WWE Clash at the Castle 2024 results, match grades: CM Punk costs Drew McIntyre gold, new champions crowned in Scotland

(WWE.com)

All of Scotland was on Drew McIntyre’s shoulders as he looked to win the World Heavyweight Title at Clash at the Castle.

The passionate Scottish fans at the OVO Hydro were on his side as he went up against Damian Priest, who took the belt from him at WrestleMania.

But it wasn’t meant to be, as CM Punk, McIntyre’s enemy and obsession over the last few months, took him down in front of 11,000-plus fans.

It was a back-and-forth battle between Priest and McIntyre. McIntyre seemed to have the edge, especially with Priest appearing to injure himself after attempting to jump over the ropes. At one point in the match, the referee got taken out and McIntyre landed a Claymore, almost securing the win.

But Punk had other plans.

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The former AEW and WWE world champion appeared as a replacement referee and refused to complete the count for McIntyre. A shocked and angry McIntyre got distracted, allowing Punk to hit him below the belt, and Priest took advantage to get the win.

Punk is public enemy number one after that display, at least in Scotland — and, if healthy, he is expected to face McIntyre this summer. If Priest is healthy after that rope spot, he has a date with destiny against King of the Ring winner Gunther.

Bayley defended her WWE Women's Title against Piper Niven. Another Scottish native, Niven used her strength to her advantage, but Bayley fought back. Always the underdog, Bayley chopped Niven down on the outside of the ring and, after several attempts, did so on the inside. The birthday girl hit a crucifix driver for the win.

Sami Zayn ended Chad Gable’s efforts to become WWE Intercontinental Champion. The heel Gable focused on winning gold, punishing Zayn, and lecturing Alpha Academy, who left Gable alone before Zayn retained gold. Zayn did help break the bond of Alpha Academy by pushing Gable into an injured Maxxine Dupri.

Gable, who reportedly just signed a new contract with WWE, appears to be moving on to fight Otis, who is no longer listening to his former leader.

The first shock of the night saw Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn end Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill’s run as WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. In a triple threat match, the Scottish team took advantage of a distracted official and team to steal a win. Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark used their hard-hitting offense to hurt the other teams, while Cargill used strength to bully everyone.

It was an emotional win for Fyre, as she lost a family member before the event. What does this loss mean for Belair and Cargill as a team?

Opening the card, Cody Rhodes successfully defended the Undisputed WWE Title against AJ Styles in an “I Quit” match. The match saw Rhodes’ anger against Styles be his downfall until the same thing happened to Styles towards the latter half of the contest. Tables, kendo sticks, and chairs were used, and Rhodes’ mom also made her presence felt.

MORE: Reactions as Priest avoids injury vs McIntyre, CM Punk intervenes

In the end, Rhodes ended his rivalry with Styles by showing a darker side, doing anything to secure the win. The Bloodline showed after things weren’t over with Rhodes, who dethroned Roman Reigns at WrestleMania. So Rhodes has moved on from one epic challenge to another.

The Sporting News provided results, match grades, and highlights from WWE Clash at the Castle.

WWE Clash at the Castle 2024 results, highlights

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Redemption: Passionate Cody Rhodes forces AJ Styles to say 'I Quit'

Cody Rhodes and AJ Styles started the show with an “I Quit” match. Rhodes was the aggressor to start, which was very unlike the champion, which showed just how much under his skin Styles has gotten. Styles took advantage by striking when Rhodes made mistakes. They brawled all over the OVO Hydro, from the Gorilla Position backstage to in the crowd.

Styles suplexed Rhodes out of the ring and landed a Brainbuster on the announce table, forcing Rhodes to bleed, a rarity in WWE but a possibility under the Triple H Era. Rhodes continued to defy the odds while his mother looked on. Chairs, kendo sticks, and even belts were used on Rhodes, who refused to give up. Rhodes passed out from a Crossface, but the match didn’t end because he didn’t verbally say “I Quit,” which defied logic.

Rhodes’ mom slapped the taste out of Styles, which distracted Styles, and Cody hit a chair to Styles’ face and forced him through a table. Roles reversed, where Styles’ anger got the best of him, and he also bled. Rhodes used handcuffs, multiple Cross Rhodes' and chairs. The handcuffs got put into play, and Rhodes hit a stuck Styles with several chair shots. Styles quit after Rhodes brought steel steps into the mix.

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It was a solid match that ended the rivalry between Rhodes and Styles while also showing a darker side of Rhodes. Statement made.

