WWE's Clash At The Castle is shaping up to be more than the company's next international live event filler, thanks to big matches like the Intercontinental Championship bout between Sheamus and Gunther. Clash At The Castle will be broadcast from the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales on Saturday, September 3rd. This premium live event marks the first major UK stadium show to be presented by WWE since SummerSlam 1992.
The Clash card is currently populated by a blend of high-profile championship matches, such as the contest between Roman Reigns and Drew McIntyre, and exciting rivalries like the feud between Seth Rollins and Riddle. While Roman Reigns' historic reign as WWE Champion has earned its place in the main event, that shouldn't diminish the significance of the other WWE titles being defended in Cardiff. The debate surrounding Liv Morgan's SmackDown Women's Championship is similarly impassioned but it's a midcard title that threatens to steal the show.
Thanks to Triple H's tireless efforts to legitimize WWE's secondary championships, the Intercontinental Title match between Sheamus and Gunther could be the Clash At The Castle bout that most significantly impacts WWE's future. Over the last several weeks, its become apparent that Triple H would like to return the Intercontinental Championship to the prestigious status it carried when wrapped around the waists of "Macho Man" Randy Savage and Razor Ramon. While fans scratch their heads at the idea of another Liv Morgan title defense and resign to the idea that Roman Reigns is likely leaving Cardiff as champion, Sheamus and Gunther offer WWE audiences a dose of exciting unpredictability.
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While Gunther has already defended his title against the likes of Ricochet and Shinsuke Nakamura, his upcoming battle against the veteran Sheamus is an opportunity for the Austrian to establish himself as both a great champion and a superstar worthy of his spot on the main roster. Gunther's recent matches have been good but since debuting on SmackDown in early April he's yet to achieve the same renown he held in NXT and NXT UK. Before changing his name and physique to better fit the main roster, Gunther (then billed as Walter) was among WWE's most celebrated champions. He held the NXT UK Championship for 870 days and received the CBS Sports 2020 Match of the Year award. While the championship might be the next WWE belt to be retired, Gunther's terrifying reign is likely something Triple H will look to replicate now that the big man is on SmackDown.
Sheamus, meanwhile, isn't just the perfect man to legitimize Gunther's reign. Like the Austrian, Sheamus is known for a hard-hitting and aggressive wrestling style. That aggression has led Sheamus to a dozen championship victories and even more WWE accolades. At 44 years old, however, it's unclear how much longer Sheamus will be able to wrestle at his current rate. Clash At The Castle could be the perfect time for Sheamus to seize the one title that has eluded him, WWE's Intercontinental Championship. Gunther could theoretically endure a loss and build himself up by brutalizing the rest of the SmackDown roster while Sheamus enjoys one last epic title run.
Triple H's WWE improvements have been vast. At Clash At The Castle, the Intercontinental Championship will undoubtedly be elevated by the physical efforts of Sheamus and Gunther. With each competitor adding irrefutable value to the title, the live audience in Cardiff and those watching on Peacock should be able to sit back and enjoy the show knowing that no matter who emerges triumphant, it's the WWE fans who win.