Principality Stadium. As the challenger bounces on his toes waiting for his opponent, ready to go to war.
The Tribal Chief then makes his entrance, to a chorus of boos from the home crowd for the challenger. With Michael Cole unloading stats of “for 734 days, this man has reigned as champion” , “23 title retentions” and “last pinned in December 2019” to emphasise the dominance of Reigns.
Other notable quotes of “The President without his Secret Service” as the champ is without his Bloodline family. With another impressive statistic being that there have been 55 championship changes in WWE while Reigns has been champion.
Both men standing eye to eye, not taking their eyes off each other as already seen earlier in the night between Gunther and Sheamus. “A big fight atmosphere, in the Principality Stadium” echoes the power of the WWE Universe in the UK. The bell rings as the crowd erupts in support of the Homeland Hero, Drew McIntyre.
Roman looks shocked as he tries to send McIntyre to the canvas but fails. To which he tries again, but then falls to the canvas this time. The champion rolls out of the ring to regain his focus. Also trying to get the crowd under control as the UK crowd gets louder.
Reigns then takes control briefly as he attempts to hush the crowd. McIntyre takes control and puts Roman over the top rope. McIntyre drives Reigns into the steel steps on the outside but realises that he needs to get Roman back in the ring to win the match.
A couple of unexpected guests at ringside in the form of Karrion Kross and Scarlett, to the surprise of the WWE Universe and Drew himself, given the look on his face. With Drew distracted, Reigns hits him from behind. Then driving McIntyre into the ring post, dazing the challenger on the outside.
Eerily quiet from the 60,000+ as McIntyre manages to get back to the ring at 9.5 of the referees count. Much to the relief of the home crowd. However, Reigns is quick to continue the beatdown and capitalise on the wounded challenger. Then taunting the crowd with a response of a chorus of boos.
Big chops to Reigns from McIntyre as he looks to regain control, echoing through the stadium. With collective woo’s honouring the WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair. But Reigns throws McIntyre in the turnbuckle with Drew falling to the canvas as a result.
Back and forth as both men look for a vertical suplex but neither succeed as Reigns comes out on top to continue this period of dominance. Reigns then with the confidence to stop his offence and ask for a microphone mid match, rarely seen in WWE. Delivering the patented “CARDIFF, ACKNOWLEDGE ME!” before throwing the mic out of the ring.
McIntyre then to his feet to deliver a thunderous Glasgow Kiss, leaving both men down in the centre of the ring. With legendary referee Charles Robinson checking on both men to establish if the match can continue.
The back and forth right hands in the middle of the ring babyface (McIntyre) cheers then heel (Reigns) boos fill the atmosphere as the classic championship match spot goes down.
Flurry of offense by McIntyre with consecutive clotheslines, belly to belly suplexes and a neck breaker as the Scottish Warrior builds momentum in his charge for the WWE Universal titles. Both men down in the centre of the ring briefly before McIntyre kicks up to his feet. Electric atmosphere in Cardiff.
McIntryre upside down from the top turnbuckle after an altercation at the top. Drew shows inhumane core strength to get back up and throw Roman flipping through the ai from the top rope. McIntyre, looking like he wants to finish the job now, in the corner with the crowd behind him starts to count for his finisher before Reigns slips out of the ring.
Back and forth again as both men go from the outside back into the ring. The challenger then delivering a back breaking spine buster before a near fall. Roman looks to finish the match himself as he throws the ones up in the corner, looking for the Superman Punch. Countered by McIntyre into the Future Shock DDT, followed by the 3,2,1 count as he looks for the Claymore which is countered with a Superman Punch. Although, still not enough as this breathtaking contest continues.
The champion looks to end the match, seeking the spear, which is met by McIntyre with a kick to the face. Reigns ducks out of the way of a right hand, both men bounce off the ropes with Reigns delivering a monumental spear.
STILL NOT ENOUGH TO WIN THIS MAIN EVENT.
Disbelief and confusion starts to set in for Reigns but he still looks to continue his attack. Using the Guillotine, which has put many of his opponents down and out during his title reign but McIntrye is determined to not be one of them and kicks out.
DREW SPEARS REIGNS THROUGH THE BARRICADE. He rolls Reigns into the ring, counts again 3,2,1, then countered with a spear from Roman. Drew kicks out again at 2.85.
The crowd can’t believe what they're seeing but delighted as “OH, DREW MCINTYRE” rings around the stadium in Cardiff. Reigns is now becoming aggressive towards Charles Robinson, even putting his hands on him. McIntyre then capitalises with a Claymore to the back of Roman. Unfortunately taking out the official at the same time.
All of a sudden the “A-TOWN” theme starts to play, as it seems that Austin Theory wants to cash in his MITB briefcase at the perfect time with both men down. Theory can be heard saying “I wanna cash in” before out of nowhere, Tyson Fury delivers a thunderous right hand to Theory, knocking him out cold on the floor. Quickly ending his hopes of leaving the main event as champion.
Back to the ring as Reigns has a chair in his hands, taking advantage of no official before a Claymore counter, which still doesn’t end the match. To the disbelief of all in attendance. Both men continue to slug it out with right hands to one another, with the crowd cheering their appreciation.
A Superman Punch, followed by a Glasgow Kiss, Roman looks for another, Drew dodges and delivers a spear of his own. McIntyre immediately to his feet with a 3,2,1 count to deliver a perfect Claymore. The crowd anticipates this may be the crowning moment of their home hero.
ONE! TWO! … THE REFEREE THEN PULLED OUT OF THE RING BY A MYSTERY PERSON!
Solo Sikoa from NXT has arrived! The Uso’s younger brother!
Drew in disbelief, turns around to be on the receiving end of another monstrous spear. A battered Charles Robinson rolls back into the ring, ONE! TWO! THREE!
ROMAN REIGNS RETAINS! WITH A LARGE HELPING HAND FROM THE NEWEST MEMBER OF THE BLOODLINE, SOLO SIKOA!
