CM Punk spoils Drew McIntyre’s homecoming at WWE Clash at the Castle

It was an eerie similar scene for Scottish native Drew McIntyre who headlined and lost his second straight championship match at Clash at the Castle. Last year Solo Sikoa made his debut in helping Roman Reigns retain his belt. Today was at the hands of CM Punk who McIntyre has been embroiled in a massive feud with for well over a year. Other than McIntyre losing, this PLE featured a total of four Scottish superstars who were given the opportunity to perform in front of their home crowd. WWE’s international crowds are always juiced and make the energy amazing every time. Scotland was no different.

Undisputed WWE Championship -- Cody Rhodes (c) vs. AJ Styles ("I Quit" match): This match from start to finish did a wonderful job of storytelling. The action quickly spilled across the venue: first outside, then into the crowd and back to the production area with the champ getting the better of the brawl. Styles later took advantage of the match. Styles repeatedly caned and whipped Rhodes with a kendo stick and belt, respectively. The champion passed out from the pressure of a crossface. Styles demanded the referee ring the bell, however, the official informed Styles the match would continue until someone uttered "I quit." An irate Styles threw a water bottle at Rhodes to wake him up before handcuffing the champion. The downfall of Styles was he kept taunting Cody Rhodes' mom. Momma Rhodes slapped Styles multiple times from the outside. The motivation of Rhodes took over. Rhodes handcuffed Styles to the ropes and stung him with chair shots. Styles initially refused to quit but conceded after Rhodes threatened to chuck steel steps into his head. Rhodes won the match. The Bloodline attacked Rhodes post-match but Kevin Owens and Randy Orton rescued him. An interesting moment occurred when Orton looked at the title as Rhodes was holding, setting the stage of a future storyline.

WWE Women's Tag Team Championships -- Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill (c) vs. Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn vs. Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark: The only title that switched hands on the night was the women’s tag match. It was a shock since Bianca and Jade were built as this dominant presence in the women’s division. However, it was great to see the hometown favorites Fyre and Dawn get the win. Fyre’s mom passed away last month in a car accident. It was great too see her soak in the moment of something positive. The new champs embraced their family ringside as the crowd chanted "You deserve it!" A touching moment. The match did a great job of putting the new champs over and not taking away from the building of Belair and Cargill as neither champ took the pin. WWE should definitely build this rivalry into Summerslam.

Intercontinental Championship -- Sami Zayn (c) vs. Chad Gable: Gable has been a real A-hole as of late. Gable has been trying to get the Alpha Academy to follow suit but they have been unwilling. This match featured Gable strongly in that role. Gable forced Maxine Dupri to hit Zayn with the intercontinental belt as Gable distracted the ref but she couldn't follow through. Gable scolded Dupri in the corner but ducked as the champ nearly clocked Zayn with a Helluva Kick. Gable rolled out of the ring to scold Durpi. An angry Otis stepped in between them and got in Gable's face. Zayn launched over the ropes with a flipping senton and hit Otis by mistake.Zayn rolled through an ankle lock attempt ringside that inadvertently launched Gable into Dupri's injured leg. Otis was irate. He carried Dupri to the rampway. Zayn cracked Gable with a Helluva Kick to win the match before succumbing to his injured ankle. At the end  of the match Gable was in the ring pissed. Zayn looked at him and washed his hands symbolizing the end of their feud.

WWE Women's Championship -- Bayley (c) vs. Piper Niven: Niven another hometown favorite who put on a solid match. The story of this match was the antics of Chelsea Green. Green was caught trying to intervene in the first half of the match. Referee Chad Patton promptly ejected Green. Niven performed fine without her friend. Niven continued to punish Bayley with running splash and slams. Green returned sporting a luchador mask. Bayley clocked Green with a baseball slide before turning around into a nasty Tiger Driver for the near fall. The challenger followed up with a nice black hole slam ringside. A desperate crucifix bomb and high stack scored Bayley the pinfall. 

World Heavyweight Championship -- Damian Priest (c) vs. Drew McIntyre: Drew the traditional heel was a hometown favorite. An unintentional collision temporarily removed the referee. McIntyre hit a Claymore Kick and draped his arm over Priest. A referee slid into the ring and counted two but halted short of three. McIntyre looked up and came eye-to-eye with CM Punk dressed as a WWE official. McIntyre lunged at Punk's throat. Punk punted McIntyre in the groin and exited the ring. Priest took advantage and landed one last South of Heaven chokeslam as the original referee counted three.  CM Punk was met with a chorus of boos from the angry Scots. McIntyre and Punk is the hottest rivalry in wrestling right now. Punk stated at the post-fight press conference that he has an appointment with his doctor this coming week that should clear him soon for action.