Since Triple H took over creative and talent relations, WWE’s product has vastly improved, with recent ratings demonstrating this. And it appeared, based on the build, that Clash At The Castle would be Drew McIntrye’s crowning moment with 62,000 fans cheering him on against Roman Reigns. But instead, not only did he lose, taking the energy out of the fervent crowd, he was made to look ridiculous, singing “American Pie” alongside Tyson Fury after the defeat. And while McIntyre is talented enough to recover from this, considering that Reigns is now a part-timer, it just feels like such a missed opportunity by Triple H to put the title on a full-time performer.
I will happily acknowledge that the rest of the show was enjoyable, with Gunther vs. Sheamus and Seth Rollins vs. Matt Riddle being outstanding matches. Yet, how a show ends to me is how it’s best remembered, and I expect many of the fans who made the trip to Wales were left with a sour taste in their mouth. And while WWE stans will say that the opponents that Reigns should lose the championship to are either The Rock or Cody Rhodes, why put McIntrye in such a position if that’s the case? Instead, WWE could have simply had him face Gunther and win the Intercontinental Championship as they did with The British Bulldog at SummerSlam 92.
If WWE absolutely had to do Reigns vs. McIntrye, for ticket sales, then a storyline of Fury interfering to cost McIntyre the win would have at least left him looking strong and set up a big match between them. Even if it required Saudi-level money to get Fury in the ring again. Instead, McIntrye will now go on to feud for months with Karrion Kross over nothing, while Reigns goes on another hiatus. And although most WWE fans will ultimately forget this by the time Triple H re-signs his 23rd former NXT talent. For me, he dropped the ball, and the ending was far too reminiscent of Lex Luger celebrating a count-out win against Yokozuna, which you know Triple H would never have allowed his own character to do.
