WWE Clash In Italy

By Steve Ward

For the first time in history, a WWE premium live event emanated from Italy as Clash In Italy was live from Inalpi Arena in Turin. This evening’s card, arguably more stacked than both nights of WrestleMania 42 combined, featured five matches with four titles contested and was headlined by a Tribal Combat Match for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship between defending champion Roman Reigns and his cousin Jacob Fatu.

WWE Undisputed Championship
Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Gunther
Winner: Cody Rhodes via pinfall

This was a solid back and forth affair to open the card that had the crowd fully invested from the start, however, it ended in a shroud of controversy. In the closing moments, Cody executed a Cody Cutter and immediately followed it up with the Cross Rhodes to set up the pinfall. It was not seen until after the pinfall was counted that referee Dan Engler missed Gunther’s foot under the rope. Gunther proceeded to protest for several minutes to no avail before storming out of the arena.

WWE Women’s Championship
Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Jade Cargill
Winner: Rhea Ripley via pinfall

After losing her title to Ripley at WrestleMania, Jade earned another opportunity at the Women’s Championship recently on Smackdown to set up tonight’s encounter in Italy. Late in the match, B-Fab and Michin tried to insert themselves in the match by placing Jade’s foot on the bottom rope to halt the pinfall. Moments later, Charlotte Flair emerged from the crowd to even the odds. After dispensing Jade’s backup, Flair repaid the favor by placing Rhea’s foot on the rope as Jade attempted a pinfall. Shortly thereafter, Rhea hit the Riptide to retain her title.

Brock Lesnar vs. Oba Femi
Winner: Brock Lesnar via pinfall

Following his embarrassment at the hands of Oba Femi at WrestleMania which left him seemingly retired, Brock Lesnar exacted his revenge two weeks ago on RAW as he shocked the WWE Universe with a ruthless ambush of The Ruler which brought us to tonight’s grudge match. Brock was ready tonight as he brought the fight to Oba from the opening bell. Following an onslaught of F5s and Kimura Locks which allowed him to systematically break down Femi, Lesnar finally put him away with a SEVENTH F5 for the win.

WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship
Becky Lynch (c) vs. Sol Ruca
Winner: Sol Ruca via pinfall

In a match that saw Becky Lynch jarring with referee Jessika Carr several times, she seemed like she would overcome her challenger until she attempted a Sol Snatcher only to be countered with her own Manhandle Slam. This proved to be the turning point of the match as just moments later, Ruca hit the Sol Snatcher to capture her first championship since her main roster call up.

WWE World Heavyweight Championship Tribal Combat Match
Roman Reigns (c) vs. Jacob Fatu
Winner: Roman Reigns via pinfall

After Jacob Fatu came up short in his title opportunity at Backlash, he refused to acknowledge the Tribal Chief which brought us to tonight’s Tribal Combat match with championship gold at stake once again. Following an absolutely brutal encounter, Roman Reigns was able to survive Jacob Fatu and the deadly Tongan Death Grip which he took from his uncle, the legendary Haku. In the final moments of the match, Roman drove Fatu through a table propped up in the corner of the ring with a devastating spear that left splintered wood everywhere. Reigns then nailed the Samoan Werewolf with yet another spear to solidify the win.