Picture: WWE
Clash at the Castle on September 4 is increasingly becoming a must-watch show by the week, as two more matches have been added to the card for Cardiff. Meanwhile, there was an impromptu main roster debut on the 1200th episode of Friday Night Smackdown.
Welcome to WWE Weekly Round-Up, where The Inner Sanctum will take you through this week’s most pivotal moments on WWE television and preview what shapes to be a huge week ahead.
Triple H’s creative influence on WWE continues to be admired by the fans, as there were also incredible wrestling matches and an unforgettable segment featuring Drew McIntyre and Kevin Owens.
Riddle vs Rollins announced for Clash at the Castle
In a match that was supposed to take place at SummerSlam, Riddle and Seth “Freakin” Rollins will finally face off next month at Cardiff. The rivalry has become highly personal, with The Visionary attempting to end The Original Bro’s career on several occasions.
The clash that was supposed to happen last month was postponed, due to an injury Riddle sustained. However, he returned on Monday Night Raw this week to talk about his condition and revealed that he is medically cleared, much to the angst of Rollins.
The two then had a brawl and Rollins was close to delivering a curb stomp to Riddle on the announce table, before The Original Bro countered it with a knee. The Visionary then removed himself from the scene and escaped into the crowd away from Riddle.
He then laid down the challenge to Rollins for Clash at the Castle, before it was made official by WWE.
The match between Riddle and Rollins has the potential to steal the show and is much anticipated, since fans have waited to see this match since SummerSlam.
Drew McIntyre and Kevin Owens deliver unbelievable promo and match
Drew McIntyre who is assigned to Friday Night Smackdown made a rare appearance on Raw, to address his match against Roman Reigns at Clash at the Castle for the Undisputed Universal Championship. He then listed numerous names he could face post-Cardiff if he were to win the title.
However, The Scottish Warrior left out one key name and to his displeasure of being ignored, Kevin Owens made his way down to the ring. Potentially directing a shoot towards former WWE CEO, Vince McMahon, Owens stated that there was a side of him that had “been missing for far too long”.
The Prizefighter said it was time to bring that version of him back to life, unlike how he was being booked under McMahon’s administration. Owens also made light of how he has not won a championship in five years and looks to do so after Clash at the Castle.
His comments fired up McIntyre and the Scotsman passionately ranted how he had to earn his way back into WWE after being terminated, before stating he has beaten Brock Lesnar, Goldberg and Randy Orton.
One comment that got the WWE Universe talking was when McIntyre yelled to Owens, “I don’t care if you are a Prizefighter, a sports entertainer, a superstar, we’re wrestlers in a wrestling ring!”
“Let’s just freaking wrestle!”
It has been apparent that ever since Triple H became the company’s Head of Creative, a positive change has been the wrestlers receiving more freedom when cutting a promo as opposed to memorizing a script.
The terms McIntyre used were also banned under McMahon’s leadership, so it was refreshing watching a promo like this unfold.
The two then had an outstanding match on a night that featured an extensive amount of wrestling, but ended in a disqualification as The Uso’s attacked Drew McIntyre.
Bobby Lashley retains United States Title for a second consecutive week
For the second straight week, Bobby Lashley defended his United States Championship and was tested once again. This time, by AJ Styles.
In a first-time ever clash that surprisingly did not main event Monday Night Raw, The Almighty and Phenomenal One locked horns in a high-quality match. The contest was announced last week following AJ Styles’ victory over The Miz, but the A-Lister got involved as expected.
The former WWE World Heavyweight Champion, along with Ciampa and Dexter Lumis attempted to interfere in the match that saw the crowd highly invested. However, Miz and Ciampa were both ejected from ringside and Lumis was once again contained by security after jumping the barricade.
Lashley and Styles fought on without any distractions, with the champion defeating the challenger following a powerful spear. It was surprising to see The Phenomenal One lose clean, considering how strong he was being booked coming into the clash.
It only showcased Bobby Lashley being utlised as a dominant champion, but it is unclear what his role will be at Clash at the Castle.
The Inner Sanctum suggests that Veer Mahaan can loom as a potential challenger, as The Lion needs some spotlight and a high-profile match to give him some exposure.
MORE WRESTLING NEWS:
‘It’s going to be absolutely wild’: Doudrop discusses Clash at the Castle and career
30 years ago: The last time WWE held a stadium show in the United Kingdom
The 10 most important heel turns in WWE history
Toxic Attraction makes main roster debut
Last week on Monday Night Raw, a tournament commenced to determine the next Women’s Tag Team Champions. The first round came to a conclusion on Friday Night Smackdown and saw Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne of Toxic Attraction debut on the main roster.
Natalya and Sonya Deville were originally scheduled to challenge NXT’s Nikkita Lyons and Zoey Stark to advance to the second round of the tournament. However, it was revealed that both Lyons and Stark were suffering from injury and needed to be replaced.
The former NXT Tag Team Champions, Dolin and Jayne took their spot and successfully defeated Natalya and Deville in a match they dominated. It was an impressive performance for their first main roster bout and now they are primed to play a big role in the tournament.
Next week, they challenge Raquel Rodriquez and Aliyah to qualify for the finals.
The Women’s Tag Team Championships should be given to a legitimate team and not a makeshift one, which is why Dolin and Jayne should be winning in the second round next week to compete for the vacant titles.
Rodriquez and Aliyah are two singles superstars, who were simply put together to fill a spot in the bracket. The crowd in Montreal were also invested in Toxic Attraction, they seem to be over and should be given the spotlight over their opponents.
Hometown hero nearly earns Intercontinental Title match
The Montreal crowd were hot during Smackdown, but especially for their hometown hero, Sami Zayn.
The Canadian was one of five competitors, who all challenged for the right to face Gunther at Clash at the Castle for his Intercontinental Championship.
He was up against Sheamus, Ricochet, Happy Corbin and Madcap Moss and was heavily favoured by his people to win the contest.
However, it looked like he had sustained a shoulder injury during the match and made his way backstage. Eventually, the honorary Uce returned to the ring and Montreal went ballistic.
Zayn was determined to win this match and earn an Intercontinental Championship opportunity, as he attempts to continue to please The Bloodline. He was unfortunately unsuccessful, although the result of this fatal-five-way ended with a dream clash made for Cardiff.
Sheamus was victorious after delivering a devastating brogue kick to Happy Corbin, earning a shot against Gunther; a match that many fans have been dying to see since Gunther won the Intercontinental Championship.
Although both superstars are heels, the contest between the Ring General and Celtic Warrior should be hard-hitting and very physical. The latter would be competing for Grand Slam status, as the Intercontinental Championship is the only title Sheamus has not won in WWE.
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