Grade: A-

Scotland's Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn win tag team gold in front of family and friends

Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill defended the WWE Women's Tag Team Titles against Shayna Baszler/Zoey Stark and Scotland's Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn. Belair used her athleticism to her advantage as she had control of the pace. Cargill used her strength to outmuscle multiple women. The champions forced the other two teams to regroup on the outside, showing how much trouble they were in.

Baszler and Stark took over, using their aggressive nature to neutralize the opposition. Finally, the Scottish team had an edge, much to the crowd's delight. It was chaos in the ring as everyone got to showcase their stuff, with a Belair suplex having everyone but Belair on the floor. Baszler was the only one to give Cargill trouble. Cargill appeared to have tapped to a submission, but the ref didn’t see it.

The champions hit a double team move, looking to end it, but Dawn took advantage and secured the win. Wow! New champions. That was an unexpected finish, with hometown wrestlers getting the win. Good moment for Fyre, who had a family tragedy earlier in the week. It was a solid match, minus a few hiccups. What does this mean for Belair and Cargill?

Grade: B+

Sami Zayn stops Chad Gable, Alpha Academy in turmoil

Sami Zayn and Chad Gable’s epic rivalry continued, with the WWE Intercontinental Title on the line. The rest of Alpha Academy looked on, concerned about their role. Something to note: Gable signed a new WWE contract.

Slaps got traded, and Gable used his wrestling ability to his advantage. He focused on Zayn’s shoulder. Zayn used the outside of the ring to give time for his arm to heal, disorienting Gable. Gable continued to work the arm while landing powerbombs, headbutts, and a crossface. Zayn reversed the latter move, and Gable countered into an Ankle Lock, with Zayn now having issues with his shoulder and leg.

Gable gave Maxxine Dupri the IC Title, but she didn't use it against Zayn. Zayn almost hit Dupri with a Helluva Kick, and Gable hit a Chaos Theory, but only for two. Otis stopped Gable from talking down Dupri, and Zayn accidentally hit Otis on the outside. Gable hit Otis and Zayn. Gable with an Ankle Lock on the outside barricade, Zayn reversed, and Gable tripped Dupri.

Otis, conflicted by what he saw, left. Helluva Kick and Zayn retained. It was a great, emotional match. I would have thought Gable would win, but it appears he’s moving to another big story with Otis.

Grade: A+

Bayley overcomes the odds, retains WWE Women's Title against Piper Niven

Another Scottish wrestler, Piper Niven, challenged Bayley for the WWE Women's Title. Niven, aka Viper, gets a moment in front of family and friends.

Piper used her size and strength to her advantage, but Bayley fought back, using her experience as the underdog to help her out. Chelsea Green was removed from the equation, making this a pure wrestling match. A Senton by Piper and a few headbutts and splashes by the corner had Bayley in trouble. The champion countered with headbutts of her own. On the outside, Bayley brought Piper down, if only for a moment.

Bayley chopped at the neck and back of Piper from the ropes. The crowd started to show support for Piper. Bayley to Belly from the middle rope, but Chelsea Green returned to the ring in a mask. She is very good at her job. Piper Driver, but only for two. A splash got countered, but Piper smothered Bayley on the outside. Running senton missed, and Bayley hit a crucifix driver for the win.

Bayley retaining seemed obvious, but Piper made it a fun clash. The champion may be one of the most consistent wrestlers on WWE’s roster, an all-time great. Also, happy birthday.

Grade: A

CM Punk screws over Drew McIntyre, Damian Priest retains gold

Drew McIntyre looks to avenge a loss against former Money in the Bank holder Damian Priest as he challenged for the World Heavyweight Title. It felt like all of Scotland was on his shoulders. He showed that when he flew over the top rope at the start of the match like a madman.

Priest tried using his power to find an advantage, landing suplexes and flying punches. However, McIntyre responded with his own power, including a spinebuster, Michinoku Driver, and ragdolling him out of the ring. Priest with a botch, with his foot getting hung on the top rope. That could have ended badly. Future Shock DDT by McIntyre, but only for two.

The ankle appeared OK, as Priest used it for kicks and climbing up the top. Razor’s Edge by Priest, but only for two. They traded shots in the middle of the ring, including a headbutt from McIntyre. McIntyre hit a Claymore through the barricade. He dragged Priest into the ring and went for the Claymore in the ring, but Priest countered with the South of Heaven for two.

Hurricanrana by Priest and a Claymore by McIntyre, but only for two. The official got knocked out of the match. Claymore, a new referee came in, but it was CM Punk. He hit McIntyre below the belt, and Priest hit the South of Heaven and retained the title.

A great match, and Priest is lucky he didn’t hurt himself too badly. Punk screwed over McIntyre, and now we can focus on that rivalry heading into the summer.

Grade: A