Drew McIntyre’s Scottish homecoming ended in a nightmare after CM Punk cost him the WWE World Heavyweight title at Clash at the Castle.
McIntyre had looked set to snatch the gold from Damien Priest at the climax of an eventful show and in front of a highly-emotional crowd, but ended up coming up short.
It was thanks in no small part to Punk, whose costly intervention ensured that, once again, the Scot came up short in a landmark title match in the UK.
Just two years ago at Clash at the Castle in Cardiff, Wales, outside interference saw McIntyre beaten in controversial circumstances by Roman Reigns.
After that storyline finish was highly criticised, hopes were high that the Rangers megafan would get the chance to fare one better in his home country.
The partisan strong crowd in Glasgow had been hyped into a near-frenzy by the time the main event match took to the ring.
At that stage they’d already thundered Cody Rhodes on to success in his title defence against AJ Styles in a hard-hitting I Quit Match and seen the shock crowning of new Women’s Tag Team Champions in the form of Scot duo Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn.
There was barely anything left in the tank, but they found their voice again for the Ayr native, who was played to the ring by the Inveraray and District Pipe Band who sounded Scotland The Brave to thunderous applause.
McIntyre enjoyed much of the early going in the clash, not least after an awkward landing saw Priest land upside down with his right ankle tangled in the top rope. It looked like a nasty misstep, but the two pros pushed through it well, though Priest was still seen favouring the leg by the show’s end.
Priest was able to overcome a Futureshock DDT to kick out before McIntyre did similar to a Razor’s Edge, as the two big hitters duly hit big in the tussle for the title.
A McIntyre Kip Up looked to be setting up the Claymore before the champ dodged that particular bullet, but promptly ran into the star’s trademark finisher through a barricade on the outside instead.
A South of Heaven from Priest and a further two Claymores then followed but neither proved enough to seal the deal, the latter thanks to the referee being wiped out.
An additional ‘referee’ then slid into the ring to make a count in his absence, only to pull up at two – and reveal himself as Punk, much to the rage of the crowd.
McIntyre couldn’t contain his own anger and duly set on Punk, who delivered a costly low blow that, combined with another South of Heaven, was enough for Priest to secure a three count from the recovered referee.
Victories for Rhodes and Fyre and Dawn were part of an electric night overall at Clash at the Castle.
Sami Zayn also successfully defended his Intercontinental title against Chad Gable, while Piper Niven came up short in her quest to win the WWE Women’s Championship, beaten by champ Baylely.
News Summary:
- WWE Clash at the Castle ends in chaos as CM Punk springs shock in title clash with homecoming star Drew McIntyre
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